What 22 Years on Atkins has taught me

[Lisa M]

Re: What 22 Years on Atkins has taught me

Wow! What a great post, Cleo! I almost had to get out the tissues it was that touching.

22 years ago?? Oh, come on! You can't be...(counting on my fingers and toes)...nah..You still a young chick. I can say that because you and I not so far apart in age lol!

Thank you for mentioning what I've had in my head for the past couple of weeks. The holidays are coming, birthdays are coming, parties are coming, and I'm about freaked out about what I will have to hurdle over because I do not want to backslide, make excuses, or even say "oh, whatever! I'll just start back later". Nope...I don't wanna.

So with that being said. I'm going to have to crawl over and plant my rear in your mid-year challenge and stay focused on what I really want out of this life....a thinner me.

Keep rockin' the right way!

~Lisa

[cruiser gal]

Re: What 22 Years on Atkins has taught me

What a great post Cleo! Done with the wit and charm that you always possess. But so true you are. Let's just DO IT RIGHT!!!

[2big4mysize]

Re: What 22 Years on Atkins has taught me

does this mean Cleo is DC free????????

[lbrowne]

Re: What 22 Years on Atkins has taught me

Congrats on the realizations and new start, Cleo! Thank you for the wonderful post.

ps -- 22 years sounds like a LONG time ago... but '84 was just yesterday!

~ Linda

[sallyseachange]

Re: What 22 Years on Atkins has taught me

Fantastic post Cleo! Thank you! You inspire!
Sal

[cmcole]

Re: What 22 Years on Atkins has taught me

I, too, was one who never touched the "frankenfoods" in any quantities (one or two shakes while we were crossing the country and I couldn't find anything else in the middle of nowhere for breakfast).

Then, I went to Basic Training and bought a few bags of s/f candies to "fill the gap" at night. Thought I didn't really need them (and I was probably right), but ate one or two a night, anyway.

Should have brushed my teeth immediately after one, because they leave a taste in your mouth that makes you want more.

Large mistake, and I ended up bringing home the remainder (and I couldn't let them go to waste, now, could I). Instead, I'm sure they went to "waist".

My only saving grace was the increased activity both during Basic Training and when I returned, trying to get back healthy after an injury. Otherwise, I would have seen the results, I'm sure.

Now, my downfall is nuts, but I try to restrain myself regarding those, too. Better than s/f junk, but still carb and calorie dense, I'm sure.

Those s/f candies are so deceptive - have you ever checked the label regarding how many calories are in just ONE of those things?

Good for you, cleo, for nipping this addiction in the bud and starting clean and fresh. An inspiration to others - way to go!!

[LOWCARBINCLEVELANDOH]

Re: What 22 Years on Atkins has taught me

"I look at the fashions I've missed, the opportunities I let pass me by because I'm too ashamed to try to make friends because I feel so ugly, and I look at what my children have missed because of a mother who's winded playing croquet!"




Cleo -


Anyone who would have passed up having YOU as a friend because of how you looked missed out on a wonderful, generous loving human being with a HUGE heart.

We are glad WE have you here!

-Sharron

[cleochatra]

Re: What 22 Years on Atkins has taught me

Wow! Thank you so much for the positive vibes! I feel them boinging off of my monitor!

I love reading your experiences, and I'm so thankful for you listening to me ramble on sometimes, even when it seems I've derailed my train of thought--oh look! A chicken!--

You have all made my week, and have helped get through this with strength and a feeling of purpose!

I did go in and volunteer today! I was dolled up and felt really good about myself, thanks, in large part, to my friends here at ADBB!

You all mean very much to me!

Thank you, again, for your kindness, your support, and your unconditional friendship!

[AllieCat0817]

Re: What 22 Years on Atkins has taught me

WOW girl. Great post. You can do it doll! And about the 'not waiting till January' thing, here's a lil somethin I wrote, which I plan to post everywhere I can find on Nov 1 when pig out season starts. I titled this The Vicious Cycle:

In January, all the news is talking about is which DIET works. Well in my opinion, no DIET works, if it is just a DIET.

