Help!!!

[MrsChristyH]

I really need some insight from you all here. I'm struggling soooo hard with not cheating. I've become so accustomed to eating just to eat and it's like an addiction. I'm praying for God to help me with this struggle, however I still would like some ideas as to what some of you do to prevent yourself from cheating.......? Thanks in advance for all you support!!!

P.S. This is how I feel...... Like I'm fighting myself!!

[CDRAKE1234]

Re: Help!!!

Food was a huge addiction for me...I love FOOD, I love to cook FOOD, FOOD WAS my best friend! It still is my friend, just in a different way.
I got rid of all the sugars in my house. I decided, since I do the shopping, and really my family doesn't NEED the sugars, why am I giving all of us this cruddy food! Yes, it is easy to snack on chips but I would rather my family eat an apple instead. Ya know what I mean?
At first it was really REALLY hard, but I just kept thinking to myself and looking at myself in the mirror...oh yeah...THIS is why I am doing it! And that donut didn't look so good...It took sooo much will power but everyone on this site was and is a GREAT SUPPORT SYSTEM!

okay....keep snacks around, pepperoni chips, string cheese, veggies, nuts if you are on the nut rung. eat if you are hungry, don't say oh I can wait. get a snack, don't wait til' you are soo hungry that the 'bad' food looks so good you can't resist!

keep up the great work and I know you will succeed!!!

[speedyturtle]

Re: Help!!!

When I first started I would drink hot tea when I was "dieing" for something sweet. Needless to say I drank a lot of tea but was able to aviod junk food. Not sure why it worked but it did, and it still does

[Kate113]

Re: Help!!!

I've fallen more than a few times, but when I'm seriously losing weight and am not wanting to cheat, I come here to ADBB and I just read, read, read. I read the success stories and I look at the member before and after pics they share. That is a HUGE help to me!

*Edited to add that coming back here and posting that I cheated is one of the most humiliating experiences of my life! Nothing says failure to me like having to do that...and I've done it.

[TBW]

Re: Help!!!

Speaking as a confessed cheater, I know it's hard to avoid the things we should'nt have, and I also know what works for one person may not work for another. I can only say what has helped me keep going is trying on my new clothes and catching an unexpected glimpse of the emerging me in a mirror. I think it's easy to be critical of yourself standing in front of your mirror at home and picking at flaws, but walking by a store window or seeing myself in a security monitor when I'm not expecting it always gives me a feeling of "who's that?" It's also really hard when you don't see the scale moving like you'd like it to and that makes me feel a little hopeless, but there could always be a whooshie around the corner.


I know this may sound like a bunch of platitudes, but it's all I've got. Coming to this board and picking a little of this and a little of that has helped me keep going, and all you can do is find what works for you. For me, I also get alot of strength from the exerise challenges. If I've just got to have a bite of something, I'll go climb a few flights of stairs or do some crunches instead. And I really have to agree with Speedyturtle. I don't especially like hot tea, but when I really need something sweet to get me to bedtime, a cup of peppermint tea with a packet of Splenda helps alot. Another crazy thing I haven't seen anyone else mention - when a craving hits, I'll brush my teeth with Crest mint & green tea extract toothpaste. That sweet taste in my mouths helps. Good luck and be tough, and if you DO slip, you just have to get right back on the horse.

[Tack Candy]

Re: Help!!!

Hi MrsChristy,

At first it is really hard and I think you really have to white knuckle it for the first few days. Once you get into ketosis you will see your apetite decrease. After that, what has motivated me is the weight loss I achieve. I don't want to ruin the work I did to lose those pounds...and that motivation increases as your weight decreases.

Also, once you shrink so much you need to buy new clothes (and it WILL happen if you work the plan) THROW THE OLD 'FAT' CLOTHES AWAY!!!! Coming from a penny pincher, this really helps. It is fun and ok to buy new smaller "cute" clothes - really REALLY hard to buy clothes that are a size or two bigger.

Oh, and don't forget to visit this forum often. The support and encouragement is wonderful!!!

Good luck!

[apple]

Re: Help!!!

Mrs, we've all had our share of falling of the wagon <raising both of my hands high> and cheats. But what it all boils down to is finding out the "why" and focus on getting moving instead of putting all the focus on food. Remind yourself daily that Atkins is a way of eating for life, and as a few awesome folks here on the board have said many a times...it's a life style.

It takes time to form habits and make changes, but it takes mental strength to put on a pair of shoes and walk away. You can do it. Physically move yourself away from the food and focus on how much you want to make changes...then go for it.

Another thing that will help, baby steps. Make small goals each day, each week, and then by month and then by year.

Best wishes!

[sallyseachange]

Re: Help!!!

Planning ahead is a great help. Always have legal snacks with you, for when a craving hits. Something high fat is best.

The very second you get a craving, think how fleeting the pleasure of giving in to it would be (no more than a a few seconds of "taste sensation") and then think of how totally wonderful you'll feel permanently, once you hit goal. Believe me... that feeling is completely awesome!

[MrsChristyH]

Re: Help!!!

Thanks so much for you advice. That's exactly what I was thinking about doing. Have some low carb or no carb snacks to snack on when I'm really wanting that doughnut!! That's my weakness, sweets. Everything else I can pretty much do without, but I can eat sweets all day long. Thanks again for the advice!

Food was a huge addiction for me...I love FOOD, I love to cook FOOD, FOOD WAS my best friend! It still is my friend, just in a different way.
I got rid of all the sugars in my house. I decided, since I do the shopping, and really my family doesn't NEED the sugars, why am I giving all of us this cruddy food! Yes, it is easy to snack on chips but I would rather my family eat an apple instead. Ya know what I mean?
At first it was really REALLY hard, but I just kept thinking to myself and looking at myself in the mirror...oh yeah...THIS is why I am doing it! And that donut didn't look so good...It took sooo much will power but everyone on this site was and is a GREAT SUPPORT SYSTEM!

okay....keep snacks around, pepperoni chips, string cheese, veggies, nuts if you are on the nut rung. eat if you are hungry, don't say oh I can wait. get a snack, don't wait til' you are soo hungry that the 'bad' food looks so good you can't resist!

keep up the great work and I know you will succeed!!!

[MrsChristyH]

Re: Help!!!

I would have never thought of that! I think I'll try that. I love tea especially before going to bed. Thanks.

When I first started I would drink hot tea when I was "dieing" for something sweet. Needless to say I drank a lot of tea but was able to aviod junk food. Not sure why it worked but it did, and it still does

[MrsChristyH]

Re: Help!!!

I think that the before and after pics may help because then I'll be like hey, if they can do it I know I can. Especially if that person weighed the same as I do. Thanks.

I've fallen more than a few times, but when I'm seriously losing weight and am not wanting to cheat, I come here to ADBB and I just read, read, read. I read the success stories and I look at the member before and after pics they share. That is a HUGE help to me!

*Edited to add that coming back here and posting that I cheated is one of the most humiliating experiences of my life! Nothing says failure to me like having to do that...and I've done it.

[MrsChristyH]

Re: Help!!!

I never even look at the challenges forum. I think I'll check those out today and join one of them. Exercising does usually keep my mind off of eating. I think I may try that. Thanks.

Speaking as a confessed cheater, I know it's hard to avoid the things we should'nt have, and I also know what works for one person may not work for another. I can only say what has helped me keep going is trying on my new clothes and catching an unexpected glimpse of the emerging me in a mirror. I think it's easy to be critical of yourself standing in front of your mirror at home and picking at flaws, but walking by a store window or seeing myself in a security monitor when I'm not expecting it always gives me a feeling of "who's that?" It's also really hard when you don't see the scale moving like you'd like it to and that makes me feel a little hopeless, but there could always be a whooshie around the corner.


I know this may sound like a bunch of platitudes, but it's all I've got. Coming to this board and picking a little of this and a little of that has helped me keep going, and all you can do is find what works for you. For me, I also get alot of strength from the exerise challenges. If I've just got to have a bite of something, I'll go climb a few flights of stairs or do some crunches instead. And I really have to agree with Speedyturtle. I don't especially like hot tea, but when I really need something sweet to get me to bedtime, a cup of peppermint tea with a packet of Splenda helps alot. Another crazy thing I haven't seen anyone else mention - when a craving hits, I'll brush my teeth with Crest mint & green tea extract toothpaste. That sweet taste in my mouths helps. Good luck and be tough, and if you DO slip, you just have to get right back on the horse.

[MrsChristyH]

Re: Help!!!

I love to shop too, but usually for shoes. I love shoes and I hate shopping for clothes because instead of going to the petite area or junior area like I used to, I know have to go to the women's area and I hate that. I have a ton of skinny clothes in my closet literally collecting dust that I think I may start trying on again to see if little by little I'm able to start getting back into them. Thanks for the advice!!

Hi MrsChristy,

At first it is really hard and I think you really have to white knuckle it for the first few days. Once you get into ketosis you will see your apetite decrease. After that, what has motivated me is the weight loss I achieve. I don't want to ruin the work I did to lose those pounds...and that motivation increases as your weight decreases.

Also, once you shrink so much you need to buy new clothes (and it WILL happen if you work the plan) THROW THE OLD 'FAT' CLOTHES AWAY!!!! Coming from a penny pincher, this really helps. It is fun and ok to buy new smaller "cute" clothes - really REALLY hard to buy clothes that are a size or two bigger.

Oh, and don't forget to visit this forum often. The support and encouragement is wonderful!!!

Good luck!

[MrsChristyH]

Re: Help!!!

My biggest problem is not just walking away. I will see it and stare at it and eventually give in, but I don't physically walk away which in my head I know I should and I will now start doing. Thanks!!

Mrs, we've all had our share of falling of the wagon <raising both of my hands high> and cheats. But what it all boils down to is finding out the "why" and focus on getting moving instead of putting all the focus on food. Remind yourself daily that Atkins is a way of eating for life, and as a few awesome folks here on the board have said many a times...it's a life style.

It takes time to form habits and make changes, but it takes mental strength to put on a pair of shoes and walk away. You can do it. Physically move yourself away from the food and focus on how much you want to make changes...then go for it.

Another thing that will help, baby steps. Make small goals each day, each week, and then by month and then by year.

Best wishes!

[MrsChristyH]

Re: Help!!!

I never plan ahead. I think I'll start doing that. I was thinking about going to buy some snacks that I can have when I get those cravings and I think I will. Thanks.

Planning ahead is a great help. Always have legal snacks with you, for when a craving hits. Something high fat is best.

The very second you get a craving, think how fleeting the pleasure of giving in to it would be (no more than a a few seconds of "taste sensation") and then think of how totally wonderful you'll feel permanently, once you hit goal. Believe me... that feeling is completely awesome!