Right after Easter, I started with the "Slim in 6" DVD, sold on TV. I used barbells instead of the elastic bands that came with the DVD. Towards the end of April, I did 3 weeks of the induction phase on Atkins, which involves consuming 20 grams per carbs per day (which is 6 triscuits.) Around that time, I began weight training as well.
I don't know how much I weighed when I started, but I was down to 187 lbs on a 6' 2" frame by early May. (Note: DO NOT buy clothes until you are sure your weight has bottomed out!) I still had that middle age spare tire, which at 44 years of age, is not unusual. As I came off of the Atkins Induction phase, I continued eating low-carb veggies which could be eaten in unlimited quantities while on induction.
By mid-June, I was down to 177 lbs. At that point, I decided to see a personal trainer, but only to be accurately weighed and get a body fat percentage. He weighed me at 175, with a 16% body fat percentage, advised me to up my carbs and told me I could not get rid of the rest of the love handles. I promptly ignored his advice.
By early July, my weight bottomed out at 170 lbs and the rest of my spare tire/love handles were gone, my stomach was flat as a pancake and I was into a 31 inch waist. My weight rebounded at 173 and has been there ever since. Now my problem is how to gain muscle weight, but not fat and I've not a clue as to how to pull that one off.
Most of you would probably laugh at me. Although I do have muscle now, it is nothing compared to some of you guys. Being 6'2" tall and weighing 173 lbs, still leaves me with the bean pole body type I have had all of my life. I wouldn't look muscled to most of you, but to me, the toning I have done looks massive.