Hi my name is Lorraine. I have been on and off Atkins for just over two years. The first time...I stayed on program without any problems for about 8 months. I lost about 60 lbs...and realize now that eating too many atkins bars probably slowed things down for me...I made the choice to go off my plan for one weekend at a social event...and have spent the last year and a half gaining everything back...and trying to get back on track...In January of this year something tweeked and here I am again. I started at 286 and am down only to 271. We have recently experienced a family crisis--a member was critically ill, and has now bounced back. During the last two months..while i have had only one slip that lasted 3 days...I was not properly following the plan...Not enough water...no lettuce...too many legal carbs........ it got worse and worse until at Easter I just jumped overboard for a few days....I am in the process of trying very hard to up my water intake and count carbs every day...staying in and around 20 per day....I am frustrated with myself and my current limitations exersise wise because of a very sore back...created in part I am sure because of weight stress...I am quite frankly a little scared that no matter what I do I am stuck in this prison of fat forever..Your forum looks so incredibly supportive. I am looking forward to connecting and learning from everyone. Thanks for having me.

Hi, Lorraine! Welcome! I think a lot of us will see ourselves in your story -- thank you for telling it. Think of all you've learned during the slips and slides

Even with a bad back, you can probably walk. Start with just five or ten minutes a day, then ten, then fifteen. That may well help your back, too.

You will find a lot of support here -- and information You might want to start a journal. It's good to have a place to keep track of what you're eating so that if problems come up, you'll have a better shot at figuring out what's causing them. It's also nice to have a record of those Weeks that Work, so if you hit a bad patch, you'll be able to look back and have a model to follow.

And at least you're five steps ahead of the game -- you know to avoid those Atkins Bars!!!