Small victories

[Smallerizing]

Trying to get into some real weight loss these days, I have been reading as much as I can here!! Thanks to all the help, I'm very positive about my prospects of losing! There have been a few posts lately that expressed some discouragement over what the scale says, or slow loss, or how hard it is to stay on track, all feelings I've had and I know I'll have again.

Fact is, the choices we make every day are really what is going to make the difference of real and lasting weight loss. Here are mine -- how about a little bragging and add yours?

I just started Induction this week, and mindlessly pulled out some peanuts from my desk drawer at work yesterday. Then realizing they are not on the okay list, put them back and had a horrid hard boiled egg, which tasted pretty good, to my surprise!

At the grocery I put back the delicious looking strawberries, again for the same reason.

Today we had lunch catered at work, I had fried chicken without the BEST part, IMO, the skin!

Turned down homemade strawberry cake MORE than a few times at work, even though it was put in a place I had to walk by (and smell it) several times.

My Dreamfields pasta Monday night made the ketostix negative Tuesday (and I gained 4 pounds), and although the feeling was strong, did not use the excuse to binge!

These don't probably look like much to seasoned, steady Atkineers, but with my history I'm putting my elbow out of joint patting myself on the back. Without much weight loss to show for, I'm going to celebrate my victories in showing those carbs who's boss!

[APanthesilia]

Re: Small victories

Congratulations! You are making healthy eating habits that will last you a lifetime and you should be very proud of yoursel!

[BeanPole]

Re: Small victories

I second that! Good job!!

[mitzimarie]

Re: Small victories

These don't probably look like much to seasoned, steady Atkineers, but with my history I'm putting my elbow out of joint patting myself on the back. Without much weight loss to show for, I'm going to celebrate my victories in showing those carbs who's boss!

Not much? Are you kidding me?! These are PERFECT examples of how to get tripped up on this WOE. You have every right to be quite proud of yourself - I know I am!

Do not underestimate the power these kind of small victories can bring to you. Atkins is for a lifetime, and these are scenarios you will face everyday. Thank you for showing a perfect example of how to do Atkins succesfully. Well done.

[Evermind]

Re: Small victories

Learning how to eat properly to fuel our body and also for enjoyment, learning how to take care of our bodies by getting exercise and keeping our blood sugar and cholesterol at acceptable levels takes discipline. Discipline isn't something you just grab out of the air. It isn't a gift someone gives you.

Most of us start out with little or no discipline. It doesn't simply manifest in our minds during Induction or get handed to us with a successful 2 weeks of eating the proper foods.

Nope, it is something we build, tiny act by tiny act. And those acts aren't about going grocery shopping for the right foods, or preparing a proper meal. They aren't committed by giving ourselves a motivational pep talk, or planning ahead and putting snacks in plastic baggies to tote around.

Uh-uh. The acts that create discipline, that build and nourish it to where we can really succeed in this new way of living? They involve momentary decisions. The decision NOT to have those peanuts - a major act to build your discipline. The decision to take the skin off the chicken - a major act. The decision to walk by the cake regardless of the smell- huge step.

With each of these acts, each of these steps, we are incrementally increasing our discipline. I know that for me, it is much, much easier to resist chocolate on Valentine's Day, for example, because I've been making choices NOT to have chocolate made with sugar since July 29. I know it is really easy for me to sniff and enjoy the smell of french fries but not eat even a single one because I've been making choices not to have any potatoes since the end of July.

So Smallerizing, what you've done this week is amazing. I had to hunker down for the first 2 weeks and not go anywhere where I might be tempted - hardly the discipline -building feat. You, on the other hand, why you have just bitten the bullet and stared down the carby enemy. Not once, but multiple times.

It will become easier, but no less worthy of recognition and celebration!

[Smallerizing]

Re: Small victories

Well, I gotta say, I seriously could NOT have done it without this board! That's probably the number 1 difference between when I started and stayed cheat-free for 40+ pounds and 6 months, and the last two years. I don't know what it is about posting and reading others' posts, especially now when I don't remember 98% of you, but it seems to be keeping me on track and accountable!

The metal monster finally rewarded me with re-losing those pounds I "gained" from the Dreamfields! Not that it matters, I feel better, my pants fit a little better, I can get behind the steering wheel easier, and I'm going to do a clean Induction after all the false starts last year.

Thanks for all your help and encouragement!

[dreamof145]

Re: Small victories

Congratulations....big accomplishement. To me, thats the best part of this woe, is that I learned to make wiser choices and it never leaves me feeling deprived. I take each obstacle and turn it into a positive WIN situation for me. Good work.