Brook--How to have long term success

[kelly50]

In a recent post you mentioned 95% of people regain the weight they lose on any diet within 5 years. That statistic is true and frankly scary! You have been successful on Atkins for so many years. I want to do everything I can do now to increase my odds that this weight stays off forever.

Would you share how you have maintained your weight loss for the last 4 years? Also, any advice on what we can do during the weight loss phase of Atkins that would increase the chance that this WOE continues as a WOL? I would appreciate the nitty, gritty, real deal answers not in DANDR about how you have/are doing it!

Thanks, Brook!

[Richt]

Re: Brook--How to have long term success

Can I answer this question too? As I have maintainted pretty much over the last 2 years?

For me, its been simple enough to maintain, as losing weight has been on of my most single greatest achievements. I have been so scared of putting it all back on again that I have kept to plan.

Fear of regaining it has helped me to keep it off. and I know for a fact that I will be like this forever. It means to much to me being how I am now.

Rich

(ps Brook, sorry for the hijack, although I am sure you can still answer)

[Hudson]

Re: Brook--How to have long term success

I'm gonna reply also - It's a free country you know .

I'm in for over 3 years and have mostly maintained my loss though I have gained as much as 20 of my 80 lb loss. I'm at about 70 down and actually losing a little right now.
What keeps me going is that I am totally sold on the idea that sugar is what is killing us. When I eat this way I am in control. Eat the carbs and completely lose control. I could fall off the wagon at any time I suppose. But there is no doubt that sugar is the killer and eating this way keeps the sugar away. And I really don't feel deprived in what I eat now. I enjoy what I eat more now than when I was on the sugar addiction.

Much of why I gained some back was learning what works and what must be avoided. LC Ice cream was a huge mistake for me. LC tortillas cost me several pounds. Buying boxes of LC bars a year or so ago when they all went on sale for 10 cents a piece was a bad idea. And buying large amounts of nuts was also a weight gainer. ( I never have in my possesion more than one serving of nuts - so I never have more than one serving). Even had some problems with sausage. I have learned how to eat a few apples and a little potatoe from time to time.

It can be done. The key for me is totally believing LC is the way to go.

[not2late]

Re: Brook--How to have long term success

I'm still getting to maintenance (almost there!) But during my losing time, I realized that you really need to take the time to learn about your body and how it reacts to food(s). This is why I think Atkins is great. If you go through all the phases as Dr. Atkins recommended, you get to learn how your body reacts to individual foods. Other diets don't do this.

[Brook]

Re: Brook--How to have long term success

Hi Kelly

I've been on Atkins now for 5 1/2 years. I removed the weight (over 90lbs of fat, but net loss of 82lbs), got down to goal and I've had two slip-ups in that time. Life bit me in the butt, I got lazy and distracted and the first time I put on 20lbs, the second time I put on 19lbs. I removed the 20lbs in 4 months and I'm 2 months into removing the 19lbs this time.

I threw that out there because I didn't want to come off as disingenuous. It's been a real struggle at times, but I've been largely successful and will continue to be!


If I'm going to indulge in something, I do it right (or horribly wrong LOL) - but I do it in SMALL amounts and I get back on track ASAP. That means I do eat birthday cake and icecream at a kids birthday party, but instead of eating a big 'ol piece, I eat a small piece. This is something I do *very* rarely. I am a carb addict. Always have been. Always will be. If I do do something like this, I know that it's going to be a hellish few days with cravings, so it's truly the exception and not the rule.

I do not use food to reward myself. I don't use it to punish myself either.

I keep a "before" picture in my bedroom and on the inside of a cupboard in my kitchen too. I make sure I'm reminded constantly of where I started to make sure it's where I *never* go again.

I do lots of reading on the boards. Even if I'm not posting regularly, I keep my ear to the ground in the low-carb community. It helps me stay positive and focused.

I really do believe that the garbage food is horrific for our health and that makes keeping on track easier too. The smell of the yeast in bread smells awful to me - and I love that!

I surf recipes often and like to try something new once a week or so. It keeps it interesting, staves off boredom, and reminds me that this is as interesting or as boring as I make it.

I still plan menus. This is something I never did when I was heavy, but it's been mega important to me in keeping on track.

I prep food on Sundays so there are no excuses to stray during the week.

I have incorporated exercise into my life- in some form or another- and it's as non-negotiable in my days as brushing my teeth. Sometimes I'm way more gang-busters about it than others, but I make sure I'm moving all the time.

I stick to whole, natural foods and I don't eat low-carb junk food. This is my day to day way of life. I don't pine away over things I "can't" have, because when I'm at weight, I can have anything I want. It's about choices.


Taking the time to go through the phases as Dr. Atkins prescribes is so essential, in my opinion, to long term success. Like Megs said- it really provides you with the opportunity to learn about your body - what you can and can't get away with- and how you react to foods. This information is vital.
It allows you to learn how to incorporate more starchy things into your diet and still stay on track!

I will never allow myself to get as unhealthy and heavy as I once did. It's just not worth it!

The others have all said things along the same lines - although I always tend to be the most in the group.

[ttdriver]

Re: Brook--How to have long term success

Jumpin' in to say I AM NOT A STATISTIC!!! I've been on Atkins since January 2002, a goalie since 12/24/2002 and actually lost 5# more after that. Successful maintenance boils down to this:

Dedication, Determination and Discipline.

