It's me again Margaret

[michigander]

When will I learn that low carb living is THE ONLY way I stay at a healthy weight??!?!?!? I need to be punched in the head. Seriously!

History of my life:
220 lbs in 9th grade
Got active in cheerleading, went down to 160
Went to college, back up to 200
ATKINS!!! 160 - loving life
Take it for granted, snitch here, snitch there - up to 200 again
Last year, back to atkins, 100% & get down to 160
WHAMMO! Pound by pound, I've worked my way back up to 215.

I am DISGUSTED with myself.

And once again, recommitted to atkins. I've lost 6 pouds since last week, and it's clear from my history - atkins is the ONLY lifestyle that works for me, so I need to learn how to make it stick this time.

I know it will work. How do I maintain it?!?!?

I've tried getting rid of my "fat pants", which has cost me a zillion in new clothes every time I get fat again.

I'm just glad I've found my way back, and am on my way back down again.

Thanks for having me back.

[*Emma*]

Re: It's me again Margaret

Welcome back!! its good to have ya here

[dreamof145]

Re: It's me again Margaret

Hi Margaret. Welcome back. Glad you've recommitted and came back to let us share in your new success. Enjoy the journey with us and get active in the ADBB. Best wishes.

[kelly50]

Re: It's me again Margaret

Hi, Margaret. So glad you are here at ADBB. This is a terrific group of supportive folks so please join in! Look forward to seeing you around the board.

[Outback Jess]

Re: It's me again Margaret

Margaret, glad to have you here at STAC...You are a pro, so you know all the stuff and the work ahead of you...Finding freedom from the yoyo dieting, well I know that's your goal too...Mine too...been there done that.
We do roll call around here every morning, join us!!!

[Discolemonade]

Re: It's me again Margaret

Margaret, eventually it will just CLICK. It did for me. I hope this time it clicks and you're an atkineer for life, because that's what it is ya know? A lifestyle, not a diet. So work the program and the program will work for you. Climb the rungs. You'll learn what you can and can't tolerate and will eventually be eating bread again. Best of luck to you. I've been there too.

[Mandilyn]

Re: It's me again Margaret

Hi Michigander. Hope you enjoy great success.

[Stefanie]

Re: It's me again Margaret

Hi there from a fellow Michigander! My weight has had its ups and downs, and I recently realized that Atkins works best for me, too. Good luck to you, girl. We can do this!

[bykerdruid]

Re: It's me again Margaret

I know it will work. How do I maintain it?!?!?
I've tried getting rid of my "fat pants", which has cost me a zillion in new clothes every time I get fat again.

Hi Margaret. I know Atkins says get rid of your fat clothes, but I think any of us who did last time, regret it now. I'm sticking mine in a box and keeping them. And taking them out every now and again to remind me that I DON'T want to wear them again. Kind of like a negative reinforcement as to why I have to stay on Atkins...for life. Literally. I'm borderline diabetic with high cholesterol and high blood pressure. I'm not just loosing weight and looking good, I'm saving my life from an untimely death. (Can I get an "amen"?)

Yes, we've certainly all had that yo-yo, otherwise this wouldn't be the "Second (Third-Fourth-Fifth...) Time Around Club".! The multi other times I tried to start over, I never got past week one. Until July of this year.... And once I got past week two, things really leveled out for me. One reason Atkins insisted an Induction be two weeks...the bodies minimal time limit on breaking the carb addiction.

You maintain your weight loss success by maintaining your way of eating. A diet is something you go on and off of, resulting in the yo-yo we've all experienced. Do NOT think of Atkins as a "diet". It is intended to be a way of life, a permanent change in your eating, your relationship with food and your life style. Once you hit goal, you don't "quit". You continue at the same rate, steadied out so you don't loose any more or gain any more. You don't maintain by stopping, you maintain by ... well ... by maintaining. Some foods will never be a routine part of your 'diet'. But considering 99.8% of that is junk, refined, nutritionless foods, what are you really loosing? Poisons in your body? That keeps me away from the Twinkies! And the exercise will keep you fit and strong.

It's not just a diet, it's a LIFESTYLE.

[Tack Candy]

Re: It's me again Margaret

[QUOTE]I know it will work. How do I maintain it?!?!?[QUOTE]

THAT my friend is the million dollar question. It is what I fear even more than losing slowly...WAY more. The things we learn here will help us maintain. A commitment to stay with the board (for a year perhaps) during maintence should help also. I constantly reread DANDR. This is a way of LIFE. If I can drum it into my head I hope it will help. I have never "lived" maintenance and it is a big and scary place. I look to Jess because she is in the process of living maintenance and often discusses what is going on in her head and how she is keeping with it. We learn from each other. I love to hear from people who are walking the walk in front of me. I think that helps.

So.....visit and post often. It really helps that we are not on this road alone.