STARTING OVER

[carmstrongus]

I'm looking for a little encouragement. I lost 15 lbs. on Atkins, but I was stalled on 165 lbs. So, I went ahead and added some more veggies... then I added berries a couple of days later... and still I was on 165. Then I hit my pre-TOM yesterday and had BAD cravings for chocolate. My fiance had Cadbury eggs in the house, and I ate FOUR of them. Yes, four in a row.

so, I wake up this morning and it's TOM, combined with the chocolate yesterday, and I'm up to 170 lbs. I know that TOM can do that all on its own to me, but I also realize that my upping my carbs prematurely led to the horrible cravings for sweets.

My solution: back to a clean induction today! I guess I'm just looking for some words of encouragement. I have two months and one week to my wedding, and I just HAVE to do this. I guess I was discouraged at sticking at 165 for a while.

Sorry for the long post. I'm just beating myself up today. So, please send along any words of encouragement you may have.

[Isabeau]

Sometimes when you're eating your Atkins correctly, and drinking your water, a change in your exercise regime can help get you through a period where you're not losing. I'd suggest bumping up your exercise, or adding something new. The power of cross training is amazing! And just a reminder, a stall is four weeks without a weight loss OR loss in inches. Just keep the faith!

[Buddrfly]

I UNDERSTAND

I UNDERSTAND HOW U FEEL! I ALSO KNOW HOW EASY IT WOULD BE FOR ME TO SAY, DON'T GIVE IN TO THE CRAVINGS. BUT IT'S JUST NOT THAT SIMPLE :no TRY TO GIVE YOURSELF A MINUTE TO THINK WHEN THESE CRAVINGS START..IS THIS WORTH ME SABOTAGING ALL THE PROGRESS I'VE MADE SO FAR??? AM I GONNA BEAT MYSELF UP ABOUT THIS AFTER I GIVE IN??? DO I WANT TO BE CLOSER TO MY GOAL WEIGHT OR FARTHER AWAY???

BELIEVE ME, THE ANSWER TO THOSE QUESTIONS WILL MAKE U NOT EVEN WANT TO TOUCH THAT FOOD U CRAVE SO MUCH! IT'S SORT OF LIKE PUTTING YOURSELF ON AN ATKINS GUILT-TRIP.

GOOD LUCK! (HOPE THIS HELPS)

[Elizellen]

Re: STARTING OVER

So, I went ahead and added some more veggies... then I added berries a couple of days later.

Hi carmstrongus :wave
Were you starting on OWL?
According to the OWL rules you need to add 5 carbs of veggies and stay at that for a fortnight, trying out different veggies to see how they affect you.
Then if you are still losing you go to the next food group which is dairy to see how they affect you - adding 5 carbs of varying dairy foods.
Then after another 2 weeks move on to the nuts & seeds rung
Berries are the fourth rung of OWL. So by adding berries so quickly that may have caused your cravings.
Here is a link to the rules of OWL

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/viewtopic.php?t=65592

which makes it all clear.

So perhaps go to strict induction for a day or so till you have conquered those cravings and start OWL again in the correct order to allow your body the best chance of staying on plan :hug .

[carmstrongus]

Thanks so much for the replies. Yes, I was sort of going onto OWL. I say 'sort of' because I have read the book and know the right way to do it. I guess I was just really anxious lately and was craving food for lots of other (non-hunger) reasons. I'm an emotional eater. So, I thought it wouldn't be that much of a cheat if I added fruits and veggies I like. Of course, I wrote what happened-- cravings like crazy, stalled weight.

I know now that I need to induction until my cravings go away, and then if I want I can do OWL the CORRECT way.

Thanks so much for the support. I'll keep posting and let you know how it's going. Now I just need to stop beating myself up about it.

[Elizellen]

:hug That's the right attitude :hug
You have now learned that you need to do it by the book to get themost benefit - we all had a learning curve to cope with so take it one step at a time.
Once you do move on to OWL make sure you post in the OWL forum as well to get the best advice on how to do it right :yes

[hulagrl1120]

hi...congrats on getting back on track...I noticed that you don't post that often...one of the best things about Atkins is this site...use it to your advantage...read the posts and post your own questions and comments...it helps keep you focused and accountable for your actions and can be a great support during your weak moments.

[Shelly Lynn]

Re: I UNDERSTAND

TRY TO GIVE YOURSELF A MINUTE TO THINK WHEN THESE CRAVINGS START..IS THIS WORTH ME SABOTAGING ALL THE PROGRESS I'VE MADE SO FAR??? AM I GONNA BEAT MYSELF UP ABOUT THIS AFTER I GIVE IN??? DO I WANT TO BE CLOSER TO MY GOAL WEIGHT OR FARTHER AWAY???

That is great advice. I will be printing these on a paper and taping them to my refreg. Awesome. Thanks.


shelly