My name is Steph, and I am 26 years old. I am about 5'9 or 5'10... I've never been really sure. I moved from California to Florida 3 years and 48 lbs ago! I came here with my boyfriend, Mike. We've been together 4 years now and he is doing Atkins with me.

At first I assumed the weight gain was due to moving 3500 miles away from my family and friends, not having a job, and just the overall "stress" of the move. But every year... I gained a little more. I can actually account for it all! The first 20 lbs was when I worked at Papa Johns pizza! The next 15 was when my boyfriend's son came to spend summer of 2001 with us... 5 lbs when my Grandma in California had a stroke in March 2002... and the last bit when my boyfriend's son came to stay with us this Summer, 2002.

How can I blame my weight gain on a child?? Um, its easy. OK, of course its not his fault. I just spend so much energy trying to keep him comfortable and happy- that I forget what I am doing with myself.

So- that brings us to today. I can't remember what prompted me to do something about the weight gain... but both Mike and I decided to Low Carb and basically... go forth and prosper. And so we have... and here we are.

As of today, its been Its been 7 weeks, 4 days, 11 hours, 51 minutes since I started low-carbing! Yes, I'm counting. I'm happy to report 21 lbs gone. That's about 2.9 lbs a week on average. I'm not dropping the weight as quickly as some... but really. Compared to gaining... I'll take it. 2.9 lbs a week seems like a LOT to me... and I AM THRILLED.

So... I suppose you should know that I am a rambler. I am a rambling low carber... and I can gab with the best of them!!

It's nice to finally meet you!!

-Steph