Reply #12: Hi Longhorn! Hi Everyone!

[lavenderdiva]

I'm so excited about the formation of this group! It was a fantastic idea. I tried the Exercise & Fitness group for a brief time, but I must admit, was quite intimidated by their keen interest in what to me, seemed extreme exercise. I know I must exercise, but marathons will never be in my future.

I'm 46, and have just ballooned in the last 10 years. I was always a pretty normal weight, give or take a few pounds until my late 20's when I just gorged myself (emotional eating) and gained up to 195lbs- I'm 5'6" tall. I put myself on a 1200-1500 calorie-a-day diet, eating Lean Cuisine & an apple for lunch, and lean meats and a really nice salad for dinner. It took me approx. 1-1/2 to 2 years to lose 75lbs. The last bit of weight came off pretty easily as I started Competitive Ballroom Dancing. I participated in that for many years, eventually being ranked no. 2, with my partner, in the United States. Keeping the weight off, was oh-so easy then, because we would practice 5-6 hours a day, and then I would work out at the gym for another 1-1/2 to 2 hours daily. I was in the shape of a lifetime, felt great, and could and did eat anything. When we quit dancing, unfortunately, my eating pattern did not change along with the decrease in activity, and within the first year, I put on 70 lbs. Yikes! That was over 10 years ago, and those initial 70lbs have turned into a total of 100lbs gained.I now weigh 225-227, depending on the day. I have high blood pressure, and can't wear anything in my closet, except frumpy stuff, and there's only a couple of things at that!! I have very little energy, and feel awful about myself and how I look.

Earlier in the year, I tried Atkins, and must say, for a diet, I felt exceptionally well. Usually, when dieting, I feel edgy, tired, and at some point, compulsively seek out some sort of food to calm myself. I didn't feel any of that while on Atkins. But after a few weeks, I sure did miss some sort of carbohydrate. This past Monday, I started something that I hope will work for me. I am having an Atkins breakfast (1 scrambled egg, bacon, coffee), a lean cuisine for lunch and an apple, and some kind of Atkins dinner. I've had a Chicken Caesar Salad one night, grilled chicken breast and broccoli last night; that sort of thing for dinner. I am hoping that the limited portions of lean cuisine, yet the variety of flavors will nip the urge to cheat and experience carbs in a limited fashion. If left to my own devices, portion control is almost non-existent.

Instead of walking persay, I have been doing a major organization of my house recently, moving boxes, cleaning, etc. Also painting. Much motion and such, so I hope that counts. I hate sweating, and live in Houston; even walking outside right now is awful. I do have a treadmill, once I uncover it during my organizational attempt!

Anyway, I am looking forward to getting to know each of you, and helping you, in any way I can, to support you toward your goals..... :hi: