Hi there all.

[A Step at a Time]

Hi there. I am 26 years old. When I was 21, I did Atkins induction and lost 50 pounds. I felt really good, but I don't know how I got back to square one. I currently weigh 340 pounds. I did induction with one of my best friends last week and we were doing well. I lost 4 pounds, but for some reason over the weekend I let myself go and gained them all back, and today I said F this and had 2 chocolate chip pancakes. I kind of feel miserable, and I know I shouldn't cheat, just feeling a little discouraged and to be honest, looking for a little support. I'm curious as to what everyone else does to cope with temptation and cheating, or if there are any techniques anyone out there uses to stay strong. Not that I'm "weak" per say, but I'm just having a really difficult time with this.

[monica3311]

Re: Hi there all.

I feel you, girl. I think almost everyday I see a post on here about someone cheating but they just get right back on the horse! Don't beat yourself up about it, no one is perfect and you should actually expect to slip up every now and then. What helps me stay on track is checking the board often. Reading other's posts really inspires me and checking in with other members helps as well. This forum is especially friendly so you're in good company. Every day there is a "Roll Call". Check in, tell everybody how your day went/what you ate/work out, ect. I'm sure it won't be long before others here befriend you and you can start comparing stats and such. In fact check in with me everyday, I don't mind! The more people I can converse with about this WOE the better

[gunnabfit]

Re: Hi there all.

Hello!
I too started induction about three weeks ago...the first week is so hard cause your just getting back into eating right and getting rid of all those cravings! I promise you they will slowly disappear for you soon! I only get cravings now when Im out at restraunts and see other dishes....I used to just eat everything in sight! Trust me it will definatly get easier! I cheated the first week too! I cheated two days in a row!!!! I felt the same way as you...I just knew that the coming up week I would have to work twice as hard, but i did it! Then the next weekend came around and I cheated again gaining 15 pounds back! Now im struggling to work it off...so dont worry we all have our weak moments, but if we dont stick with it the weight will never come off, and we'll end up in the same prediciment with our weight as before...so dont be hard on yourself! Your doing great!!!! You can also check in with me too! GOOD LUCK!!!

[Outback Jess]

Re: Hi there all.

I think alot of us have struggled to get back and be firm about it. The emotions of not getting completely committed hurt the worst. I get keto sticks and I just focus on getting my body back to burning fat. I eat induction and pee. It takes about 4 days for me. In that time, I go through some detox and then slowly I feel the goodness of ketosis starting to emerge....We have to break a gravitational pull that is so strong in our bodies...But just think how you will feel when you are "there"....hopefully good and you won't throw it away...

[meena-beena]

Re: Hi there all.

I was having the EXACT issue. What helped me was reading DANDR. Every time I had a craving I'd rip that book out and read until I got inspired to keep going. It helped me focus and remember the goal and the book makes so much sense you can't help but get all fired up when you read it.

I just finished my first week on reinduction and I'm finding it easier to take things one day at a time but I still take that book out and read whenever I get a twinge.

I know what you are going through and I know how frustrating it can be to get past that first two week hurdle. Read the book, drink your water, take a great vitamin and eat that fat!! You'll see the difference after two weeks and the rest is simple.

[chinadoll]

Re: Hi there all.

There is a great sticky in the main forum on why we sabotage ourselves. It cuts to the chase and tells it like it is, but it helped me refocus. Take a look. Think it was by Harley Girl...

[chinadoll]

Re: Hi there all.

Nope it was Cleochatra.

[blueberrylady]

Re: Hi there all.

