Well, my first major goal has been achieved. I've lost 50 lbs in 67 days - just over two months. Wow, what a great thing. Of course, sometimes it's difficult to look at it from the other end of the spectrum and say I still have 150 to go, but this was a huge dent in the 200 I originally had to lose.

So, what's different? Not much, unfortunately. The biggest difference I've found is an increase in mobility. I can walk further, climb more stairs, and standing for eight hours no longer hurts my feet. What hasn't changed? A lot... but I won't list them or else I'll start to focus on that.

I'll also use this thread to apologize for not being around much. Some of you may remember I was having job prospect problems just a month ago. Well, I have 3 jobs now and I'm working upwards of 75 hours per week (84 this week) for the last two weeks. That doesn't leave much time to do anything but sleep when the driving time is factored in. I truly believe that losing this weight has changed my attitude about life, and while these jobs aren't high-powered positions, I still earned my "right" to be there and I believe it is due to the attitude change.

Thanks to each of you for the inspiration you provide - it is truly invaluable.

Congratulations!

Well Done! 50lbs! thats a great great great weight to lose.

Think of it in 3 chunks of 50 from now on.

You can do it! and Well done on your success so far!

An inspiration!

xxx

AMen! Merry Christmas! You are taking control back and everything is gonna be awesome! SOunds like you'll have a miraculour 2004! thanks for checking in!

Congratulations to the hardest working low carber on the boards!

weigh to go Barry.
Congrats on the new jobs and the 50 pounds. Soon you too will be a walking talking billboard for Atkins WOL
Happy low carbing to you.

Way to go Barry! Don't burn yourself out with overwork -- look after yourself and good luck!

Congratulations on a job well done! (With 84 hours working who has time to eat?) Hopefully, you get overtime.
And a 50 pound gift is a terrific Holiday present for anyone!

Congratulations on 50 pounds down the drain.May the 150 left follow quickly.

Congratulations! And extra congratulations for sticking to this way of eating with a new job and the type of pressure you are under!

WOW, Barry! That's fantastic! Keep up the good work and you'll be to goal in no time

Barb

Congratulations! On both counts, losing the weight and finding work! 2004 will be YOUR year!

Congratulations!

~~Amaara

You guys are the best! Thanks so much for the kind words! They are very uplifting. I feel so great knowing that I'm 1/4 of the way to my goal. More importantly, I got here using my own willpower and ability to control my life. I've never had that feeling and as others have mentioned on these boards, it is a wonderful feeling - I can now see how it can become obsessive.

Even with all that working (3 separate jobs, no overtime), I plan my meals and water intake carefully so that I don't miss out or sabotage my losses. The first week was tough to plan, but things are falling into place nicely and when the paychecks roll in, it's all worth it. We need to buy a house SOMETIME in the near future.

Again, thanks to each of you. Losing weight without this board would be at the very minimum 10x more difficult.

That's an amazing amount of weight to lose -- really extraordinary. You've done yourself just the greatest favor. Congrats, and here is to the next fifty pounds.