Hi guys! I just signed up for 3FC today but have been reading the boards for awhile especially when I have a question. They are really awesome. I'm excited to start contributing. I just wanted to introduce myself.
My weight loss story started about one year ago. I was watching the Super Bowl with my husband and around half time starting getting these shooting pains in my middle back. It hurt so bad I had to lay down and barely moved for a couple days. After several doctor's visits and an ultra sound... I was finally diagnosed with gallstones. My doctor's only real advice was to get surgery to have my gallbladder removed. That freaked me out... I've never had any type of surgery before. So I started researching the causes and other natural therapies. I learned that gallstones are mostly caused by being over weight and having a diet high in fat. So that was my wake up call... even though I was overweight I never thought of my self as unhealthy.
Since then I joined Weight Watchers with my mother-in-law, started seeing an acupuncturist for help with my gallstones, and started seeing a nutritionist to diagnose my food allergies and to get me on the right supplements. The weight has been coming off slow and steady. I lost the first 25lbs relatively easily and the last 15-20lbs have taken me about eight months to loose. I know this is a journey and it's not a race but I can't help wishing I could speed up the process. Don't get me wrong... loosing close to 45lbs has been life changing. I look completely different & feel pretty amazing. I also know I have to give myself a big pat on the back for sticking with this for so long and maintaining the weight I have lost. As someone who rarely sticks with anything... this is a big deal. Now I want to be the girl who finishes something!!
I have another 40 plus pounds to get in the normal weight range for my height. Seeing my weight loss has slowed despite regular exercise and consistent participation with Weight Watchers... I feel like I have to look deeper into my issues. I've know for sometime that I am allergic to sugar, gluten, and dairy. So now I'm working on cutting those guys out. Most likely the biggest challenge I will face in this journey. Yesterday I started the induction phase of Atkins to go cold turkey on sugar & gluten. It was the most logical approach for me. I like rules and Atkins is big on rules. I'm looking at this phase as more "no sugar" then "low-carb." My hope is that it will kick start my metabolism and help me move past this mid-way-to-goal plateau.
I feel like *** today. My head is really foggy but I take comfort in knowing that my bodies resistance really means that I am far too dependent on sugar. I've read that the first two days are the worst. I'm looking forward to joining society again in a couple days and getting back to the gym.
So that's a long introduction but I would love some friends to help me keep strong! You guys are all so supportive!
-Melissa
About Half Way to Goal- New to 3FC
Sounds like it is the plan for you (since you're allergic to sugar). 
Welcome mrsmelmitch! Congrats on your weightloss so far! You are going to love it here on 3fc!!
