Why am I feeling hopeless?

[cutecourters]

I've been about 98% on plan in the past 3 weeks, and also exercising around 6 days to boot. Last night I was just feeling totally let down. I don't know what triggered it. I made chicken and mashed cauliflower for dinner, and for me, it felt like a HUGE meal. My brain just kept sending me all these strange thoughts that made me feel hopeless... "You will never lose weight when you eat big meals like that," "You aren't supposed to be so full," etc... Maybe this comes from years of starvation diets I've done where I've felt like the only way I saw results was when I was hungry all the time. To top it off, my weigh in on Monday actually showed a half pound GAIN, probably due to TOM, but it definately fed my thoughts of failure. Can I really lose 60 more pounds? I have never seen a "slim" image of myself my entire life, so its a very hard thing to fathom sometimes. I try to visualize myself as thin... it just seems so alien. Sorry for my depressing post, I'm not giving up but just needing some encouragement.
Courtney

[*Emma*]

Re: Why am I feeling hopeless?

Hey! stop being so down on yourself!!

Ive never been slim either, but! we're gonna be able to see what we look like slim if we stick to this WOE 100%!! not 98 or 99! its gotta be 100 % stick to it and you will notice the difference!!

Dont worry so much about scales, did you take measurements when you started??

I weigh myself once a month, heck - no i dont thats a lie, i weigh myself when i can find some scales i refuse to buy any! I did however buy myself a tape measure, which is much more fun, nobody can see your pounds, unless you tell them about them, EVERYONE! sees inches! so less worrying about the pounds okay?

Picture/imagine what you COULD look like, everytime that 2% off plan arrives, imagine dream and think about it!

You can do it!

[SandyL2002]

Re: Why am I feeling hopeless?

I've been about 98% on plan in the past 3 weeks, and also exercising around 6 days to boot. Last night I was just feeling totally let down. I don't know what triggered it. I made chicken and mashed cauliflower for dinner, and for me, it felt like a HUGE meal. My brain just kept sending me all these strange thoughts that made me feel hopeless... "You will never lose weight when you eat big meals like that," "You aren't supposed to be so full," etc... Maybe this comes from years of starvation diets I've done where I've felt like the only way I saw results was when I was hungry all the time. To top it off, my weigh in on Monday actually showed a half pound GAIN, probably due to TOM, but it definately fed my thoughts of failure. Can I really lose 60 more pounds? I have never seen a "slim" image of myself my entire life, so its a very hard thing to fathom sometimes. I try to visualize myself as thin... it just seems so alien. Sorry for my depressing post, I'm not giving up but just needing some encouragement.
Courtney

Courtney.. I had chicken and mashed cauliflower last night too...lol YES You can be slimmer You have to imagine yourself getting that way... You can do it girlie

[cutecourters]

Re: Why am I feeling hopeless?

Thanks girls! I think tonight will be better. I was probably just having an off day. And, yes, I have been keeping measurements. I have lost about 5 inches total so far, but I know I must be gaining muscle because I've gained about a half inch on my thighs and calves.

[owl48]

Re: Why am I feeling hopeless?

Courtney!

Hey....we started on the same day!

You're off to a great start! I know all about negative self talk...I battle with it all the time.
Just talk back to your "other" self when you start hearing that negative chatter. Tell that side of yourself thats feeling hopeless to shut up, you're not gonna listen to it!
If no one is around do it out loud (unless you want people to stay away from you )
Seriously...it works for me.

They'll be some rough spots...any path worth taking will have them but you can do it!

By the way, I didn't loose anything my third week either...I'm going back to my original plan of weighing every two weeks.

Hang in there!!

Greg

[obkbbby]

Re: Why am I feeling hopeless?

Courtney!

Just talk back to your "other" self when you start hearing that negative chatter. Tell that side of yourself thats feeling hopeless to shut up, you're not gonna listen to it!
If no one is around do it out loud (unless you want people to stay away from you )
Seriously...it works for me.

That's funny! A bunch of us were talking the other day in another forum about talking to ourselves to get through a particularly rough moment - or day. And some of us said it didn't matter if anyone was around!

It's good advice. And always know that there is someone online here that help you talk through things, too. Many of them have pulled me through some rough spots. We are a family here!

[MorningGlory]

Re: Why am I feeling hopeless?

Hi there~~hope you're feeling a little better with all the encouragement from the posters previous to me. What nice people hang around here!
We all need encouragement from time to time. As long as you're on-plan, you'll get a wooshie before you know it!

