I have been lurking on this board and tried to do Atkins but got talked out of it by a friend who is doing Rosemary Conley (high carbs low fat). I have hypoglycemia, fibromyalgia and a rather stressful life (long commute, high pressure job, etc.) I woke up this morning and told my husband that I am sick and tired of being fat, sick and tired. He can eat anything he wants and not gain weight. So, I dug out the New Atkins book yesterday, went to the store and bought loads of protein, non starchy veg and salads and started this morning. So far I have drunk 1.5 litres of water. I had a piece of grilled salmon this morning for breakfast (who says you have to eat eggs all the time?) and for the first time in years was not hungry until 1.00 p.m., bearing in mind the blood sugar deal and the fact that I ate breakfast at 6.30 a.m. I fixed a gorgeous chicken and vegetable salad with feta cheese, roasted red and yellow peppers, chicken, cucumber, romaine lettuce and a herb/olive salad dressing that I made myself with fresh herbs. It is gorgeous and I know now that I can do without all the sweets, wine, bread and garbage that I have been stuffing in my face all these years. I have a long way to go with over 100 lbs to lose but I can do it. Also, my ankles which are usually swollen by now -- probably from eating cereal are not swollen at all. I already power walk 5 miles a day with weight in a backpack as part of my commute and don't think I can do weight training just yet as I also do a lot of gardening which entails lifting, digging, bending but perhaps at my halfway point I can get on with some sort of weight training that won't trigger FMS or an arthritis attack. I look forward to becoming part of this wonderful low carb family. Thanks to all of you for your information and inspiration. Now if we could just tell the people in the UK (where I live although I am American) that they don't need to put sugar and bread in their sausages I will be in heaven.

Musicmaker,
Welcome to LCE!! We're glad you're here!
I suffer from hypoglycemia and fibromyalgia, too, and I will tell you in all honesty that I feel best when I am eating on-plan...it does wonders for my acid reflux, too. It is just the best way of eating for me to feel healthy, and I lose weight, too! How great is that?
I find that yoga is very helpful for taking the aches out of my bones and toning my muscles. There are some poses I just can't do, but several gentle ones help me relax and stretch...have you looked into it? Also, have you tried making your own sausage? It's really easy, actually, and takes just a little investment in time and equipment. It may be a good option for you if finding Atkins-friendly sausage is a problem.
In any case, welcome again, and keep us posted on how you're doing!!

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Trina

Vice-President of the Intergalactic Order of Brussels Sprouts Haters

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musicmaker- well, welcome back!

don't think of it in terms of having a long way to go; think in terms of taking good care of yourself right now, making good choices right now, today, feeling good today. if you take each day as it comes, the long-term picture will materialize for you without any additional fuss on your part.

and by all means, focus on physical activities that suit you right now! you're walking a lot and gardening and moving. that's great! and that's fine. weight training isn't the only way you can get exercise that "counts." you'll probably find different exercises help and challenge you appropriately at different points in your journey.

sounds like you're getting a great start, and we all wish you the best of luck. hang around here for ideas and inspiration, and make sure you make choices that feel the best to you, and i've no doubt you'll do well.

looking forward to seeing your progress.

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EatSmart Nutritional Scale Review

Welcome Musicmaker!! :jump:

You are defintitely on the right track! Just remember to come back here often and read what you have written & keep posting... there will be days that will be MUCH harder than others (especially in the beginning), but if you can just stick it out, you will be AMAZED how much better you feel.
This way of eating has LITERALLY kept me off of diabetes medicine and makes me feel GREAT!
Keep drinking that water & you will see some big changes soon...
I wish you the best of luck on your low-carb journey!

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Summer

Welcome

Sainsubrys do sausages (from their posh range) with only 1 carb each.

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DANDR

Starting weight: 196 lbs
Current weight: 149 lbs
Goal weight: 130 lbs

wow, musicmaker! you are a great inspiration. I'm just starting this wol and if you don't mind, I'm going to print out your post for motivation.
rus

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7.5/100

Low carb is so wonderful! Great food, good health, what more could we ask for?

It's good to see more from across the pond getting into low carb. Share some of your recipes with us. It's always fun trying to figure out ingredients and measurements, having to "translate"!

Glad to have you around the boards.

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Nita

Welcome, musicmaker.

Hope you'll make yourself at home.

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Your menu sounds totally yum to me! Well done on finding so many healthy, wonderful foods to eat. Looking forward to getting to know you better.

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~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

Hello again and thanks to all of you for your kind comments. I already feel a lot lighter since starting this and so far have had no low blood sugar. I had a huge nasty craving for sweets yesterday but managed to overcome it by drinking some herb tea with splenda although I want to avoid artificial sweeteners as much as possible. Thanks for the tip about Sainsburys sausages. I think I will try making my own. I found some recipes on the Internet that looked low carb because they just used minced pork and spices and herbs. I grow my own sage among other herbs so it will be fun to try that. DH has been great about eating his cookies in the kitchen out of my sight although last night I heard him munching so had to walk away! Isn't it crazy the tricks our mind plays on us? I look forward to my journey with all my wonderful new low carb friends. It is a gorgeous warm (finally) day today in London so I am looking forward to grilled chicken and salad sitting in our newly completed garden tonight.