Poll: Decision point about WOE forever?

[kacey1]

Just thinking about the fact that I no longer think of myself as a 'dieter'. I don't say I'm 'dieting' or I'm 'on a diet'.

So, that got me to thinking - I also really don't care (very much anyway) how fast I lose the rest of my weight. (not like in the beginning where I was frantic to lose it AS FAST AS POSSIBLE)

I don't remember an Ah hah moment when I figured all this out - just suddenly it dawned on me that this is in fact my mentality now.

The poll question is: When/where/how did you decide that you will be following this WOL forever? Was it an ah hah moment or more subtle? How do you think you reached that point - what was the 'magic button' that makes this time different than all the rest?

Looking forward to the answers!

[Sweet_Sadie]

Re: Poll: Decision point about WOE forever?

....Looking forward to the answers!

Me too! I want that!

[not2late]

Re: Poll: Decision point about WOE forever?

I have asthma and seasonal allergies. When I began Atkins, I was one 2 asthma medications and I was one 3 seasonal allergy medications. That 'seasonal' bit is a misnomer because I was on those medications for 11 months of the year.

Anyhow, about 6 months into Atkins, I goofed and didn't refill my asthma medications on time. I went about a week without them and I didn't die. In fact, I was breathing without them very well. My lung doctor re-evaluated me and drop one of those medications. The other I had to use "as needed".

I re-read the parts in the book where Dr. Atkins said that some of his patients experienced improvement with their asthma and allergies while on his diet. Then I read a book by one of Dr. Atkin's colleagues that 'treated' asthma and allergies with a low carb diet, similar to Atkins.

Since I was able to drop one asthma medication, I experimented and found I didn't need all 3 of those seasonal allergy medications either.

That was my a-ha moment. It didn't matter to me if I lost weight fast or slow. What mattered to me was that I experienced a massive improvement in my general health: I no longer had to take 5 medications daily in order to breath easily. Weight loss was a pleasant side effect of Atkins.

Right now, I'm still on that "as needed" asthma medication, though I use it less than once a week. And for my seasonal allergies, I do sinus rinsings.

The more I progress on Atkins the more I learn about my body and what I need to do to keep my body healthy. I don't mind not eating certain foods, because I know they aren't good for me and I don't ever want to go back to taking 5 medications every single day just so I can eat wheat or other trigger foods.

[PizzaManNoMore]

Re: Poll: Decision point about WOE forever?

Great question! Like you, I don't consider myself on a diet. This is the first time I have ever felt that way. Before, whether low-carb, low-fat or the extreme of extremes (Thurmond), I started with a goal of high school reunion, holiday gathering, vacation, etc. I just tried to lose as much as possible until I got to the "finish line." I purposely re-started Atkins with no finish line in sight, with the idea that I would finally get it right mentally, to take my time and do it correctly and seriously make this a lifetime change.

Will I ever make another pizza? Yes, I do now every couple of months or so. If it stalls my progress, so what! The next day I'm right back on track. This is my reality. I would never make it if I thought pizza was banned. Instead, pizza is my very occasional treat and, for me, is not a trigger for bigger binges. Funny, but I made a pizza two nights ago to celebrate my niece participating in the Orange Bowl halftime show (and also the game as I am from KY); but the next morning, all I could think about is how good a cheeseburger (no bun) and a big salad would taste.

So, this was all a roundabout way of saying no big a-ha moment for me but more subtle; however, I think the key was that this is not a straight dash to a finish line but laps around an oval track that does not have a finish line.

[julirama723]

Re: Poll: Decision point about WOE forever?

I think I realized it a couple months ago when I started OWL...

This is my second time on Atkins. The first time I was ignorant of how the plan worked, and didn't bother to learn the rules or read the book. BIG MISTAKE! I basically did induction, and then haphazardly began re-introducing things into my diet, including a lot of frankenfoods, and I began ditching the veggies...you can see where this is headed!

So I'm back, doing it the RIGHT WAY. I realized, probably in October, that I should have no problems continuing this indefinitely. I have never enjoyed food and eating as much as I do now! That's because the foods I'm eating taste great. The foods I'm eating are making me healthier each day. The foods I'm eating don't make me feel like crud. The foods I'm eating give me energy, and even youth I feel on some days! And really, I'll be eating all the foods that I truly like to eat! I've never been a white bread fan--I've always preferred whole grains. Now I'm finding how satisfying fresh fruit is, or freshly made whipped cream...I'd take that over a hot fudge sundae ANY DAY.

Also knowing that by the way I'm eating, I'll probably prevent the diabetes that runs in my family--that's worth it right there.

[dreamof145]

Re: Poll: Decision point about WOE forever?

