[am_dove]

Hi! I've been browsing through the posts all morning, so I thought I'd give myself a formal introduction.

I'm 26 years old and I've never worried about my weight much, I've always been a little heavy, but it didn't concern me too much. My family has a history of heart troubles, high blood pressure, diabetes, the works, and I was attracted to the SBD because of its healthy properties. I haven't started experiencing any of those problems yet, and I don't want to!

My sister and a friend both started the SBD earlier this month, and I was flipping through her copy and thought it seemed like a healthy way to eat. So I started incorporating the recommendations into my normal diet. Then I went to the doctor and learned I was only about 10 pounds away from the high end of my "ideal" weight, so I decided I might as well go for it!

I started Phase 1 yesterday morning. It's been a little harder than I expected, I got a terrible sugar-withdrawal headache last night, but I'm optimistic and I keep reminding myself that it will go away. It'll be nice to not NEED sugar all the time.

My boyfriend was a little wary of the whole idea, he had visions of tofu and raw broccoli 24/7, I imagine. He got over it once I showed him all the delicious food in the cookbook (the cookbook's really what won me over on this diet!), and now he's jumped on the SB bandwagon, too!

What I'm most excited about is getting into the habit of eating healthy food and fitting into my old clothes. :-) I'm also looking forward to finishing Phase 1 so I can start eating oatmeal for breakfast. Eggs first thing in the morning is tough on someone not used to eating breakfast in the first place. ;-)

Anyhow, it's been great reading all of your posts! This is a great forum and I look forward to hanging around here often!

Angela

Height: 5'6"
Current Weight (8/19/04): 163lbs
Goal Weight: 140lbs

[sweet tooth]

Welcome to SBD. Good to have you here. You are soooo wise to start this program before you really need to lose weight and/or embark on a diet to counter health programs.

It is good to have the support from your BF, too. I have great support from the family at home, and they are all skinny and in good health. However, they just smile, roll their eyes and ask what diet they are on now.

You will enjoy this way of eating, just be sure to persevere through that 2 weeks of Phase 1. That is the most improtant.

Take care.

[little chick]

Welcome to the beach.

[Barb0522]

Welcome to the Beach! I think you are doing a great thing by starting this. Remember that you may not lose much during Phase 1 since you don't have too much to lose so don't let it get you discouraged.

[RNMOM]

You won't be sorry you came here and won't be sorry you are doing SB.

Everyone is so nice and supportive. Great tips and ideas.

Hang on and enjoy the ride!

[Ruthxxx]

Welcome to The Beach. I love your name. We have lots of AM Doves around here.

[Bunnababy]

Welcome Angela. I am so glad that you decided to get a head start on the health issues. Not ever having to deal with them is much better than letting your health go (like me) and then having to deal with it.

Also happy to hear that your bf is supportive. The food is really good healthy food but it also tastes so good. I have sneaked some of the food into potlucks and fed my family totally legal food and nobody even knew and they loved it.

[beachgal]

Welcome, Angela!

Sounds like you are getting into SBD for all the right reasons! Congrats on a wonderful start and to finding one of the best support communities on the 'net! : I think you'll love it here!

[am_dove]

Thanks to everyone for the welcomes and encouragement! I feel all warm and fuzzy inside, who needs sugar?

[Islander]

Welcome to the Beach! Glad you're here...........Lots of support and helpful advice.

Take care..