How do we AVOID becoming a STAC member?

[Qjakal]

Re: How do we AVOID becoming a STAC member?

I understand the weighing *during* the process but my error has been in abandoning it once I'm where I want to be. FitDay is another huge tool...acts as your conscience and an emotionless reminder that everything counts.

Once a week keeps me interested and scared...lol.

Good luck on your journey, btw!

Q

[Laceylyn1031]

Re: How do we AVOID becoming a STAC member?

This is a great thread! First of all I want to say Yay Everyone for jumping back on the wagon!! Its not easy to dust yourself off and try again!! I lost quite a bit of weight on Atkins last year but I was feeding my sweet tooth HARD!! I kept drinking Diet soda and eating sugar free candy and Im pretty sure thats what knocked me off...I was used to eating the sweets so of course a piece of birthday cake wasnt going to hurt...and so on and so on!This time I am KILLING the sweet tooth, if I want something sweet I make a mock danish or a cup of coffee with one Splenda packet. TOTM is coming up soon so Im hoping I can get it under control by then!!

[Adena]

Re: How do we AVOID becoming a STAC member?

I sure wish that falling off the wagon was as foreign to me NOW as it was then... this makes for interesting reading at this point in my journey. Thought it might be a nice reminder/reinforcement for others, too.

So what DID my downfall end up being? Failure to plan and sloppiness... allowing in those little things (bites here and there, sauces, etc.) that killed ketosis and make cravings crop up and get harder and harder to resist. Also, continuing to feed my sweet tooth (albeit artificially) so that it never died. And finally, thinking I could get back in control "my way" -- that my extensive experience meant I didn't need to go cold turkey. I mean, I wasn't a newbie afterall. I could hop back into the rungs (repeatedly) wherever I pleased and "get myself" back on track. Wrong.

[Outback Jess]

Re: How do we AVOID becoming a STAC member?

Very good post. Back to the basics that really hold things together, huh? Back to spotlighting the things we really do. Good post here Adena. Good post.

[chinadoll]

Re: How do we AVOID becoming a STAC member?

My experience is a little different. I did great the first 60 pounds. Got into a regular fitness program, really looked better (not great I was still 228 and 5'7") and really fit even at that weight. But my husband's job is overseas and we move frequently. We also come home every summer. For me, coming home and moving are two baddies. The stress of a move, or a sick parent when you are back in their home, on their schedule, etc. can be a killer. It is important to make your schedule of exercise and your commitment to the plan your first priority and not let it slide even a little because its easier, or someone's feelings will be hurt, or its a holiday. You almost need a rigidity. My summer can be tough because thats when we are in the US where the food selsction is fabulous and all our friends and family are around. It beocmes one big holiday and once started the slide is rapid!! The final reason is that sometimes I just get tired of being vigilant. But those cheats are usually minor and a one day thing. It is important that even if you do fall off the wagon someday, and even some of the most successful people on this site have done so, that you dont think of it as a failure. When your head is ready to recommit, you get back on that horse.

[HulaMom]

Re: How do we AVOID becoming a STAC member?

Aloha,
I've shared this before with STACers. I was very committed to Atkins for about 5 years. I went from about 180 to 132 pounds, which was about perfect for me. I maintained my loss very well for a few years and was very conscientious about eating, water, and exercise.
In maintenance, I could allow a few carbs and still maintain. That is part of the lifelong WOE. This gets to be tricky, however, because there is an addictive nature with carbs. So while having a few croutons with the salad may not have an immediate effect, it will tend to reawaken cravings. At first, there is no impact to the croutons. So I felt like I could maintain and they are permissible. The occasional treat happens a bit more often.

Then for me, I had a major depressing event happen.. a personal tragedy. I tried not to cheat, but my whole equilibrium was thrown out of balance. That was the fall for me.

I got back to a place of peace, and around that time took a very high-stress demanding job. I thrived on that, and it was good for me. The pressure let me move beyond the setback I had. But in that environment, I had much less control over what I could eat. I worked 12-14 hour days. It was quite exhausting. I don't think I overate but I couldn't necessarily eat what I wanted. I had lots of formal functions with little choice. I couldn't cook or plan meals because I didn't have time.
Something had to give.
For the 2 years that I was in that stress situation, I really do blame the popular culture and our messed-up diet norms. At least in Hawaii, there was no sensitivity to low-carb built into the executive culture. Vegetarians can always request an alternative meal. People don't quite know how to handle Atkins in the banquet business. Our cafeterias didn't have great choices. I think I could have handled this if I were on maintenance but I couldn't manage a clean induction.

Five years on Atkins, and then about 3 years off. I am back up near my all-time high weight. I've been on Atkins almost 2 months and have lost about 3 pounds, and am on a major stall. It is HARDER the second time around. I'm not losing like I did before.

Still, I feel very blessed because I am in a place in my life where I can be selfish enough to focus on me. I'm not in a big hurry, and I am approaching eating and exercise in a true, balanced, healthy way. I need to turn around several years of abuse and that does not happen overnight. I love myself, and I'm patient.

Best wishes to you as you keep the balance and perspective in your life!! You are very wise to be thinking about this phase and transition in the WOE.

Hula

[Porcelain]

Re: How do we AVOID becoming a STAC member?

Wow, this was really interesting to see. I went back and read the first few pages of my journal and I was very disturbed at how lax I was on the diet...eating bars, eating nuts before time, etc. I try not to be so down on myself because the past is the past but I can't help saying "If you had done what you are doing now back then, you would already be at goal."

[chinadoll]

Re: How do we AVOID becoming a STAC member?

Hula, a huge hug to you. I am having a much slower start this time around so I know what a struggle it is, but we both have the right attitude. It isn't how fast the scale moves (I only get on twice a month now) it is about eating well, and moving our bodies and becoming healthier. It will come. And it isnt always how you expect.

On a personal note for me, I am still finding good surprises...after four years of strength training and cardio I recognized my first "runners high" today on the elliptical. I always felt relaxed and happy at the end of a workout but today I was struggling and then all of a sudden there was a shift and I felt great and the rest of the session seemed easy. It was a relevation that there really are endorphins in there!

I am saying this because the rewards arent in the scale, they seem to be in a million other small things for me this time around. Which is good since the scale is a snail!

Jill