Depressed and Worried

[ttdriver]

Re: Depressed and Worried

WHAT A GREAT POST, KIMBERLY!!!

I doubt Betty would tell you that she is still hanging on to her old life

YOU BETTER BELIEVE THAT OLD LIFE IS HISTORY!!! Ironically, the old life had me looking and feeling old! NEVERMORE, NEVERMORE!


IT MAKES ME WANNA HURL!

[not2late]

Re: Depressed and Worried

I guess what I'm asking is the following question, coming from someone who has been overweight his entire life: Do I really have a chance?

Like with almost anything in life, if you work hard and stay focused, you will have a chance.

People do fall off and people do come back. It's those people who come back, who have a chance.

I'll admit the weight maintenance statistics are scary...9 out of 10 dieters will regain their weight within 1 year of losing it. Out of those, 2 out of 3 will regain their weight within 3-5 years. This is true of any weight loss regimen. And this is where we all have to get our brains in order and start treating our obesity like the chronic disease it really is.

We're most likely on this diet because we have demonstrated we can gain and retain weight. Some of us have been dieting off and on for years because we lose, then we regain, then we lose and we regain. We have to realize and accept that we have a chronic medical problem and we have to combat it on a long term basis.

Let's face it. If you have epilepsy, you need to take your medicines everyday in order to keep your epilepsy under control. You wouldn't say, "Gee, it's the annual office picnic. I think I'll skip my dose of meds today, because I want to be able to 'normal' like everyone else. But I'll be sure to take my dose tomorrow!" Or if you have had skin cancer, you have a higher chance of getting it again. So wouldn't you be sure to put on sun-block and cover up when you go outdoors, or would you say "This is a really special vacation. I've never been to Majorca so I'll skip the sunblock for the two weeks I'm there." But when it comes to obesity, we have this idea that once we lose the weight, we don't ever, ever, ever have to worry about regaining it or even continue to work to maintain our weight.

As long as we continue to think our obesity isn't a chronic medical problem that needs our attention and vigilance to prevent a remission, our chances of 'success' will most likely decrease. What I've found from reading and getting to know the sucessful Maintenance folks is that they treat their weight problem as a chronic medical problem that can reoccur if they slack off too much.

My 2 net carbs....

[ttdriver]

Re: Depressed and Worried

WOOHOO MEGS!!! Exactly on the mark!!

No one is EVER cured from obesity. Ever.

Betty

[Goldfinger]

Re: Depressed and Worried

Hi again:

I am now feeling a little defensive. I don't see why this should be the case, as I have not criticized anyone who has had a setback. Heck, I've had several in the past, and have been overweight or morbidly obese (yes, 325 lbs on a 5'7" frame qualifies me) my entire life. I consider myself to be a card carrying member of the fat brother/sisterhood. I am by no means perfect. Just ask my wife.

Once again, my point about the existence of the STAC forum, made to illustrate that even with this great WOE/WOL, we still find that the statistics do not lie (that's why they are called statistics), should not be construed to imply that I would rather see that forum disappear. I do not visit that forum because I am not a member. However, if it helps just one person get back on track towards the ultimate goal of a healthy life, then it should exist.

I'll admit the weight maintenance statistics are scary...9 out of 10 dieters will regain their weight within 1 year of losing it. Out of those, 2 out of 3 will regain their weight within 3-5 years. This is true of any weight loss regimen. And this is where we all have to get our brains in order and start treating our obesity like the chronic disease it really is.

True. I wrestle with this every day. I worry that even the strongest of us can have a relapse, and the worry arises that it may have nothing to do with how strong mentally, emotionally, or physcially we are. I guess this paranoia (ouch!) is my mind's way of telling me that I cannot go back. I have been successful at losing weight, and am following a WOE that I am comfortable with and can see me following for the rest of my life. Is this how I should be feeling to ensure that I never have a setback?

Thanks again to everyone for your insight.

