Tues Check in, Power

[Outback Jess]

Hey STAC, hope you are all doing great this morning, and have the power on yourside. I use to think the cookie had more power over me than I did over it!
I use to think the carbs had more control over me than I did them. But there has been a transition of power from the food to me. There has been a real transition of power from the couch to the gym equipment.
I have been gaining power and establishing it in places that were weak.
It's not perfection, it's simply self control that has really developed within my life. With self control there is power, and there is confidence...Confidence powers alot in my world, everywhere I step out of my shell, my corner, my little world into the big world it takes confidence...
When I keep little promises to myself, like picking up the last few miles of the Nov challenge that I committed to, or getting that last drop of water in...I feel really good about me, when I cross that goal line...
I am more in control at the moment...

Caitlin, my 15 yr old, on the atkins journey with me is changing so much, from the inside out. She has a level of self control I've never seen on her before...She follows her leader, closely...she will soon be able to lead herself more and more. I watch for moments to transition the power to her. I am not, as I said, a control freak or power hungry...I am way into empowering others. Watching my child go towards adulthood and giving her power, choice and teaching her how to wield that power is the job of the parent...It is literally happening all the time with Atkins!
Well this is what's churning inside me today, have a great day!

[RachelnLa]

Re: Tues Check in, Power

It is amazing to watch that power transition in your child - atkins or no atkins

I feel the waves of security in Atkins and then sometimes like I'm hanging on by a thread. I know that decision is mine to make in making Atkins priority; and needs to be made. I'm one of those rigid people who likes schedules and knowing what I'm supposed to be doing. The holidays, life stuff, etc.. those are not excuses. Those things will happen year after year. BUT, I can say I am honestly learning to look at these things differently and working through them and why I get stumped, etc. That is a major thing for me. I feel good about that. Now, to slack off the legal foods - I know I"m eating too much veggies. But gosh darn they are so good! I suffered through a major headache last night. EGADS! I was in bed by 8pm with my head feeling like it was splitting apart.

Gotta exercise still, drinking my water and I picked up Walk Away The Pounds at Goodwill the other day. Eager to try that too!

Okay, time to get my fess (which is behind in french) on that gazelle! It's calling me! heck, just me wanting to do exercise is a huge difference in my life.

[julirama723]

Re: Tues Check in, Power

I do feel very empowered by Atkins--because at this point, everything is a conscious choice, not some bad habit or lazy, effortless action. I purposely eat good foods. I count my carbs and monitor percentages. I go to the gym 5+ times per week and give it my all. I am always looking for ways to improve myself--eating better, working harder, drinking MORE water.

This WOL makes me realize that I am a powerful, strong, dedicated person. I am stronger than sugar. I am stronger than flour. I am stronger than a potato. Everything I'm putting into my body is making it healthier, unlike before, where everything I put in was probably killing me slowly.

And then there's the power of energy, of fitness, of strength. The PT at the gym was amazed at my energy--that I did an hour of cardio and was totally ready to hit the weights. And it's true, I have so much more energy now, and it's REAL energy, not just a sugar high or a caffiene buzz.

Atkins is probably one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life.

[JoviMom]

Re: Tues Check in, Power

Good Morning!

I need to go make breakfast for the kids and I, but I wanted to check in here.

Day one is under my belt. I have set a goal to lose 35 pounds by day 100 which is March 6, 2007. I am in control right now. and I am feeling great. Just a small headache, which I think some tylenol will cure.

Power is knowing you are in control. I tend to be a Type-A personality when it comes to control. I live by my calendar. It is all or nothing. If I cannot be in control of a situation, I tend to just stress out and lose it all together.

But I have learned that even when I am not in total control of my eating like I was last week, I do have the power to make heathier choices. I couldnt completely avoid all carbs that I shouldnt eat, but I learned to make the healther choice when I could!

[knicknack]

Re: Tues Check in, Power

Nice post, jess!

I agree, taking the power back is a very powerful thing. It's also empowering. (duh, obviously!). But what that does is give you more self esteem, which is the important part in my book!

I had to eat more rice yesterday because I still wasn't well (although not nearly as bad as the day before, yeeeesh!). So, I'm off on an induction run this week. Wish me luck and no headaches! Jovi I'll be joining you!

[knicknack]

Re: Tues Check in, Power

has anyone else noticed that the daily checkin seems to be lacking some people? Come on folks, let us know how you're doing! :P

[Tamster158]

Re: Tues Check in, Power

Good morning everyone!

As always, Jess's daily check-in message is a great one. Thanks Jess! And, it's great that your daughter is doing so well, too.

I'm good today -- my hubby started Atkins yesterday! I'm so proud of him. Of course, he'll probably drop the weight twice as fast as me, but that's ok. I'm just happy that he finally decided to do something about his weight.

Last night for dinner I made a slight variation of a mexican chicken recipe I found on Linda's (I think that's her name) low carb website. It was delicious:

Chicken thighs sprinkled with a small amount of taco seasoning, sauted in butter.
Then, transferred into a baking pan, poured small amount of enchilada sauce on top of each thigh, sprinkled with cheddar cheese, then baked at 350 for 20 minutes.
Topped with chopped green onions and a little bit of sour cream.

I bought the thighs with the bone by accident. If you use boneless chicken, you're supposed to chop it up after you saute it. It still turned out really good.

Well, I'm at work, so I'd better sign off for now. Have a great day everybody!

~Tammy

[knicknack]

Re: Tues Check in, Power

Yum, that sounds good Tam!

[Tamster158]

Re: Tues Check in, Power

Hey Knicknack:

Hope you're feeling better today!

Jovi -- hang in there -- it will get easier!

[Quitstretchin']

Re: Tues Check in, Power

Your daughter is on the right path...not just the external part of losing weight, but gaining a trait that will benefit her in every portion of her life: SELF CONTROL.

Despite doing well and cheat free (until Thanksgiving....) these past few months, I still do not feel that I have "self control". I have "abstained" from carbs, but I do not feel in control. I feel I still have the "out of sight, out of mind" mentality. I can stay strong in a closed, secure environment that I have controlled myself. For example, my kitchen or my meal selections have what I can eat but I can't say the same when I go to someone elses home or eat out with someone else. This causes great stress at times.
I even recently deflected the emotions associated with this lack of control onto my husband yesterday when he brought a pizza home! Then gave him the silent treatment for a little bit for not considering me! As I refocused a bit, I realized that this was not about him (he has his weight under control!), this is about me. My self control is what has to be in order so that I can physically and emotionally resist whatever is in front of me. If I were diabetic and serious about staying healthy, I would not think twice about a sugar food. I would understand that to be poison to my body.

I currently have a health condition where I absolutely can not eat sprouts. I treat it as if I am allergic to this item. Now mind you....sprouts aren't anything I would expect someone to crave, but the idea is the same. I know I can not have them, and therefore, I go to great lenghts...sometimes with a bit of paranoia to avoid them.

How I long for my mind to treat carbs the same way.
Just a bit of my Tuesday Morning inner thoughts............Have a great one!