What works is when you decide to make it a permanent LIFETIME lifestyle change.

Of course, when I first started, this certainly was just a DIET to me... to get the dumb weight off and see if it would work.

Well not only did it work, it worked well. And I ate REAL FOOD, very often (sometimes as often as every 2 hours if hungry).

After seeing how well my body responded to this way of eating, then the mindset changed to 'this is my LIFE', not a dumb DIET.

Anything worth having is worth working for, for life.

The media doesn't talk about DIETs during pig out time between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve. All we get 'fed' during that time is all the crap we are 'supposed' to be pigging out on because it's the 'holidays'.

Then all of a sudden when it's January, it's DIET time. Only for the same foul cycle to be repeated next year.

We don't have to feed into that mess. I never will again. 2004 was my first year not ever feeding into it and it was the most amazing thing. To actually face a January being THIN. Then to repeat it again January 2005 and be smaller than I ever have! I have not been this weight since around 6th grade.

In November and December, the BUZZWORDS (you know, the 'in' things to say):
*Have you finished your holiday baking yet?
*What all are you baking?

HUH???????? Who said anyone HAD to bake for the holidays??

In January and February, the BUZZWORDS:
*I need to lose some weight
*What DIET are you on?
*What GYM do you go to?

HUH? You weren't sayin that 2 months ago! Why put yourself through the drama?

In November and December:
FOOD DOES NOT EQUAL family
FOOD DOES NOT EQUAL friends
FOOD DOES NOT EQUAL love
FOOD DOES NOT EQUAL giving
FOOD DOES NOT EQUAL peace
FOOD DOES NOT EQUAL happiness

In November and December, FOOD DOES EQUAL FUEL

In January and February (till Valentines Day pig out time):
FOOD DOES NOT EQUAL punishment
FOOD DOES NOT EQUAL starving so I can get this weight off

ALL YEAR ROUND, food equals fuel.
ANDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD..................DRUMROLL PLEASE...

ALL YEAR ROUND, our low carb food fuel is delicious, satisfying, AND lets us lose weight or maintain, ALL YEAR ROUND, for life.

So if this is your first January facing the daunting task ahead (it is not daunting-- take mini steps, one day at a time), let it be the last January you do this to yourself. Let it be YEAR ROUND, including November and December.

[AllieCat0817]

Re: What 22 Years on Atkins has taught me

I meant to add:
HIP BUMP!

[**Nikki**]

Re: What 22 Years on Atkins has taught me

Uber-Girl you always know what to say. Thanks for the thread.

[mirna05]

Re: What 22 Years on Atkins has taught me

you are not 36 years old!! you look like 26! is my math right?

[is thin possible?]

Re: What 22 Years on Atkins has taught me

Ok! You say cheat free! Just exactly what does this include? Frankenfoods, does this include diet pop? I don't drink hardly any at all but do allow myself to have one when I am a restaurant setting ONLY!

I think I want to join this challenge, but please Cleo, define cheating so I know the exact rules! Thanks! Great post...as usual!

Blessings!

[cleochatra]

Re: What 22 Years on Atkins has taught me

{{{{{{{{{{{{Allie}}}}}}}}}}}} Testify! You're my hero, girl!

Thank you, nikkigirl!

mirna, I'm 35. Thank you so much for the compliment! People tell me I look good for 70!

cmcole!!! It is so good to see you back! How are you?

isthinpossible-- artificial sweetners are allowed so long as they fall within the 3-per-day limit, and that tends to be Splenda, as some have an aversion to aspartame! The artificial sweetners can still wreak havok with blood sugars and cravings taken in too high a quantity. So one in a restaurant won't kill you, so long as it's not a 106 ouncer. *lol*

[**Nikki**]

Re: What 22 Years on Atkins has taught me

Okay, I wanna do this with you Uber-girl. Is Dry-Salami considered a frankenfood?