Lessons learned the first time around

[Finelly]

How about we all contribute things we learned the FIRST time we did Atkins?

I learned.....

- that inches count so much more than pounds! I'd go long periods without losing more than a pound or so, but I'd be dropping inches like crazy!

- that carbohydrates make me tired and lazy, but ketosis makes me full of energy and raring to go.

- that once I detox, I don't really crave much - which doesn't mean I'm not tempted, just better able to avoid it.

- that once I get started, it is often hard to get enough calories to meet my bmr.

[Debra]

What a great reminder! I can't wait to get there again, the first few days are really the only hard ones. Thanks so much for posting this very encouraging reminder.

[Finelly]

Yep, the first days are the hardest. I just finished Day Three - woo hoo!

[Sarah1341]

What I learned the first time:

That this WOE makes me more energetic, helps me have more self-confidence, breaks the control that food has over me and that this WOE has to become a life change, not a quick fix.

[elfish99]

Same here, I learned that I can lose weight, I can get my appetite under control. Past experience has taught me to stay away from the scale except for occasional weigh-ins, not to trust ketostix completely, and most of all - one cheat does not a binge make. If I screw up, call it a screw up ad pick myself up again. It's not OK to just say "I messed up, I may as well eat what I want and start again tomorrow." That usually leads to weeks or months off the wagon and LOTS of guilt.

[DebbietheHugBug]

All of the above :nod

[LOWCARBINCLEVELANDOH]

I learned that Diet Coke is Satan juice! LOL

[Finelly]

LOL, too funny! Yep, yep! It's not so much the aspartame as the caffeine and aspartame MIX.....

Better to create your own Italian Cream Sodas using club soda, sugar-free syrup and cream! Yum!

[lowcarbing4ever]

I learned a lot of the same things posted first time around. I also learned:

* I actually can lose weight!

* binging is not all its cracked up to be. The same satisfaction is not there.

* that as long as I look and feel better, the scale doesn't make one iota worth of a difference.

* that this board is the best thing to happen to me since Atkins.

* that I can control my appetite, I can watch my portions and I can do it!

* That exercise is my best friend, even though I HATE it.

:icondance that's my 2 cents!

[CathyR]

UMMM,,, I learned that I CAN lose weight. I can be happy doing it and I can stay motivated and focused. I learned that it wont happen overnight and that I have to be patient. I learned forgiveness, for when I fall. I learned life is more about living than eating. And most of all, I learned to feel good about myself.... :hug

[Finelly]

Well said, Cathy. I'm posting that on my fridge.

[sunsetsue]

I like that also Cathy!

I learned ... hmmmm...that I can still cook for my family and pass up all the forbidden foods.

I also learned that a 1 lb bag of licorice does not mean that I will gain only 1 lb from eating it. :anger