[not2late]

Re: Depressed and Worried

Hi again:

I am now feeling a little defensive. I don't see why this should be the case, as I have not criticized anyone who has had a setback. Heck, I've had several in the past, and have been overweight or morbidly obese (yes, 325 lbs on a 5'7" frame qualifies me) my entire life. I consider myself to be a card carrying member of the fat brother/sisterhood. I am by no means perfect. Just ask my wife.

Once again, my point about the existence of the STAC forum, made to illustrate that even with this great WOE/WOL, we still find that the statistics do not lie (that's why they are called statistics), should not be construed to imply that I would rather see that forum disappear. I do not visit that forum because I am not a member. However, if it helps just one person get back on track towards the ultimate goal of a healthy life, then it should exist.

No need to feel defensive. I usually quote the stats because I think people need to know about them. And hopefully that knowledge will provide them with insight about this weight loss thing and why they need to change their mindset about obesity.

Obesity is a chronic disease. For some reason many of us don't look at obesity as a chronic problem but more as a temporary one. I think if people get it into their heads that this is a chronic disease and treat it as a chronic disease the remission rate would be higher and the reoccurance rate would be lower.

True. I wrestle with this every day. I worry that even the strongest of us can have a relapse, and the worry arises that it may have nothing to do with how strong mentally, emotionally, or physcially we are. I guess this paranoia (ouch!) is my mind's way of telling me that I cannot go back. I have been successful at losing weight, and am following a WOE that I am comfortable with and can see me following for the rest of my life. Is this how I should be feeling to ensure that I never have a setback?

Thanks again to everyone for your insight.

I have another chronic disease: asthma. When I was at my worst, I made darned sure I was taking my medications everyday as directed because that was what ensured I lived as "normal" a life as possible. Sometimes I did slack off, and I paid for it dearly. But that only strengthed my determination not to slack off (gasping for air is no fun!)

I'm one of those lucky asthmatics whose asthma has actually improved while on Atkins: I take only one medication on an "as needed basis" as opposed to 2 medications multiple times daily. I think my asthma is due to a wheat intolerance. Anyhow in spite my improvement, I'm still an asthmatic. And if I slack off with my therapeutic regimen, I'll have a reoccurance.

IF we treat obesity like the chronic disease it is, I really think those weight maintenance statistics will change.

[Chris]

Re: Depressed and Worried

So, Goldfinger, how about those pics? The change in your appearance must be astounding, and before/afters would be a great motivator -- especially for those who are just starting their Atkins journey.

Please???

[dreamof145]

Re: Depressed and Worried

Just read this post this morning, as I was gone all weekend. I completely understand your concern, but.....

Just because others have fallen off the wagon, does not mean everyone does. And if someone does fall off the wagon, it doesn't mean they can't pick themselves off and jump back on. When I first started reading the posts here, I made a list of people who were doing it and those who were struggling. I followed the advice and example that the ones who were making ATKINS a LIFE-LONG committment. I vowed to do the same and so far I have. I also have a history of re-gaining what I've lost. But, that was the old me. The new me has armed myself with lots of information on health and this new WOE. I fill my mind with Positive images and quotes and phrases everyday. I read and re-read the DANDR. I plan my meals and my life. I refuse to allow the negative habits I once had to re-enter my gameplan I've lay out for my life. Am I perfect? NO NO NO. It is a battle everyday of my life. I see the old things, sometimes I think about them, but I remind myself of the misery and the pain I felt as a fat person and this has kept me on track.

Exercise keeps our minds clear and makes us feel good. The food we eat on this WOE keeps the weight down and makes us feel satisfied and happy. When we have doubts, we come here to the ADBB. This is the place to get encouragment and support. The reason we failed before is because we tried to do it alone. With ADBB, we are a team (an army of losers) all helping each other and we are strong. If you are active in the ADBB - then you can feel the power and love of the members. It is incredible and has helped me on my quest.

I hope that you can make a list of the positive aspects of losing the weight. Don't focus on the negativity of the past. This is a new Way of Life, a new mission and we are all going to make it. GET POSITIVE and MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!! We are all here to help each other. You CAN do it and you WILL do it.