Hi, I am Mateo, and I have been on the Atkins Low Carb Diet for almost three months now (1 Day to go!).

As with many of you, I have had some quite amazing results on my low-carb journey, and I would like to share them with you all now.

This summer, In July, I made a decision: I was going to lose weight. In my mindset, It is all about taking charge and having the initiative not to try to lose weight, but to do it. You see, ever since third grade, I have been somewhat self-conscious about my weight - and how I looked with that weight. I have, in addition, tried to be wary of what I took down when I could, trying to keep my portions small, and reducing my fat intake.

I did get serious about a serious diet WOL once before I went low-carb - that was in January of this year. I reduced my calorie intake, and followed calorie-counting religiously for two weeks. I do believe that helped. However, I had a change of heart after that and from then on did not follow as meticulously, but watched my portions as much as I could nonetheless.

This was up to July. In July of 2002, I decided to make a change. I did this not only for me, but for my friends and family. I did not want to be overweight. I wanted to be able to wear a size other than extra large or 2X. I never have, however, considered myself extremely overweight.

On July 21st, 2002, during a walking session (I had a 3 mile a day walking routine) with my mother, I decided that I was going to go on the Atkins diet. It was then that I weighed 243 pounds.

That was the moment my whole life changed. You see, I embraced Low Carb as a WOL that would enable me to be a different person than I was. I never considered myself to be much different from other people, just a person with more "substance" to him, to be truthful.

Since July 21st, 2002, I have not cheated ONCE. Atkins is my way of life - Not once, do I believe, have I intentionally ingested a great amount of carbs - never more than I needed to. Therein lies my inspiration - I see no reason to "fancy-up" foods I eat with carb-laden tastes, or to eat carbohydrate products. I am happy with chicken as chicken, pork as pork, and for foods otherwise as they are.

As far as exercise goes, I decided to wait to start up my self-prescribed cardio exercise routine until this point - ten pounds away from my goal. This allows me to work my way into an exercising way of life, and to continue my low-carb one, shaping my now thinner self along the way.

I watched during the past three months as I was transformed. I have shrunk from my previous 243 pounds to my current 175 pounds, and I am still dropping. My goal is 165, one I will reach in the next month. I will keep this forum, in the meanwhile, posted. In the past three months, also, I have lost 10.25 inches off my stomach and 7 inches off my waist. I have never felt better.

Other people have noticed too. As I am a student, I have had more than one teacher tell me how different I looked. In addition, I can not count the number of praises I have recieved from friends, family, and fellow students at my school about how great I look now.

In reflection, The journey is far from over. Low Carb is not a temporary means of dropping fat - to me, it is to always be a way of life, mine. And, in recollection, I have enjoyed this journey I have taken with myself and look with great hope upon the person I am to become. I hope you have taken something out of my story, as I have taken so much out of many of yours.

Thanks for caring,
Mateo
A Fellow Low-Carb "Dieter"
I Will Keep You Posted!

Here is a before and after picture of my face that I compiled. The image file is attached.