Still Here

[colinwants2bthin]

To anybody that wondered, I haven’t dropped off the wagon, I am doing well and I still need help. Thanks for your concern, I’ve been very busy and am quite content with Atkins!! I joined the gym last week and hopefully will manage to get down there today for my 3rd visit. I work very difficult hours, not regular, sometimes early start, sometimes late into the evening and sometimes both. It is very comforting to know that Atkins fits into any life style. My only concern is that I am constantly thinking about my diet! Am I paranoid or is this normal?

[Helena_HastingsUK]

Colin

Well Colin you are doing better than me so give yourself a pat on the back - 29 lb lost that's pretty good.

I'm starting to think that you have got emotional issues with food, you shouldn't be thinking about food all the time on this diet, unless maybe you are not eating enough fat or not eating enough full stop. On a 65% fat diet you sould not be hungry.

Tell me what is your job. I might be able to think of some tips to help you. I worked irregular shifts on the railway for many years and it messes up your metabolism.

By the way, it took me ages to realise that my craving for food wasn't actually physical but emotional. I was and still am wanting to crunch, nibble, chew all the time but it's mouth hunger NOT a rumbling tummy that sends me hunting through the fridge and cupboards. Are you 100% certain that there isn't some kind of issue like that with you?

Helena

[colinwants2bthin]

Hi
I am a taxi driver!! I work on my own. Just to give you some idea of my schedule for Friday last.

03:00 Get Up
03:45 Pick up for Heathrow (190miles)
07:30 Home Sleep
10:00 Pick up for Chelsea (170miles)
14:00 Home
14:30 pick up for Stanstead
16:00 Arrive Stanstead
Wait
20:30 Pick up from Stanstead
22:30 Arrive Home

That was a busy Day

Saturday
06:00 Pick up for Heathrow
10:00 Home
14:00 Pick up for Heathrow
18:00 Home

Have you ever tried sitting at a Motorway Service Station for 4 1/2hrs. There is a Burger King, Kentucky & Pizza Bar. Any food taken with me was warm, so It went in the bin!!!
Trouble is getting up @ 03:00 your breakfast options are limited. Who wants to boils an egg or cook an omelette at that time. The trouble is you need to plan your food for the day. I find this make you very conscious of food. On a low fat diet you can call in to a supermarket and you are faced with a welth of food options. Low Carb and you are stuck to meat or cheese! Oh no not again!!

[Helena_HastingsUK]

food

Yes, well I know more than anyone just how hard it is to keep to Atkins when everywhere you turn you have carby foods on display, tempting you, seducing you, etc. It's just sandwiches, pizzas, baguettes, all that shite, all the time isn't it?

But you know what, you have to see that as part of the challenge - you are going to succeed at this DESPITE the hours you work and DESPITE the constant temptations. That is, if you really WANT to lose weight.

I think if you could write on the Board that you did this diet DESPITE your lifestyle, it would be a wonderful inspiration to people with less problems than yourself.

You are clearly working excessive hours. I would not want to be driven by a cabbie who has allready been working 14+ hours. Aren't there laws against this kind of thing?

Atkins isn't the only diet in the world. Your lifestyle might be better suited to calorie counting/low fat. Or if you did low fat you could carry stuff with you that travels well and doesn't need refridgeration. There are protein shakes, that do not need refridgeration, available in Boots in Tetra packs. Lots of places sell low fat, calorie counted sandwiches, etc.


When I read your posts, I'm getting a very strong sense that you are looking for reasons not to keep to your diet.

Maybe you actually don't want to - has that ever occurred to you? Maybe you feel society is trying to force you into giving up the things you love, and you don't want to. Well, it's your life and your body and you can treat it however you want! You have the right to stay fat if you want to. Please think about that.

I'm an extremely busy woman who only types with 2 fingers, and I haven't spent all this time writing this to please myself, but in the hope that it will help you, either to see that there are ways to do Atkins on the move, or to suggest another type of diet, or to let you see that you are coming across as someone who actually doesn't want to diet at all!

All the best.

