So close to my goal I keep expecting those last few pounds to say goodbye, though they are stubbornly sticking like mortar on brick. I USED to be obsessed with this. Three pounds and I would be at goal. My happiness depended on these three pounds! I would be SO happy. I would finally be THERE. Whereever there was.. lol

I walked by a full length mirror the other day and did a double take on my figure. My necklace hung daintily over my collar bone. (I was always envious of people who could see theirs, because I never could!). My waist curved in, showing how slender I've become. My arms (last place to lose!) looked smaller and muscles more defined as they become more taunt with excercise. My hips and thighs were trim. My ankles - Oh my gosh! - I HAVE ankles - slender little ankles! Couldn't ever see those either! I had that healthy happy glow from LC too and felt radiantly healthy from the inside out.

Up until now I have still seen the "old me", still needing a major overhaul. That no matter HOW MUCH I lost, it wasn't enough. I was always chasing after those last few pounds.

Those last few pounds have NO effect on me anymore. I don't carry the number off of the scale laser printed on my forehead! How I cheated myself from my much earned happiness JUST BECAUSE OF THREE POUNDS!!!!

Today I am...

A svelt size seven.

Healthier and more content then EVER!

Enjoying Atkins as my lifestyle choice for LIFE

Realizing that this will ALWAYS be a journey - detours are alright, enjoy the scenery along the way!

My marriage is better too - no more mood swings from sugar crashes, etc.

Joyous from knowing I am setting the best example and living it, for my children.

Seeing me for who I am, not a number on the scale - or the old version of me.

Feeling fufilled in spirit and health. Never feeling deprived. I felt like Maggie's article could have been written by me. My can't have become my don'ts.

Ramble ramble ramble... Everything hit me like a brick, so I had to share. I just get SO excited! Stay encouraged and fight the good fight. YOU are so worth it!

Crystal
(180 something)158/142/139
Atkins since 5/31/03

This post disappeared? (((Hellloooo))) from the bottom of a barrell.... lol

Crystal, you gave me goose bumps. What a wonderful tribute to LC AND yourself. I can now say I know EXACTLY what you mean. I am finally seeing myself as the thinner person I was meant to be. It feels soooooooo good!!!! My DH grabs my tush all the time now, too. He really likes my smaller size. It's the little things that make it all worthwhile. And it feels good to say, "I DID this, I accomplished something amazing." And I am not sweating those last pounds I want to take off. I am happy where I am RIGHT now!!!!

Barb - 30 lbs gone FOREVER!



Atkins-3/14/03
174/144.8/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Knowledge is POWER

Crystal...
GREAT post! I had a tear in my eye reading it... I have a ways to go, but reading that made me think...Hey, look how far I've gotten!


"Do, or do not. There is no 'try'."
- Yoda ('The Empire Strikes Back')
Start Atkins 9.1.03
225/200/130ish
Valentine's Day Goal: 180

Congratulations Crystal! Let us both be successful in our quest for life long maintenance.

Judy

180/was 138.5 but now after Christmas 141--bah humbug!/135-138
"How long does getting thin take?"
Winnie the Pooh,Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne

Crystal
Good lesson you shared with us, And a difficult one to learn. Thanks

Rob
310/236.5/180

Me, a skeptic? I trust you have proof.

MAH-velous, simply MAH-velous!!!

Blessings!
Sharron
Author of "Low Carb Cooking at Sharron's Place," and "Extreme Lo-Carb Cuisine," available where ever books are sold.

www.thelowcarbcook.com

"My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart." Colossians 2:2

Wonderful post, Crystal! You've said it all.

In the latest (February 04) issue of Prevention magazine, there's a fascinating pictorial. They took pictures of several women, which were then altered by computer in different ways: add/subtract ten pounds, larger upper body, etc. Then they asked the women to choose which was the "real" picture. Five of the six women chose the wrong picture, based on their perceptions.

On Monday, my hubby starts Atkins. We'll do induction together (my fresh start!) and I'm really looking forward to sharing the lifestyle. He's NOT looking forward to it particularly--but I've promised him how good he'll start to feel!

Best wishes to everyone for 2004.

Barb L.
Started Atkins January 2003
162/137/130

Crystal, congratulations on your success. I know how hard it is for me to really see myself. It is great that you finally realized you look terrific without losing the last 3 pounds . I am hoping to get there myself. There are days when I "see" the slimmer me, but there are more days when the fat clouds my vision.

So glad you shared you feelings with us .


Susan ( AKA Northwest)
207/172/160/
size 16/12/8
LC since 4/03

Crystal,

I am so happy for your happiness! It sounds as if you've had many and wonderful life changes which came to you in a flash of what we used to call "cosmic consciousness" in the sixties. LOL!

It's like a sudden bit insight when everything comes together and you see yourself in the context of yourself, your family and the universe all at once and experience a deep understanding and contentment.

You can pull that out and think about it whenever life throws it's inevitable curve-balls.

Maggie
5'1" ~~ Atkins since '98 (160+)
Maintaining nicely (110 +/-)
~~ Redhead until further notice!

Barb ~ I just started getting the Prevention magazine (Christmas gift!). I just recvd the January issue this week and read it cover to cover. I read that article and thought how I know I would pick a “heavier all over “ version of me, instead of the “Real McCoy”.
I am so jealous your hubby is starting the low carb lifestyle with you. If he is anything like my husband, he will hate to admit that you were right, when he starts to receive all the side benefits and perks of Atkins! I am so excited for the journey you are starting together! J

Susan ~ Don’t “hope” to get there…. Realize you WILL be there!!!

Maggie ~ You said it perfectly, hun. J A deep, true understanding is a treasure…. Not so often does the light bulb come on so bright!…lol

Sharon ~ Bowing… Thank you… Thank you…. A scarlet rose between my teeth… (Throw roses! Just not low carb chocolates! LOL)

Rob ~ The most difficult and hardest learned lessons are the ones that carry the most merit in life. J

Judy ~ YOU are AWESOME! So close you are… (((Cheers!!!))) <<<glasses clink>>> “Here’s to us and our happiness LC’ing & oh yeah - one other minor thing - getting to goal! Whenever that is!” I’ll just enjoy the ride in this sweet convertible of LC living, with my hair flying in the wind, and enjoy the scenery until then! J

Tara ~ (((Handing you a Kleenex!))) & yes - Hey - 25 pounds is GREAT!!!

Thank you Barb! I am also a member of the Sore Rear Club! Hahahah!

Congrats to all of you for your success so far & best wishes for more in 2004!

Take care,

Crystal

What's with all the J's?...

(I copied and pasted out of Word - OOPS!)

Was wondering the same thing, Word does very weird things sometimes. I thought it was some kind of secret code,

Barb - 30 lbs gone FOREVER!



Atkins-3/14/03
174/144.8/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Knowledge is POWER