I am 39 years old and live in Orlando Florida. I am married to a wonderful man who is six feet four inches tall and likes to eat three meals a day! When we first met more than eight years ago, I was shocked to find that someone on earth actually ate three meals a day because I certainly NEVER did! I am 5' 1.5" tall and have had to watch my weight all my life. Up until I married, I was successful at maintaining my weight between 125 and 135. Somehow after my forth year of marriage, I started gaining weight like crazy. I had severe sugar and carb cravings and my stress was high enough for me to use it as an excuse to over-eat routinely. I even started walking several miles a day; five days a week to help stave of the weight gain... but to no avail. Now, I'm more than 100 pounds over-weight and have run out of excuses. My health is forcing me to take control of my weight again. So, I'm starting Atkins with a commitment to make life long changes in how I eat.

Ironically enough, my husband is so proud of me that he too is making changes in his diet. He is incredibly supportive. So I am documenting my journey to better health and better self-esteem in the hopes of not losing heart along the way. Dieting is never easy; so I am going to call it a healthy lifestyle transition rather than a diet... because in truth, I hate that word "diet". It's so negative in my mind.

My overall goal is large, so I intend to focus on weekly and monthly goals to keep me from being overwhelmed by the total amount I need to lose. I'm also throwing a little meditation and visualizing a slimmer healthier me. This journal represents the real unedited experience as I progress toward better health and a happier quality of life.