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How I survived a forced cheat (long)

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  • How I survived a forced cheat (long)

    I got a lot of flak a week or so ago when I made a post to the board about a situation where I might be forced to 'cheat' while in the middle of extended induction. Being responsible ADDBers, everyone said, "DON'T DO IT!"

    But sometimes, real life gets in the way, and maybe you (like me) need some tactics for handling it.

    Here was my situation: a good friend and business associate (we carry his product in my store) invited me to a wine & chocolate tasting event -- he is a chocolatier. In fact, he gave me 2 tickets to this rather expensive event. It would have been exceedingly rude of me not to go and not to participate. A true dilemma.

    You may be faced with a similar situation: an important family or religious tradition (like Passover), a client dinner with set menu, etc. I'm not talking about a situation in which it would just inconvenient to stay on plan, but a situation in which it would be downright socially unacceptable or logistically impossible to stay on plan.

    So, here's what I did that worked for me:
    1. I ate NO carbs all day leading up to the event
    2. I drank even MORE water than usual
    3. I ate the absolute minimal amount of chocolate & wine necessary -- probably less than 1oz chocolate, and about 2oz wine

    And it WORKED! This morning, I'm still in ketosis. In fact, the Ketostix was even darker pink than ever before. And, I gained no weight -- held steady.

    Now, there were definitely consequences, and OBVIOUSLY this is not a strategy for cheating regularly -- only in emergencies. By early afternoon, I had a horrible headache (thank goodness for ibuprofen), and my tummy was a little grumbly before I went to bed. I was actually craving my induction-friendly pumpkin treat (http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...-friendly.html) that I usually have for dessert after dinner -- but I couldn't have it.

    But I fulfilled an important social obligation without getting derailed. I hope my experience helps others.




    Female, 37, 5'7"
    Started 3/15/09
    Starting Weight: 176.6
    Current Weight: 166.2
    Target Weight: 135

    Mini Goal: 158 - within 'healthy' weight range

    Lorelei & Elliot
    sigpic

  • #2
    Re: How I survived a forced cheat (long)

    good job at handling a tough situation! i don't have that kind of strength. my boyfriends mom cooks nothing but carby stuff (and i hate to say it, but not very well either lol) and she's one of those people that gets all offended if you don't eat it. none of them eat veggies at all really, so there's not a lot of choice over there between starving, or cheating. so i simply don't go. i haven't had dinner with them in two months, and they're starting to think i dont like them anymore. but instead of feeling bad and going and cheating to prove i dont hate them, i just say look, i'm on a diet and i dont want to offend you by not eating your food, and its important to me to not cheat at all. so far things are ok, and i sent his mom some cheesecake covered strawberries to make sure there werent any hard feelings (made with splenda even lol)

    but honestly feeling like my health is more important than being afraid of offending the future inlaws is pretty empowering lol
    F/24/5'10"
    hw250/sw226.6/cw ?? /gw170

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    • #3
      Re: How I survived a forced cheat (long)

      kibskix (interesting name!) -- Your tactics obviously work for you & are the right thing to do given the situation. I'd imagine that another option might be to go to their house but bring your own food. They'd probably enjoy seeing you while getting the message about how serious you are. I've been able to do this when I go to my dad's house.

      Just a thought!




      Female, 37, 5'7"
      Started 3/15/09
      Starting Weight: 176.6
      Current Weight: 166.2
      Target Weight: 135

      Mini Goal: 158 - within 'healthy' weight range

      Lorelei & Elliot
      sigpic

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: How I survived a forced cheat (long)

        yay you spelled my name right!! everyone keeps calling me kibstix lol
        F/24/5'10"
        hw250/sw226.6/cw ?? /gw170

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: How I survived a forced cheat (long)

          Good for you on handling the situation they way you did! In the real world, situations like this WILL happen, and insulting other people to me is going alittle too far. Its just not realistic. Of course they are very rare incidents or emergencies type of situations, and not just inconvienences. GREAT JOB!!!

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: How I survived a forced cheat (long)

            Originally posted by myabigail View Post
            In fact, the Ketostix was even darker pink than ever before. And, I gained no weight -- held steady.
            All darker pink means is that you are more dehydrated than normal. Any variation in ketostix color indicates ketosis. Contrary to what is thought, there is absolutely no "degree" of ketosis. Think of it the same as pregnancy ... you either are or you aren't.

