Lost my willpower??

[goal65]

Many of you seem to do well with having will power. I however, being a 17 year old have little. I was doing very good for a couple of months but now it seems like i can't get it back. What do you guys do to gain willpower? I wish there was a way to see yourself as the end result. Technology should let you haha. I've lost about 35lbs but thats over the course of 4 months, even though i cheated about 1/2 the time which makes 35 lbs seem pretty good. I was 380 in January and now i'm 345. I havent noticed a change physically, although i have noticed clothes were bigger on me and shirts fit me that once didnt. I need to get back into this seriously, i feel like such a disaster because i want this more than anything but the will power is missing now =( Is there anyone here who knows someone or has personally lost 180 lbs in a year? It seems impossible =(

[hulagrl1120]

For me I don't rely on my willpower anymore...I tried that and failed miserably every single time...now I'm just better prepared...I keep snacks handy at all times so when I am hungry there is always something atkins friendly to eat...I force myself to excersise everyday...I don't bother telling myself I'll love it...I don't think I ever will but I just tell myself its 1/2 hour out of my entire day so just get it over with...I keep pickles handy for moments when I want something sweet...seems to kill my sweet tooth...I post on these boards like crazy to keep myself focused...I also don't try to think of my final goal...it seems too far away and makes me frustrated so I look at smaller goals...the first five pounds....then the next 10...seeing myself accomplish mini goals helps keep me going in my weaker moments...try to partner up with somebody here...I have several people I email on a regular basis...it keeps me coming back to this site and helps to talk to people you know have or are going thru the same issues you are.

[not2late]

I think resisting cravings uses only 1% willpower and 99% insight. If you can reflect and figure out what the circumstances were that made you crave/give in, you'll be able to develop tactics to avoid similar situations or develop strategies to cope with similar situations.

I just got finished telling someone that I've learned I can't eat eggplant and tomatoes cooked together because that combination sets off cravings in me. My solution: eat them separately or not eat them at all.

You can apply the same thing any number of difficult situations.

For example, you go to the movies with your friends and you smell that popcorn and everyone around you is stuffing themselves with it. You stuff yourself too. Ask yourself why? Did you have appropriate snacks with you? If you didn't, why not?

Another example, your significant other dumps you. You feel depressed and want to eat a couple of Big Macs and several orders of large fries. What other things can you do besides drown your sorrows in food that will make you feel alittle better? Will running a few miles do it? Will going to the gym and working out do it? Will crying into your pillow do it?

Insight and developing strategies---much more effective than willpower alone, imo.

[nikki_e]

I don't really believe in will power. What you have to think about, is how badly you want to lose weight versus how badly you want the candy, pasta, potatoes, etc. Whenever I feel like I want to eat something that I shouldn't, I try to think about it...which do I want more...the food...or the weightloss? The weightloss always wins in my mind. At least this works for me. Nobody can give you will power. You have to truely really want the weightloss.

[america57]

I haven't "cheated" yet because I have convinced myself that if I eat anything with too many carbs, that I'll get sick. I had bad induction flu, don't ever want to be that sick again, I figure if I go off, I'll have to go back on and go through that flu again! I have however had two binges where I ate an Atkins bar, cheese, olives, legal stuff but just too much of it! I realize I can't eat Atkins bars, they set me off and make me crave carbs.

[290wannabe150onAtkins]

I totally agree, I dont depend on Will Power either. Like others I have depended on it before, and failed miserably. I agree the key to sucess is being prepared and knowledgable. I too have to have snacks on hand, and I have to have my fridge packed with induction legal foods, if it isnt in my house then I dont need it. Plain and simple. I do understand that you are 17 and dont live in your own home where you are in control of your food, atleast the buying part. Sit with you parents and explain to them what you want to do and why, and they will probably have a change of heart. They may not completely revamp their cabinets, but will help you will certain purchases they make. I assume you have read the book....DANDR 2002 edition. If you havent, you should, then pass it to your parents. You cant depend on will power alone...just like you cant drive a car with just a tank of gas, you need a battery too. See what Im saying? You can do it. And I dont think I need to tell you, you shouldnt have cheated...think about why you did, dont stop at "well it tasted good" think about why you actually cheated. And control that behavior/thought with another positive action. Be it snacking on a friendly snack, or going out for a walk...somthing to keep your mind off of cheating.


Best Of Luck:

Holly :capital

[ztachick]

I think that you have gotten some really good advice
as far as motivation goes you need to find thta strength from within yourself- you need to know nad decide that the loss is what you truly desire and that will help you along- also set some mini goals and it will make the bigger goal seem not to far off...

[spirittalker]

http://www.myvirtualmodel.com

That might help to see what you look like at 165. Sometimes for me it's a matter of being stubborn, mostly it's just rationalizing the craving or temptation.

[cleochatra]

I found your willpower right next to my socks!

Here you go!

You'll make it, sweetie! I lost 100 in 7 months. Iyshiaf has lost 75 pounds in like 2 weeks (kidding--it was like 3-4 months). You can do it~

[Perry]

Re: Lost my willpower??

You lost 35lbs and it wasn't totally clean. That should tell you something about how successful you "can" be. Take away the positives.

My suggestion... start from today to be totally by the book with your Atkins and make a smaller goal like "I'd like to be 300 by the end of summer".

[Moochiecat]

You know what you need to do?

Find something that weighs 35 pounds (if you are in Canada, a 15 kg bag of kitty litter will work...it weighs about 32 pounds or so) and carry it around with you for a few minutes.

I only had to carry the kitty litter from the store to the car and I was absolutely blown away to think that MORE than that weight was attached to my body at one time!!

You need to recognize how far you have come, and recognize how much power you have when it comes to making choices about food...because you have accomplished a LOT, and you are capable of accomplishing even more!

Each time you make a choice to eat properly, or exercise, it all adds up and it all counts.

I had no clue that I could really do this, and it blows me away that I've dropped the weight I have, and I feel such pride in myself....it's a good feeling...think about what you've done and allow yourself to feel that pride...and think about how much better that feels than having to endure the guilt of eating illegal food. Feeling good is waaaaay better than feeling bad... :yes

Take it day by day, meal by meal, bite by bite..and feel good about where you've come from and be excited about where you are going! :joy

[goal65]

thank u guys so much! i seriously am saving each of those for motivation and i found when i did come here on a daily basis, it motivated me. Cleochatra, i saved your screenname on my AIM and i would love to talk to you, that is AMAZING, it blows my mind that what you did is possible. I cant even imagine being close to 250 lbs in November. WHOA! thank you guys!

[**Nikki**]

I like this topic, and goodluck goal65!! You will do it!!!