WOE Commitment

[Hoping]

I often times find myself struggling with fact that this woe is for life. I know that it's best for me, but for some reason there are days that it's very difficult for me.

My question to you is, how and when did you come to terms with the fact that this woe is for life?

I think I'm getting closer to committing to this woe, but it's taking some time.

[Richt]

Re: WOE Commitment

Personally I think it dawned on me that this was the way of life for me when the weight just started melting away. This is by far the easiest diet I have ever done. So much so, that I don't actually think of it as a diet.

[Hoping]

Re: WOE Commitment

Holey, Moley! That was a fast reply! lol
Maybe I just haven't gotten to that point, yet.

[bradybunch]

Re: WOE Commitment

When I saw that I could still eat and not feel starved and continue to lose weight. I knew for sure when I went back to my doctor and my high blood pressure was gone along with other existing conditions from being so big. It was a no brainer for me then. ATKINS for LIFE for me.

[CHUBBRUBBKARA]

Re: WOE Commitment

It's definitely hard sometimes but when I start feeling that way, I try thinking about things that I CAN have instead of thinking about the things I can't have.

I can go to a bbq and still find plenty of food to enjoy. Burgers, Steaks, chicken, etc... Salad and Grilled vegies. On other diets you would only be allowed to have maybe chicken and some salad with low fat icky dressing.

I can go to virtually any restaurant and enjoy and not feel left out watching other people enjoy their meals. I don't have to shy away from Mexican, Chinese, Italian, and even the occasional fast food place.

I can go to amusement parks/fairs, and find plenty of food to enjoy and pick on just like everyone else.

The only thing I can't have now is cake, and lets say with the holidays coming up, stuffing and mashed potatoes etc. I don't know what I will do this year as I desperately want to lose weight quickly, but next year, I am sure I will partake in those things just on those days, and then go back to normal after that.

I don't think this "diet" WOE/WOL is so bad after all. And it's the first time my husband is happy because I don't have to rearrange all the meal plans just for me. I just make a normal supper and only eat what I am able to.

And... after only a few weeks my cankles are completely gone. I can get out of bed in the morning and walk down the stairs without pain in my legs and feet.

I think this WOE is great and I hope I'll be able to stick with it. But one day at a time. I guess that's how you have to think of it too....

Hugs

[Discolemonade]

Re: WOE Commitment

Well, for me it's actually more like paying taxes. I HAVE to. I don't want to, but I HAVE to. If I want to live in America, I have to pay the taxes. If I want to be thin, I have to eat a certain way. If I don't, there will be consequences.

[Hoping]

Re: WOE Commitment

Thank you for your replies. You have all made very valid points.

I had never thought about it as a consequence type situation. I guess I just have to get it through my head, but it's difficult.

I also wanted to add that I don't think of atkins as a diet, in the sense that I'm going to do it for say a few months and then leave it. What I struggle with more is say having a non-atkins friendly snack here and there. I think that's one of my biggest challenges. Another is going back to my old eating habits, not so much with what I eat but how many times a day I eat. I used to eat once or twice a day and now I have to eat three. So if you add it all up with bad snacks here and there and only eating once or twice a day, and sometimes the snacks were considered a meal...you have the old me back.
I think this week is especially challenging because my fiance isn't home. That means I have to cook my own meals, make myself eat, etc.
I guess in the end it's really about taking responsibility for my own health, food diet, and weight. That's it! I'm screwed! Just kidding!

[julirama723]

Re: WOE Commitment

I never feel like this is a diet. I never feel deprived or like I'm missing anything, because there are so many substitutions or replacements for the crap I used to eat, stuff that tastes good and is good FOR me.

It was hard to imagine this being lifelong--at first. On induction, I was sort of having a semi-crisis about it, having to "say goodbye" to foods forever. Like pasta. Well, you know what? It's been over a year since I've had pasta, and I don't miss it at all. I'd rather eat spaghetti squash, or shiritake noodles, or zucchini. One thing that has helped me feel content with my food choices is moving up the rungs of OWL. I've reintroduced everything but refined sugars and flours, and now I know the foods I can eat, the foods I can't eat, and the foods I shouldn't eat. The freedom is amazing. I'm no longer a slave to food.

And like the others have said, I can eat ANYWHERE. I can eat in a Mexican restaurant, I can eat at a BBQ, I can eat at a salad bar, I can eat at a diner. This is quite simply the easiest eating plan around, once you get the hang of it.

[IrishIrish]

Re: WOE Commitment

For me, I heard the words WOE for life and I initially thought, "Well, we'll see!". And after a week, a month, a year, ten pounds, fifty, hundred and more, it finally became a way of living for me instead of dying a little bit every day. Somehow, a Way of Eating for Life sounds like a sentence! I think it scares some people. It certainly did me. But now, I think of it as a Way of Living. It is more than the food I eat. It is the way I eat, why I craved foods, how I used food to medicate. I no longer have to think of it constantly. But I do remind myself every once and a while and this board helps me to remember. All I know is I never want to go back to that other way of life again!

[hopejoy]

Re: WOE Commitment

I love this WOE! I feel so much healthier now. My diabetes is 'bye bye' and my clothes fit nice... well, most are too big now... and when I go out I have tons of energy... What ever we give up is soooo made up for in all the benefits that I don't miss that stuff now. Don't feel deprived either...
The longer you stay on this the more you'll feel this way too... it takes time to start really feeling all the benefits, but once you do you'll see... you'll be thrilled at all the changes in your body, mind and spirit... Hang in there and keep it up!
liz

[dreamof145]

Re: WOE Commitment

I think it is hard for anyone to make life changes. Thats why it is so important to change your attitude and the way you look at yourself, foods and life. Look for the positive side of doing this WOE for life, not obcess and pout about what you are changing. Changes are good. They are what create improvements and makes positive things happen. Like Juli said, there are so many substitutions and ways of preparing our meals that you never have to feel deprived or sorry for ourselves.

Instead of thinking of reaching goal and going back to eating the way you did before, plan to enjoy your new way of eating, staying fit and making this a healthy way of living for the rest of your life.

[holtville]

Re: WOE Commitment

For me seeing the weight come off. Finally breaking the 200lb. barrier after so many years of trying. I am smaller than I have been in forever. The weight loss has been slow because I am post menapausal but it keeps coming off. I am allergic to mango's they make me swell up. I tell myself I have to treat all the high carb bad foods just like I do mango's they make me swell up, if you know what I mean. (ha,ha)

[ktbug427]

Re: WOE Commitment

I wish I had discovered this WOE a long time ago. There are so many foods that I can eat, and I can eat them until I am full. I am less hungry and have so much more energy. After 20 years of dieting, this is a way of life that I can really live with.

[BLAZING IN FL]

Re: WOE Commitment

I realized it when i saw the weight come off, and saw that i was not suffering while eating...this guy in my office came up to me friday and said "jeez, you are always eating, and you keep losing weight...I want to do what you are doing"...i literally eat all the time...i'm awful, and i don't ever feel deprived and the most important thing to me is that I DON'T EVER FEEL GUILTY FOR EATING. Just try to remember the days of guilt you had and self sabotage that you did, and that may be good reminder for you to except this WOE for life. Hope this helps