I'm new to this forum...but I thought it might be a good experience for me to join a group such as this and share my experience. This is not something I've ever done before...so here it goes...

I recently started Atkins just 1 week and 2 days ago. My biggest problem, I feel, is my hate for the taste of water and my undying addition to diet soda! yes...yes...i'm the typical "I'll have a double cheeseburger, fries and a 'diet coke'!" However, over the last week I really haven't struggled to maintain my new better eating habits. The only thing I do not follow is the "no fruit" during induction thing. I've done Atkins before...quite successfully (losing over 30 lbs and reaching my goal of a size 6!) But with no time for myself (I own 3 businesses), I've packed the pounds on over the last year from a sleek 150lb to a whopping 185 lbs! Fearing something had to be done before the point of no return, I decided that I was tired of being tired and now was the time to do something.

My friends/family think that when I'm dieting, I get obsessed and all I can talk about it food, nutrition and weight loss and look at me like I'm a finatical maniac...in fact, talking about it helps keep me focused...almost like I need to hear it more than they do.

I hope this goes well and look forward to logging in every day and hopefully encouraging others as well as myself. Sorry for the long winded message, but it's my first day.

i find taling about it helps too but i dont talk to my friends about it i am in another weight loss forum and its is very helpful to have like minded people on your side .. it really gives you that boost ..

as far as water goes would you consider herbal tea instead?? i love herbal tea i love green, chamomile, rasbery , they are nice but they do take some getting used to i have to admit

Hey Bambi, and

There are lots of things you can do to plain water to jazz it up...right now, I'm digging these mix-in packets from Celestial Seasonings. They have powdered tea and herbs, along with stevia for sweetness, and are so tasty (and all natural). I have a blueberry green tea flavor and it is excellent for giving water some zing. You can also try different water temperatures (I hate the taste of ice water, but room temperature water I love...) or adding in fruit zests for extra flavor (a squeeze of lemon, some pieces of orange zest...in summer, I love using lemon and mint together in water..so refreshing!

Anyway, stick around, keep posting, and settle in. This is a great place for advice and support! Have you visited our "Low Carb" forums yet? You can find plenty of people on the same plan to talk to and get ideas from.

I hate water also, but I drink it as much as I can. The rest of the time I use Crystal light, lemonade variety. It is better than plain water and is only 5 cal per 8 oz! Good luck!

I really do appreciate all your responses. I'm going to find this "low carb" thread....hopefully! Like I told you guys...I am soooo new to this whole blog/newsgroup thing...I'm still livid that I can't figure out how to make the scale like you all have....any suggestions???

Again...thanks a bunch...who knows...maybe with all of the help found here...I might just make my 150lb weight goal...oh, by the way, I live in Virginia...(new york transplant) and I am 5"9" tall...so 150lbs for me is a size 6.

Hi Bambi - so glad to have you with us! I'd say what you're going through is....withdrawals! It can be a very tough thing to drastically change your diet, so kudos to you for joining us and making a commitment to yourself that you're going to see this through. It's very normal to be "obsessed" with losing weight when you're first starting; you're trying to get it all "right", getting used to a new way of eating, and you're investing all of this time into making better choices, so of course it's on your mind alot. I think once you get the hang of it, and it changes from a "diet" to a "lifestyle", you'll find you don't think about it (or talk about it) near as much as you used to.

I really believe that is the point we all have come to; we realized that gone are the days where we could eat freely and not worry so much about food, and we've realized that our health tomorrow is totally dependent on our choices we make today. I actually read a great article that said the nutrients you eat today are fuel for the new cells your body builds, so it certainly does affect it; I guess "you really are what you eat" LOL! I myself have learned that while I use the term diet, cause it's new to me too, it's really a lifestyle; I can't go back to the old habits once I reach goal - it's got to be livable and sustainable, for the rest of my life.

So in closing to this long welcome post, essentially we are all in this together, learning, trying, banging our heads against the wall sometimes, jumping for joy when we succeed, and leaning on one another as we all journey together. Gaining friends, and losing weight...then when we're done, we can help others do the same, and give back. You are in the best of company here, and I know you will adore the ladies here; they've got hearts of pure gold.

Looking forward to getting to know you! Oh by the way if you would like a weight loss ticker so you can be cool like us here is the link:
www.3fatchicks.com/weight-tracker
It will give you an html code when you're done, so just edit your signature under User CP and paste it in the box.

Thanks a bunch everybody for all your support. It's been 3 weeks now and I'm lovin this group!!! Everyone here is really great (hearts of gold). I'm finally settled in and kinda know my way around. I've been doing great drinking more water (room temp is best for me...so thanks for that advice), cut out the morning atkins bar and soda...reduced coffee intake and I have a regular exercise plan that includes walking in a.m. and 20 min. on eliptical.

Just wanted to know that I've read all your comments and suggestions and I take everything to heart! Oh...I am finally cool (see my new pic and trackers....yeah!!!) Joyce