When I first started this WOE, I was told repeatedly that this was a life-style change.

I don't think I totally understood this concept till I started having a real life. Compared to my old life-style ~ well, there's no comparison. I sat at home and if I did go out (not often)...I was embarrassed and ashamed. I was depressed and miserable. Being involved in life, going out and having fun, meeting people and not worrying about people making fun of me is worth every minute of my new WOL. I refuse to ever go back to those days...I'm in this forever.

[sallyseachange]

Re: Poll: Decision point about WOE forever?

I never had an ah-ha moment. Actually... when I started Atkins I never believed I'd eat this way for life. Now I believe I will, but more because I'm totally happy with this way of eating than because I've committed to it. I still feel I need to say to myself: "I'll eat this way for as long as it suits me, and if in the future I switch back to high carb eating, it'll be with the full awareness that I'm sacrificing a trim figure and better health".

The fact is... in my head I now think I'll stick with Atkins for life because I can't imagine not wanting to.... I just don't like making decisions about a future we can know nothing about. In life anything can happen.

Yes...I'm utterly convinced I'll do this for the rest of my life... but I won't make any "pledges".

[changing]

Re: Poll: Decision point about WOE forever?

I don't think there was one precise A-Ha moment, but rather a series of moments that built upon one another until I was hit just yesterday (ironically enough -- I just wrote about it in my Stat Journal) by the fact that I no longer even care about the weight loss part. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy no longer pushing 300 pounds, and I don't ever want that again, but I notice primarily now that with these healthy changes (being in control of my eating and exercising on a consistent basis) there came a sense of calm... something was off-balance in my soul because of my unbridled food binges, blood sugar climbs/crashes, and sedentary lifestyle. I have suffered with anxiety for years, and even this is getting better because of the stability I have found. As I came up on the end of my first year (start date was January 15, 2006), I am a completely transformed person, inside and out. Every day is a new A-Ha moment. I am so grateful that I have found this balance.

[HeidiE]

Re: Poll: Decision point about WOE forever?

J what was the 'magic button' that makes this time different than all the rest?!

well I would like to give you some kind of profound answer here ..but honestly ...it was my stomach!!!

suddenly last year I realized after having two giant babies (one 12lbs mind you) by two C-sections..that suddenly all my belly fat was gone!!!

I personally have been on a low fat diet most of my adult years ..I was always wanting food (probably because I ate so much sugar) and always had a fat tummy even when I was underweight!!!

I had even considered a tummy tuck at one point (briefly my husband told me it was vain and dangerous and to knock it off! ) ..

now would you look at my stomach and while you are at it look at all the tummies of the successful on this board..they are freaking flat!!! no surgery no lipo no nadda!!!! (well some people do those crunch things I avoid like the plague) ......I am almost 50 years old and it is looking good and my hip bones stand out nicely!!!

Low carb eating for me got rid of all my belly fat!!! that was my moment!!! ...sounds vain but it is true!!!..

the next best thing is that this is not so hard to keep off ...if I dont eat crap I dont want crap ..go figure on that ...Atkins knew what he was doing ..that is for sure ...hooked me with all this wonderful food and as long as I am on track eating well I stay like this ..in a small size with a flat tummy ....

ok so my cholesterol and blood pressure are fantastic as well (both lousy on the low fat high sugar diet I was on before)


I am still completely obesessed with food it is just I am now obessessed with beautiful healthy foods!!!!

flat tummy no surgery and I get to eat my way around the world in wonderful healthy foods ...yeah I am totally in this for life ...

[ttdriver]

Re: Poll: Decision point about WOE forever?

I gotta agree with Heidi here! Between LC and my running, that SAGGY 50-something GUT that used to LIVE on me, is GONE GONE GONE. And that's after 6 abdominal surgeries and a pregnancy during which I gained 52 pounds!

I remember before Atkins when I'd tell DH that I wished for a tummy tuck .. all while stuffing my face with FAT FREE everything .... Can you say DUH??

Betty

[Lia_the_Druid]

Re: Poll: Decision point about WOE forever?

Wow! i'm continually amazed at all of you! The ADBB is such a blessing!

[Tracie515]

Re: Poll: Decision point about WOE forever?

When i was in high school and hit 200 Lbs i honestly thought i was gonna kill myself. I couldn't believe 200 Lbs i went intoa depression. That brings me to my moment when i decided that the rest of my life was going to be all about losing and maintaing my wait, I went to the Doctor for a checkup and my weight was 296! Hitting 200 was bad but hitting 300 Wil NOT happen. I cried for about a half hour then called my hubby and told him about atkins and do you know what he said? Tracie lets do it together. Dang I love that man! Now i have lost 29 lbs and counting and he has lost 38!