            And as long as I have free will, no situation will "force" me to cheat. I'm responsible for all my health decisions.

            When you are alone in your head, you are in a bad neighborhood.
            Start:494/current:170
            Began Atkins 1/4/2004

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: How I survived a forced cheat (long)

              I totally understand. Here in China I sometimes have to go to company things and the attitude is very much one where you will offend if you don't eat if it is a privately given dinner. Also there aren't that many Westerners here so if they invite you out you jump at the chance to make a friend. I usually try to minimize it by suggesting eating out (where I have some control) but that does not always happen. And in the end, sometimes it is more important to maintain good relations than worry about a day's eating. I know I can fix that the next day, but poor first business impressions in a place like this are a lot harder to fix. Thankfully my in-laws back in the states (all Italian Americans) have been terrific about understanding my diet and now that my m-i-l is diabetic and my son is on Atkins, we are in the majority at the family table many nights. LOL
              JILL

              HW 298
              HW (this time) 248
              GOAL ONE 228
              (take 2)
              GOAL TWO 213 (personal goal)
              GOAL THREE 199 ONE-DERLAND
              FINAL GOAL 165

              It's not about the results. Its about the process.

              "I've never come home after a workout and said, MAN, I wish I had NOT exercised today!"



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              • #8
                Re: How I survived a forced cheat (long)

                I agree--that was an unavoidable situation-- and you handled it beautifully.

                ...

                Female, age 60, 5'5", small frame

                My food journal





                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: How I survived a forced cheat (long)

                  Incredible success, IrishIrish! Congratulations!




                  Female, 37, 5'7"
                  Started 3/15/09
                  Starting Weight: 176.6
                  Current Weight: 166.2
                  Target Weight: 135

                  Mini Goal: 158 - within 'healthy' weight range

                  Lorelei & Elliot
                  sigpic

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: How I survived a forced cheat (long)

                    Good for you - sometimes we have to do things to make our own lives easier.

                    I am glad to hear you had the self control to stop at so little - I probably would have drank a whole glass of wine! (Just to be polite of course!)
                    F - 162/154/134
                    restarted May 1 - for the very last time!

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: How I survived a forced cheat (long)

                      Of course
                      Startdate: November 18, 2007. Female 5'2"

                      May Challenges 2010
                      Push-ups: 450/800
                      Abs: 850/1900
                      Squats: 650/1200
                      Lunges: 500/1000
                      Strength: 490/1200
                      Running: 50/100 km


                      2 Years on Atkins.................. President Challenge Medals earned

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                      • #12
                        Re: How I survived a forced cheat (long)

                        Congrats on minimizing the "impact" of this (from your rookie enabler ).

                        I'm curious now that it's been 10 days since your quasi cheat. How are you doing? Still on track? The big concern I have with cheating (myself) is the slippery slope problem.
                        • M/37
                        • Started March 17, 2009
                        • Pounds lost to date: 57
                        • Pounds to go: 15

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: How I survived a forced cheat (long)

                          Hello again, Slapshot!

                          I'm doing fine. No other cheats at all. I wasn't worried about the slippery slope thing because I know I have willpower -- and because I don't really have any cravings.

                          My weight loss (both before & after the 'cheat') has been slow going. I'm in an orthopedic boot for a stress fracture -- hopefully only for another week or so -- so my physical activity has been a bit curtailed.

                          But I'm feeling good and hoping that my weight loss will pick up when I can do some cardio!

                          Congrats for hitting your mini goal!




                          Female, 37, 5'7"
                          Started 3/15/09
                          Starting Weight: 176.6
                          Current Weight: 166.2
                          Target Weight: 135

                          Mini Goal: 158 - within 'healthy' weight range

                          Lorelei & Elliot
                          sigpic

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: How I survived a forced cheat (long)

                            Congrats! Glad to hear that it worked out ok. I think you psyched yourself up enough about it where you were able to "package" the event and deal with it. I think the random, spur-of-the-moment cheats are what get people in trouble.

                            Sorry to hear about your foot. I had minor surgery a few weeks back and the worst part was not being able to exercise, so I know how you feel.
                            • M/37
                            • Started March 17, 2009
                            • Pounds lost to date: 57
                            • Pounds to go: 15

                            Comment

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