STACers, NOW IS THE TIME

[Outback Jess]

Hey STACers, I all too remember last Thanksgiving, and the weeks leading up to it. I was out to be in control and well-planned out! I had the foods in the house to help me cope, and I knew exactly what was being served at my Mother's house.

As we enter into this season you can never overstate the need to be organized, prepared, rested and focused.

I SET JAN 1 as a goal to meet ON PLAN....I spent time each day thinking about how great I would feel to be starting the new year in control and living my new life. I made it such a priority in my life that every day I focused and walked out my plans.

I studied and prepared holiday treats that were legal for me. I had extra veggies around and good foods that I felt satisfied on...

As we keep moving toward these holidays, people are bound to rise up and either ask about great alternatives in our low carb world...or worry. They will rise up and declare they will be fine, and truthfully some will also plan to totally leave this way of life for carbs and think they can return safely the first of the year....But I have noticed in my personal life and in the life of being around that it's not SO EASY TO JUST JUMP BACK ON....Those who are addicts, get lost again in their addictions.....

So, why not plan, prepare and visualize a great 2008, entering that time of year totally feeling great physically and mentally and emotionally because you hung in there and did right by your self! It FEELS BETTER THAN ANY FOOD YOU COULD EAT...NOTHING CAN SUBSTITUTE FOR SELF-RESPECT and HONORING YOUR OWN PROMISES....

[ValidRouge]

Re: STACers, NOW IS THE TIME

Jess, this is an awesome post! And, the timing is perfect.

This will be my second Thanksgiving on plan. There is NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING that is worth giving all of this up for. When I say "this" I mean health, vitality, thinness, athleticism, self respect, self pride, self control, a quietness with respect to my addictions.

I am an addict.

I am addicted to food, particularly sugar and refined carbohydrates. I have lesser addictions too, to nuts, to dairy, to grains.

I am planning my Thanksgiving. I am travelling out of the state. I have already been to the produce market and purchased my own vegetables which I will take from Florida to West Virginia with me. I am taking the obstacles OUT of my way now. I will surround myself with delicious, fresh foods that I can eat without guilt. I am planning now how to deal with the inevitable peer pressure from others who will try to get me to "cheat" so that they are justified in their own cheating.

I have no intention on dishonoring myself this Thanksgiving. I do not want to eat foods that are going to send me back to my addictive behaviors. I do not want to eat foods that are going to ignite and inflame the cravings that i've successfully quieted with sticking to plan. It is a form of self torture that i have no intention to participate this Thanksgiving.

These are my choices. I could choose to eat foods off plan, but I will pay dearly for it. I choose not to do that.

Believe me, it is not going to be easy. I still struggle daily with wanting foods that I cannot have. It's not a difficult struggle as long as I DO NOT GO THERE.

[Outback Jess]

Re: STACers, NOW IS THE TIME

Dare I say where there is addiction, THERE IS NO SURE WAY BACK....so don't leave what you have established.
I know you have been HUMBLED by the addict within.....
I know I have BEEN HUMBLED by my own addictions. I take my lessons to heart, and move on! I am going to be here Jan 1, 2008! This has been the hardest year of my life, I will kiss it goodbye and welcome 2008, on plan, organized, alive and thriving...and all too aware of what to watch for!

[ValidRouge]

Re: STACers, NOW IS THE TIME

That's a great way to look at it.

Yes, I've been HUMBLED by my addiction. I look forward to being here with you in 2008, Jess.

[Sheepie]

Re: STACers, NOW IS THE TIME

Thanksgiving is such a great Atkins-friendly holiday. Halloween candy and Christmas cookies can be hard to resist, but Thanksgiving can easily be re-worked into the perfect low-carb feast. As you said, it needs to be well thought out and planned carefully, but I like to think that in the end, it is a perfect showcase for Atkins. I'm not dreading it all all. I am looking forward to the turkey and mashed cauliflower. I think that I might make a MUP-based pumpkin pie in an almond flour crust for dessert. It will be no hardship to enjoy it, but it will take planning. I would love a huge Thanksgiving with lots of people, but I just have my immediate family, so that does make it easier for me than for some people. Plan Plan Plan so that you can enjoy the dinner and enjoy your victory over carbs!!

