don't know what to do anymore

[elke1007]

Hi all ,

I want to lose weight! I guess I'm not the only one here at the board , but when I look at all your before and after shots , I feel terrible.
All of you look so amazing after some time on the Atkins WOE , and you guys have really been able to alter your food habits.
I have tried Atkins many times before only to fail after a few hours. I have turned to this board more than once for help , and you all have been really great and helpfull and still I mess up.
Last week I joined Weight Watchers and alltough that may be the answer for some , I just get obsessed with counting points and I'm hungry all the time.

So basically , I feel like a complete failure! I mean , I can't even control what I put into my mouth. I would love to lose some weight for summer , but I just don't know how to start anymore.
I want to stick to Atkins as I truly believe that that is the right way to treat my body , but I could really use some hints and tips on how to get through the day. I have a desk job and I'm constantly running to the candy machine, doing nothing but eating candy bars all day. I need to break that habit as it is most defenitely not a healthy way of life.

I hope some of you can help me switch to a healthier woe.

elke1007

[Diva217.5]

Re: don't know what to do anymore

I know how you feel.I have done it all and failed many many times, but I find once you get past the first week on atkins(and its a struggle for us addicted to carbs) you actually prefer this way of eating.I am NEVER hungry,I dont goto the grocery store and google the baked goods or wish I could eat a bag of potato chips......I actually get excited about new cheeses and different cuts of meat that I may want to try.....its actually quite amazing what this diet does to you.I'm struggling to get past my 3 week stall, but I am having such a good time eating this way, and all the advice and positive feedback, that this is the right place and way of living for me.
Jump in here, post anything you want to know about, and try it for a week, once you finish that week, the carb monkey will get off you back.I'm sure most members here will agree with me.HOpe to see you post again and join us on this life time endevour.Good Luck.

[AbsolutCR]

Re: don't know what to do anymore

I have not done the literal atkins diet, with the different phases. I just stopped eating starches. I'll probably start the real Atkins diet soon. So I don't want to dispense advice that would be detrimental to you if you were to go on the Atkins diet.

After the first few weeks I stopped craving fries and candy as much, and started to enjoy my new healthy food. Is there any Atkins food you can take to work with you that you really like to eat? Maybe you could try some different things before you start the diet so you have an arsenal of healthy food ready to go. I never thought I'd crave celery sticks and peanut butter, but I do!

I'm pretty sure nuts are to be eaten sparingly, but I recently found a recipe for baked seasoned pecans that I keep in my purse, and eat a few when I have the urge to try to find some vending machine food. Plus, my purse is always closer, so it's easier just to eat something from there.

Is there a friend at work that will intervene when you get up to get a candy bar?

Are you eating vending machine food because you're at work on an empty stomach, or because you're craving a snack? Because they make REALLY good sugar-free brand-name chocolates that taste the same as the originals. It's sugar alcohol, and I don't know if Atkins allows sugar-free candy. They're probably not the healthiest snack, but keeping 3 in your purse would be a better choice than a real Snickers. They have white chocolate Reese's minis now... about 4g of carbs.

We've all been at that point where we don't think we'll ever be able to commit. But eventually you'll get there. You can totally do this. My personal opinion is that you have to accept and embrace the discomfort of changing your lifestyle, and that the acceptance is something that will come naturally when you're ready. Just my opinion though.

[sombersusie]

Re: don't know what to do anymore

Hi Elke! Have you read the book lately? If not, it might be a good thing to do to reinspire yourself. Would it be possible to take break from work, even if its a few days to get started. Get rid of any junk you have in your house, then buy all the stuff you can have on the diet. Really focus yourself on eating all the things that you can have on the diet and eat them till your hearts content. Don't feel bad for eating more bacon or eggs its ok. If you can manage to get through the first few days of a clean induction the cravings should disappear. Avoid franken foods such as Atkins bars, shakes and supposed 'low carb' foods like chocolate, they are not your friends and could cause cravings. Good luck to you, let us know what happens!!

[Checkers]

Re: don't know what to do anymore

I'm lucky this time around in that my cravings for bad food were gone almost immediately. It does happen. I had to laugh at something I watched this weekend about portion control, because low-carb does that for me naturally. I have to measure out things like nuts, but otherwise over eating is pretty easy for me to avoid. I actually eat my meat portions until I'm nice an full, which just happens to be the hand sized portion that is recommended by so many. Waiting until I'm really hungry to eat is the road to failure for me personally. Good luck!

[ValidRouge]

Re: don't know what to do anymore

Take baby steps. Commit yourself to two weeks of induction. You can do this for just two weeks right? If after two weeks, you don't feel better, then you can find something else. Instead of trying to make a total life change, just commit to two weeks. That way, during the day when you want to run to the candy machine, you just tell yourself, in two weeks I'll have it. You may find that in two weeks, you won't want that candy bar.

