Help me...I am getting lost...

[ShannonK]

Okay my friends, this is truly a cry for encouragement. I have re-read the book and have been on re-induction AGAIN for two weeks and I have gained a pound.

What would I do without Terry, who encourages me daily! What would I do? So, she suggested that I go back and re-read the stickies on this board. What amazing advice. Such good information there!

I cannot quite figure out what my problem is. Okay, maybe in my heart of hearts I know about the little things I could be doing differently. BUT, I just feel so discouraged that I was actually perusing the Weight Watchers web-site during lunch today. I was actually thinking that I might go to McDonalds and have one really great (bleh) meal before I start weight watchers. (oh, help me) Like, we haven't all tried that one before. Can anyone hear me screaming that I am hungry and I need to eat 45 points a day just to be full??

I have read the stickies, I know what you are going to say. I know that you are going to encourage me. I can already hear it! You know what, though, go ahead and tell me anyway. I need it today!

[jcapulet]

Re: Help me...I am getting lost...

Maybe we can help you better if you could post a sample of what you eat in a day? You never know where there might be hidden carbs. Some foods can stall some people, yet have little effect on others.

Hang in there...some lose weight slower. I remember Dr. Atkins mentioning this in his book.

You can do it Shannon!

[DragonflyMoon]

Re: Help me...I am getting lost...

Hey Shannon ~ hang in there, girl! Have you tried posting your menus for review? That is odd that you ended up gaining a pound... you said that you know there are little things you could have done differently... like what? Things that would add up to gaining a pound or no? That is so disappointing... i feel for you!

I was at the frustration point last year and thought very hard about going back to WW. For me, personally, it didn't work ~ i spend my points on the crapfoods. Like the WW desserts and stuff - i'd eat two in a night, as long as i counted those points! I wasn't learning anything; i can see how that program works for a lot of people, but for me, a sugar addict, it doesn't. On Atkins i feel that i am retraining myself & my body. I am learning so much about food and sugar and retraining myself to make good choices and to stay sugar free. On WW, you can "bank" your points and then eat crap for special occasions and such; on Atkins, i am learning new ways to enjoy good, healthy foods, even on holidays and special occasions!

I know it is hard ~ i'm frustrated right now too because my body seems to be at a body memory weight, and i'm at that "six week stall." Fluctuating between a few pounds... up and down... up and down... but i know that i am on the right path, even if i am not seeing major changes in the scale like i did when i was on this diet in my twenties... i know it'll take some time, but i'll get there, and you will too! We're all here for each other, for times like these... and to celebrate the successes, and to learn from each others' experiences! Please let us know what we can do to help you through this...

[boonie stomper]

Re: Help me...I am getting lost...

I agree that you should let us review your typical day's menu. Everything, measured to the portion size, brand, condiment, beverages, sweeteners, etc.

One other thing - perhaps the scales handed you a misread. Maybe you had too much salt, or TOM is near, giving you a fals indication of your losses due to water retention. A heavy exercise session can cause this, too.

Hang in there, and stay away from the Mc-bleh or you will be Slapped...

[ValidRouge]

Re: Help me...I am getting lost...

Shannon. Here it comes, the butt kicking tough love.

How bad do you want it?

That's what it ALL boils down to. Whether you do weight watchers or you do atkins or you do south beach...they all have rules you must adhere to. They all have "forbidden foods".

Again, I ask you...How bad do you want it?

If you want it bad enough, you WILL make it happen. If it's not happening, it's because you want that little cheat MORE than you want the result. Were those little cheats you had, or those little slips, or whatever anyone calls them worth gaining a pound this week?

HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT?

[Lisa M]

Re: Help me...I am getting lost...

See! Joy said exaclty what I was thinking.

But then here's me. I don't see your weight in your siggy or how tall you are. I assume you put it somewhere else on the board, so I can only assume 2 more things....

1. you are just a few pounds from you goal and your body is adjusting to the weight loss

or

2. you have more than 20 pounds to lose and you've been feeling a little "free" with your foods this past month.

Either way. Time to start making a journal at home. Write down EVERYTHING that goes in to your mouth from this point on. Septembers a new month, so it's a good thing to start something new.

Also, ask yourself where you are in your exercise, water intake, and meds you may have been taking. Are there any health issues in your life or family you can inherit? Have you had emotional stress to deal with lately?

There's so many reasons why we don't lose, and gain, that once we see the trail for ourselves we can start making changes.

Most importantly....hang in there

Ps...the choice is yours of course if you choose to follow WW. But then again, you know how Atkins works, you've read the book, and you can compare being satisfied with the foods that work to help reach your goal. Best wishes.

[Serenity Raging]

Re: Help me...I am getting lost...

Like you I am almost done with week two of re-induction. Like you I hadn't lost a thing. I had no cheats. I chose not to get discouraged. I know things can be slower the second time. My thinking is, that my body is determined to be stubborn since it knows what going on this time. And I am equally determined to be more stubborn and stick to the plan. I found fitday to be a great way of keeping me focused. Yesterday, i took advice from other posters and worked on upping my water and upping my fats. I didnt get my fat percentages up but did manage to up the water. And today the scale was down 2pounds...I'm not putting it in my stats yet. I know it can flucuate and will wait till tomorrow to confirm it. But I do know I can lose weight on this. I lost 70 pounds 3 years ago. And i know I will this time if i hang in there and take advice from others. I wont lose it if I give up. So take whatever advice that comes your way and stick with it. If your doing something wrong...fix it...if your doing it right then be patient.