[hopejoy]

Re: STACers, NOW IS THE TIME

It's just one week away now! I too love Thanksgiving more than any other holiday! I will definately have to really plan my meal as I'm working so much in the days leading up to it! I can't wait to try that cheesecake recipe, and a few other things. Gonna go cruise Linda's website now to get ideas! I agree with Sheepie, it is much more Atkin's friendly than other holidays... even Christmas is worse with all the food/gift giving of cookies and candy. The whole season can be tough... parties etc... but it is a mind set for sure. I sure don't want to give up what I've gained that's for sure. So, going to focus on the possitivies and be Thankful for what I DO have and what I CAN eat as it is the best of the best! and best for me! Thanks for this reiminder Jess to get our goals and prioritys set.
liz

[hrgillespie]

Re: STACers, NOW IS THE TIME

Jess,ValidRouge,Sheepie, and hopejoy I too will walk with you into 2008 sticking to plan!!!!!! I have to make that commitment to myself or I will spin out of control. I am enjoying my new found self far to much to let a few holiday parties ruin that for me. I am actually trying a few recipies in advance and planning my meal now. I am also fortunate enough to have my holiday with immediate family that allready knows my plan and respects it to a certain extent. I say that because even my own husband will sometimes say ignorant things like "just try a bite" or " one serving won't hurt you you can go right back on track tomorrow" It's not out of spite or even sabatoge he really just doesn't get it ......... but I am prepared for it all! Thanks for this post it feels good to just say it out loud and make the commitment public!

Heidi

[bivium6]

Re: STACers, NOW IS THE TIME

Good idea to post this. I hadn't really thought about it yet, but you're very right, I have to be prepared.

[Outback Jess]

Re: STACers, NOW IS THE TIME

Gotta get ahead of things like this...In the moment I would cave in without a very good alternative right before me! Just arriving and thinking you can make do has sabbotaged many a ADBB'r, seen it with my own two eyes.....

Seen people disappear over the holidays, reappear and unable to make it...that is so sad, yet I completely understand it, they UNDERESTIMATED THEIR ENEMY!
If you have been railroaded and runover by the Sugarland Express then YOU KNOW!

So, let's hold our heads up high, and plan to link arms and walk into 2008 together, on plan, organized and continuing to feel empowered by our choices... Many of us are headed right towards GOAL....someone of us won't make it at all...and that is so hard! I just know in my heart of hearts I do not want to be one of them....Nothing tastes that good!

[partytrouble]

Re: STACers, NOW IS THE TIME

jess, great post!!

i am with you guys, linking arms to march into 2008 on plan TOGETHER!!!

[Sherri]

Re: STACers, NOW IS THE TIME

I'm marching with arms linked! This will be my fourth Thanksgiving staying on plan. It is truly rewarding to follow through.

[Outback Jess]

Re: STACers, NOW IS THE TIME

This can be such a great achievement for so many of US! Let's link arms!

[Louloo]

Re: STACers, NOW IS THE TIME

Great Post - thank you. Hopefully I will be there with you. No, I will be there with you all.

[Outback Jess]

Re: STACers, NOW IS THE TIME

YEAH Louloo! You too can be there, make it happen, girl!
I am all about charging right into the new year, head held high, making progress and more in control and thriving! I am all about keeping focused and keeping promises and seeing my way through! I did it last yr, I' can do it this year! I don't eat most of that stuff any more!

[MomToEli]

Re: STACers, NOW IS THE TIME

Do you have room for one more? I've been back on this WOE for two days, and have already gotten into ketosis! YIPEE!

And I was just talking to dh about this yesterday. He wants ham - that's easy. He even changed his mind on sweet potatoes as soon as the words were out of his mouth! What a guy!

We did Thanksgiving on plan a few years back, and it was one of the best Thanksgiving dinners I've had the priviledge of sharing with others! I can't think of one thing that wasn't a total hit! But then, what's not to like about REAL food that tastes great?