The other area I'd like you to focus on is satisfying your taste buds and your brain. This may take a little bit of forethought on your part, but DO IT.
Browse the menu/recipes forum on this site at http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...isplay.php?f=5
and also go to this site: http://users3.ev1.net/%7Efontlady/ If you want, you can buy yourself a low carb cook book. Fill your house with ingredients to make the recipes...and make some of the most seemingly sinful, decadent foods you have ever eaten. Who can feel sorry for themselves when you are eating like a king??? Make sure to take food to work with you, and when you are having a craving, feed it with a high fat food, like eggs or cheese or olives. You'll find it really helps satisfy cravings. If you're desperate for something sweet, whip an ounce of cream cheese, some splenda and some whipping cream (http://users3.ev1.net/%7Efontlady/cr...ped_cream.html)

Come to this site every day to get support--to see how EVERYONE ELSE goes through the same thing you are going through, and how they made it through.

Love yourself enough to give this way a two week chance!

[Momtofour]

Re: don't know what to do anymore

When starting out eat items with really high fat content. It will help, believe me. If snacking at work is a problem take acceptable snacks. What about keeping bite size veggies and dip close at hand? How about boiled eggs? Make deviled eggs if that would be a treat for you. It does get better, you just have to buckle down for a few days. I had a set back recently and I'm also trying to get through the next few days. I am already feeling more in control and it has only been two days since I jumped back on the wagon.

[mwalsh95]

Re: don't know what to do anymore

I was exactly in your spot not to long ago. I felt so helpless like I'll never loose the weight so what's the point. I had tried Atkins a few years ago and did awesome, but I thought it was a quick fix and then continued with my old habits. I then tried several times to go back to Atkins and could never get through the first few days. But, you are taking the first step by just being here and saying you want succeed. Without this site I don't know if I could make it. I get upset and want to stuff my face (emotional eater) and I log on and find a tip to get me through or even just plain humor to take my mind off of eating the bad stuff.
You can do this!!! I am rooting for you as well as others here. You can ask any question answered so you know you are on the right path, or just to get great support!! You'll have rough days and then you'll have great days. But, I can attest that I have never felt better in my life. And this time I am doing it for me.
I wish you the best and hope you stick around!!

[Isabeau]

Re: don't know what to do anymore

You've gotten some great advice. I really taking 'baby steps'. Look at it one meal at a time and give yourself a huge pat on the back when you do a clean meal. Sometimes the big picture can be overwhelming, especially if you have a lot to lose like I do. Reread your book and do some planning. You can do it!

[Elizellen]

Re: don't know what to do anymore

Wow you have been given lots of good tips to get you started!!
I will add my tip - prepare lots of induction-legal snacks and always have some with you so if temptation strikes you can eat something on the allowed list! If you dont have a fridge at work take a cool bag with an iceblock or freeze a (less than full) bottle of water to put with your snacks to keep them cool - and supply cold water when it melts!

[BiggestLooser1]

Re: don't know what to do anymore

Its all about self control.

be concious of what you put into your mouth.

you can do anything you want - if you want it bad enough!

[k5commando]

Re: don't know what to do anymore

You need to break that sugar addiction! I was the same way with junk food and this diet broke me of that habit COMPLETELY. I know it's hard but one thing that really helped me is to write down EVERY bite I'd take durring the day. Carbs can creep up on you and you may be going over on your induction numbers and not realize it. I also would keep a fat picture of me at my heaviest in my desk and when I got an urge for some junk I'd take it out and was always horrified enough that I wouldn't give in. I don't know your story, how you got where you are, or how heavy you are but obviously your not happy where your at so it's time to change things. Dedicate this time and don't look back!

[Analog6]

Re: don't know what to do anymore

Elke, just do it one day at a time, or if necessary, one HOUR at a time. The book says we can eat small meals frequently, so why not do that? Work out your food for the day, divide it into 6 or whatever, and if you are wavering, just say to yourself is only XX minutes to my next legal thing, I can wait that long.
Use the power of positive thinking and tell yourself you CAN! If I can do it, the person with the lowest willpower on the planet, I kid you not, then anyone can.
Stick with it, the rewards are worth it!

[canibe]

Re: don't know what to do anymore

I've just read your replies and its spurred me on to keep going -thank you - keep going yourself and you will make it. If you feel tempted come straight back on-line - it helps to keep you focused and up to date with the little tips and success stories -something new everyday - not the same weigh in and class once a week (I used to go straight to the chippy after weightwatchers to celebrate!! ) Your post has helped me and hopefully one of mine will one day help someone else- thats the idea of the site- we all aim to pull together and lose together!! and everyone has bad times!!!