Help getting started please

[amberpenny]

I am in desperate need of some good sound advice and some encouragment from all you guys who have succeeded in atkins.
HELP!! I tried atkins last fall, managed to get through induction and i felt wonderful after the flu stage..lost about 10lbs. But shortly afterward, life threw me a curveball and I slipped off the program and got myself back onto Carbs big time....the 10lbs quickly came on and then some....
A little history......
Since 2002 I have lost 100 lbs on my own, ( 260 down to 160lbs) cutting carbs, drinkin water and including alot of exercise daily in my life. I was so successful that I had a tummy tuck in 2006 removing alot of excesss skin that was coverered by my insurance company...I should be oh so happy, but right now, I am so unhappy.....feeling like i have lost control...
I am struggling now, gained about 20 lbs back and am just feeling terrible. I know Carbs is my enemy! I admit, I am a total addict when it comes to breads, pastas, cakes, chips etc.
I want to start today. I need to hear from ppl how atkins has affected thier life in a positve manner and how it can easily remain a part of my life.

That is where i feel alittle leary.....Can I do this for the rest of my life? Carbs is soooo much a part of my eating.......How can a person just cut it out totally..?
I have the Akins book and I guess i need to restart re-reading it to educate myself on how the program works. What i want is something permanent to work, not a temporary thing...
I love this site and today , I will spend my Sunday reviewing it , reading all,......Wish me luck...I am gonna try this again....

Shelley

[hollytingle]

Re: Help getting started please

I don't really have any advice...but I am starting low carb today. I have had lots of failures with atkins and many other diets too....so You are not alone.
I just want to wish you luck and encourage you on this go around. You can do this! We are the only people that can change the present...right? So why not take one day at a time and work achieve your goals! you can do it!! Good Luck!

[Tims]

Re: Help getting started please

I am struggling now, gained about 20 lbs back and am just feeling terrible. I know Carbs is my enemy! I admit, I am a total addict when it comes to breads, pastas, cakes, chips etc.
I want to start today. I need to hear from ppl how atkins has affected thier life in a positve manner and how it can easily remain a part of my life.

That is where i feel alittle leary.....Can I do this for the rest of my life? Carbs is soooo much a part of my eating.......How can a person just cut it out totally..?
I have the Akins book and I guess i need to restart re-reading it to educate myself on how the program works.
Shelley

well, i just started yesterday 07/07/07, but i do know that you dont CUT IT OUT TOTALLY... you still eat CARBS, just not the White Bread, White Pasta, Sugar Filled Cake, and Chips... one day you will be able to eat some of those foods you love again! just not the same ones you have probably been eating... make sure you read your Atkins Book (2002 Version) and read the Recipes Board... its GREAT! and go to Linda's Low Carb Recipes at http://genaw.com/lowcarb/index.html she has a million recipes in there that are wonderful...! YOU CAN DO THIS! i know how you feel tho... i have been eating like 99% carbs my whole entire life! breads, pastas, cakes, chips, potatoes... etc..... and i LOVE Sweets!!! they are my real downfall... so hopefully i can do this correctly and learn how to really live! we are all here for you! im really new, but if you ever have any questions i know everyone here will have some answers for you! Good Luck!

[amberpenny]

Re: Help getting started please

...the induction phase is sooo hard at first.....Thanks for the encouragement.
Been reading some of the success stories and before and after pics.....

[deek deek]

Re: Help getting started please

I understand what ur saying....all my life ive been eating badly going on and off diets, weight watchers and i even tried atkins last yr but didnt even last the first 2 weeks...I just started again ..I'm goin on my third week and i feel great...i weighed myself once since I started and that was last week it said that I lost 7 pds but since then I can tell I've lost inches..so it inspires me to keep goin....I know I will never be able to eat like I have all my life if I want to be healthy and look the way I want to...just remember A MOMENT ON THE LIPS AND A LIFETIME ON THE HIPS!!! That pasta and cakes and things arent worth it!!!

[Sera]

Re: Help getting started please

Hi Amber... I just started on the 4th so I'm not an expert but like Tims already said you can eat carbs just get through a clean induction (working on that myself clearly) and then you can keep adding some carbs again.
I personally have rediscovered the taste of butter now...I've been in the low fat way of thinking so long that I haven't really enjoyed butter for ages.
I even find that a tasty slice of tomato on a hamburger can pretty much replace the ketchup I love so much.
You'll eat so much healthier and BE so much healthier, it's just worth it.

The before and after pics I've seen here have absolutely impressed and inspired me and the people here support you.

Just put your mind to it and you can do it!
Good luck and just keep coming here, I find it helps reading how others are doing.

[garwil]

Re: Help getting started please

I know what you mean about giving up FOREVER! I felt the same when I quit smoking, and 7 months on I get the odd craving but otherwise never really think about it. I'm feeling the same with alcohol now.

I've always been a big beer drinker, which is where the 75lbs+ excess weight came from, and I made a decision that if I'm going to stop drinking for induction/most of OWL, then I may as well just quit for good. It's weird coming home from work and not having a beer, but I know it'll pass.

And then there's the carbs... I love rice, pasta, potatoes, cakes, biscuits, sugary tea & coffee, doughnuts and bread but 11 days into induction, I don't really miss them. I get the odd craving, like when a friend at work brought in cakes for everybody on his birthday, but I just focus on all the things I am allowed. Soooo looking forward to strawberries and cream in OWL!

Good luck, you'll be fine, especially with all the support here. Also, drink your water, and get your exercise!

[amberpenny]

Re: Help getting started please

Had a great day today...Day 1 of Induction.........NOt feeling any Flu bug yet....
Thanks and i will keep on reading....
Heading out for a evening walk....