I'm back!

[MissMcK]

Hi! :wave:
I'm a 37 year-old mother to 3 crazy boys. I'm engaged to be married in just 4 short months. I'd vowed to get in shape when we got engaged last September so that I won't spend my life hating my wedding photos, but I couldn't find the motivation to do so until last week.

I very easily lost 50 pounds on LC in/around 2004, but for whatever reason, I just didn't think it would work again. I maintained for about 8 years and switched plans when I decided to start working out which did help me tone.

I started this particular LC journey on 3/28 and weighed in at 255 (my highest ever) and I weighed in today at 242! I'm still in shock. I'm sure that also not drinking a bottle of wine nearly every day helped with that shocker of a weight loss number! I would be happy with being at a comfortable size for my wedding which is 215 (although my ultimate goal weight is 170). I'd be THRILLED at 200. I'm going to see how the chips will fall by continuing forward instead of getting discouraged if my weight loss stalls.

I've been working out just about every day. Playing Dance Central 3 with my oldest son or going for a walk with my fiancee. Just being more physical in general. I'm a grad student and I spend a LOT of time sitting, reading, and writing papers.

I'm happy to find an active LC forum and look forward to getting to know you all!! <3

[mojolissa]

Welcome back and congrats on the upcoming nuptials! :)

[JEY100]

Welcome back and congratulations on the upcoming wedding. If you are at 242 now, a goal of 200 within reason. Often the "must lose X pounds by X date" folks have wildly optimistic ideas of the speed of weight loss. Depending on how strict a version of Atkins you follow, including not having alcohol until some wedding champagne to celebrate your new happy and healthy life :) you may be surprised by positive changes in your body composition in 4 months. Renee's success story is a recent one I remember..there are others in this milestone forum for inspiration. http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=471192

One Suggestion is you consider Atkins 1972 (Wonderful supportive Buddy Group here http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=471144) or the Dr. Westman clinic version (found in the back of Why We Get Fat) which is an excellent book to understand LCHF but sounds like you don't have time for extra reading! The diet is also on this website for a two week start program (everything needed, good recipes, membership free for first month) http://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb

One caveat to your wedding goal is from a good "habit change" thread. So after you fit into "the dress"...then what? You have to have a plan NOW for what comes after that. How about a goal of a normal, healthy BMI (150) for your lifelong health to take care of those boys and be around to dance at their wedding? Here's my post on the problem of a "Finish Line" as a reward but this whole thread has good tips. A "clean slate" is one technique you may have available ...does the wedding change your living situation, new area to shop for food, finish grad studies, get a job?...any change of circumstance may be used to change eating habits for your family.

Visit this forum as often as you can, read around the newbie advice and get support...you can do even "better than before" :thup:

All the best,

[MissMcK]

Thanks for the welcome Mojolissa! :)

Thanks for all of the great information Jey! :)

To answer your questions:
1. When I did Atkins in 2004, I read the book cover to cover. So even though I *definitely* have no time for pleasure reading at the moment, I remember the core sentiments of his work.
2. Fortunately, my dress is being made to fit me! :yay: :yay: BUT my goals are to feel more comfortable in my skin AND to avoid getting diabetes. The first time I did Atkins it was a combination of those two. My grandmother died from complications with diabetes in her 60s. Her sister died a couple years later and had gone blind AND was in danger of losing a leg. I lost sight of the "not getting diabetes" goal somewhere along the line (probably between my ex-husband's DUIs, losing his job, and getting a divorce) and started eating crappier than I'd ever eaten before.

Although I've tried a few times in the past 3 years to get back on track, this time I'm definitely more focused than I've been. I KNOW that planning my meals for the next day or week are SUPER important for my success. Unfortunately (and fortunately), I've become obsessed with before and after pictures, success stories, making tons of new recipes, and freezing tons and tons of meat for easy access for meals.

I will check out the links you included, but I can't see the Finish Line post! I would love to read that one as well.

[JEY100]

Sorry, forgot that link: http://forum.lowcarber.org/showpost.php?p=9019981&postcount=20

The thread: http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=468195
and these resources:

http://forum.lowcarber.org/showpost.php?p=9081326&postcount=28

A big issue when people come back to LC is thinking they remember it, but sometimes forget the rules like limits on cream etc. they were more aware of during the first induction phase.