How do we control food instead of food controlling us?

[dpaca]

Ok, so I have been on Atkins now on and off for maybe three years. I started it initially about 3 or 4 years ago and I did really well and lost nearly as much as I wanted to. However once the weight came off and I went back to my old eating habits I gained it all back again (which I know now that was bound to happen). Last year it was the same scenario, I started Atkins in February 2006, and by May I had lost a reasonable amount of weight, which I maintained until October 2006. Then I started eating carbs and before I knew it, I gained all the weight back and then some. I restarted Atkins again this year properly (although I attempted to get back on track for ages and many months) in June 2007. I did really well and by the 10th of September, I had lost quite a bit of weight, nearly 20kilos. Nevertheless, once again, my brain managed to fool me and I slipped and cheated. Now I have regained about 3 kilos and I am really getting fed up. What I want to know is why I have this part of me that is determined to get off Atkins, and finds any excuse possible to eat carbs. Are we extremely addicted to sugar and is it impossible to overcome? How do I do Atkins, without wanting to find a way to quit and binge? How do we get our minds off food and onto other things, while at the same time following Atkins? How do we control food instead of food controlling us, even when we are trying to control food?

[Debi2007]

Re: How do we control food instead of food controlling us?

One thing I can say is that nothing is impossible! I am just starting Atkins today. I have so much to lose and have done very much the same as what you are describing. I think that for me... I just need to let food stop controlling me. I always say that I don't want to live to eat. I want to eat so that I will live healthy and strong. I am going to make an effort to change my thinking and take away the control I allow food to have over me. I will be interested to see other's responses. Great questions. I know there are many that have succeeded in this area and probably have great tips to share.

[not2late]

Re: How do we control food instead of food controlling us?

Ok, so I have been on Atkins now on and off for maybe three years. I started it initially about 3 or 4 years ago and I did really well and lost nearly as much as I wanted to. However once the weight came off and I went back to my old eating habits I gained it all back again (which I know now that was bound to happen). Last year it was the same scenario, I started Atkins in February 2006, and by May I had lost a reasonable amount of weight, which I maintained until October 2006. Then I started eating carbs and before I knew it, I gained all the weight back and then some. I restarted Atkins again this year properly (although I attempted to get back on track for ages and many months) in June 2007. I did really well and by the 10th of September, I had lost quite a bit of weight, nearly 20kilos. Nevertheless, once again, my brain managed to fool me and I slipped and cheated. Now I have regained about 3 kilos and I am really getting fed up. What I want to know is why I have this part of me that is determined to get off Atkins, and finds any excuse possible to eat carbs. Are we extremely addicted to sugar and is it impossible to overcome? How do I do Atkins, without wanting to find a way to quit and binge? How do we get our minds off food and onto other things, while at the same time following Atkins? How do we control food instead of food controlling us, even when we are trying to control food?

When you were on Atkins before, did you go through all the phases as described in the book or did you lose all your weight on Induction and then move to maintenance?

[dreamof145]

Re: How do we control food instead of food controlling us?

Megs is right. Dr. Atkins devised the program in 4 phases. Each phase is an important step in achiieving permanent weight loss and a new healthier attitude towards the changes you are making. Just as you would plan a vacation....you need to make out a plan of your new life-style ad put forth the effort for it to be successful. You said when you went back to eating as you had done previously...you gained. Thats why it is so important to make this a life-long way of eating, exercising and living.

Changing habits takes time. So, take babysteps, make a plan, know what you want to accomplish and what you must do to achieve it. Get support/motivation and make friends here in the ADBB. (Challenges, journals, success stories/photos, great people to be friends with and share your quest). Best wishes. You can do it.

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In essence, if we want to direct our lives, we must take control of our consistent actions. It's not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives, but what we do consistently.
Tony Robbins

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[dpaca]

Re: How do we control food instead of food controlling us?

OK, thanks for the replies. The fact of the matter is that I find myself incapable of moving into other phases of Atkins. For some strange reason I have a really big fear of leaving Induction. But, even when I am on induction my mind is always trying to find ways to get off it. Regardless of how hard I plan or how hard I try, at the back of my mind as soon as I start Atkins, there is a desire to consume large amounts of carbs. Once I have been on induction for the first week, that feeling diminishes slightly, however I find myself in a continuous battle trying to resist carbs and sugars that I don't really like that much anyway. So my question is: how do I overcome this? Will I always feel this way as long as I am depriving myself of carbs? However,I don't want to eat carbs, since if I consume them I go back to square one and find that I lose control of my eating very quickly. As for the planning, that makes me feel that my life revolves around food. I know this may sound crazy, but if anyone else has felt this way and managed to overcome it, then please let me know. I would really appreciate it.

[dreamof145]

Re: How do we control food instead of food controlling us?

You aren't alone in the way you feel. Habits are hard to change, but not impossible. First write out the foods that you are craving. Don't have them handy - so you won't be tempted to reach for them.

Habits (like smoking, drinking and 'trigger foods') are in our mind. The only way to get rid of a habit is to find something to replace it. What I did when I made the decision to lose the weight was find substitutes for the foods I craved. I did my clean induction and that helped a lot. My triggers were chips, pretzels, nuts). I replaced them with pepperoni chips, cheese chips and crunchy veggies.

Exercising when you get the urge will help with your mental attitude. It makes you feel good, feel and the better we feel about the changes we make, the easier it is to make those changes permanent. They say it takes about two - three weeks to become comfortable with a new choice.

Its not easy, but it does get easier. Be strong, write out affirmations for wanting to lose...write out what you need to change and write out what you need to do to make it happen. Take baby-steps and make a few changes at a time. This isn't a test, it is a life-style change. You can win the battle. We are all here to lend you support and encouragement. I found that getting involved with others is the best way to keep your own mind focused and on track. Don't give up. Get active, put your plan into action and Make it happen! Best wishes.

[dpaca]

Re: How do we control food instead of food controlling us?

You aren't alone in the way you feel. Habits are hard to change, but not impossible. First write out the foods that you are craving. Don't have them handy - so you won't be tempted to reach for them.

Habits (like smoking, drinking and 'trigger foods') are in our mind. The only way to get rid of a habit is to find something to replace it. What I did when I made the decision to lose the weight was find substitutes for the foods I craved. I did my clean induction and that helped a lot. My triggers were chips, pretzels, nuts). I replaced them with pepperoni chips, cheese chips and crunchy veggies.

Exercising when you get the urge will help with your mental attitude. It makes you feel good, feel and the better we feel about the changes we make, the easier it is to make those changes permanent. They say it takes about two - three weeks to become comfortable with a new choice.

Its not easy, but it does get easier. Be strong, write out affirmations for wanting to lose...write out what you need to change and write out what you need to do to make it happen. Take baby-steps and make a few changes at a time. This isn't a test, it is a life-style change. You can win the battle. We are all here to lend you support and encouragement. I found that getting involved with others is the best way to keep your own mind focused and on track. Don't give up. Get active, put your plan into action and Make it happen! Best wishes.

Thank you very much. That makes so much sense, and it is making me cry. I feel you really understand what I am going through, so thanks again for taking the time to write. I really feel much better after your advice. I was ready to go and starve myself or do something ridicules, but you have made me change my mind, which is probably also going to change my life. I guess I cannot relate on here how much this means to me but your words have really helped me today.