Feeling very low...

[BreakfastSurreal]

This past week was just **** for me and my diet...I'm doing everything right and not seeing anymore changes...the scale has been stuck for weeks...I've tried adding in more veggies, more exercise...I'm just getting really really discouraged and starting to think that maybe all this fat is stalling me. I feel like I'm just barely hanging on, and I'm just going to break soon and go all out with the carbs...I need some inspiration...What happened to that go-getter attitude I had? I MISS it! Also it didn't help all the times we tried to go out to eat last week...it was really hard...not from temptation, but just from finding SOMETHING on the menus I could eat...Went to Ihop once and asked for no pancake batter in the eggs and no hashbrowns with my meal, and the waitress brought me 2 eggs and piece of bacon...was the 2nd place we had gone to that night because the first place had NOTHING I could eat...my fiance is just SICK of the drama when we go out to eat, and it's wearing on me too...He wants to go to certain places, and my only options at those places are salad with lettuce and cheese. YUCK. Everythign just feels really unfair right now. Blah.
/rant

[Guy_solo]

Re: Feeling very low...

Don't get discouraged, we all go through the stalls but at the end of the day 'Without struggle there is no progress' - Frederick Douglass

Stick with it, your body just needs time to catch up.

[Terry]

Re: Feeling very low...

<Clare>

It really does get hard from time to time. Been there and have survived it and been there and threw in the towel.

Please dont throw in the towel!!

Do you take measurements? Is this a scale stall or a real live scale and measurements stall?

I think that sometimes when we panic and try to make a bunch of changes we get all stressed out and that is why we lose the war. Try just going back to what was working earlier and spend some time re reading your DANDR and hopefully soon this plateau will end for you. I cram my face in that book lots of times just to try and get my head wrapped around what ever is stressing me and I am about to cave.

HTH

[FightingTheFight]

Re: Feeling very low...

This is the toughest time. But you gotta remember, You have all your life to go and try all of those nice places to eat(within limit of maintainence). Right now you are concentrating on getting the unwanted weight off. Its difficult because you are in a stopping point...a place we all go through. I am in one to. Our bodies need to adjust.

Take a look at the reasons you gave yourself to lose weight in the beginning. Remember Pain, no matter what form, is temporary, pride is forever

[RunAwayMichelle]

Re: Feeling very low...

When I first started Atkins I also had a tough time eating out. All my favourite places had all the wrong food. I had to find new favourite places and that took time and was frustrating. But that is just part of the process. We need to change our life to change our bodies. If we keep doing the same old things in the same old way then we get to stay in the same old bodies and who wants that?

You can eat steak, chicken, fish, pork, seafood, and lots of different veggies. You don't have to live on salad. Find a nice steak house or seafood place. Roast chicken is a good choice, just ask for no gravy, sauces, potatoes, or pasta. If you don't want salad, ask for some steamed veggies.

I hope your spark comes back soon. Hang in there.

[BreakfastSurreal]

Re: Feeling very low...

thanks for all the encouraging words.

[determined2succeed]

Re: Feeling very low...

im in the same boat. haven't lost anything for a week...

[Bugaboo]

Re: Feeling very low...

Don't give up! You've come so far already. Focus on how much better you feel without being carb laden all the time. I didn't own a scale when I started but I know there were long periods of time when I didn't lose very much or maybe not at all. I just kept my focus on how much healthier I was becoming. A full length mirror has never entered this home and now I'm thinking about buying one. Just take this for what it is (a slow period), learn from it and keep going! One thing that helped/helps me when I go out to eat is to remember that I'm not there for the food, I'm there for the companionship of my friends or family. The food is just secondary. You can do it!!!!!!!

[Finelly]

Re: Feeling very low...

Good job venting! Everyone's gotta do it sometime....some of us, more than once! (pointing at self)

First of all, I know how frustrating it is when we can't see and feel the changes. My clothes aren't getting loose fast enough. I'm afraid to get on the scale. I leave the gym feeling fantastic and catch sight of myself in the window and just about DIE, because, omg, I am still FAT!!!!! It's very discouraging sometimes.

Sounds like a lot of things are going on with you. First is the general frustration when you hit a plateau. Second is the frustration about not being able to eat good things when you go out. Third is just the old craving for carbs.

The first thing you just have to live thru. The second one we could probably come up with some suggestions for you. The third can be addressed by adding more fat to your diet, of course.

As to the restaurant thing, how often do you guys go out to eat? Is it possible to do take-out? Then he could order from HIS restaurant, you could order from one that has the kind of food you need, and you can eat together at home - set a nice table (I like to cover the coffee table with a tablecloth, light candles, and sit on floor cushions, myself!) and have a good time. Another idea is for you to agree to stop eating out for 2 weeks. During that time, you can get yourself refocussed on this woe and maybe research new restaurants that serve atkins-friendly food while still satisfying your fiance.

