Found my way back

[huggija]

I am so THRILLED to find this STAC forum. I recently read an article that said (basically) that you only have one shot at Atkins; that it never works after that. That REALLY got me down and gave me an excuse to not try. Briefly, my story is this...I started Atkins in January 2002 and lost 45 lbs. More than that, I lost a lot of inches...was no longer a 'muffin' and could wear about anything. It felt SO good after a lifetime battle with my weight. Around Cmas 2005, I allowed myself to start eating sugar again and by March or April of '06, I was out of control. I've gained 20 lbs. I'm so embarassed and ashamed, which has also inhibited me. But yesterday, after finding this forum, I am DETERMINED to get back on the wagon and get my lifestyle back. So an early thanks to all of you that support. I know it won't be easy, but I have to do this.

CW: 170
GW: 145

[mitzimarie]

Re: Found my way back

[QUOTE=huggija]I am so THRILLED to find this STAC forum. I recently read an article that said (basically) that you only have one shot at Atkins; that it never works after that. [QUOTE]

THAT IS JUST BULL!!! LOL... you will see what I mean when you see all of the great success stories around here. I plan to include myself among the successes (11 pounds gone in 21 days... sorry, just had to "blow my own horn" since today was weigh day and I lost 4 pounds during week 3).

So, WELCOME! DON'T feel ashamed. You've come to the right place.

[speedyturtle]

Re: Found my way back

Welcome Huggija, you will be a minimuffin again and this is a GREAT place to get that encouragement. Its been really good for me. Just a little bite, has a way of snowballing, thats how I did at a Christmas too. Love your determination !! And glad you put it in the forum it inspires me too.

Gratz Mitzi Your doing GREAT

[mitzimarie]

Re: Found my way back

Gratz Mitzi Your doing GREAT

Thank you so much, Speedy! I've been watching you, too!

LET'S DO THIS!!!

[Tiggerdagibit]

Re: Found my way back

Welcome back! Sometimes your body might react differently after the first time, but it will still work. Make sure to take your measurements and don't go just by the scale. I haven't lost much weight yet, but the inches are going! This is my bazillionth restart since my first successful time in '03 and it still works.

[LuckyD]

Re: Found my way back

Welcome back. Please dont ever be ashamed or embarrassed. We all have our struggles but feeling shame for it will do no good. I know being fat is a shameful feeling. We feel like failures. We are NOT failures. America is getting huge! We have more food choices forced upon us in new and exciting and CONVENIENT ways. Food is forced upon us then society shames us for indulging. We are human. And we are strong because we are here finding a new way to deal with food. And that in itself is a challenge because of all the negativity and misinformation about Atkins. But we are all winners in here because we KNOW the key that others refuse to acknowledge.

[Babs]

Re: Found my way back

Welcome! I glad you found your way back to Atkins, and it's nice to have you here at ADBB.

I always have to remind myself that this way worked for me the first time, and it is something I have to follow for life. And if I slip up, which I have from time to time, I pick myself up asap, and dust myself off, and get right back at it.

[heatherm422]

Re: Found my way back

Welcome back and to ADBB! This is a great resource place for information and support. There are ALOT of fabulous success stories and just inspiration people here that really makes the journey alot easier!

[attek]

Re: Found my way back

Welcome back! I see we had similar weight gains: I lost 40 pounds the first time, and this time I had 17 to lose. I personally didn't experience any difficulty the second time around. I've lost 12 pounds in the last two months.

I think losing the weight was easier this time because I already knew the foods which stall me through Rung 4 and I avoided them. I also was good at planning ahead for various situations. Use your own experience from the first time to propel you to success. What worked for you? What did you do wrong?

Here's what I did wrong. For me, the biggest reason I am a member of the STAC is that I did not follow the diet the whole way through to Maintenance, but blamed my weight gain on my pregnancies and falsely assumed that I could maintain it my own way. Well, being pregnant doesn't make you get fat, it's the unhealthy habits that you develop along the years. And those didn't change, so here I am. I focused so much on losing the weight that I went to Rung 4 of OWL, lost it all, then quit Atkins.

Hence my focus this time is very different. Although I still want to get rid of those last few pounds, I am more concerned about questions like: what can I eat to maintain my weight? What foods like pizza (that I could deprive myself of for a few months to lose weight) do I really need to find a low-carb version so that I can enjoy this diet long-term? How do I handle holidays like Thanksgiving?

You'll find this board is extremely helpful too. And very encouraging! Best of luck to you and keep us posted!

[Tuliedave]

Re: Found my way back

huggija

Don't even think you can't be successful here and on Atkins more than just the first time. My first time was when the first Atkins book hit the newsstands in the 70's, lost 65 lbs then in 5 months. The last time was in 2002 and I lost 70 lbs. I am more than a little upset that these past couple of years I have cared so little for myself that I have to do this again. This time I will stay on the plan for the days I have left in this world.

I guess because I quit smoking 4 1/2 years ago I thought I could eat, gain weight and still be safe because I got rid of the cigarettes! Might be true, but at my age doing anything physical is difficult enough and at what I weigh now; damn near impossible! I'll fess up to the "start weight" after the first 50 or so.

I know I can do this, I've done it before. Besides, it's like Brook taught me many years ago, "It only seems kinky the first time!"