[dreamof145]

Re: Why am I feeling hopeless?

Everyone's already given you great advice. I've been where you where last night and I understand the frustration of your inner self telling you its impossible. Thats why the ADBB is so important to each of us. Everyone here understands and is great at giving each other encouragement. On other 'diets' we didn't have a support system and carried the burden alone. Utilize the awesome strength of the other members and come here at times like that when you feel alone and drained.

Do you have a journal you write in, either here or a hard copy? Thats the time to look back and see why you want to lose the weight and how it makes you feel to drop pounds and inches. These good vibes are important to keep us motivated. I put photos in my hard-copy journal. I have re-read my thoughts and feelings over and over on this journey. Cut out pictures, phrases, quotes, and relive the beautiful moments that give us encouragment.

You will be thin. You can do this. You have an army of people here who are cheering you on. Post when you need reassurance...go look at the success stories and photos, go for a walk to boost your spirits. You aren't alone...we are all here for you!!

[guekjian]

Re: Why am I feeling hopeless?

I can't really add anything else to the other encouragements! Keep it up...and remember, TOM is evil (LOL) always puts me down in the dumps...then I feel so much better when he leaves with a couple of pounds as well!

[apple]

Re: Why am I feeling hopeless?

Thanks girls! I think tonight will be better. I was probably just having an off day. And, yes, I have been keeping measurements. I have lost about 5 inches total so far, but I know I must be gaining muscle because I've gained about a half inch on my thighs and calves.

Woot woot on the inches lost! That's great!

[skinnymom!]

Re: Why am I feeling hopeless?

Just wanted to give you hugs!!! It is hard, I deal with negative self talk as well....it seems to get harder for me to ignore that voice the further I go. It's like you are sabotaging yourself....don't do it!! We can do this, we can ALL do this

[julirama723]

Re: Why am I feeling hopeless?

The others have given such great supportive advice!

You CAN do it. And you know what? If you're hungry, you need to eat. There is no need for self-deprivation on this plan. When I first started, the road seemed long and daunting, but I kept my head down, and worked hard, and gave it my all. Soon it got easier, and became second nature. I felt like I really got the hang of it! And the weight kept coming off.

Soon, the weight wasn't the focal point for me anymore. I noticed that I wasn't constantly obsessed with food or mealtimes, and that I hadn't had a migraine since I began Atkins. I noticed that my skin, hair, and nails were healthier and better looking than they'd ever been before. My boyfriend noticed my confidence, energy, and exuberance, as well as the fact that my blood sugar moodswings were completely GONE. I began doing things I never dreamed I could do, like lifting weights with the "big boys" and running 8 miles in one shot WITHOUT walking.

When I started out as a size 20/22 at 265 pounds, size 14 seemed so distant and almost impossible...and it sounded so small to me. So you can imagine how I felt today when I put my size 10 pants on and they fit perfectly. It's like a dream come true. I've still got a ways to go, but now I know that I can get there. Never say never, and always keep that goal in mind. Keep your eye on the prize--YOU CAN DO IT!

[Hopeful1]

Re: Why am I feeling hopeless?

I've been about 98% on plan in the past 3 weeks, and also exercising around 6 days to boot. Last night I was just feeling totally let down. I don't know what triggered it. I made chicken and mashed cauliflower for dinner, and for me, it felt like a HUGE meal. My brain just kept sending me all these strange thoughts that made me feel hopeless... "You will never lose weight when you eat big meals like that," "You aren't supposed to be so full," etc...

Courtney

wow it's like you peeked into my brain. I went through the same exact feelings tonight after dinner just feeling very unsure and thinking how is it possible to lose weight and eat! It's just so opposite what we've been taught our whole lives. I know it is possible I've done it before but still you beat yourself up. I also have this fear of IF and when I do get smaller will I keep it off. I plan to stay on atkins but there is always a piece of me that's scared to be THIN again. Why I have no idea!

I don't know how encouraging I can be seeing as I'm on day 3 but I just wanted to let you know you are SO not alone!

[kisstuck]

Re: Why am I feeling hopeless?

The fact that you voiced your concerns on the board deserves kudos! Not only are we here to support and motivate each other, we have all had some negative thoughts or negative people trying to sabbotage us. You are doing great!! Keep up the good work!

[sallyseachange]

Re: Why am I feeling hopeless?

Just wanted to ditto what all the others have said and give you a hug! Remember that things go in phases and your cloud will surely have a silver lining!