[Just Angie]

Hello, I just found this website last evening, and have enjoyed it so far! Perhaps a place like this is what I need.....my name's Angie and I'm 30, married, and have a 3 year old son. I've been a bit overweight since the middle of high school, however it wasn't until I had my son that it went up even more. I had a troublesome pregnancy, with two major surgeries that year so I was a bit laid up, AND with a new baby....gave me an excuse to eat all I wanted and lay on the couch, I guess.

Anyway, I'm now just obcessed (sP?) with thinking about losing weight. I'm serious. There isn't much of a moment throughout each day I don't think about it. And I feel miserable. Why I feel miserable is because I just keep THINKING about it...rather than ACTING. Back in 2003, I lost 30 lbs in 10 weeks on Atkins. I felt wonderful, and was just so happy. Well, eventually that fell through, and it did not take long at all to gain every single pound of it back. So I keep trying to jump on again, and can't stick with it. Although I was successful at it, I didn't really enjoy it much at all. I didn't quite like eating ALL that meat...and having to cook nearly every meal....and had reservations in the back of my mind wondering if this was healthy. I don't know, what I DO know is I had wonderful results on it, and quite fast too! It's amazing what just 30 lbs lost does to a person's spirit. I was on top of the world...wearing my pre pregnancy jeans I had not worn in 3 years...etc. etc.

Anyway, I need to decide what I'm going to do and DO it. My biggest downfall is sugared sodas....and not drinking water. I have been working on that, in fact the past couple of days I've had 80 oz of water, one Diet Rite in the morning...but then mess up at night with a Pepsi (Hubby's soda.) But, until recently, ALL I drank was Pepsi. No water, no juice, no milk....JUST Pepsi. So I believe that is where most of my weight came from...

I joined a health club in October. I enjoy it, however don't do what I truly WISH to do (swim) because I have no interest in getting into a swim suit for me or anyone else to see yet. I'm enjoying the weights though, and the cardio equipment....so I'll stick with that for the time being. I go about 4-5 times a week.

ANyone else been just in LIMBO about HOW to lose weight? I just can't seem to get a plan and stick with it. I was bound and determined I was going to start Atkins today, and that lasted until mid afternoon....I just can't seem to do it again.

My mom just joined Weight Watchers. I wouldn't mind doing that with her at all....but just can't afford it at the moment...it was a long stretch to even join the gym.

I need to focus. I need to pick a plan and stay with it. My biggest problem is usually mid afternoon, I get hungry, even after eating lunch, and just pull out whatever I can find.........So I KNOW that's my bad time....and I just need to work around that.

Anyway, I just joined here this evening, however have been going through posts...this sounds like a good place to start!

[Gitterdone]

Hi Angie!! Welcome! Like you I was a big soda drinker too. I just can't seem to like water. What has helped me is Propel fitness water. It has only 10 cal per serving and it tastes VERY GOOD. I also stopped drinking reg soda. It took a few months, but now I actually prefure Dt soda over Reg. Too sweet for me. Plus think of all the cal saved just from this one little switch!!

This website, along with Fitday.com has helped me stay focused. A written food diary helps too. I always seem to get hungry so fast, so I always try to have a healthy snack ready to eat. GOOD LUCK!!!! Glad to have met you

[Just Angie]

Thank you! Had to chuckle at your name....I say that a lot...guess I should start saying it for weight loss too! I'm not drinking soda like I used to anymore, it's just a once in awhile thing where I impulsively go for one. I hated water before...but I really don't mind it too much now. In fact, usually at night before I go to bed, I crave it! Go figure!

Thanks for your reply!

[mrsdivajen]

WOW...it's like you're reading my mind...I'm new here too but not new to forums...Hopefully we can talk more about this. My problem is that I have a 6 month old and I never exercise...I DO drink water, but this is my second time on Atkins and it's so much harder this time. I am going to stick with it...hopefully everything will work out.

[thefictionalme]

Angie, I too was drinking way too much soda and cut it out. I basically just replaced it with diet sodas first and then eventually just switched all together to water. Now like Gitterdone I can't stand the taste of regular soda, way too sweet.

Anyway, welcome to the forums, I just joined the other day. Looks like you and I are really close. I work in Madison and live in Sun Prairie.

[Sleep To Dream]

Hey Angie,

I totally relate to the soda drinking! I would tell myself over and over that I was going to stop on such and such day, and couldn't do it. Or I would say I was going to have just one, but one would turn into two, three, and so on. I switched off to diet and got sick on the aspartame. Splenda upset my stomach. So back on regular soda I went.
I truly feel it has contributed to alot of my weight gain, since I don't eat as much as I do drink soda.
I drank soda, and only soda. No water. I could feel myself dehydrate, my muscles in my body would hurt, mouth and eyes dry out, etc. It just wasn't enough to get me to give it up.
I'm happy to say I'm on day three of NO soda.
I quit cold turkey. Dh and I formulated a plan that there would be no more soda in the house. He can't bring any in and hide it for himself either because I know his hiding places lol
I feel really tired but hanging in. My legs feel less puffy. That could be a good thing!

You wanna join me in kicking it all together? : )

Signed,

one of the biggest soda addicts I know!

[Just Angie]

Wow, guess it's been a couple of days since I checked my post! Thanks for the input!

I actually live in Verona, but sure close enough to Madison fictional! I have heard that numerous times, that you lose the taste for 'regular' soda once you've kicked the habit long enough. I'm doing well......but like what Sleep to Dream said, I believe it was mostly the soda that got me to where I am. I'm having one once in awhile...but unfortunately, hubby wouldn't want to keep no soda here for him....since it was Pepsi I loved, he switched from Pepsi to RC, and on occasion, I now have one of those once in awhile......

DivaJen, I can't GET on Atkins again and STAY there! I lost 30 lbs the later half of 2003, and felt so GOOD about myself. I get irritated, because I was halfway to my ultimate goal....why the heck did I quit? Well, basically because I still craved carbs...oh well.

Not sure what I'm gonna do yet.....part of me wants to do Atkins again, only because it's familiar to me, and I know I did well, AND it is geared more towards making hubby happy with the cooking....he's a meat and potatoes type of guy.

Anyway, was looking for a place I might be able to get some support, since this has been no fun going through alone....

We have a trip to Florida next week, and when I come back, I plan to get started on whatever I choose. But whatever it is, kicking the soda habit and drinking water NOW will help me too.

Thanks everyone!
Angie