Finding it hard to take care of myself

[tracymitch]

Hey all.
I'm so glad I found this board. It's given me a lot to think about and some great tips.

For the past 2 months, I've been cheating on my WOE. I don't know why, but it seems to be triggered when I move to OWL. I'm not sure if it's the berries or what, but for some reason, I feel it's ok to "have just one" Dorito since it's part of my husband's lunch.

I work almost 50 hrs a week, and have a very active 10 month old. If I don't stay on top of the shopping and the cooking, my WOE goes by the wayside. But it's almost like I justify me having "no time" to sneak in a bowl of Cheerios here and there.

I'm not sure if this is making any sense, but I'm just having a hard time not going back to the carbs. I did great all last week, then someone from work brought in a huge bag of candy near the end of my work day. I was very hungry and stressed, and I swear I thought I was in heaven when I saw the bag. Of course I downed about 10 of those bite-sized candy bars. I felt terrible after that, but proceeded to stay off the WOE all day.

I'm not sure if I'm asking for advice or just venting. I'm reading a lot of these posts which are really great, and getting more recipe ideas. So thanks for being here!

[*Emma*]

Re: Finding it hard to take care of myself

Sounds like your venting, it's hard to offer advice on what you need to do when you already know!

When these things are around you are there other legal snacks nearby?

When you want this enough, you will do it - it's only you that can make the decision tho!

[tracymitch]

Re: Finding it hard to take care of myself

Emma: thanks for replying. You look awesome.

That's a great question, about the snacks being around with other legal snacks nearby. No, I find myself not having any legal snacks around other than cheese sticks, which I'm afraid to eat too much of. But I found a great website that was suggested here and the owner posted tons of great ideas. So I'm going to have plenty of "good snacks" handy for me.

I get worried when I replace "atkins snacks" for bad snacks. Almost like I'm not getting rid of the habit like I should be, but am continuing to perpetuate the need for snacking. Or maybe my body is just hungry and needs a little something. Maybe I'm just overthinking!!!

[Alexa]

Re: Finding it hard to take care of myself

Hi there,

It sounds like you are one busy lady so congrats for sticking with this WOL at all

It sounds to me like you might be kind of re-addicting yourself to carbs sporadically when you are stressed and do not have legal snack to hand. It really helps me to think of it this way - the long you stay away from the cheats the less you will want them, your body truly gets rid of the cravings after a certain time. Eventually they become like part of the scenery. This is even more true if you are always prepared with other legal snacks.

Best of luck

[Aya]

Re: Finding it hard to take care of myself

So you're fine on induction and it's when you move on you struggle? Do you see a good loss on induction?
Usually being in ketosis and seeing a nice loss sets you up to go foe a while as you travel slowly up the rungs. I suggest you reread the book bit by bit - take it into the loo with you even if you have no other time! I found when I was being too loose that helped to inspire me and get my mind right. But I totally understand where you're coming from with the need to snack when you're busy/stressed. It's normal but something we have to watch for and CAN control. Celery's a big help for me - I have a cut-up bag ready for danger-moments and the crunchiness and just moving my jaw often distracts me from zoning in on the cake/choc. Veg snacks are so helpful to have around, keep a yummy dip nearby too or just use some mayo.
Also, remember this as you're about to cheat (I learned this big-time two weeks ago with a cake cheat) - that ONE BITE will set off cravings you just don't need! You may think it's just one, but know that it's not. So try to never have that first bite. If you don't distract with veg, have tea or decaf. Learn about yourself and how to handle yourself. It's hard when you're busy and don't feel your time is your own. But you can do it!!!!! Good luck!

[Elizellen]

Re: Finding it hard to take care of myself

The others have given great advice, so all I will add is this.

Try not to let yourself decide that once you have eaten one thing off-plan that you might as well carry on for that day and start again 'tomorrow'.

Make your very next bite an induction-legal one each time you find yourself giving in so that you get right back on that Atkins wagon!!

[Aya]

Re: Finding it hard to take care of myself

Elizellen, that's such a great point and something I've noticed is that when I was bigger (and I was a lot more than 132lb when I was in my teens) I had a much harder time saving the day after a cheat because when you have a lot to lose that mountain just seems insurmountable after one thing going wrong. But as you get closer to goal (and you look so slim and lovely btw) you have the good-feeling to cling onto and get you back on track more quickly. It's a little ironic, isn't it...am I making any sense or just waffling?(^0^))
So you have to try double-hard when you have more to lose.

[dreamof145]

Re: Finding it hard to take care of myself

Its so much easier to justify a 'cheat' when you are out of your comfort zone (home). Make a list of things you can keep in your desk or purse that you can eat whenever those around you are eating things that aren't in your plan. If your office has a small frig, keep cut-up veggies or baggies of meat that you can snack on when they are tempting you. I'd suggest keeping a 'motivation notebook' in your desk also. Have your goal photo and written out reasons why you want to lose the weight. Inspirational quotes and phrases also lend a lot of motivation when you are feeling down. You can do it, the doritos and other temptations will always be around, but you can change your attitude about them and have positive actions available to work through those times. Best wishes.