Hi all. I lost 28 lbs. in 2004, putting me at 160 and I was happy with that and kept it off for a year. But 2005 was a bad year, dh had heart surgery twice, and I started gaining again. Then in 2006 I had both of my feet surgically reconstructed and didn't heal from all of that until last Oct. By then I was so fat (199) and lazy that it took me until now to get back on track. I'm on day 6 and have lost 8lbs. so far. One of the things that I find wrong with the book is that he tells us not to count calories but I have to. I'm only 5'2" and can't eat 1900 calories a day or eat 3 eggs for breakfast, so I'm counting calories and carbs and it's working much better than before. In '04, I only lost 6lbs. in 2 weeks, so I must count those darn calories. I'm amazed that I haven't had any cravings considering that I made it through a bridal shower on Sat, a Sunday dinner with family & friends and a Memorial Day cookout. Hopefully I can keep it up with your help because I am sooo ready to get back in shape! Do any of you count calorie too?

[chinadoll]

Re: Hi there all.

I do, blueberry. I try to stick around 1800 a day. It isnt hard to do--usually works out to that unless it is a PMS or holiday. Thats a bit high but I also walk 5-8 miles just about every day so I am also burning quite a few calories, alothough the scale hasn't been showing it. LOL My big focus now is to stay clean and drink lots more water than I have been lately. As I go up the rungs, I dont watch calories so much as look for ways to cut out some of the fat, but early in the WOE it is the fat that keeps the cravings at bay. Hope some of this is helpful to you.

[Lyssie]

Re: Hi there all.

A Step At A Time - I check in here, and make sure to keep lots of friendly snacks around, and my water bottle full. That way if I start craving something, I eat a snack, and then am like, I'm not *really* hungry, I just ate something, and can rationalize my way out of it. I've also been known to keep a pic of me at my highest weight somewhere I can see it should I want to go after cookies. Or Swiss Rolls.

Blueberry - I keep *track* of them... I try to make myself eat a minimum of 1600 a day... but I usually round up or down a little bit. You might want to find out your BMR and stick in that range.

[plsmachic]

Re: Hi there all.

You will do this.

You came here for support and the board has plenty to offer.

This has helped me not cheat yet:

check in at rollcall every morning, make a list of every Atkins-friendly food you like to eat (main dishes, side dishes, snacks) and post it on your fridge... Remember it takes 28 days to form a habit? Go to Walgreen's get a posterboard and number it BIG starting with 28 counting down to 1 and buy some stickers and for every successful day you make it through put a sticker over the numbers. When you get to 1, buy yourself something nice (not food) and then buy another posterboard.

(That helped me get back on track.)

And I will see you at rollcall every morning!!!

Don't beat yourself up over the past, it's in the past. Cherish the fact that you came back.

[chinadoll]

Re: Hi there all.

Don't beat yourself up over the past, it's in the past. Cherish the fact that you came back.

A-men to that!

[blueberrylady]

Re: Hi there all.

Hi all. I would like to recommend a book to you all. It's called 'Psycho-Cybernetics' by Dr. Maxwell Maltz and it's wonderful. It's not about weight loss, rather it's all about self-esteem which is usually what makes the difference in whether we succeed or fail at anything in life. He tells us exactly why we fail and what to do about it. That's what is keeping me on track this time. The book is available at Amazon for $7.99, I just checked. There is a newer version out but I haven't read it. I recommend the original, the one with the orange and white cover.

Chinadoll and Lyssie--I try to stay under 1400 but I'm not very active. I've heard people moan about counting calories but I don't mind it at all.

Chinadoll--congrats on your daily running! That takes a lot of dedication and commitment. My hat's off to you!!

[Lyssie]

Re: Hi there all.

Blueberry - My point was more that you have to be sure to eat the right amount for yourself. For example, I was staying under 1200 and not losing weight since it wasn't enough. Hence the BMR suggestion.

[A Step at a Time]

Re: Hi there all.

Hi again. Wow, to be honest I didn't expect the responses I got, and it feels a little overwhelming. Thank you guys. I am going to head out today and get the memo board to try that 28 day thing.

I' honest felt so alone in this, because not many people understand this woe. I fudged really bad yesterday [was going to drop this woe] and felt really sick to my stomach all night, so I guess that the higher powers that be are telling me something with that. What is roll call? I will try to check here every morning. It's a little hard because of work and my baby and all.

I promise myself and you guys I'm going to give it a hard-working shot, and get my butt in gear. =)