Hi, New Here With A ? [x-post]

[Sandyb]

Hi everyone, my name is Sandy. :wave: I'm 41 and live in Los Angeles California. I just started Atkins 8/4/04 (after feeling like a failure on Weight Watchers...I couldn't stick with the program since I was allowed sweets, breads, pasta, beer, etc. and I always want more and more ). So, I decided that I need to stay away from those foods/beverages and I need more protein and less carbs; so I bought Atkins book Tuesday and started the program Wednesday.

I have a question, I am 5'5" and currently weigh 173 pounds. I intend to stay on the 20 carb/induction phase of Atkins until I reach my goal weight of 130. Since 8/4/04, I lost 6 and 1/2 pounds since I started (179.5). I know that everyones' metabolism is different and people lose weight at different rates, but I was wondering if it is reasonable to expect to lose my 43 pounds in five months...again assuming I stay at 20 grams carbs per day?

I appreciate any help you can give me with this. Thank you

[jemman]

its certainly possible & not unheard of. best of luck to you! :)

[Sandyb]

Thanks Jemman. I know that I'm not in a "race" to lose, but I'm so happy after being on Atkins for the past week that I'm actually excited about being thin again for the first time in years!!!

[SkinnySoon]

Welcome. It looks like we're neighbors.

Yes... your goal is possible, but don't be disappointed if it takes longer. Everyone's body works differently.

Personally, I would not stay on induction the whole time because you will not be "learning' a new way to eat within a controlled environment. Once you reach your goal, you will only have the super-structured lessons of Induction, and not the more lenient lessons of the other phases that require learning self-control and learning more about the foods you are eating, and not just following a list of foods in a book.

It's all up to you how you follow it, but if you want to keep your weight off for life... andnot use this a a diet, you might want to consider following it the way it is laid out. You do not have to limit yourself to a 2 week induction, but you should move onto OWL once you get within a certain distance from your goal so you can learn how to control yourself when you have "options" available to you.

[Sandyb]

Hi neighbor!! You're right of course SkinnySoon!! I want to keep this weight off forever once and for all and I will have to incorporate more carbs into my day. I just get the cart in front of the horse sometimes!! LOL Right now I feel hopeful for the first time in years, so I'm actually letting myself plan for future weight loss goals and I'm sure how I get there will be modified over time.

[Tara Rose]

Another LA Lady chimes in . . .

Sandy, I barely lost on induction. Two hard weeks with very little to choose from and only an 8 pound lose to show for it. When I moved into OWL, the first thing I added in was strawberries and more veggies. I've since been whooshing my way to goal.

I've lost 20 since July 5 and each day I learn more.

The way I look at it, if "dieting" worked, it wouldn't start with the word DIE.

Which is how I felt on WW!!

You've done great so far, don't short change yourself by not learning how to do this for life.

[Sandyb]

Hi Tara Rose. Yep, diet is die with a "t" and I feel so much better than when I was on weight watchers. I'm getting used to eating LC and I am realizing that I will eat this way for the rest of my life, or else I will be overweight and I don't want to weigh what I do today ever again. ;)