Hi all, this is my first visit here and I decided to join! I've never followed a low carb diet before but I think the low carb lifestyle might help me a lot. I need to lose some weight, and not just a few vanity pounds. I am currently 100 pounds overweight, I'm 5'5", 250 lbs. size 20 and 25 years old. So my ultimate goal is 100 lbs. but I'm making smaller ones and my first goal is to lose 25 lbs. by March 20th. I've got my low carb guidelines and my workout schedule and I'm ready to go!

So if anyone has any tips, advice, words of wisdom, etc. I would really appreciate it!

my only advice is to take it one day at a time and remember about induction flu.. when you start low carbing many people hit a patch early on with headaches and other aches and plain yuck feeling... it is from the conversion from a starch based fuel system to a fat based fuel system... it goes away and then you start feeling great

thanks for the warning I'll keep that in mind!

Welcome Tally!

First and most important tip I have is, "Read the Book!" There are several different low-carb plans out there -- you can do some research on the differences/similarities here on this site. You need to choose the one you feel most comfortable with, read the book, keep the book handy at all times for easy reference and follow the plan.

There are folks here who can help you with any questions you have once you decide which plan you intend to follow.

No matter which plan you follow, some things will be common. The "Induction Flu" mentioned above is pretty common for most of us...hard to believe how hooked on sugar we are until we get off of it and go through withdrawal and deal with the effects of detoxing! But it's very temporary and the surge of energy that follows is SO worth it.

Lots of people seem to start low-carbing on their own, with no plan in mind, without reading a book or seeking information...those are the folks who will feel like they aren't losing enough and give up after a few weeks. Congrats to you for looking to inform yourself and for committing to this site.