I want to start out by saying I'm new to support forums and I feel so happy and lucky to have found this one. You all seem so supportive, it really blows me away.

I'm at work typing this right now and I can only type a little at a time for typing this is making me start to cry. That surprises me because I'm not much of a cry'er. I guess it just shows how sensative I am right now and how tired I am of struggling with my weight.

My name is Elizabeth. I am 33 years old and am married and have a wonderful 5 year old son. I am generally a very happy and outgoing person. I am the kind of person who always tries to make everyone feel happy and I am all about doing the right things in life. Helping people. Teaching my son right from wrong. Respecting the elderly, etc.

I'm lucky that I haven't always struggled with my weight. I was a healthy, fit, active young girl and besides the few normal up's and down's I've felt confident in my apprearance and about being a good person in general to back it up.

Long story short, my husband, son and I moved in with my mom. We sold our house and were going to begin the building project of our new house. Due to finances we decided to stick it out at my mom's house for two years. We are still there. This month is the two year mark. In general things have gone really well and we've been able to pay off some debt.

The big problem though is that I was not taking care of myself properly and found myself eating take out all of the time and ordering pizza and watching t.v. all evening with my mom, etc. I am EXTREMELY unhappy right now with my weight. I am trying to keep a very positive image/attitude for my husband (putting up with my depression over this) and my son. I am just so sad that I've gained the weight. Although my goal isn't to be a size 4/6 or anything, I would be very happy to get back into my size 10 wardrobe. Right now I am a size 16. I went from where I was comfortable at 150 or 160 to 215. I thought the scale was broken the last time I got on it. I was sick to my stomach over what I saw. Then I went and "escaped" in some ice cream and probable two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The pounds just seem to keep coming on and on.

I am so tired of feeling my belly sticking out over my pants (my big pants) and having my pants buttons digging into my stomach. And none of my bras being able to hook in the back comfortably. Or not wearing a pair of shorts or even capris in over two years. And so many more things. I have a nice wardrobe waiting for me, just staring me in the face. I hate to say this about myself but I just feel stupid and weak. It's like I want to say "pull yourself together, geeze". "Just do it". But then I break and eat until it's hard to sit up straight.

I need to know...to really believe that I can do this. That it is possible to loose the weight. To know that my stomach will go back down and I don't need to stress myself into a tissy about how I'll come up with money for stomach lipo...that my husband is completely against.

I want to prove it to myself that I can do this but just as much?...I want to show others. I don't want to be that girl that "used to be pretty and attractive" at work. I want to be the best I can be. I'm not looking for perfection but I know I can do a heck of a lot better than this. I hope Atkins is the plan that is going to get me there.

I am ready to go and have started today. I guess I'm just hoping for a few of your prayers to help me get through it.

And also, I commend all of you for being here, reaching out, offering your great support and also for taking the steps to better yourself and your happiness.

I'm sorry for having wrote this book...I didn't expect all of this to come out.

I wish you all much success,

Elizabeth.

I'm with you on this love, it's hard, if you need a chat, there are some brilliant people on here, nothing wrong with shedding a tear or two we've all been there, I'm sure xx

If you have the will, Atkins is the way! You can do it, but you have to really want it, because there will be cravings along the way, and like any diet (we prefer Way of Eating -- WOE, since this is more or less a lifetime committment to change the way you eat, as is ANY successful diet plan.)

Start out by reading the book, cover to cover. You will learn so much about not only how to do the diet successfully, but why it works! Keep the book handy, and refer to it often.

If you follow the book, you will succeed. Check back in with us often. There is so much support, enthusiasm, information, and just plain good advice here!

I wish you all the best. You can do it! Read the book and stick with us, and you will find the success you seek. Good Luck and Welcome to the forum!

First of all welcome to the forum. Wonderful people here willing to discuss darn near anything and everything! We have all shed and shared a few tears here hon......it isn't easy that is for sure.

Do read the book, start your own journal....will help you to keep track of what works or does not.....keeps you accountable and also a place to chat with friends.

If you need help.....just ask!!! Most of all.........good luck!!!!

I am going to reiterate what Connie said - if you really want it, you can do it! Atkins works phenomenally for so many people if they really stick to it and make the choice not to cheat or play around with it.

The first few days are rough, as the carbs in your body are used up and you make the switch to burning fat intead of sugar, but after you get past that, you're home free

Welcome to the forums!

Welcome!!

I can tell you that you are not alone ~ I have felt totally devastated with my body and disappointed that I have allowed myself to gain so much weight ~ But this WOE is definitely the answer for me and I can see the light and the end of the tunnel (the light is far far away, but I do see it ).

You can definitely do this if you want to, and this forum is a wonderful place for support and information.

Again, welcome!

Elizabeth, welcome. You'll find lots of great support here. Hopefully you also have the support of your family, it will make a huge difference as you try to get out of the rut of pizza, fast food, etc. As someone else mentioned, its best to start with the book and stick to the plan exactly. If you do, you'll see some good results and that will be the BEST motivation for putting the ice cream back and not cheating.

I like the '72 Atkins diet, there is a forum here that has the rules posted that you can refer to whenever you need reminding:

http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=340061

Best wishes on your journey back to size 10, maybe beyond!!
Sallie

Get yourself some of the lowest carb pizza sauce that you can find on the shelf at the store. Spread a thin layer on a plate.
Add your cheese and toppings.
Microwave until bubbly.
Sprinkle with parm chs
Get yourself a nice cold diet coke.

Now sit down and eat your LC comfort food.

There are ways of satisfying those cravings without going off plan. Best of luck to you, you can do it!

A warm welcome to you, Elizabeth! We're very glad to have you here with us!

You can do this! There will be ups and downs along the way, but you have an entire community here to support you and encourage you.

Do start a journal, as Annie suggested. Then we will always be able to find you and pop in now and then to see how you're doing. Feel free to stop by my journal any time! I love visitors!

I also recommend that you learn to track your food intake each day. My personal preference is My P.L.A.N., which is a part of this site (just click on the yellow words in the green tool bar at the top of the page). Many members use fitday.com, so that's an alternative if you prefer it.

Welcome to the forums. Stay strong and postive. You can do it!! Wishing you all the best on your success.

As long as you are determined to lose the weight for the right reasons then it will happen! I used to picture myself trying to play with my grandchildren, don't have any yet, and would just cry because it so wouldn't happen! Not at the weight I was! Find you main motivator and focus on that to help you through this journey!

Elizabeth! Look at all the great support you have already received!!!How can you not succeed. Just like everyone else has already said: you simply MUST buy the book. This WOE is so completely different from anything you have ever EVER done. Make the commitment to stick to it for at least two weeks, (you can do ANYTHING for two weeks) and you will see a difference in the way you feel. You are fortunate that you really don't need to lose a whole lot, You will see a big difference after just twenty pounds. Congrats on finding this site and this new WOE. come back often, ask millions of questions, and get a journal going!

Welcome Elizabeth!

I swear it's the getting started that's the hardest part. You've come to the right place for support. Good luck on your journey! You can do it!