I Can't Do It.

[MANDYTHROWER]

Hi All,

I really can't do it. I just keep starting again and failing i plan out my week, get the right food in and i still can't make it threw induction and i'm so depressed.

I'm going on holiday in august and really need to lose weight for it.

could you please give me some advice as you all have done so well.

THANKS
Mandy

[Elizellen]

Re: I Can't Do It.

Hi Mandy

It is frustrating for you , but as long as you get back on Atkins one more time than you fall off you will get there!

Maybe concentrating on one meal at a time will help you focus better.

So see how many meals a day you can make on-plan. Small successes breed larger ones, so treat each time you eat from the induction list of foods as one success, and befoer too long I am sure you will realise yo have completed a whole day then a week on plan!!

Can you identify what exactly has stopped you staying on your chosen meal plans in the past?

Maybe some of us can suggest strategies for coping with those pitfalls along your journey towards better health and a trimmer figure?

[ladyinred]

Re: I Can't Do It.

Exactly what Elizellen said! I find you kind of have to force yourself through the first day or so, but once you've stayed on plan for those few meals, the plan starts to work and it's easier and easier to stay on plan. You don't feel hungry and those carby things just don't look so good anymore. It's the hardest thing, but there's really no trick - just make yourself get through the first day or two and you'll be able to think more clearly and stay on track.

[sombersusie]

Re: I Can't Do It.

Hi mandy! I'm sorry to hear of your struggles to get started. Perhaps if you share what you are eating during the day we could see what's going on. What exactly is happening? Are you getting bored with the choices? cravings? Let us know and maybe we could help point you in the right direction.

[atkins_again]

Re: I Can't Do It.

I hear you, girl. I fell off the wagon a few times, but after I noticed the weight (and more importantly, the inch) loss, I became more encouraged and more determined to stick to my new lifestyle.

I know it can be hard, but as the others mentioned, it's only the beginning that is difficult. Once your body - and your mind - gets used to the lower amt of carbs you put in your body, your craving for sweets, pasta, and other high carb foods decreases. Trust me.

It's also good to be around people (albeit virtually) who know and understand what you're going through. My husband, family and friends - God knows I love them all - know I'm on Atkins, yet often forget and offer me sweets, fruits and rice (I'm Asian, so we HAVE to HAVE rice, dammit!) when we eat. I know they mean well, but sometimes I think to myself that I wish the Atkineers from this website were around me at all times so I wouldn't be tempted so much. But truth be told, the longer I am on Atkins, the easier it is to say no to those kinds of food.

So, cheer up. Take stock of what you've accomplished so far, re-assess your goals and get ready to start looking and feeling great! (Man, I sound like a commercial, don't I? haha) Seriously though, only you can do this for yourself, but we're all here for you if/when you need help. And trust me, the people here are wonderful, they are so helpful and encouraging. I hope I can be thhe same to you.

[luvchoc]

Re: I Can't Do It.

Mandy,
I know alot say dont weigh yourself daily but Personally that is what keeps me going , once you see the lbs dropping it makes it so much easier to hang in there. Try the tape measure too that is a great way to boost up the low feelings!!! Good Luck!
Kelly

[2big4mysize]

Re: I Can't Do It.

it isn't that you can't cause nobody uis force feeding you carbs. you make a concious choice not to do Atkins when you pickup a fork or spoon ful of a not acceptable food. Be responsible for yorself and decide before you fix grab buy or eat a not allowed food not to do that. Get your reasons why you need to lose that weight written down and read it before every bite goes in your mouth. after you read it ask yourself is this food going to help me become the smaller healtheir person i want to be or is it going to make me the fatter unhealthier person i don't want to be. Answer the question and then eat the food. that should slow you down if you are eating bad foods and reinforce your decision to eat good foods. Once you get through induction flu and your ketosis appetite suppression kicks in it should get a lot easier,.

[iyamamaschke]

Re: I Can't Do It.

YOU can do it, you CAn, If I told you I feel off the Atkins Wagon over 50 times before would that make you feel better. I was never defeated and like you I would do great 2 days fall off do great fall off. It was sooo extremely depressing. This time I made the committment to myself not to anything elese that I had to change my life. I didn't do it for anybody but me. Sometimes our expectations on us casue us to eat without the expectation that you ahve to lose this by this date you will be able to relax enjoy and lose weight.

Sarah

[Kittie]

Re: I Can't Do It.

I have been there, trust me. For the longest time, I would tell myself, "Today's the day I'm going to start induction". A few hours later? You guessed it; total self-sabotage. Most of us are hardcore carb addicts- some more than others. That was me. It really is an addiction. And we're CONSTANTLY surrounded by temptations. There's food all around us. And no one else is going to provide you willpower to say no. It's COMPLETELY up to you to make that decision, and it won't be easy at first. Temptation is inevitable; if it weren't, most everyone would be slim and healthy. But it does get easier. It does get better.

