Hi all

I want to first introduce myself a bit. I'm a 25 year old Toronto gal (Canadian) and I am a make up artist and a part time PERSONAL TRAINER. I work for Ballys for a few clients that I have kept since getting into the make up business. I have always loved fitness and the excersie industry. But I ventured nto soemthing else (make up) that I always had a love for as well.

I was an overweight child that turned into an overweight teen. At the age of 17 I was 235 pounds and desperate to change my life. SO I did. I got active, i started eating low fat, and I managed to lose 100 pounds!! It was incerdible. BUt maintaining was another story. I kept struggling to keep it off. Always felt hungry, was eating close to NO FAT, excercising like a mad woman. I got to the point where I stopped menstrating, losing hair, having extrme dry skin, and fatigue. It was horrible. I eventaully started to gain a few pound sheree, and a few pounds there. BUt I've stayed active, and fit. BUt still overfat. So my goal is lower my bodyfat and lose about 15 pounds.

I must admit, no one at work knows I do atkins. Most personal /fitness trainers in general do not believe in high fat high protein diets. Carbs are not seen as bad additions to the diet. So its a struggle for me often times because no one I know in the industry agrees with the atkins philosophy. But as a health porfessional I am open to research and experimenting with food plans.

This is my second time trying Atkins. I fell off the atkins wagon the first time because of the specified reason I just gave. So for me this support FORUM is Crucial to my success. I ahve to d eal with alot of negativity if I mentioned atkins at the gym. HOwever my main job that being a make up artist for MAC cosmetics, is different. I've actually had two colleagues of mine try the diet because I ranted and raved about it. So I do get support there. Thank god LOL

ANyhoo

I am active and I love being active. I love WEIGHT TRAINING, and spinning. But I find WINTER months the msot difficult staying motivated. So I always try to get one of the trainers to give me a workout , and partner up with them. IT REALLY is soo much easier to work out with someone than ALONE!!

I encourage anyone that reads my log to ask me questions about excercise and fitness. I would be happy to help. and take a look at mine and tell me what you think.


Piera