Current: I realize that I have not posted full body pictures.  My tiny web cam does not take big photos. Here is my "Melting Inches Graph".  The graph is self explanatory. I will update it frequently, usually every 3 - 4 weeks as I take new measurements. I know I still owe you some "whole body" pictures, let's see when I have a chance to take them. 

May 12: It feels so nice to be 223 again.  Forty two down, sixty nine more to go.  As I finished packing I also realized how fast the last 3 years have gone by.  I also have to be careful after I return home.  I'll be living with my parents until I find an apartment and there is a trap: they are vegetarians. I call their house "The carbs home".  You get the idea.  My mom has a sweet tooth and there are plenty there.  I have to be strong.

May 2004: Several things are happening right know.  I'll be 28 on May 7; three days later it will be my 7th month low carb  anniversary; and, it looks like I am going to celebrate a mini goal of 40 pounds by that time.  In other news, I am preparing to return home.  To finish my masters degree, I'll be doing an internship in Puerto Rico. I enjoyed my time in Gainesville but I am ready to return to the Caribbean... and the sun! Plus I'll be living in an apartment with my best friend, so I can continue controlling my carbs.  I am also going back to my old job that I also love (gymnastics coach), so I can workout there as well.

Apr 25: I am still in the middle of the big-mama-of-the-stalls! I will be returning to induction because this is enough.  Hopefully the Whoosh Fairy will fly to Gainesville soon... The good news are that I am doing my exercises.  Yesterday I in-line skated around the university and the stadium for about 45 minutes. After that I did some conditioning and I can still feel the burn in my legs, thighs and buttocks.

Apr 2004: I am still in the middle of a plateau.  It seems that my body likes 230 because I have been around that weight for a while.  I'll keep working on it.  I am still buying 16 sized clothes when I go shopping because I know I will get there.  Currently, I am size 18/Large with some 16/Medium pieces fitting nicely too.  I gave away all my 22/24 clothes to the Salvation Army this week.

Mar 28: Last night the weather was cool and I went in-line skating around campus.  Today, new milestone in my weight loss journey. Last time that I was at 228 it was 1999!  I am going to celebrate it with some nice homemade BBQ ribs and veggies.  In other news, I am completely single again and enjoying it. 

Mar 2004: A lot of things have happened.  First one, Spring Break.  I went to Puerto Rico knowing that I was going to eat things that I have not eaten in a while.  So I did it and enjoyed it.  I went to the beach with my sister, got a nice tan. Now it's back to work.  As you can see I gained a couple of pounds.  In other news, my mom bought me the South Beach Diet book.  She is vegetarian and she was worried about the Aktins' Way of Eating.  I'll read it and see if it will work for me.

Feb 27: Under 230 for the first time in three years!

Feb 26:  I have not been able to go under 230 for three weeks now!  It may be frustrating at times but I know I'll eventually get there.  I must confess that yesterday I ate a bagel and orange juice in a meeting at the university.  They were very good, without any side effects.  Today... back on track.

Feb 10: I have to say that I found a weird pattern in my weight loss journey.  My diet is pretty much the same (in terms of food variety and overall carb intake) now that I am on OWL, but I do not see a lot of difference in my weight.  Just when TOM approaches, I gain some pounds and then I drop those and some extra ones.  Very odd.

Feb 2004: I reached my first 35 pounds. My next goal is 225 because I have not been at that weight since August 1998.  I am enjoying the LC lifestyle and I have been lucky enough to incorporate some high carb food (wild rice, pasta, oatmeal, berries) once or twice a week without affecting my weight loss.  The key: if you have a high carb item, keep it a small portion, not the main meal.  At least, it works for me.

Jan 15: I went shopping last weekend, and almost cried in the fitting room.  I was a size 24 before I started LC, and I got size 18 clothing to fit me nicely... (I don't care if the sizes were running big or small)  I even called my best friend (she is in Puerto Rico) from the fitting room.  I am still on a happy LC high :)

Jan 9: I lost 9 pounds this week!!! Thanks Whoosh Fairy.  Ode to the Whoosh Fairy by Chris:

Jan 2004: I had a blast in Puerto Rico.  So much fun (and great food) that I gained weight.  My net loss for Jan was just 1 pound.  I cannot complain though, I saw old friends, made a very special new one (the online guy), shared the time with my family, and my brother got married!!!  I am back on the wagon now.