Hi everyone!

I'm not particularly new to the low carb way of life. As a heavy teenager in the mid-70's I came across the original Atkins book. It changed my life. I went from 242 pounds to 159, and held at 163 until after I finished college and started work. It was only after a beach vacation picture that I realized this was far too low for my 6' frame and eventually settled in at about 175 . I became an avid fitness class participant, and as a hobby got certified through what was then ACE (now IDEA) as an instructor, so my 175 lbs was pretty solid. I held that trim build until the mid-nineties when -- you guessed it -- I got hitched . And it seems that one of the things we've got in common is eating -- spending more time with each other and less time at the gym, we settled into a life of couch-potatoes (and ice-cream). There was a period when we'd go to Dairy Queen every night for chocolate skor (heath) blizzards . Now you gotta know that someone who had tremendous success on the Atkins program isn't going to do well with all of that sugar happening. So over the past five years I've moved steadily towards the 230 mark. It was only when I realized I had to start wearing the pant size I gave up as a teenager, that it finally hit me !!!

So here I am very serious this time. I've decided for sure to give up sugar and white flour and white potatoes (starch in general). Because I have all of that extra weight to dispose of I've adopted the Atkins program until I get down to a healthier weight of around the 190 mark-- I'm no teenager anymore!

So that's my story -- this is actually day 3 for me. I spent two weeks held captive in Florida over the holidays with lots of sweets and a healthy dose of suds (I've developed a love for beer in mid-life). But so far so good -- other than all the trips to the bathroom.

I've maintained a broken track record in the fitness classes and even went to seven classes in Florida over the holidays in preparation for this change , so I'm not terribly concerned about the activity part -- I'll just become more disciplined.

Like many on the posts I've reviewed, this carbo-addiction I have does more than make me feel uncomfortable in my clothes -- Heck, I'd even decided that if I could just be happy I wouldn't mind being heavy -- but for me comes the constant mood swings, depression and migraines . I'm looking forward to getting all of that under control.

I think I've said enough for now -- thanks to all of you who have posted previously -- reviewing your thoughts has provided an extra umph I could use right now!
Regards