As for IHOP, I have eaten there and at Denny's plenty while doing Atkins. They always have side veggies with butter. You can order tuna sandwiches without the bread. You can ask for a burger wrapped in lettuce. Spaghetti sauce without pasta. I have found that they will do lots of things creatively if you explain what you need! So will most restaurants!

Hang in there! You can do it, you ARE doing it, and you are succeeding!!!!

[BreakfastSurreal]

Re: Feeling very low...

Good job venting! Everyone's gotta do it sometime....some of us, more than once! (pointing at self)

First of all, I know how frustrating it is when we can't see and feel the changes. My clothes aren't getting loose fast enough. I'm afraid to get on the scale. I leave the gym feeling fantastic and catch sight of myself in the window and just about DIE, because, omg, I am still FAT!!!!! It's very discouraging sometimes.

Sounds like a lot of things are going on with you. First is the general frustration when you hit a plateau. Second is the frustration about not being able to eat good things when you go out. Third is just the old craving for carbs.

The first thing you just have to live thru. The second one we could probably come up with some suggestions for you. The third can be addressed by adding more fat to your diet, of course.

As to the restaurant thing, how often do you guys go out to eat? Is it possible to do take-out? Then he could order from HIS restaurant, you could order from one that has the kind of food you need, and you can eat together at home - set a nice table (I like to cover the coffee table with a tablecloth, light candles, and sit on floor cushions, myself!) and have a good time. Another idea is for you to agree to stop eating out for 2 weeks. During that time, you can get yourself refocussed on this woe and maybe research new restaurants that serve atkins-friendly food while still satisfying your fiance.

As for IHOP, I have eaten there and at Denny's plenty while doing Atkins. They always have side veggies with butter. You can order tuna sandwiches without the bread. You can ask for a burger wrapped in lettuce. Spaghetti sauce without pasta. I have found that they will do lots of things creatively if you explain what you need! So will most restaurants!

Hang in there! You can do it, you ARE doing it, and you are succeeding!!!!

Thanks Finelly! I never really thought of ordering spaghetti sauce with no pasta, lol. My big thing with eating out, and Why I generally only eat lettuce and cheese at restaurants is because I don't trust a damn thing on the menu...there are just too many "things" that get put into food for flavor that are NOT diet friendly....and also, with my carb cravings...they aren't really cravings...but...I guess it's sort of like I lost an old friend...it's much more of an emotional thing for me. I don't know if anyone else feels that way or if I'm just crazy...

[FightingTheFight]

Re: Feeling very low...

No, I know how you feel. the place where you use to go for comfort and support, is no longer there.

I get that feeling sometimes. I bet hit by an emotional brick, and my first thought sometiems is to hit a buffet, but I remember I can't do that anymore. So I am stuck without something to help cope.

Its about finding something else to help with dealing with things. I remember when I quit smoking last year I had to do the same thing.

Its a tough road...definitely the road less travelled.

[love2beeamom]

Re: Feeling very low...

The worst part of eating out when I started this WOE, was just changing where we ate. I no longer wanted to eat fast food cause a burger minus the bun at a FF place was not appealing. Of course this pleased my hubby because he has always been a steak man. I learned to love steak places where I could get a nice salad, steak, chicken, or grilled veggies.. only downside was that it is a bit more pricey, especially for a family of 5.. but I guess that is not a bad thing cause we eat out alot less.(no more running through the drive thru window at mcdonalds)
Just order your food how you want it.. no sauces or non friendly ingredients.. We eat at one particular restaurant and my hubby always laughs when I order my chicken without the bbq sauce and tomatoes(I don't like tomatoes) and my salad without tomaotes, crutons, and dressing on the side. I figure if I am paying for it, I am gonna order it my way!
Just hang in there.. those stalls can be discouraging, I know. Just think about what you have lost already, and how healthy your body is becoming even when the scales don't show it!!

[cruiser gal]

Re: Feeling very low...

Hey girl, stick with it! You have been doing so well all this time! I agree eating out initially is a challenge, but restaurants are used to people with allergies and such, and almost all are very accomodating. I have not had any problems as of yet, which is just over 5 months, to request specific things at restaurants, and nobody has complained at all,and they are usually pretty obliging. You just have to learn how to plan your meal, and then ask for it! Good luck, and keep it going!

[cajunthunder]

Re: Feeling very low...

Clare, I know how hard the emotional ups and downs can be. I think those are harder than any carb craving ever dared be.

Keep the faith!

[iwillbethin]

Re: Feeling very low...

I'm in the same boat as you girl. I'm on day 2 of induction and doing good. I'm hoping those 5lbs will be gone soon. I'm hoping it has to do with TOM though. Anyways...is it maybe just a Houston blah thing? LOL! Stay strong!!