Helena

[colinwants2bthin]

I have been on many diets, sometimes succeeding, some times lasting only several weeks in a half hearted effort. I feel totally confident in the Atkins diet, I have no reservations what so ever. What attracts me to Atkins is the fact that you cannot cheat! I am totally focused and will not fail. As I said my only criticism is the need to constantly try to plan your eating in order to fit in with my life style. I find that the foods allowed on Atkins are very boring unless you use your imagination. Imagination usually requires time in preparation. Given time the results in quality of food are rewarding BUT if you do not have time I have found that options of foods can be very boring. That said I have resisted. The other problem is that this board (Rightly) has strong feelings against Frankenstein foods, so much so that I have resisted. But I can’t help feeling that some of these bars and shakes might be more beneficial to my way of life. But having read the many posts regarding these type of foods I will not, or ever will I rely on them. I couldn’t forgive myself for not achieving my GOAL. I would just like to add that in all the years I have completed Weight Watchers or any other diet I have never felt so confident in sustaining my weight loss. I do not need bread and potatoes; bread had always played a major part in my diet. In fact in my opinion my own ability to loose weight on WW in recent years was hampered by their range of diet foods including bread & cakes……

[colinwants2bthin]

P.S With regard to the hours I work if you look at the hours worked on the Friday and the amount of rest time taken it would probably equate to the majority of peoples working Day. It is just that mine is often spread out. You learn to take rest and sleep whenever you get the chance. Often 30mins sleep leaves you feeling far better than 8hrs in bed!!

[Helena_HastingsUK]

Hooray for Atkins!

<I feel totally confident in the Atkins diet, I have no reservations what so ever.>

That is brilliant, Colin. You've obviously read all the 'science of Atkins' stuff.

<I am totally focused and will not fail.>

I'm so happy for you!

<I do not need bread and potatoes; bread had always played a major part in my diet. In fact in my opinion my own ability to loose weight on WW in recent years was hampered by their range of diet foods including bread & cakes>

Do you feel, then, as I do, that they make you crave more and more and more of them? I mean, you can only eat *so much* meat, cheese and eggs, but things made from flour, well there seems no way of stopping!

I diagnose a lifestyle problem: you need to spend less time at work! If you were at home more frequently you could cook just the right things.

Are there not refridgerated units that can plug into the cigar lighter in cars?

Helena

[Helena_HastingsUK]

Hooray for Atkins! - ignore previous message

In my previous post, the bits I quoted from you were missing. So here we go again .........


" I feel totally confident in the Atkins diet, I have no reservations what so ever. "

That is brilliant, Colin. You've obviously read all the 'science of Atkins' stuff.

" I am totally focused and will not fail."

I'm so happy for you!




". I do not need bread and potatoes; bread had always played a major part in my diet. In fact in my opinion my own ability to loose weight on WW in recent years was hampered by their range of diet foods including bread &amp; cakes……"

Do you feel, then, as I do, that they make you crave more and more and more of them? I mean, you can only eat *so much* meat, cheese and eggs, but things made from flour, well there seems no way of stopping!

I diagnose a lifestyle problem: you need to spend less time at work! If you were at home more frequently you could cook just the right things.

Are there not refridgerated units that can plug into the cigar lighter in cars?

Helena

[colinwants2bthin]

Helena, I think the problem is that we have all been brought up with carbs playing 99% of our staple diet. We have all been conditioned form an early age to expect carbs to be on our plate. For myself the addiction has been addressed, but the problem still exists as to what we put in their place. Personally I do not have a great love for eggs, now if we add bread into the equation, eggs suddenly seem like an option. I cannot imagine eating a boiled egg without the mandatory slice or two of bread. We are therefore left with meat and cheese to be eaten as both main dishes and snack food.

[Elizellen]

I cannot imagine eating a boiled egg without the mandatory slice or two of bread.

Colin - how about making a loaf of flax bread from time to time?
Doesn't take too long and keeps for a few days in an airtight container.

[colinwants2bthin]

Yes I have made the easy flax bread and you are right the results are very good. The only problem I found was that I found it very hard not to keep having a slice! I also found it hard to purchase Flax seed although I have read that it is now available in Sainsburys….

[Elizellen]

Yes I have made the easy flax bread and you are right the results are very good. The only problem I found was that I found it very hard not to keep having a slice! I also found it hard to purchase Flax seed although I have read that it is now available in Sainsburys….

I know what you mean - it is tasty :yes
I have never looked in ordinary supermarkets for flax must do so. It might work out cheaper than at the healthfood shops. My nearest one has put their 500 gram bag up to £2,49 recently from £1.99 :sadblinky

[colinwants2bthin]

Your pictures speak for them selves. You look so good. I’m glad you found time to answer my post! Thankyou