atkins as a way of life....

**Qjakal** · January 29, 2007, 11:53 AM

Re: atkins as a way of life....

Try not to focus on what you feel you're giving "up", but rather on what you "get".

Many of us have such a love/hate relationship with food that we let it impact us far too significantly. It's fuel...and the fact that we, as a species, have created such a huge variety of it has led to problems. We're not made to eat all these things...literally as well as figuratively.

You'll be sorting through and eventually finding your own "truths" as you progress, but as someone who has done this for decades, let me assure you there's plenty of great things within the stable foods that won't throw your body chemistry into yet another tailspin that ends in tears of frustration. What's hard to conceptualize right now is how different and good foods will taste in about 6 months. You'll be able to make good choices nearly every time.

You won't be perfect but you'll at least be making informed reasonable choices that suit your own body chemistry.

It's a tough process for most of us....it doesn't fit into the *easy* category we so love. It's not convenient. It's not simple and it's not always as rewarding as simply falling into the abyss that constantly stands ready to welcome us back with open arms (and mouths).

It's tough..and you'll need to be that way too to succeed long term.

My best to you on your trip.

Q

**Thumper1616** · January 29, 2007, 11:58 AM

Re: atkins as a way of life....

I know, and that's what my S.O. says too...think about all the good stuff....as the S.O is eating a tortilla and butter....
I am really proud of myself, I don't think I've ever stuck on a "diet" as long as I have this one....26 days today!!

**julirama723** · January 29, 2007, 11:59 AM

Re: atkins as a way of life....

Like Q says, I focus on the positive things, and honestly, as time goes on, I can't find anything negative about Atkins anymore.

Sure, at first I was bummed about chocolate or pizza or ice cream or potato chips. Then I realized I really LIKE the foods I'm eating now, and I like how they make me feel. I don't have mood swings or migraines. I have TONS of energy. I feel good about myself, and I am proud of my healthy eating habits.

I'm not saying that sometimes that stuff doesn't look good--it does still look very very VERY appetizing, but I just say no, because it's not worth it. It's like a drug for me--you wouldn't expect a coke addict to just do a line and then forget about coke. Once it's in the body there's little to stop that driving addiction. Carbohydrates were my drug of choice.

So I'm completely happy with the path I've chosen. I know it won't always be easy, and I know there will be rough times and temptations, but I know the end result is worth it.

Jules

**Thumper1616** · January 29, 2007, 12:13 PM

Re: atkins as a way of life....

I hope I don't sound like I always have something negative to say....it's just hard to change 30+++ years of eating in 26 days....but I can say I am trying and mostly happy with myself for at least that...even if my body is holding on for dear life to my fat.

**southernGAL** · January 29, 2007, 01:52 PM

Re: atkins as a way of life....

Just keep it up you can make it. Today is my 2 week anniversery. I would have not made it without low-carb cheesecake. I have a sweet tooth.
I am surprised I have not slipped and had a something like bread. But, I keep pictures of myself in a bikni on the frig and on the door were I keep the snacks. That makes me turn away real fast. Makes me physically sick to look at the pictures.
Good Luck!

**julirama723** · January 29, 2007, 04:14 PM

Re: atkins as a way of life....

Of course it's hard.

Bad eating habits are what landed 90% of us here in the first place, fat, unhealthy, and fed-up. I'm glad I'm doing this at 25, and I only wish I'd done it sooner. We all face years of bad eating habits. But I actually feel like I'm learning how to eat now, and I'm learning the right way. I know when I need to eat, I usually know when I need to stop. I can tell if a food upsets me, or sets off cravings. So really, I've started listening to my body rather than just shoving food in it out of boredom, sadness, anger, elation, joy, and any other emotion in between. And it's going to take time...it'll probably be a life-long process! I mean, I'm still working on portion sizes, food choices, and carb/fat/protein percentages. I'd like to meet the person who DOES this stuff perfectly all of the time! What's important not that we fail, but that we try.

**LoveIsNoColor** · January 29, 2007, 07:34 PM

Re: atkins as a way of life....

I'm glad I'm doing this at 25, and I only wish I'd done it sooner.
(Couldn't get the quote feature to work properly)

Julie, I'm so glad you said this. I just recently celebrated my 24th birthday on Dec 16th, and I can't tell you how much of it I spent looking at myself at 275 lbs and thinking "Oh my, another year and THIS is what I look like? What happened to me?" I feel like I wasted my teens being fat, and if I didn't do something now, I would waste my 20's the same way. I could never wear what others wore, or shop at the same store as friends, I passed up a lot of opportunities because I didn't want to draw attention to myself being so big. Time that I can never get back. I don't want to be in my 50's, years later, thinking "I wonder what I COULD have looked like."

Knowing how to eat and having the rest of my life is worth spending one year learning Atkins and figuring out what works for my body.

Announcement

atkins as a way of life....

atkins as a way of life....

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment