Please Help!

[7Miriam]

I am loosing my way. I lost 65 pounds, and now in the last two and a half days I've gained 6 pounds. I'm totally off track and eating all this bad stuff for me, and am going to be off all day today too since I've not done any preparation for the week and don't have appropriate food - and just b/c I know I will eat poorly again today. I feel stuffed and yucky. I'm in tears while writing this.

My husband may be loosing his job (b/c his employer is not doing well do to the economy), and things are so, so stressful for me now. He was blaming me for all his problems at work - but last night he finally said it was not all my fault an unfair what he was saying.

I feel so lost and afraid that if I can't find a way back soon I will undo all the good I have done for myself - but things are so hard at home now, I just don't know if I can get back on track soon. I know I should be stronger than this - but he is just wearing me down. He says he will try to stop, but he is in so much pain I don't know if he can.

[emmie30]

Re: Please Help!

Hi miriam, first off it sounds like your really going through it at the moment. Im noot much good for advice re getting back on track as im only on my third week but 65lb is a fantastic loss so far it proves just how strong you really are to have got this far. Why dont you plan a shopping trip for thisafternoon and focus on making a list of all the nice atkins friendly foods that you can eat and start afresh tonight or tomorrow morning. Most importantly we are all here if and when you need us.
Take care hun stay strong.x

[chinadoll]

Re: Please Help!

Miriam, I know how hard it can be when you are under such stress. Concentrate on improving one single thing for today. Maybe it is just drinking all your water and taking your vitamins. Maybe it is your exercise. Maybe it is having one or two meals on WOE today. Get through that and then do the same tomorrow, but add one more tiny thing to the list, like two "good"meals and a ten minute walk. If you try to do it all at once it may be overhwelming. Don't punish yourself for things that are out of control. You will feel worse in the end. Hang in there. You have come too far to give in because you are depressed and stressed. ((hug))

[letmetellya]

Re: Please Help!

Wow it sounds like a page right out of the life of any overweight person. I've struggled with these emotions all of my life and I too live with a person that sometimes takes their frustrations out on others. I will say that the Atkins diet is the only diet where I can have moments of emotional eating and not gain though. You must remember to stay in the no carb zone when you are having one of these situations. I have lost 75lbs while going through this terrible economy (my husband is in commission based sales job) and I just in the past two week gave up my Cigs to save money and my life. I know that with the power of the Atkins to control hunger pains and the success that I have so far that I can do this and I know you can too. Keep your head up and remember you gain more strenght with every pound you lose.
Phsyical Strength, Mental Strength, Emotional Strength

[Lisa]

Re: Please Help!

Don't let the beast of stress and depression take a hold of you or your husband. It's not an easy fight, but it's worth it. And remind him and yourself daily that you can only do what you can with what you have...and that is the love you have together.

[imagood1]

Re: Please Help!

I am loosing my way. I lost 65 pounds, and now in the last two and a half days I've gained 6 pounds. I'm totally off track and eating all this bad stuff for me, and am going to be off all day today too since I've not done any preparation for the week and don't have appropriate food - and just b/c I know I will eat poorly again today. I feel stuffed and yucky. I'm in tears while writing this.

My husband may be loosing his job (b/c his employer is not doing well do to the economy), and things are so, so stressful for me now. He was blaming me for all his problems at work - but last night he finally said it was not all my fault an unfair what he was saying.

I feel so lost and afraid that if I can't find a way back soon I will undo all the good I have done for myself - but things are so hard at home now, I just don't know if I can get back on track soon. I know I should be stronger than this - but he is just wearing me down. He says he will try to stop, but he is in so much pain I don't know if he can.

I forgot to add this link -- it's the forum for emotional eating support....it might help!! http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...eating-atkins/

I just read your post and feel for you -- it's so hard to be under such stress and doesn't help with your husband is blaming you. Just remember he is afraid so he's taking all his frustration out on your -- it's not right but it happens. Don't let this sabbotage all your hard work - you have come too far to give up now. This is one part of your life that you have full control over and right now you need that control. Take care of yourself, don't let the words in your house break you down. Good luck -- check in with me -- I'm always here to listen

Carole

[Lyssie]

Re: Please Help!

Hey Miriam. I hope you figured out a way to make today the first day of clean eating instead of another day of eating junkfood. I find that with everything else happening that at least there is some comfort in knowing that what I'm eating doesn't need to reflect my emotional state. Even if you don't eat *perfectly*, it's still better to eat clean whenever possible.

[7Miriam]

Re: Please Help!

I'm not doing well. I've regained 12 pounds. I don't feel like I can get back on track. I can't take off time from work during the next two weeks - but after that I'm going to try to take a few days off. I hope that I can calm down and get back on track during those days before I undo all my weight loss.

[Sunny_0ne]

Re: Please Help!

Miriam, I have really struggled to come up with something to say that would really make a difference for you.

I feel for you so deeply. The pain, disillusionment and disappointment must be overwhelming.

Nevertheless, imagood1 hit the nail on the head:

This is one part of your life that you have full control over and right now you need that control. Take care of yourself, don't let the words in your house break you down.

You can't control the economy. You can't control your husband's moods. But you CAN control what you eat. Maybe regaining control and getting back on Atkins will be the key that helps you gain a sense of control in other areas of your life, too.

Love and hugs to you.... don't beat yourself up. Just get back on as soon as you can.

[Peej]

Re: Please Help!

Sending out all the best of luck with this economic situation. You'll have lots of support here! I lost my job and had to move back in with my carb-addict family. It was the reason that I stopped doing Atkins my first serious time around. Between the stress, depression, family trouble, and having tons and tons of carby foods around, I gained back every pound I lost and then some. It is a horrible feeling to realize that you've undone all of your progress. For me, it made it even harder to restart because it basically destroyed any confidence I had in myself.

At the time, the carbs felt great and it was so convenient to not have to put as much effort into cooking. However, in the long run, it just made my moods less stable, and it put my self-esteem down the toilet. It took me a long time to get back on track but all it takes is one conscious decision to replace the easy choice with the good choice. Then the next time, its easier, and before you know it you don't miss it anymore. Its harder than it sounds (it took me nearly a year) but it can surely be done.

I definitely feel for you and your situation. Times are really tough right now. My best advice at this point is just try to remember all the good things that happen on this WOE. Remember that high you got when you first realized that you were shrinking or the relief you felt when food didn't control your life? Those are things that will help you get through this.

Also, a more personal suggestion is to try to get more exercise, preferably with your husband! Maybe you could make a deal with him to go for walks together where money is off the table for conversation. Its great for stress and you can just take 10 minutes out of your day to do that. I'm not really qualified to give any relationship advice, but I know I feel loads better after a bit of exercise. When I get upset about something, that is the way I put myself back into a stable mood.

Though I am unmarried and my situation is not exactly like yours, my advice comes from a very personal place. I can certainly relate to being blamed and economic stress. I think all of us have been there at some point or another. I'm still struggling to find a permenant job and Atkins has helped me immensely. I needed the extra confidence and energy.

My heart goes out to you. I hope that you find a way to get back on track. It will probably be one of the best things you can do for yourself.

[7Miriam]

Re: Please Help!

Thank you all! Reading your responses really helps.

I've been off for 3 weeks now and regained 20 pounds. Things are still very difficult with my husband and his job situation and it is very hard to find peace in my home. But I am going to start Atkins again today. I'm so upset about things, but I still have not regained 45 of the pounds I lost, and I'm trying to tell myself to restart now before it gets even worse and I regain it all.

I feel physically bad from this extra weight and feel so much more emotional about things and don't sleep as well since stopping Atkins. I am going to try very hard to restart today.

[liv]

Re: Please Help!

Don't beat yourself up of what happened. Things happen. Look forward. You can change what happens from now on and you know you are strong enough. And that is what counts. Glad to see you back.

[Georgiana]

Re: Please Help!

Glad to see you back too. Good luck!

[Kathi22]

Re: Please Help!

You, like many of us, use food to subdue emotions. One thing I do for help when I want a comfort food fix is eat something still Atkins friendly but something I keep in moderation like pepperoni crisps with melted mozz cheese and pizza quick; or a few "shots" of whipped cream. I am learning that food is a temp fix. Stay strong, stay in control, and keep thinking of all the positives for you and your body and I know you are strong enough to do this!

Can I just tell you, from someone who has gone through some financial burdens during this economic hardships that you can not not control what may happen. I work for a financial institution and quite frankly, I hate the instability of my career. It is natural to worry but don't let it consume you. You simply can not change nor control what is bound to happen - but you can control how you react to it and how you handle it. What I do instead is cut back majorly on all spending and make a financial lifestyle change. I tell myself that I have my health and my famil; and money is a minor issue in comparison. I even think worse case scenario of what if I lose my house? What will we do? Well, we will stick together and down size our lifestyle. It isn't over, we are still here and we will still have health and love. Money is over, and even then, we can find a way to make it work so we can live with the basics. Hope it looks brighter for you soon - get back on, imagine how you will feel when you are in control of YOU! Keep us posted and good luck!

[lisau39]

Re: Please Help!

7Miriam please hang in there sweetie. I know you are going through rough times but please don't give up on yourself. You are too special and have come too far.
Like Carole said, you can't control the other things around you, hubby and economy, but you can take control of you. You are worth the effort darlin. You have lost a lot of weight and will continue to do so. Please hang tough. I'm here if you need to chat. Let me know and I will call you. Or e-mail me. I want to help. I want to reach out to hug you and tell you all will get better.
Good luckk my friend.

(((lisa)))