I can't believe I screwed up again

[lanmaam]

Here I am, starting over again. I was feeling great, so much energy, and had lost 20 pounds. Why I decided to cheat bigtime this weekend is beyond me. I feel like crap again, sluggish, and depressed. You figure I would have learned by now.

[amiee2006]

Re: I can't believe I screwed up again

Hop back on the wagon We'll stop for ya...loving yourself means forgiving yourself!

<3

[lanmaam]

Re: I can't believe I screwed up again

Thankd Amiee, I feel like crying. My menu affects me so much. I feel so much better on Atkins and hate that it will take 4 days for me to feel good again. Support from these boards is so helpful.

[julirama723]

Re: I can't believe I screwed up again

It's good you admitted your mistake--now it's in the past, so learn from it, and focus on the future.

[not2late]

Re: I can't believe I screwed up again

I think the most important thing to do is to sit down and figure out why you fell off. Then develop coping strategies.

[CarbaholicJoe]

Re: I can't believe I screwed up again

I did that same weekend before last; dropped off hard for a wedding... was great whilst I was eating the stuff but I felt like a sloth the next day and it took me 4 days to get back in to ketosis. Great thing about atkins is you can pick your self up, brush your self off and start again

[lanmaam]

Re: I can't believe I screwed up again

Thanks all. I think I fell off because of other factors going on in my life.

[cathyjobob]

Re: I can't believe I screwed up again

Here I am, starting over again. I was feeling great, so much energy, and had lost 20 pounds. Why I decided to cheat bigtime this weekend is beyond me. I feel like crap again, sluggish, and depressed. You figure I would have learned by now.

Don't beat yourself up about it That isn't going to do you any good (I had an incident this weekend myself)...You know how good it feels to follow properly and that's your incentive. Get back on that horse honey!

[not2late]

Re: I can't believe I screwed up again

I did that same weekend before last; dropped off hard for a wedding... was great whilst I was eating the stuff but I felt like a sloth the next day and it took me 4 days to get back in to ketosis. Great thing about atkins is you can pick your self up, brush your self off and start again

Dr. Atkins mentioned in the book that repeatedly falling off the diet might not be good for your metabolism

Chapter 17
It is likely that your metabolism will adapt at a certain point--in a sense, developing a tolerance.

and from the same chapter

In addition you may have overstimulated your insulin response, increasing the metabolic risk factors underlying your weight problem.

So the best thing to do after falling off is to figure out what caused it. Then develop strategies to cope with trigger events.

[CarbaholicJoe]

Re: I can't believe I screwed up again

He also said you can eat bars

[not2late]

Re: I can't believe I screwed up again

In emergency situations and according to his biography, he only allowed bars because he thought his dieters were too lazy to eat/prepare the real food he advocated.

I just have to remind all newbies here to go to the Second Time Around Forum and take a look around. It's ultimately your decision how you would like your weight loss journey to proceed.

That's why I typically advise anyone who has fallen off to sit down, perhaps with a pen and paper and right down what the triggers were. Did you get into a fight with a loved one? Did some driver cut you off and flip you the finger? Were you surrounded by a bunch of "friends" who told you "Go ahead and take a bite...it won't hurt you"?

Once you figure out what your triggers are, you will be able to devise coping strategies. If you can't, come back here and ask for suggestions.

Then the next time a trigger situation arises, you can fight it effectively.

I won't lie and say it will be easy telling Auntie Mabel that her double fudge, four layer chocolate cake that she made "just for you" isn't on your diet plan. But I will tell you that if you have the coping tools ready to do it, it will be alot better for your health in the long run. Moreover it will be eliminate the days of worrying "if I'll ever get back into ketosis" or "I gained 5 pounds and I want to get to goal before my wedding (one month from now!)".

Again, it's up to you how you want your Atkins to proceed. Me, I don't like anxiety and worry, so I try my best to avoid those things that will cause them. Plus I think the whole weight loss thing is a big pain in the rear-end and I don't want to continually start from square 1, thus prolonging my weight loss nightmare.

[HarlemUSA]

Re: I can't believe I screwed up again

It's o.k., just jump back on the wagon. Forgive yourself and move on. We are here for you.

[lanmaam]

Re: I can't believe I screwed up again

Thanks so much all. I do know why I fell off. I was stressing at work and my 17 year old daughter is about to become a mother. My husband lost his job, etc, etc. It all hit me at once. I am an emotional eater and have been since I began being abused at age 8. I jumped back on the wagon yesterday and will stick to it. I want to feel the energy and good feelings I felt before I cheated. Again, that you all for your support and encouraging words.

[Outback Jess]

Re: I can't believe I screwed up again

Inamaan,
Hey there girl, jumping back on, and working it all out will lead to the places you want. Keep working it, till the power has shifted! Keep retraining that hand to NOT reach, in the stressful times... You can do this, and you will succede if you keep getting back up and following through! Good on you for using these boards to work it all out, good on you for getting back up....You are gonna win, keep pressing in!

[not2late]

Re: I can't believe I screwed up again

Thanks so much all. I do know why I fell off. I was stressing at work and my 17 year old daughter is about to become a mother. My husband lost his job, etc, etc. It all hit me at once. I am an emotional eater and have been since I began being abused at age 8. I jumped back on the wagon yesterday and will stick to it. I want to feel the energy and good feelings I felt before I cheated. Again, that you all for your support and encouraging words.

Good for you that you recognize your triggers!

Now, we have to figure out ways to avoid using food as comfort. So what can you do instead of reaching for food?

You can work off some of that anxiety/stress energy by taking a walk around the block or exercising. Exercising is great because not only will you revv up your metabolism and burn calories, but your body releases chemicals called "endorphins" which will make you feel better. (Also you're less likely to eat an entire apple pie while you are doing sit-ups! )

You can do relaxation techniques, like yoga. Yoga's benefits is two-fold: relaxation and you also work out those muscles that aid in your balance and agility.

You can talk to a close friend. Or you can come here.

Journaling or keeping a diary is helpful to some people.

If anyone else has suggestions post them here!