Hello All.

[miss toni marie]

Hello everyone. My name is Toni and I have just joined. I was a member of the Atkins diet forum for a little over four years. A little background as far as that goes; I started the Atkins diet in January of 2004 and was committed until August of that year. I lost 90 pounds in that time...I went from 320 pounds to 230 pounds. I had some relationship problems and went off the diet. Was on and off of it for a couple more years, my weight going up and down. I have decided Atkins is no longer for me. It works, but makes me very sick, weak and all around lazy. I have not dieted since sometime in 2006 - and here I am at a horrible 348 pounds. My boyfriend and I joined a gym yesterday and have decided to take action. I am open to ALL suggestions, as I am not sure what to do anymore. My goal weight is 180, but any weightloss at this time would make me feel a little better about myself. I will be so happy when my self esteem level boosts back up and I can look decent being chubby instead of severely overweight.

 

[Judyb]

I don't know if it will work for you, but I can't do set diet plans. I just have adapted the type and portions of my food. Little or no added fat in cooking. Substitute ground chicken or turkey for ground beef in many dishes...less beef, more chicken and lots more vegetables.

It's amazing how much food you can eat when you consume veggies instead of fats. Find an exercise that you don't hate or even better something you enjoy. But at worst, you shouldn't hate it.

Bottom line, you have to find a lifestyle change that you can live with for the rest of your life.

Welcome and good luck!

 

[miss toni marie]

My biggest thing is no more eating out. No more fast food. I don't know if I will be able to stick to a diet, my boyfriend and I have different tastes in food and he isn't going to be trying too hard in changing his eating habits.

As far as the workout - it felt good, haven't been active in a long time..definitely didn't hate it, but can't wait to get some swimming in or even an aqua aerobics class or something.

 

[Judyb]

You can still eat out, most places offer healthy options or at least healthier options. Fast food might be a little tougher, but a baked potato from Wendy's won't kill ya. A grilled chicken sandwich from most anywhere isn't that bad, esp. if you skip the mayo. Fries are not on most diet menus...but if you order a kids meal you can occasionally splurge a few calories on even naughty foods.