It was great to read all your responses. I already have stretch marks from having 2 kids so I'm not concerned about that at all. I seem to have some flab happening on my upper arms and I've never had that problem before. I had lost 17 pounds but now I've gained 3, but it must be fluid retention and I got taken off my diabetes meds on Friday, YEAH!!! but my body must be going through an adjustment period. I'm also over 2 wks late for TOM??? Oh well, at 45 I guess I have to expect these things. I've never lost a large amount of weight so I really need to keep myself motivated even though I'm not losing very quickly right now. I've only been on Atkins since June 4/02 and I feel fantastic health wise so I just have to gain some patience, SOMEHOW!!! I have a long way to go so I won't worry too much about the sagging middle that I already have from having kids.