I am new

[Pattisea]

Hello.

I am so new I haven't even started eating yet. Well, eating, but not low-carb! I am getting ready to go grocery shopping, actually. I have about 130 pounds to lose. It is hard to not feel overwhelmed at the task ahead. I am going to be 40 in a month. 15 years ago, I weighed 148 pounds. I sure wish I had paid attention to my weight gain!

I started the South Beach Diet a couple months ago and lost 15 pounds. I was happy with that, but somehow I got off track and next thing I know I've rediscovered that 15 pounds.

I would like to join a challenge group, but am unsure how they work. Are they something you can jump right in the middle of, or must I wait until a current one begins?

Also, I would love to hear from anyone else who is following the South Beach Diet, no matter where you are at in weight loss. I look forward to meeting you.

Pattisea

[rachel2writer]

CONGRATULATIONS on taking the first step! There are tons of wonderful folks on this board, following a number of different eating plans.

1. When you have chosen your plan, read the book, reread the book, clean out your kitchen, and make a trip to the grocery store.
2. Spend a lot of time reading through these boards, asking questions, and commenting on others' threads.
3. Again, congrats on making the most important decision in your life! You are not alone in this battle!

[Pattisea]

I appreciate your quick reply. I was still foolin' around witht eh different profile options and suddenly, there you were.

I am curious about your user name...are you a writer?

Pattisea

[elisasadler]

Hi Pattisea my name is Elisa and I started a year ago on LC...from March to Oct 2004 I lost 80 pounds then I had foot surgery and got so lazy and fell back into my old eating habits....very bad mistake lol...I had 155 pounds to lose and am just really getting back to doing good again....oh and btw it was my 40th birthday that got me to making changes in the first place lol, now here I am at 41 and 80 pounds lighter....if you are interested I belong to team 14 Southern Comfort in the Biggest Loser challenge and we have lost a couple of team members along the way and we would be glad to have you join us...my best advice to you is get the book and prepare to drink lots of water....this is the best weight loss program I have ever done and I have done many lol...I will tell you that the first week or two is the hardest due to cleaning your body of the junk but once that is over you will feel like a million bucks....there are alot of misconceptions about Low Carb eating so please get the book!!!! it is like 6 dollars at walmart....I am reinducting (starting clean and fresh) so we could do this together and you can do this believe me....we also have a great chat room here on the site and lots of great people there to inspire and support you.....so congrats on beginning or getting ready to begin lol and Whoooo Hoooo for you ahead of time

[simplemaw]

Welcome, and you've had great advice so far!

maw

[Just_Chuck]

welcome to the boards, as you have already seen you will get plenty of good advice here and support. I defintely agree when you choose your plan, read the book, read it again, and when your ready to go read it one more time. It will make it so much easier for you. again welcome and good luck.

Chuck

[Pattisea]

You guys are great.

elisasadler: Thanks for the advice. I do have the book and I did get through the induction phase and a couple weeks of Phase 2. The first 4 days were the worst I?ve experienced on a diet (sugar withdrawal, perhaps?), but after that it was a piece of cake...er...uh...steak! For some reason I snacked on something and it wasn't long before I was completely indulging on carbs again. pooh.

What is "team 14 Southern Comfort in the Biggest Loser challenge" and how do I go about joining? I like being part of a team and think it would be super helpful.

simplemaw: Thanks for the welcome. It's nice when people take time to drop a line!

Just Chuck: I will take your advice and read, read, read! I read it once, but must not have paid close attention because half way through he 2nd week of the induction phase (of South Beach), I re-read the menus and was totally bummed to see what I was missing out on! LOL That'll teach me!

Hope to see you around,

Pattisea

P.S. I notice at the bottom of the message window we have the option to Increase size (why?!) and decrease size...I keep clicking on it but my husband says I don't look any different!

[elisasadler]

Pattisea lol on the size pun, too cute...reply to your question : Biggest Loser is a challenger here on the boards in the Century Club Challenges, and you might want to check into it before signing on lol...we have different challenges each month and post 2 times monthly on how we are doing with our loss, excercise, water intake, carb intake and so forth..but post alot to our Team thread , mine being Southern Comfort..if you like the idea of being in a challenge there are lots to choose from, in Low Carb Challenges or Century Club Challenges...just take a look around the boards....and have you tried the chat room here it is great!!!!
It sounds like you are doing awesome Pattisea on your new Low Carb journey and already gone through the withdraw (worst part) congratulations!!! and keep up the good work

[Pattisea]

I love the idea of that Challenge (The Biggest Loser), but it seems very intense! I like rules and boundaries but I feel that I might not be ready for such a commitment when other people are counting on me! I wouldn't want to let down the side!

Is Southern Comfort your team, or is that another group? I am from Northern California, so I am not sure I would qualify!

Any way, thanks so much for giving me some things to think about. I feel that I now have a direction to pursue!

Happy Weekend!

Pattisea

[spydersong]

Welcome

If you want to join the Biggest Loser Challenge, send a Private Message to Laurie, her screen name is: lagpmgdsls

She is now the coordinator and can assign you to a team.

Good luck

Spydie

[Pattisea]

Thanks for the help. I was feeling pretty lost and posting messages wildly in the hope that one would find the mark!

Pattisea

[simplemaw]

So, Patti - where are you from? I'm from Eureka.

maw

[simplemaw]

I agree that this Challenge is pretty intense for a newbie. How about looking through the threads on the main Century Club board and find one where you feel comfortable, and make that your "home" thread. It's a great way to get personal and continuing support, and enough team feeling to keep you from straying without being so intense that the pressure is too much.

Among the ongoing threads that come to mind are the 300+ thread, BeaMeRs, Back to Basics, Workout Warriors, Water Guzzlers, Watchful Eye, Tough Love Support, Whole Foods Plan, Cruzin' to Lose, 100 Pounds in 2005. I don't know much about some of these threads, but I think all have fairly small "memberships" so you would get (and be expected to give) personal support.

maw

[Pattisea]

Originally Posted by simplemaw

So, Patti - where are you from? I'm from Eureka.

maw

No way! I am, too! That is very cool! What are the chances I would run into someone from my own town?

Pattisea