Just posted in the Introductions and realized I should have posted here instead since Atkins is the plan I want to use to lose weight. oops..

I have read the book before but it has been awhile. This seems like a plan that I can live with.
I am fifty five in a couple of months and I just want to feel better. I have four children, three are grown and on their own and I have a fourteen year old son at home. My weight is the highest it has ever been at 262 and along with it I have all the issues that come with being overweight. I look forward to the day I can stop taking all this medication I take for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, reflux and the metformin for diabetes.

I have a great outlook on life, have several hobbies (although the baking wiill have to take a back seat for a bit!) and a twelve year old golden retriever who is going to love the new exercise regime both of us are starting! I kids. am a high school teacher in an awesome tech school with a small student body... 160 boys and 35 girls!

I think that support will make a big difference to me. I love the different forums that give recipes and advice about what has worked for others.

Thanks in advance for all your encouragement, advice and support!

Welcome! The first step in any weight loss journey is realizing that you need to do something about it. Good for you! Never forget you are not alone and you will get all the support and encourgement from us, your weight loss friends. Good luck to you and I look forward to hearing more of your journey in the weeks ahead.

Welcome pucksmom!! Nice to meet you Having support makes all the difference. Hop in where ever you feel comfortable.

Good luck with the induction period and let us know if you have any questions!

Welcome and good luck !

Hi Pucksmom. I think you will love the forum. I've lurked here for about three months and read the posts almost everyday for encouragement and ideas. I'm 48 and am doing a self designed hybrid low carb diet. I drink a high protein/low carb shake for breakfast and lunch and then eat an Atkins style dinner. (Kind of a combination between IP and Atkins) I started on November 8 and have lost 30 pounds. Low carb does work and with all the new low carb products out - pasta, tortillas, etc it really is something you can do for the long, long term. Good luck and good eating!

Please tell me more about your diet. I have been on IP for 4 1/2 months and I am switching to Atkins. Do you eat bars ever?

Welcome, Pucksmom! I'm a high school teacher, too. The Atkins board is a great place for suggestions, recipes, ideas and encouragement, so post often. You can do it!

Firkindness, me too! I'd like to hear more about your diet. Atkins is awesome, but lately I'm sort of stuck, and I'm just tired of cooking. Maybe using some shakes would be good for me too. We're all ears...

Hi Darbs7 - When IP became available in my area I was intrigued. I even knew a woman who had lost 75 pounds in 9 months. When I was doing my research, I tripped across this forum and learned a lot about it. But basically, I'm cheap and the cost of the initiation, coaching and products put me off. Somebody on the forum identified EAS and Premier Nutrition shakes as very comparable to the IP product. I have both a Costco and a Sam's Club in my area so I can get (and have used) both. I much prefer the Premier Nutrition shakes as they have 30 grams of protein - it really fills me up and holds me throughout the day. I have one for breakfast and one for lunch. As I leave for work at 7:00 and have a 50 mile round trip commute, I can't tell you how convenient this has been. No having to plan for meals - I just throw a week's worth into a bag and haul them to the office every Monday.

As far as dinner goes, I just avoid carbs - No bread, sugar, noodles, starchy vegetables - you know, all the no-nos. I do however buy low carb tortillas and Dreamfields pasta and other low carb products through Netrition.com. I mean tacos in a lettuce leaf are exciting the first couple of times but they lose their appeal after awhile as far as I'm concerned. Even so, I limit use of theses low carb products to a couple times a week and focus my evening meal on whole foods with an emphasis on protein, fat, and low carb veggies.

I really like low carbing because it kills my hunger. And even on those occasional moments where I feel ravenous I find that all it takes is a couple of bites for food to "fill the hole." I sometimes have to force myself to finish what's on my plate but most of the time I'm perfectly satisfied with 1/2 the portion that I would have eaten before eliminating carbs.

I've seen how effective IP is. It does work, no doubt. But you probably can get the same results without the expense with an Atkins-like (or full bore Atkins) approach. Good luck. Keep us posted!

Oh - I'm sorry. I didn't address one of your questions. I do not use the bars. I rarely have the urge to snack anymore and I doubt a bar would fill me up if I were truly hungry so I haven't even considered them. But some people like them and use them effectively. I guess you might have to experiment to see how they work for you.

Sandy--As far as shakes go, my weight training friend recommended this brand of whey protein powder: http://www.muscleandstrength.com/sto...bs-bundle.html

It's expensive on this website, but I'm sure you could find the brand elsewhere for cheaper and a smaller portion of it. This is the lowest carb and sugar amount I have ever seen in protein powder. I think it would be great blended with some almond milk, carb countdown milk, and maybe even some berries if you include those in your plan. The flavors look great, too. I think buying a can of this and making your own shakes comes out to be healthier and cheaper than buying pre-made protein shakes.

NOTE: I have NOT had any experience with shakes or how they can stall weight loss on Atkins or any other diet. I'm just passing on some info that might help. Please nobody blame me if the powder isn't acceptable or doesn't work for you.

firkindness,
I have been swamped and just now am getting back to this site. I was so excited to see the replies to my post.

I too wanted to do the IP, Our secretary has lost so much on it, but I just can't afford that much. I would love to do a combo of Atkins and the protein shakes sound like they would work for my lifestyle. I am going to Costco this afternoon and will check them out. I have been doing the Atkins for a couple of days now and the only thing I think I am doing wrong is chewing gum. It helps me and so I hope it isn't too detrimental.

I just know that by cutting out the sugar and breads it will help. I also know that it will help if I can lose some quickly, at least to start out.

Thanks for the encouragement from you all!

Elaine