Hello, everyone!

My name is Julie and this is actually my second time with the Atkins WOE. My first time was in December 2001/January 2002. I had been on a low-fat diet and stalled and decided to try Atkins to get the last pounds off. It worked very well, I felt great, but then I fell off the low-carb wagon. Fast forward 2 years to now... I'm relatively happy with my body size, but wouldn't mind being smaller. I'm a 10/12 but am feeling flabby. What really got me motivated to re-start Atkins was how crappy I had been feeling all the time. Tired, tired, tired. Now, I work full time and have 3 sons (a 9 year old and 3-1/2 year old twins), so there's so reason for the fatigue... but I'm only 34! I shouldn't feel this tired all the time!

So, on January 12th I started the Atkins plan again. Unfortunately, I wasn't as buckled-down serious about it as I should have been and so I REALLY started on January 19th. I actually jumped into ketosis pretty quickly (by day 2) and started feeling quite good by day 5. I'm now nearing the end of induction and have lost 7 lbs. What's interesting this time around, though, is that I'm less obsessed with the scale (okay, I'm still obsessed, but less bothered by it). I feel like I've really had a mind shift and am finding that my primary goal is to feel GOOD, not to lose weight. The weight loss is an added bonus (though I'll take that bonus!)

So, I started at 176 and am now at 169. I'd be pleased to reach 155... and would look awesome if I reach 145 (I'm 5'6" but muscular and broad shouldered). What I really like, though, is that I know I'll reach a good weight for me at some point, if I continue to eat this way. And, I'll continue to eat this way because it makes me feel good. (Gotta love a circular argument!)

Anyway, when it comes to eating and weight loss this is really an epiphany for me. For the first time, I'm focusing on eating to feel good, not just eating to look good. I found this site very helpful 2 years ago and find it such a great resource now (can't believe how much "easier" it is to go low carb now vs. 2 years ago). Thanks to all of you for sharing your stories and support, and for making a lurker like me feel welcome. I look foward to getting to know all of you!

Julie

Atkins - 2nd time around

Started 1/19/04
176/169/145

Julie, it's wonderful you have "de-Lurked"!!! Welcome back. I think you've really got it nailed down now. You're gonna do great!!!!

Barb - 30 lbs gone FOREVER!
www.iwsgroupinc.com - website design and development


Atkins-3/14/03
174/144/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Knowledge is POWER

yes it is easier, but its also harder in a way. you have to resist those low carb candy bars & other products that everyone is coming out with.not all of those things are too great for this woe. better to stick to the natural stuff.
anyway, WELCOME! good luck on your 2nd time around!

christine

166/143/120
L/C 8/04/03

Welcome Julie!!

400/330/200

Welcome, Julie!
And yes you do have the right mindset. I can't begin to describe how much better I feel with this WOE! So much energy, skin is so clear, hair is shiny, and importantly, no bouts with depression because of feeling out of control.

I'm glad you decided to join us too, since we all receive such encouragement, motivation, and advice mixed in with the one thing that always works for me--laughter!!!!!!!!
I love this WOL and this site!!

So good luck with your goals and don't be a stranger!!!

Cherub
304/284/160
5'9"
Started Atkins 01/04/04

Christine,
I agree with you on the candy. I have a pilot friend who is a Captain at JetBlue. He is doing Atkins also. He told me the other night he was on his way to Las Vegas and had a couple of the Low Carb/sugar Russell Stover candies and then a couple more in his hotel. Well the whole crew went out to dinner and walking down the strip that night. He told me his stomach was in so much pain and cramps, he had to duck in about 5 casinos to use the bathroom. He said he was so embarrassed. I laughed over the phone for so long. Still cracks me up.
Tony

Man cannot live by bread alone... because it makes him fat.
Go Panthers!!
240/230/200

Oh yeah,
Welcome Julie. I also did the Atkins in 2001 and lost 50lbs. Gained 40 back and back on for good now and not worried about how fast it takes.

Man cannot live by bread alone... because it makes him fat.
Go Panthers!!
240/230/200

Welcome Julie!

I just started this woe on 1.5.04, but I started for the same reason you did. To FEEL better. The losing weight is just a way to get there. But I will have so say, that since I've started this woe my moodiness has been much better (my dh thanks Dr. Atkins for that) and I'm just so much more energized now.

Anyway...I digress...

Welcome again! Hope to see you on the boards!


sneezy
205/188/130

Oh Meat, I had an experience like that too, but luckily I was sitting here at my computer. I didn't get much written that night,

I certainly learned my lesson!!!!!

Barb - 30 lbs gone FOREVER!
www.iwsgroupinc.com - website design and development


Atkins-3/14/03
174/144/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Knowledge is POWER

Welcome Julie



Always eat your veggies first!
LCE member since March 2002

Thanks, everyone, for the warm welcome! I appreciate it!

I tend to be a bit on the obsessive side, so I'm guessing there will be times my quest to "feel better" will derail into a quest to "look better." However, I can tell that things are very different this time, just from the first 2 weeks.

I have even starting saying "I don't eat that" rather than "I can't eat that" (as mentioned in a post/article I read on this site. I make a conscious effort to say "don't" and the self-talk thing really works!

Thanks again for your warm welcome! I look forward to posting often!

Julie

Atkins - 2nd time around

Started 1/19/04
176/169/145

Hi Julie - love that new word for our board "delurking"!

Connie

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