A Hard Day

I'm having a rough day today Atkins-wise.  Alexa said to me on the phone that I sounded tired.  I feel...not tired...weak, deprived, low-energy, unmotivated.  As I said to Alexa, nothing a big slab of cheesecake wouldn't fix!  I DON'T WANT TO SLIP BACKWARDS!!!  I don't want to go back to only having lost 5 or 4 or no pounds!  I'm hanging on by my fingernails today folks!  Yaaaaaaaahhh!

fight back the belly bulge

here are some articles about the dangers of extra fat around the belly; http://www.riversideonline.com/health_reference/Womens-Health/WO00128.cfm, http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2008/03/26/belly-fat-is-linked-to-dementia-risk, http://www.joyfullivingservices.com/handouts/dangersofmidsectionweightgain.pdf.

recent studies have shown that excess belly fat in particular is more dangerous than any other kind of fat because it is visceral fat that lies deep inside the abdomen and more directly affects the internal organs. having excess around the midsection has been linked to an increase in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancers and now they are finding that it also greatly increases risks for parkinsons and alzheimer's disease in middle age men and women. but never fear! each of these articles explain just how much is too much and give good advice on how to tone your stomach while at the same time lowering your chances for these diseases, but all of that's at the end. ;)

Week 1 Report

LOST

6 UNwanted pounds!

Oh where oh where can those little pounds be?

They may be on you, but they're not on me!

Tee-hee-hee!

So far...

I've been feeling good, but yes, just a tad hungry and still a bit like I'm not quite sure what I'm doing.  I think most of the latter feeling comes from not wanting to have to think--you know--it's so easy just to have someone tell me what to eat.  But this isn't just a weight-loss diet.  I want, like Janel said, a new me.  A healthier me, especially as I go into my older years.  I can do it!  Booyah!

Shhhh....

This is kind of a secret public blog--an oxymoron, I know, but I want to have it just for those of us who have a vested interest. And anyone WE invite of course.  ;)

First Day to A Better Me

There is no better time to start than NOW! Can't wait to see our first week's results! Good luck this week:)

The Atkins Maze

I just registered on the Atkins site today and although they have a lot of information and tools, I am feeling a little overwhelmed.  What keeps me going is that 1) Atkins has been around so long and has had so many fans that I figure if they can figure it out, so can I; and 2) Janel has been successful with Atkins before, so she knows what she's doing even if I don't.

I started out by using the tool to calculate my BMI and the site recommended that I start with the "OWL" (Ongoing Weight Loss) which is phase 2, but I'm starting with phase 1.  Phase 1, which is called "Induction" is only for 2 weeks and I think I can handle it--in fact, I think I need it to give me a kick start!  I also printed out their list of foods I can eat in this phase and have it stuck on my fridge.  No more than 20 net carbs in this part and 12-15 of those have to be "foundation vegetables"--pretty much salad veggies.

Anyway, I'm off and running.  I hope. :)

Heeere We Go!

We gonna lose it, lose it! Yes we are!

This blog is for support posts.  Whatever helps you is sure to be a help to someone else, so share it!  Is it the shoes you wear? The music you listen to? An article you read?  What helps you stay motivated, have a good attitude, or gets you back on track when you've strayed into forbidden paths? Let us know and spread the love around!

We're going to try to do a little post  at least once a week (by "we" I mean all the team members of this blog--thanks all!)  Other than that there are no other requirements--you can post your beginning stats, or not; words of wisdom from your own experience, whatever!  You don't have to be doing the Atkins diet--do whatever works for you--but come here at least once a week to do a brief post and make comments.

Before you know it, we'll be saying "We done and lost it, lost it!"