Time for my story
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| Wed, 10-29-2003 - 12:15pm |
Anyhoo, my name is Gretchen, Im 28 yrs old and I cant honestly tell you how much I weigh because Im deathly afraid of getting on the scale! One, I dont want to know how much I let myself go, and two, I dont want to be caught in the obsession of weighing myself everyday and beating myself if the scales goes the wrong way one day. With that being said, I have been following this book since around the end of August. Prior to that, excluding weekends, I was loosely following Atkins. Loosely meaning that on weekends I would drink, not heavily of course, but out with my friends, down at the beach requires a beer or a cocktail nor would I be strict about foods. If I was out to dinner, I may have had some of the potatoes. But thats about it. One of my co workers bought the book, and so I did too. Hence here I am!
To give a bit of a backround on me, I have been battling the "bulge" for about 15 yrs. My only success came with LA Weightloss, however it was not that sucessful if I didn't really learn how to eat and gained most or all of it back! Finally, I think something clicked inside of me. The idea that losing weight isn't the only reason. Its my health. Its the fact I dont want Type II Diabetes that my grandmother suffers from, its all about my well being.
So to the South Beach Diet I went, and found this board and Here I am. I thought I'd share some of my own thoughts, opinions, etc. First, for me, because I was doing the Atkins, and since trying to diet off and on for so long, I really didn't have the cravings for carbs. So my P1 was not as strict, and by that I mean, on the weekend while out with my BF, I would have a few cocktails, that was the extent of it. I could very well stay on P1 for most of the week, if I chose. But I like the idea of at one meal, having a slice or two of rye bread, pumpernickel, etc. This is something I have to live with forever. MY WHOLE LIFE! My beef with Atkins was all the high fat; this was the answer! This made more sense. Its easy to follow, its just mind over matter in my opinion. Careful planning, and knowing what you can and cant do. Compromise is also a big factor to me as well. If I eat some slices of bread with lunch, thats it! If I chose it for dinner, then thats the meal I eat it with. I have lost the taste for Bagels, amazing huh! But guess what, if I am out to dinner, or whatever that one slice of bread, is not going to KILL THE DIET! Because to me, thats not what it is, ITs my new lifestyle.
What is discouraging, the girl I was on it with, lost about 18lbs. And you can really notice it on her. Me? Well I know all my clothes are getting loose. But I just tell myself this is the best way for me to do this. I have also started rowing in the morning, so that will help me too. I cant look at other people and how they lose, because we are all different. She has a lot less to loose then me, 20lbs maybe. I have like 50+ to loose. I have that classic Apple figure. NO butt, ALLLLL in the gut. I also have inherited my father's muscular profile, so that doesn't help in the scale department, but I also need to look at that in the positive.
As far as the recipes for this.. the riccotta is my favorite! The chocolate one. Sometimesi I double that and its my breakfast. LOL. I am anxious to make the pumpkin pudding that everyone is raving about. And since I am a big time baker, Im trying to modify a pumpkin pie recipe or two. I figure a pecan crust would be good. Who knows, but I promise to post it if it works. Desserts can be my down fall, but I choose differently now, maybe I'll just try a little bit. Im not worried about Halloween. One fun size bag of M&M's < my all time favorite> will be worth it. I'd rather someone tell me I can enjoy a small amount, then tell me I am NOT ALLOWED To have anything at all.
Ok, Im finished rambling, actually I could go on, but I am at work, and should really do something here. ON a final note, I just want to say I really enjoy reading all of your ideas & comments. I enjoy reading about everyone's victories. Thanks for letting me share and good luck to everyone!
Gretchen :-)

glad you found us and hope you pop in often. I'm sure you'll do just fine and before you know it, you'll be posting all of your successes and victories too!
Alison
I actually row on an ergometer. Reluctantly I must admit! My father is a huge rower: head coach of a high school girls crew team. SO needless to say I wake up with him towering over me.. ROW GRETCHEN ROW! LOL
I just started, so I think once I get "in the groove" I'll be ok.
I actually prefer walking or biking, however I just moved from the beach in NJ to the hills of PA so its a totally different landscape! And its cooler now, so I will just have to grin and bear the rowing workout! :-)
Glad to see you stopped lurking and started posting --- the more the merrier here on the beach.
Hope to "see" ya here often. It sounds like you are doing great with this WOE
Ellen
I love reading people's stories here. I always find something to relate to. This is a great WOE and a wonderful support group.
Keep on posting!
Kimmie