Second time success

[futurerancher]

Pretty nervous about posting this, but I am back to this board after some success and then a major free fall from which I haven't recoverd from yet. I did great for about a month and a half, had a cheat, and was never able to pull back out of it. I was part of a group of people that went by "atkinites" as we all started at the same time. So I guess my question is how does one start the process over again when failure is not an option?

[SunnySmile501]

Re: Second time success

I wondered where you went when you never posted again on the 'love handles' challenge. Welcome back!

The way you start over again is just one day at the time, just like before. Learn from what happened last time. No cheats this time--you know they are your downfall. Don't waste any time dwelling on last time--that time in your life is over and done with. This day, this week, this month are the beginning of a fresh start with more knowledge of what causes you to fall. As long as you get back up and continue on, you have not failed.

Sunny!

[ValidRouge]

Re: Second time success

Great advice, Sunny!

FR, glad to see you back. My best advice to you is to PLAN PLAN PLAN. Plan your meals ahead of time and then stick with them. Cook in batch and divide it out into meals that you can have ready to go. Always have a plan, that is KEY.

[APanthesilia]

Re: Second time success

You've already taken a great step towards making it happen this time around- you've joined the STACers and you are being open about your shortfalls and about your goals. Like Sunny said, Don't cheat! But if you do don't use it as an excuse to eat everything you want for a day or a week. When I've done it before I've even eaten more carby stuff because "I'm about to start Atkins again!" That is just a bad way to think. If you cheat just make the very next bite of food you eat on plan. And I think Joy's advice about planning is the best advice anyone could give. Make sure you have your kitchen stocked with what you need so that when you get hungry you aren't foraging around and can't find anything but cookies. That is just setting yourself up for a cheat which you've already determined is a serious problem for you. You can do this! Good luck to you and I look forward to hearing how it is going for you!

[Outback Jess]

Re: Second time success

Hey there FT, keep coming back and stay involved with this community. Eat low carb, exercise and never forget what the cheat does! It takes you out of ketosis, brings back the terrible cravings and makes it so very hard to refocus and go on, it causes you to store your excess carbs as fat and gain all the weight back....You know, having done that more than a few times, I am firmly back and focused and have learned so much from these same lessons!

[mom23kgirls]

Re: Second time success

I couldnt agree MORE with what has been said- I believe this WOE like any other is 99% mental..We have convinced ourselves that FOOD has some magicical Key that will unlock our happiness.....IT DOESNT!! Its enjoyable, and it serves a purpose..period- There should no longer be any "Forbidden cheat" foods in your mind- just foods that DO NOT benefit YOUR body- foods that you CHOOSE not to eat- If you do choose to, then accept that it was a choice, realize its not all or nothing, and take it one day at a time-

[clogger]

Re: Second time success

Welcome back, futurerancher ! Ditto to what everyone else has said. I was just thinking the other day that this board (the people contributing to this board) has been a HUGE factor in my success !!! Sometimes I'll come here and read even if I don't post. This is a place of support. Without this support I would not be on track like I am. So, come to the board. Read lots of posts. Post when you want to. Participate in some challenges. Share your successes. Share your struggles. At least one person has been where you were or is at where you want to be.

Last, and I believe most importantly, read and re-read Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution 2002. It's a reminder of how Atkins works, why it works, and why it's important for us to live this way of life.

Good luck to you...