My mom introduced me to Atkins 6 years ago, and it changed my life. I realized how much better I felt--I didn't fall asleep at my desk after lunch, no more temper tantrums when I got really hungry...in fact I didn't get really hungry any more! However knowing that carbs are my problem, I still slip back into old habits now and then. I fall off the wagon about twice a year, and boy do I fall hard! One meal turns into 3 months and 15 lbs. and it takes a LOT of effort for me to break the cycle and cut the carbs again.

When someone talks about "this girl I knew went on Atkins and then gained all the weight back when she stopped dieting," that's probably me.

My goal is to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight, and while I don't think I'll get there, I'd like to breach the plateau I hit at the last 10 lbs.

My "before" picture is from April of 2001, a few months after my divorce, when pizza and junk food was more convenient than dieting.