Seriously Struggling

[iPamela]

I have been struggling with so many personal problems over the last few months that it has effected my entire life but especially my WOE. My husband went through surgery due to an accident, my Grandmother (who I take care of) have been through serveral serious health issues where death was considered her outcome. But she has come through all of these things and is still holding on. My husband is better as well.

I have made it through this but I let go of my woe and gained 15 lbs back. I have tried to restart over the past couple of months and have fell flat on my face.

I am just so discouraged. I can't stand that I have let myself down again. I know Atkins works and I loved it for over 6 months - how did I let myself get back into this mode? I almost feel hatred for myself!!! This is terrible. I can't believe I feel so let down by ME.

The good news is that yesterday I started back and so far, so good. I've been watching Oprah and she had several shows on weight loss and it has helped get me back into seriously considering my own weight problem. She suggested her own program but I would rather stick with what I know works and with what I was very happy with. Atkins is the only way I know to go!

Any advice would be appreciated. I can't go back to living life as a 300 pound woman - I refuse to be like that again. I've got to stop the scale from going up and keep it going down!

Pamela :sadblinky

[jroche5998]

First, I'm glad everyone in your life is better.

Second, oh how I can relate. I was just reading something that I printed off from here a while back, from "How to think like a loser; Thoughts on weight loss" by Dr. Jim Garlow.
#28. Failure - I will not allow my failures to cause me to think that I cannot succeed

It really hit home for me today, and maybe it will for you.

Best of luck!

[maribelle]

First of all, I have to say I LOVE YOUR SAM IMAGE!!! That gave me quite a chuckle. Then I have to say, don't be so hard on yourself. You've been going through some incredibly tough things, and its only natural some aspect of your life was going to fall a little behind. I did the EXACT same thing...did Atkins last year for 6 months, lost 70 pounds, then bam...stress, sickness, etc. threw me off course. I gained 30lbs back. :yikes It took these last 4 months of repeated starts and failures to get really started again, and I had to fight through some pretty bad restarting symptoms. But its SO worth it, and you'll be back to feeling proud of yourself in no time. Whatever happens...if you have a bad day, and eat something you shouldn't, DON'T BEAT YOURSELF UP! This triggers negative feelings that can throw you off for days. Just say "hey, I'm human, and because I'm human I can pick myself up right now, and start again!"

Sorry, hope I didn't get too wordy. I just know how you're feeling! YOU CAN DO IT! :hug

[2big4mysize]

All you can do is just start and plan your menues and foods if that is what you do. Have foods handy for eating when you need then so you will not reach for a quick high carb fix and if you should stumble makethe next bite low carb! Practice what is called carb harm control. minimize every cheat and slip up as quickly as you can and soon you will be able to do several cheat free days in a row. Thinkof this as learning to ride your bike sure you are going to fall and stop and restart and get frustrated but one day you just are doing it and you never look back.

[latte]

Hang in there..and forgivie yourself... :hug

[cleochatra]

My LOTR buddy!

I'm glad you're back and am so sorry to hear you have been dealing with some not-so-pleasant issues lately.

:hug

[ztachick]

sorry you 've had to deal with lots of unpleasenmt things but now that that is better
you can focus on y ou
you yourself said you know this works so jsut recommit yourself to atkins and this board and set a new mini goals and celebrate when you get there, cuz it will be soon.

[sillyann]

Thank you for your post. I haven't lost anything since Dec and I feel like I am about to fall off the wagon. I felt like your post was pulling me up. I just love your "NO POTATOES" blinkie.

[RunAwayMichelle]

Hi Pamela, :wave

I can really relate to your troubles. I've had a lot of emotional issues in the past few months as well and I have also struggled with this WOE. One thing that has helped me is to not give up or beat myself up when I stumble. I just consider my mistakes minor setbacks and continue doing the best I can. When I minimize my mistakes (cheats) then don't have as much power to make me feel like a failure. It's just a little stubbed toe and I can get right back on my food plan.

Sometimes you just need to count the successes and work at minimizing and reducing the mistakes until the get farther and farther apart. I have gone from cheating daily to every few days to entire weeks without a slip. You can do it too, I have faith in you. :hug :hug

[softnred]

I've been struggling with sugar and french fry desires lately, and it always seems like life throws curves at us when it happens, doesn't it?? You can TOTALLY get back on the wagon and do it properly. Plan every thing, stock, stock and stock some more, then take a deep breath and jump!!! At this stage in our lives, anything worth doing should be done with all our heart and soul, and this includes improving our health and body size....

We're here for you!!!

~JoAnne

[Lyssie]

I know exactly how you feel - the past 2 months have been **** for me - emotionally and physically... Thank goodness i haven't gained anything back, I can't stand the thought of ever going back to where I came from. Anyway, it's all good, jump back in (that's what I'm doing) and soon those 15 lbs. will come off plus more *hugs*

[lunazul]

Re: Seriously Struggling

I am just so discouraged. I can't stand that I have let myself down again. I know Atkins works and I loved it for over 6 months - how did I let myself get back into this mode? I almost feel hatred for myself!!! This is terrible. I can't believe I feel so let down by ME.

Pamela,

:hug IMO, the most important thing is getting your head straight. You have been very busy tending to loved ones in need, but you forgot about the most important person - YOU! If you feel hatred for yourself, you will continue to be self-destructive. You need to love yourself. Pamper yourself, put yourself first sometimes. Succeeding in this area is for you. It isn't to please anyone else. Do it for you! Compliments are nice. I love them, but if I am not happy with myself, all those compliments and approval of others mean nothing. Love yourself. I look forward to seeing your progress. You are worth it!

Debby

[iPamela]

Thanks to everyone for all your heart-felt support. It means so much to me. Thanks for helping me pick myself back up and jump back in.

It's only been 4 days but so far, so good. It was really hard the first couple of days - I felt like a junkie almost. It's terrible to be controlled by junk food. I pray that I can stay on the wagon and not ever go back to that way of eating - because I can look in the mirror and see that it's just not good for me.

I feel hope now - I feel like I'm back where I belong. I lost 50 lbs from last May until November. I know this plan works - it's awesome. I'm just trying to keep in mind that if I stick with it in another 6 months maybe I'll lose another 50 lbs - that would be awesome.

Thanks everyone.

Pamela