Recognize that if you want to keep the weight off for good, then a PERMANENT lifestyle change is MANDATORY. You simply CANNOT go back to eating the way you ate before. Nor can you return to the "couch potato" lifestyle. Its really that simple. The foods/inactivity that put the weight on will do so again if you go back to them.

I've dedicated the rest of my life to eating LC and exercise. The rewards come with the effort. Changing your life is a journey that has no finish line.

Betty

[kelly50]

Re: Brook--How to have long term success

Thank you, Brook, for your response. Your knowledgeable advice and candid remarks are so helpful and doable. I so appreciate your willingness to share your experience with us who are new to this WOE!

Thank you to the very successful Atkins' members, Richt, Hudson, not2late, and Betty! Everything I learn helps me achieve my goal.

[sallyseachange]

Re: Brook--How to have long term success

I'll ditto everything the others have said, but underline Rich's post. I too stick with it out of fear. I'm terrified of going back to the way I once was, and this is my main incentive. I also believe totally that low carbing is a tremendously healthy way to eat and have come to love it. I don't feel deprived at all.

I've been on Atkins since Jan 2005 and maintaining for two years and two months.

[mothette]

Re: Brook--How to have long term success

I know that I didn't post the original question but I gotta thank everyone who responded. The more I read on the board the more I learn.

That statistic frightens me and I can see how easy it could be to fall into that. I have one example that happened to me this morning that could easily sum up how tricky my own mind is and could make me one of those statistics and even keep me from making it to goal in the first place. I was at a gas station and saw something very yummy on the counter. I sighed inwardly and with a great amount of sorrow thought "I'm never going to be able to eat those again." I lamented over it for about 10 minutes until it hit me that my own mind is tricking me up. It's not that I am never going to be able to eat them... it's that I SHOULDN'T ever eat them.

I'm honestly afraid that my warped and deceived dietary wants are going to use my own thoughts against me and trick me out of what I should be doing for the health and welfare of my body and life.

I hate the thought that I may have to fight myself for the rest of my life over foods that shouldn't even be a thought in my head. I'd prefer to get to the point in my life where looking at something like that doesn't automatically make me think of how good it tastes but rather make me see truth, that it's actually the death of my hopes, my dreams, and even my life.

It makes me wonder how much more of a roll "perspective" rather than "willpower" plays on our abitily to lose weight and live healthy.

[mystic]

Re: Brook--How to have long term success

I'm still getting to maintenance (almost there!) But during my losing time, I realized that you really need to take the time to learn about your body and how it reacts to food(s). This is why I think Atkins is great. If you go through all the phases as Dr. Atkins recommended, you get to learn how your body reacts to individual foods. Other diets don't do this.

Wow this is a very powerful statement that shouldn't go "un-pondered" by anyone. Sometimes I think we put all our eggs in the diet's basket, meaning, we give full power to the diet and none to ourselves.

When you believe you are not an active participant in the process and you do nothing but follow some prescribed set of steps, you indeed feel powerless and are not left with the sense that you're actually the one making the choices and controlling your destiny.

Not2late hits on this perspective: You have to take charge of your own knowledge, what works for you, what doesn't. I'm just getting started and it was great to be reminded about this because feeling powerful as a participant in the process has everything to do with my committment to the long-term success.

[Hudson]

Re: Brook--How to have long term success

mothette

Your views will change. Yesterday I watched those around me eat nochoes (chips with cheese), M&Ms, Snickers, Soda and a burger. What was I thinking. I was thinking that that junk was killing them. I have to catch myself or I will say "I can't believe you are eating that stuff". And yes those eating this stuff are over weight. There may always be some foods that tempt you. But your general view of sugar will change.

[dreamof145]

Re: Brook--How to have long term success

While I'm not a statistic either, (I still have 20 pounds to lose) I would like to add my 2 cents worth. To be successful it is necessary for each of us to change our way of thinking. I hated diets and exercise more than anything. I came into this plan with a 'hate me' attitude. But, throught the support and the friends I made here, I learned that you have to make changes and embrace the program. Instead of feeling deprived, do your homework and find out what you can eat and different ways to prepare it. Feel blessed that Dr. Atkins took the time and his knowledge to develop this way of eating so that those who need to get healthier and lose weight can do it without for the first time in their lives feeling like they will stay overweight the rest of their lives and be miserable cause they can never enjoy food again.

I also keep my before photos on my dresser, in my purse and on my frig. I keep inspirational quotes around the house. I have to plan my every move - where I go, what I do, when I'll eat and how I'll get exercise in. I have to. If I stop working my plan...it will quit working for me. I refuse to ever go back to the weight I started at. It is a fear that I think most of us have and it is a good fear. If we fear it enough, we won't take any chances to undo what we've worked our butts off literally to achieve.

Another important way to make this WOE/WOL (way of eating/living) permanently a part of our life is to give it back to others. Keep coming here, interacting, sharing and making friends with each other. It helps us stay focused. We all have the same feelings, frustrations, issues and ups/downs in our journeys. By making the ADBB a family...we not only help others by sharing our experiences...but we keep those emotions alive inside ourselves so we don't forget them. Each time I read a post from someone who is struggling...I remember all too well how they are feeling.

This is a never-ending journey that teaches us respect for ourselves and how to deal with people, food, emotions and our bodies. Educate yourself by reading, talking, listening and experimenting. Keep food journals, keep diaries and keep those friends who understand dear to your heart. Embrace this way of living and keep a positive attitude. This way of eating has saved my life. I am eternally grateful for it, Dr. Atkins and the ADBB.

[deec73]

Re: Brook--How to have long term success

Great thread. I love this dang place.