Once you get past the first couple days, you're past the worst of your cravings. Your appetite for carbs and sugar cravings will go way down. There's no reason you should feel hungry or deprived with this way of eating. If you want something sweet there are incredible options for low-carb snacks and desserts... please check out the recipe section of this forum or go Linda's Low Carb website for tons of great ideas. If you make a little variety of these snacks and just put them into serving size baggies in your fridge, it'll be easy to just grab something low-carb when you feel hungry. If you can hang in there for the first week you'll find this way of eating so incredibly easy and amazing.

Remember that you always have us here for support! You absolutely can do this and you shouldn't go it alone. You're worth it!

[Brook]

Re: I Can't Do It.

You have to change the language you're using with yourself. This may seem simplistic, but it's true and it works. As 2big pointed out, no one is force feeding you anything. You have to own the fact that you are making a decision each time you eat something - and it's either a good decision or a bad one - but you are the one making it.

You "can't" kiss your elbow. It's a physical impossibility. You absolutely "can" control what you put in your mouth.

The title of this thread shouldn't be "I Can't Do It." - If it were honest it would be, "I Won't Do It" or "I"m Struggling With Staying On Track".

You've received some incredible suggestions and support already - work them and you'll be well on your way!

~Brook

[presidentholmes]

Re: I Can't Do It.

You gotta really wanna do it.
You gotta be ready to do what it takes.
Ask yourself are you really ready to do what it takes?

Put some motivational stuff up in your kitchen.
I've made a few posters reminding me that I feel like crap after eating junk food.
Reminding me that sugar has zero nutritional value.
Asking myself do I want to be fat and sweaty and hate myself during the hot weather.

Get your house cleared of ALL junk food, no exceptions.
If it's in the house, you'll eat it.
And yes, you'll into the trash to retrieve it and you'll eat it!!!
So bin it and then get the trash out of the house.

Take a pic of yourself that you hate to look at and stick it up on your fridge.

You only live once, this isn't a rehearsal, so let's get over this stupid thing called fat and let's be all that we can be!!!

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeee!

[presidentholmes]

Re: I Can't Do It.

Also, stock your fridge properly!
Throw out all the junk and go shopping for the good stuff.
Take induction one day at a time, but also prepare your fridge!

I get sick of bacon, eggs etc...and when you get fed up of "Atkins food" you are more liable to let "the voices" take over and convince you to eat junk.

So now, I have a lovely big salad made up.
I have a nice sugar free jello made.
I have ready to eat turkey, chicken, beef.
I've just made a lovely big casserole and I have that all ready for when I'm hungry.
AND
FILL THAT FRIDGE WITH WATER!!!
Always have a bottle of water beside you and drink from it as often as you can, get into the habit of drinking water as much as you can, as often as you can, it's your biggest friend right now.
It will keep headaches at bay, it will hydrate you, it will flush out toxins from your system, it will make your skin look great and will keep hunget at bay!

NOW EVERY BODY CHANT WITH ME...

H2O!
H2O!
H2O!
H2O!

[presidentholmes]

Re: I Can't Do It.

Me again!
I sat down at my pc 30 mins ago to read my emails and read the threads here and I had a full bottle of water beside me, 1.5 litres.
Now, 30 mins later, it's nearly empty!
Keep that water beside you and drink and read positive messages here!
Man, the futures so bright, we gotta wear shades!!!

[tabekat]

Re: I Can't Do It.

I really can't do it

As long as you keep affirming this to yourself you will make it true for yourself. Say instead "I can do it"...because you can.

I used to be an "I can't do it" thinker too. But it wasn't true. What it takes is a leap of faith in the beginning - a leap that anyone can take.

All you are being asked to do is to EAT and enjoy a heaping helping of healthy food on a regular basis. If you keep yourself full of healthy food you just won't have room for junk.

If you clear your house and kitchen of all carbage, you cannot turn to them in moments of weakness.

And if you allow yourself to sink deeply in a state of ketosis, your cravings, your appetite, your palate your hunger - they will change. Ketosis will help you make the permanent changes required and it won't remain a struggle beyond those first few days.

Focus on what you can have and ignore what isn't appropriate.

You need to read others inspiring stories at the ADBB to keep yourself motivated. There have been MANY many people here, many with far more obstacles in their life than you or I have, who have made this WOL their permanent lifestyle. If they can do it, so can we.

You are your own true love. Take care of yourself and make your health your number one priority in life.

[meena-beena]

Re: I Can't Do It.

Boy do I hear you. I really know where you are now because I was in your shoes just two weeks ago.

It might be that you are simply not ready to commit to a lifestyle change right now in your life. That is not your fault. Repeat that, it's not your fault. Loads of things may be going on in your life that are making this seem overwhelming and scary. Food might be the one thing you have control over, and you aren't ready to give that up yet.

This will only be successful when you are really ready for it. When your mindset changes from "I can't" to "I can". Only you can do that.

Until then, we're here to help along and when you are ready to jump in with both feet--someone here will be there to catch you.

I hope you stick around and read through some of these threads. There are so many that are insipiring.