[ShannonK]

Re: Help me...I am getting lost...

Wow, thanks for the quick responses. I needed the love, including the tough stuff. My situation is this: I am 38 years old. I am only 5' tall and I weigh 144 pounds. I come from a family of large women. I just had a thorough check up from my doctor and I am physically sound except for some minor things which do not add up to weight "excuses".

I do not want to return to weight watchers. It has never worked for me. Atkins has worked for me. Two years ago, I did everything right. I walked three to five miles a day, I drank my water (all of it) and I ate NO MORE THAN 20 grams of carbs per day. I never waivered from that. I never did. In three months, I was at goal. It was so easy. I weighed 117 pounds. We moved. My dh is active duty Army. And so I cheated my way back up to 130 and way beyond. I cannot believe how much I weigh. I have never weighed this much, even at nine months pregnant.

I guess I know what the problem is. Some weeks I exercise, some weeks I get my water in and some weeks I eat right. Usually, these are not in the same week. This results in being constantly on "induction" and never quite getting it right.

[ShannonK]

Re: Help me...I am getting lost...

Okay, and I like the idea of the food journal, too.

[RachelnLa]

Re: Help me...I am getting lost...

Post a menu. Maybe you are not getting enough of something. I agree, fat is important! For me, on induction I didn't measure my salad and when I finally did.. whoa! I was eating twice as much as I needed. No wonder I got burnt out on salad LOL

Mix and match your foods.. variety is key. Keep a journal. I have mine in a notebook. Date, weight and meds are done each day. Then I log every food. AND I weigh them and measure them to be sure I'm eating the right amounts. NOBODY is gonna see you doing it. You may be way off on what you think is the right amount. I drink 2 glasses of water with meals. That only leaves me two other glasses to drink during the day. I can do that easily, and I usually drink more.

It's true, you have to do it all - proteins, fats, veggies and water. Vitamins, nutrients and flush out the fat.

Post some menus and let us take a look.

I gotta agree.. HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT?

[Sarah1341]

Re: Help me...I am getting lost...

Shannon

Ok, so my turn to to come at ya girlfriend.

I am one of those that always turns to WW for "relief" when things are not going my way. Let me tell you what happens to me when I go to WW for "relief." (1). I eat processed junk food. (2) The processed junk food is not healthy processed junk food. It is a candy bar I could fit into my points or some other crazy obsession - one time I spent 20 points on candy . (3) Because I was wasting my points, I was not getting in the healthy foods, I was going over points and ultimately - I was gaining weight. I'm not bashing or saying that WW doesn't work, it does - for some people, but not for me. I cannot be satisfied or fulfilled eating on a points system. This is why I have turned back to the low carb wol. Low carb is what works for me, it is where I see the loss and most importantly - it is where I *feel* healthy. I *feel* improvements in myself and in my body.

So before you make any drastic decisions - take some of the advice above. And also really think about WW before you sign up. Can you stick with it? I couldn't.

Another thing to add. I feel a lot more support from the ADBB members than I ever received from the WW boards. Even while I was doing WW I really missed being on the ADBB boards.

You can do this!!!!!!

[ValidRouge]

Re: Help me...I am getting lost...

Shannon...I think I know what part of your problem is. Somewhere your subconscious KNOWS that you are going to be deprived and is throwing obstacles in your way left and right.

Get it in your head that starting right this minute, you are going to do induction for TWO WEEKS and two weeks ONLY! You can do this for two weeks right? Follow the plan by the book for two weeks.

On week 3, you are going to go to move to OWL. Start with more vegetables. Then continue climbing the rungs so that you don't have any excuses. You have variety, you have flavor, you have texture, you have OPTIONS!!! The weight will still fall off, but you won't be DEPRIVED!

[ShannonK]

Re: Help me...I am getting lost...

Okay, I can live with this. First thing, I am going to get a special notebook to put in my purse and keep with me. Tomorrow, I am going to post what I ate.

All I have had so far today is sausage and eggs. And six nuggets from McDonalds. (I know...)

I do agree with you about weight watchers. The thought of it depresses me. I also agree that it works for some people, but for me it has always been that excuse to eat whatever I want with some banked points. I am always left sad and hungry or bloated and severely bummed. I also never had the support that I do here. Look at you guys. You always step up to the plate for me. You always do!

Look at your picture, Joy. Beautiful. What an inspiration. And Sarah, always there for me.

So, first I get my journal, post my menu, swear an oath not to go over to the dark side...

[Sarah1341]

Re: Help me...I am getting lost...

You can do this Shannon!!! Sounds like a great plan. Keep up posted!!

[Chris]

Re: Help me...I am getting lost...

Shannon, we go way back, so I know, already, that you know all the rules; all the do's and don't's. Here's my way of thinking: As someone who's now on his third time around, I can tell you that each time you restart the weightloss is slower. Maybe the body really does "learn" -- I don't know. However, eventually, it will come off. If it didn't, we'd be breaking the laws of physics, and that's simply impossible.

So, do those things suggested above; but, the best advice I can give you is to just hang in there, because, eventually, it will happen. After all, we're doing this for life, aren't we -- so what's the big rush?

As for Weight Watchers, I've been there and done that -- twice! I just couldn't possibly face month after month of constant hunger, again.

Now, as for those nuggets -- shame, shame! Here's forty lashes with a slightly damp, low carb, noodle!