I just turned 49, September 2002. I remember just 9 years ago, working out to a Jane Fonda video, weighing 105 pounds and vowing to myself that I would stay in shape for my 50th birthday. Well, along the way, my little Honda was ran over by a big pick-up truck and that was the beginning of my weight gain, health nightmare and looser attitude. The inactivity during recuperation took a tremendous toll.

As the pounds started adding up, I honestly surrendered to the thought that I was going to be heavy like my Mom and her sisters; that genetics was against me. Then, my two sisters told me that they had high cholesterol. This scared me more than my appearance, so I had my cholesterol checked out. Just as I suspected, mine was high too. I was going to change that, and hoped that I would change my weight too.

My first plan of attack was to completely cut out all dairy (I'm a cheese lover). This was tough, but I did it. Four months and no pounds lighter, later, I went back for another cholesterol test. YIKES!! My doctor just about fell off his chair. "What did you do?" he asked as he explained that my total cholesterol had dropped, but my triglycerides rose to the alarming 200 point. The doc explained to me that overdoing carbs causes triglycerides to rise. I couldn't understand what I did to cause it to jump so high until later, I remembered that I was popping waffles in the toaster for a quick breakfast to eat at my desk at work. Plus, and this is the most embarrasing, I was snacking on candy in the candy dishes at work and occasionally popping a twinkie up to 4 times a week.

I phoned my brother who had gone on the Atkins diet last year and had tremendous results. He gave me some tips and told me to buy the book. It worked for him and he has adopted this as his way of life.

I bought the book, read it, cleaned out my cabinets and fridge, bought lots of sardines, steaks, tuna, lettuce, broccoli and cheese and here I am!

I am SOOOooo happy to have found this forum!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!