How Did You Do It??

[divaindubai]

Dear All,

Please oh please......tell me why this worked for you? What did you do exactly from when you started. How long did you stay on induction for? How did you start your exercise program (how often and how much did you go for each time)?

There are so many wonderful success stories on here....I'm sure I will be a success story one day in the near future!!!!

[ttdriver]

Re: How Did You Do It??

I read the book...cleared the crap foods out of my house...went to the store and stocked up on legal induction foods. I committed 2 weeks to following the plan EXACTLY .. no cheating, no exceptions. I also started exercising from day one (walking 1.5 miles a day, 7 days a week, plus isometric exercises at home..)

6 years and still maintaining easily.

Betty

[apple]

Re: How Did You Do It??

Why? It's worked for me because nothing else showed me the intolerences and allergies I have to wheat, gluten, treenuts, some dairy prodcuts, and being overweight

What did I do in the beginning? I read the book (still am for refresher), did the 2 week Induction, and told myself that I'm important enough to do this for me.

Exercise? It's required for following Atkins (you'll read that part in the book). I started walking. Just walking until I thought I could talk my brain into going faster into a trot (some people would consider 5mph of moving the feet faster as running, I call it trotting the way I look while doing it). I started with 1 mile, then 2 miles, and now I can do 3-4 miles without too much complaint. I also do ab crunchers; of which I started doing 50 then 80 and now I can do more than 100. I think you have to pick an exercise you like and will want to do. I chose walking because I walk around my house and I own a treadmill. I started out with exercising 4/7 days, and although I'm in a challenge that I'm signed up for 5/7 days, I have weeks where I've done 6/7 days. It's all a matter of mind over matter...you just have to tell your mind that exercise matters and do it. So, strap on a pair of shoes (running perferably even if you're walking since they have better cusion for your joints), swing your arms up and down while you're walking, and go for a nice stroll around your house or outside down the street and around the corner.

You sure will be your own success story! You just have to believe in yourself and what you want. You have to want to take care of you bad enough to make a difference and find a way of eating for life that works for you.

Best wishes!

[Bren]

Re: How Did You Do It??

I did it one step at a time and I still do it that way. MAny days those steps are baby steps!

the journey of a thousand miles begins with one small step.

My success with this WOE was due to this board, no other reason I can find, the people here kept me going.

[fatty mcfatison]

Re: How Did You Do It??

Well the hubby and I just started this WOE. This first week we had read the book and thought we were doing good. Then I discovered this site and all the wonderfully helpful people and information. So now we count the time I joined as our official start date. We have 3 children so removing all the temptations just wasn't possible. But we decided this is important to us and are not going to cheat. But most of all remember mistakes happen at first. The other day my hubby's brother said here taste this and he did without thinking. Ooops it was an iced coffee when Mcds which they add liquid sugar to. The main thing for us as been decide to do and do it. And just me the rewards are great. I used to come home from work and sit on the couch cause I was to tired to move. Now we excerise and play with the kids. It trult feels great once you get in the swing of things.

[Discolemonade]

Re: How Did You Do It??

and drink LOTS & LOTS of water!! 64oz PLUS 8 oz for every 25 lbs you have to lose.

You just have to make up your mind. What do you want more? that cookie or that pant size?

[Grant]

Re: How Did You Do It??

To me being succesful on Atkins (or any WOE) depends on four key factors

1. Eating Right
2. Drinking Right
3. Exercising
4. Being mentally right

On eating I've found that as long as I follow the plan as outlined in the book I do well. I've also discovered a few very useful tips here on ADBB that help me out a lot (such as not eating the "frankenfood" like the Atkins bars).

Drinking right to me means cutting out anything except water (I drink about 5 liters a day) and the very occasional splenda sweetened softdrink (I'm partial to Diet Rite tangerine).

Exercising for me is tough. When I started I could barely do 15 minutes of walking at 3mph and that made me feel wiped out. One thing that has helped me tremendously is joining the board's 6 Week Exercise Challenges. It keep me accountable. Now a days I can jog for 30 minutes at 4.5 miles per hour (about 2 miles total) and I've added in crunches and dumbbells to try to get some upper body definition. I also try to change things up a bit to keep from getting too bored. I might do a video (usually Tae Bo) or something outside like tennis.

Being mentally right to me is all about having a support group to help get over the rough patches. I've read statistics about the number of people that try and then fail to lose weight and I believe that having a support group is really what makes me different from soo many other people. My support group is my family and this board. I know I can come here for guidance and encouragement and that helps so incredibly much.

[GaynorA]

Re: How Did You Do It??

Hey there ... welcome to you. For me it's knowing that if I stick to Atkins to the letter (no small slip ups), my body will do the rest by responding and starting to secrete ketones. When that happens it's just a downhill ride to goal (still sticking to Atkins of course). All the best to you and hubby. Eating low carb quickly becomes a habit. Luv to ya.

[D14965]

Re: How Did You Do It??

I agree with all the above posters about what makes this WOE work - but i would also like to add that I think PATIENCE is also a good thing to have . Rome wasnt built overnight . I find that i dont have regular losses on the scales -- i lose a bit then seem to plateau for a little while - then lose a bit more etc. So you can be doing all the right things food and excercise wise but not see instant results on the scales... the body can be burning off the fat in the fat cells ,then filling them with water temporarily . So you need to be patient until the "Whooshie fairy" visits ( this is when the body releases certain hormones that cause the waterfilled fat cells to shed the water. I find Patience helps me to keep focused on what I am striving for