After the Marines, I let myself go to pot. The big shocker was when I realized I couldn't even keep up with my kids anymore without getting out of breath. So starting the beginning of March, I put myself "back in boot camp" and started getting up at 5AM to walk. It didn't take too long to build up to my current 6-8 miles a day. I'd walk even more but I do still have my job and kids to attend to! The first few weeks were sort of painful. Blisters, shin splints, rubbery legs, etc. But over the past month, I have been virtually gliding on my walks. I now bound up and down stairs and feel just great. I think the diet I described in my earlier post has a lot to do with this as well. But you are right, all the exercise makes me crave healthy foods. Just the thought of putting a candy bar or a jelly donut into my mouth disgusts me. I want fuel, not garbage!
Once I achieve long-term results, I'll say a lot more about my "modified" Atkins plan. I just think the Atkins diet is too strict. With some regular and vigorous exercise, I believe the Atkins plan can be modified to something more reasonable that people will have no problem sticking to the rest of their lives.