HELP... need to get back on track.

[Mel Strong]

:smackhead

I started Atkins June 2000 and stuck with it pretty good for one year and lost 60 lbs. I was 220 and the lowest I got was 158. I was 158 lbs in 2002 and since then I have been on atkins most of the time but have crept back up to 187 lbs. I admit that I go off when there is a family get together, christmas, trip to Mexico etc... but I always went back on, now I'm thinking maybe my body has become resistant to this diet. I have been having doubts lately and feel like a hipocrit recommending this diet and not reaching my own goals. I think maybe I am eating too much fat [ the bad kind] , that I am not getting enough fiber and fruit? And is it harmful to the body to be in the state of ketosis all the time.
Last week I officially went off the Atkins diet thinking I would try whole grains, lots of friut, some low fat yogourt etc.... but now I feel out of control and haven't been sticking to that plan either.
HELP... I need to get back on track and once and for all reach my goal... I need encouragement, I want to feel good about myself again. How do I deal with going to someones house for supper and they are not serving anything on the plan, what do I do in these situations, how do I say no to all the goodies [sugary] on those special occasions, I know I did it before but there are alot more events now that I am in a relationship and my family has grown.
I need to be STRONG again!

[spirittalker]

I believe this thread should answer most questions.

http://atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/viewtopic.php?t=73576

[soliwit]

first of all welcome Mel :wave
I'd like to inquire if you went 'all the way' with the diet, cause you mentioned reaching your goal and then say you wanted to add whole grains and fruit, but if you would eat according to 'maintenance' you could eat those things anyway, maybe I misunderstood, sorry if I did.
Every time you went back to atkins, did you restart in induction ?
I really hope we can help you here !

[Mel Strong]

:nod
I never did reach my goal of 130lbs, I got halfway there at 160lbs, and now am back up to 187 cause I just keep going on and off. I usually went back to the induction phaze to get back into ketosis as soon as possible. During the week I would do fairly well with work scheduale and all[good planning] but would blow it on different occassions and I have that well if i blow it i might as well enjoy it mentallity. I know that once I reach my goal the maintenance plan you can have fruit and whole grains, but I worry that I will gain weight back on that.

[FightingTheFight]

And is it harmful to the body to be in the state of ketosis all the time.

:no

I know that once I reach my goal the maintenance plan you can have fruit and whole grains, but I worry that I will gain weight back on that.

thats why its designed so that you go through all the stages of Atkins, not go from induction all of sudden to Maintainence. Especially the shock of feeling hungry again all of a sudden.

As you advance through the stages. Induction,O.W.L,pre-maintainence and maintainence, you will learn what your Critical carb limit is, and you will know how to not gain weight and stay with it.

[soliwit]

First of all: you will start putting in grains and fruit waaaay sooner than maintenance, so you gradually start adding foods and see how your body reacts to it.
Once in maintenance you will know exactly what you can eat and what not, so I wouldn't worry about gaining weight then, even more so cause you didn't try it yet (and why worry about something that isn't actual)
You know what DOES make you gain weight: blowin' it every time, and you also know the reason: it happens when you don't plan ahead.
So in fact you know exactly what to do, get back on track and stay there, always plan ahead so you don't get the chance to cheat and start losing that weight :joy
:hug I'm sure you can do it, you got this forum now and we're all there to help eachother :nod

[cleochatra]

Hi, Mel! Definitely read the FAQ section here at the board. The state of ketosis when desired is a positive one, as it means your body is burning fat for food rather than than the carbohydrates you're ingesting.

You might want to start with a clean induction, which means no fruits or grains.

As you slowly move up the OWL ladder, you can slowly add those items back in to see what foods react best to your particular body chemistry.

Were it not for Atkins I'd never know that mushrooms do a number on me!

It's that slow adding in of veggies, fruits and grains that allows us to see what kinds of foods we can have and which ones we find we're generally intolerant to.

I am so glad you're here with us! So dust off your 2002 Version of the Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution Book and let's get you back on the fast track to weight loss, health and feelings of well-being!

[MontanaRebel]

Hi Mel! I have 176lbs to lose so yours should be a piece of cake...

You can DO THIS!! Doing a cartwheel just for you and that ain't easy!! :dancingb:

[Mel Strong]

:wave
Thanks everyone for you input and support. I know I have it in me to succeed, I just have to plan better and make the right CHOICES! And I need to just stick with it.

[Elizellen]

Hello Mel :wave
Sorry that you are back up in weight and need to start again :sadblinky
As others have said you will do better this time if after a 14-day induction you move straight on to OWL and (as slowly as you feel comfortable with) work your way up the OWL ladder.

Then hopefully when you reach goal you will know what foods you can eat and not go 'off the rails' and have found how many carbs you can eat and not gain weight.

Depending on your metabolism you might find you can eat plenty of veggies, yogurt, fruits, soy products and whole grains and stay at goal for life :joy
The only things you probably won't be able to eat much of will be added sugar and white flour products, but you may be able to have these occasionally, and of course at goal you will be able to eat those 'low carb substitutes' if they don't affect you.

Why not go over to the OWL forum now and read the stickies there which will explain how to go about testing the various food groups and finding your CCLL - so you will be prepared when you complete induction.:hug

[divaindubai]

You can do it Mel!

Tomorrow we are going to my husband's aunts for lunch (its weekend here), and I can just see all the delicious food that will be served...but i'm giong to resist!! :yikes :nod :nod

[Desertthorn]

Join us Mel, Misery loves Company

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/viewtopic.php?t=73630