For those that feel discouraged.

[CathyR]

Hi Everyone,
Just wanted to post a note for those of you out there that feel discouraged and are tempted to fall.

First let me say, we are all different, and I dont want to come off like I know everything nor even pretend to understand how each person feels. I do think there are many of us here that are feeling the same and I do know that many of us come to this board for encouragement and support.

I dont have as much to lose as many of you do and that puts me in the catagory of someone that will and does lose weight VERY slowly. I know that this is not a 1 day, 1 week, or even a 1 month journey. I have come to accept the fact that this is a lifetime journey. And for the past 6 weeks that I have been on this eating plan, one of my biggest goals was to understand that I was not going to change overnight.

I thought many times to just give up. I was not happy that I was not seeing the results that I wanted. But, I pushed on, and put my unhappy feelings aside and tried to do 1 thing each day that made me happy. I set tiny goals which I found I was able to obtain.

Today, I weighed and measured myself. I am down 1/2 inch everywhere and 3 lbs this week! :joy This gives me a total weight loss of 10lbs and 2inches since I started this plan. This feels like a great accomplishment when I look at in as a whole and it has motivated me to keep on pushing.

I guess to sum up what I really wanted to say in this post is, please, dont beat yourself up because you feel you are not seeing the results you want as quickly as you think you should. Take it one day at time, set tiny goals and meet them. Expect realistic changes in yourself. You have heard it all before "You didnt put the weight on in one day, so you certainly cant expect to lose it in one day" Dont let the dang scale rule your self worth. Measure yourself if you have not. Keep a journal of all you eat. Look at your results not daily but on an average over everday that you stay on your journey. When I started this new way of life, I would of expected to be at my goal weight by now,, heck why not? Isnt 6 weeks plenty of time? Doesnt that sound silly? But, today as I look back, I can feel proud of myself. Yup, I still have a ways to go to reach my ultimate goal, But Heck,, look at me now! :icondance

And just one more thing, if I was to wake up and suddenly be at my goal, what would I do? Put on that skimpy dress and show myself off, thats for sure. But.... would I be prepared to continue with my life to keep me there? I dont think so, not today. Thats why I need the journey and the time to get to that point so once I reach my goal, I know how to stay there. So, today, I am happy that I still have these 21lbs to lose, I am on a journey and part of the joy of getting there is taking the ride.

[Elizellen]

:clapping :clapping :clapping :clapping :clapping :clapping
:clapping :clapping Well said :clapping :clapping

[CathyR]

Thank you, I was feeling in a reflective mood today. Its always better to look at the big picture, I hope others agree.

[cleochatra]

{{{Cathy}}} :love

[Laurenfra]

:hug Thank you

[tentcamp]

I'm a slow looser too, I've been doing this for a year now with no cheats and don't desire to do so. I weigh every day and at the end of the week I average my weight and body fat. Maybe I don't get a big change but every pound or part of pound makes me happy. My favorite part is the first of the month when I do my measurements, now there I have made big strides! I started out with size 42 mens jeans and now wear a size 4 womens! Small steps make for big progress and a way of life that I will be able to live with for the rest of my life. :yes

[brfischer]

thank you for that post, I really needed that.
I have basically the same stats as you and I was starting to get discouraged that I've only lost 3 lbs in the past 4 weeks and I was thinking about just giving up.
Thank you!!! :hug
Brooke

[CathyR]

Brooke, I cant tell you how hard all this is, and I know for those that have alot more to lose that I that its even a bigger mountain to climb. I have fallen off so many times I cant even count, but for some reason, I am able to push thru. I think its this board and reading all the posts that have helped me the most this time. I see others with struggles and problems, and I know I am not alone, and there are others that really have more to worry about, so it somehow helps me. I think as humans, its easier for us to see whats wrong then whats right,,, its a mind set and that alone is the one challenge that we all have in common.

[CathyR]

ensive :wave

[tabekat]

slow ride

I need the journey and the time to get to that point so once I reach my goal, I know how to stay there.

That is really an excellent observation - thank you!

:nod :yes

[Isabeau]

Well said.

[tickletussler]

I wanted to pull this thread back to the front again because reading it taught me a few things that maybe other OWLers could be reminded of?

I don't often fall off the wagon, but when I do, I fall off really hard. I read about many who have no desire to cheat or who say they never cheat. Unfortunately I'm not one of those few. Most of the time I figure out why I fall off, but the last weekend I simply couldn't work out why.
- I didn't have any particular cravings
- there wasn't any need for emotional eating
- TOM is no where in sight, and neither is PMS

What I have finally worked out is that I DO often get discouraged, because I am a slow loser, the pounds don't fall off or fall off regularly for that matter, and I'm sure I compound the issue by falling off the wagon some times.

I acknowledge the fact that I am a perfectionist, so when I do Atkins, I try and do it as perfectly as possible. Likewise, when I make a big mistake, I would fall off the wagon and screw things up good and proper.

Hence reading Cathy's thread again was a good reminder for me to not get discouraged, to try and learn something new about myself each time I fall off, and maybe, just maybe add to the acceptance that Atkins WOE is a WOL that I will like more and more with each passing day.

[cajunthunder]

There are days that I feel the "blahs" and I guess you could say I get a wee bit discouraged because my weight loss is slow..... very slow. I don't have the urge to cheat so much as a periodic desire for something like a Pizza Hut Supreme personal pan pizza. :yummy

What keeps me focused is how good I feel and how good my body is looking from losing the first 30lbs and from working out. :joy

I hope I can stay this focused..

[Isabeau]

There are days that I feel the "blahs" and I guess you could say I get a wee bit discouraged because my weight loss is slow..... very slow. I don't have the urge to cheat so much as a periodic desire for something like a Pizza Hut Supreme personal pan pizza. :yummy

What keeps me focused is how good I feel and how good my body is looking from losing the first 30lbs and from working out. :joy

I hope I can stay this focused..

You WILL stay focussed. Personally, it's exercise that does it for me. Every time I run a little further, or swim that extra lap, or lift a heavier weight it sooo motivates me to stick with eating my Atkins. Part of this journey is figuring out what works for you in getting past those 'blah' days and making us lifelong success stories.