I've learned...

[BeanPole]

That when Outback Jess said that preparation was the key, she really wasn't kidding! How prepared I am can often make or break my day. I open my fitday first thing in the morning and put all of my foods/meals down for the day. I plan when I'm going to eat these things and when I will make them. I don't have to scurry around trying to scrape something together anymore when I'm hungry and risk falling off of my diet. I'm now prepared! I don't spend all day thinking about food anymore and I leave my fitday open on my computer all the time. I do my best to stick to the plan. I've learned that water is good for me, that I can live without my pepsi. I've learned that cookies and donuts will always be around, but unless I eat healthy, I might not be. And that carbs make me feel like poop. If I fall off plan, its okay as long as I dust myself off and climb back on! I've also learned that my kids don't need to drink things like kool-aid all day because we've run out of juice. I've learned that it wont kill my children to drink iced water once a day, nor will it kill them to eat desserts made from the maintenance phase of Atkins. They don't know the difference and fruit/veggies are good for them. I've learned that I need this way of life, not only for myself, but for my two year old that weighs two pounds less than my four year old and my four year old that doesn't want to eat anything unless its junk. I need it for the person in my life that I'm to marry that has diabetes since I want to have many wonderful, happy years together. I also need this WOL because without it, I have no energy to workout, to get what needs done in the day done. Atkins WOL makes me a better person, a better mom, and a better everything!! Not to mention the wonders it does for my self-esteem, my confidence, and my moods! Not to mention what it has done for my skin! I don't suffer from hand-eczema anymore!! These were just some of the things that I was thinking about today. What does Atkins do for you and why do you need this WOL?? Feel free to post!

[spirittalker]

Re: I've learned...

Excellent post. Teaching your children healthy eating habits now is SOOO important i cannot even begin to stress it enough. I see so many of my friends children who refuse to eat unless it's junk and my bfs daughter won't eat any veggies without throwing a fit and she is 10. I have always been pretty hardcore with my son that he eats healthy food. Drinks water and not a lot of juice and eats veggies. I started this from when he began eating solids andd you know what??? He doesn't like McDonalds. If given a choice if fast food he chooses subway or quiznos. He asks at resturants of his kid meal can have veggies instead of fries. I am not saying he is perfect and sometimes we struggle with some food issues, but i know he is making healthy choices most of the time when I am not around.

[colleenieweenie]

Re: I've learned...

Awesome post!

I need Atkins and this WOL for my kids, my hubby, my family... I always feel fabulous when I am on. I find it easy, there really isn't any thinking, I know what I can have and what I can't have, it's the fine tweaking that sometimes makes me want to scream!

I want my kids to learn to chose healthy foods, not always run to the crap when they're hungry.

My Dad has Alzheimer's. He's been overweight for as long as I can remember. There is a genetic predisposition in our family. My Grampa had it, my Aunt has it and my Dad has it. I often wonder how many of my siblings and I will get it. Scary stuff to think about. BUT... If I can do something for my health, I'm all over it. I work on my mind, I work on my body - those things are shown to help with the onset of Alz.

[BeanPole]

Re: I've learned...

spirit - I wish I had started when my kids were younger. Now its such a struggle sometimes! You're so lucky that your son doesn't like McD. All my kids will eat when we eat out is french fries no matter where we go! My oldest son HATES water. I've been slowly weaning him off of juice, chocolate milk, and kool-aid. My mom makes me feel like a bad mother for making the kids drink some water. Every time I take the boys to visit her, she always empties their cups and puts juice or kool-aid in there instead. Its not good for them to have ALL the time and they don't need the kool-aid. I'm grateful that this WOL has opened my eyes. I found myself giving my boys cookies and such just because I was used to always having something in my hand to munch on when I was a kid. I had to stop and seriously think about why I was giving them what I gave them to munch on throughout the day. I realized that I was repeating history and making them like me. I don't want that at all and now I'm trying so hard to correct my mistakes. I even noticed that my kids eat when they're bored. I taught them that and now I have to fix it before its too late!


colleenieweenie - Thanks! I'm really sorry to hear about your family members. Congrats to you for doing something to prevent it while you can!

[lisadallasr]

Re: I've learned...

Hi, well i can say that this way of eating is one of the healthiest. I know when i stay on plan i feel great, now if i could just stay on plan lol. As far as my kids go, i have a rule in this house, if its not bfast, lunch or dinner then you drink water, if you dont want water your not thirsty, and they can have milk or juice at meal time. I also buy bananas, yogurt, and apple slices for snack, i know this isnt the healthiest but i buy the apple slices with the caramel for dipping and its all sorted out for single use, but they do get the fruit in with it. Now veggies, there not to big on veggies but they are getting better, the one problem with my oldest is her favorite is corn, not the most healthiest of the choices.
I also have learned the hard way, that my body does better with a more cleaner and simple way of eating with atkins, i dont handle dairy, or processed meats well, so im trying to go about this with a whole new approach and that is to eliminate as much of these out of my diet. There is so much i have learned lol, that i dont think i could put it all on here without taking the whole page. I do believe i have done my body so much harm in yo yo dieting and that nutrition plays a vital role in good health, so even though i have had more mess ups with this woe, i have always came back, but now im trying to imagine my kids without a mom to keep myself on track, because i feel if i dont get it right then im digging myself a grave.

[RachelnLa]

Re: I've learned...

You are a smart mamma!! Small changes.. they will fight you, but trust me, if hungry they will eat whatever is in front of them. Announce it FRUIT DAY and watch them gobble I down with no questions! Kids love celebrations. Annouce a different fruit of the day and have it handy.. they must try it.. same with veggies. Let them name the food of the day too. They'll be more tempted to try it.

awwww, I just loved when my kids were that age

[spazzyhilo]

Re: I've learned...

Awesome post!

I dont have kids now but I know I want them someday. I want to be healthy not just for me but for my future family. If I don't start now then where will I be 10 years down the road? Prolly fatter than I was before with full fledged diabetes instead of the hypoglycema I have now.

I'm tired of being tired. I'm tired of feeling guilty about what I put into my mouth. I'm tired of being dehydrated. No more. This is the only thing that has helped me and I feel I owe my life and my future to Dr Atkins for showing everyone a better way. I will be the living example to any nay sayers out there - There is no healthier way of eating and I will be the proof!

[BeanPole]

Re: I've learned...

lisa - Very good post! I think I'm going to follow your example. Juice or milk for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The rest of the day, they can drink water. I'm also thinking about not buying kool-aid anymore and buying some Crystal Light instead. Then use it as another drink option for the main meals. I'm already on the healthy snack thing since I had a few realizations before that made me work harder at getting the boys to eat healthier. Thanks for posting!

[chicamarun]

Re: I've learned...

I stopped keeping juice in the house - it's just not there. They can have milk or water. Hopefully soon we will be able to milk our own goats so that will help a lot as I will know that it's healthier for them. A special treat is a soda or chocolate milk. Otherwise it's water. They each have a water bottle and I encourage them to keep it with them.

As far as snacks - popcorn (my daughter is naturally in ketosis and she needs the carbs), fruits, yogurt, and I try and do a veggie tray once in awhile and set it out.