I don't want to throw in the towel...any boost?

[Kathi22]

I feel done. I don't like to post negative but I am so discouraged right now I just want to be done. I can't get motivated and stay on plan. I have never had this happen to me before where I stray so much and go unplanning meals. I don't want to check completely out, I want to get back into the game but I am having a really hard time getting motivated to do so. Any suggestions?

Thanks for the support everyone.

[Katie_1985]

Re: I don't want to throw in the towel...any boost?

Don't check out! You're in total control but BELIEVE that you are and it will be easy. Try to rid your house of any temptation and drink tons of water! It helps to stay full!If you even get through the first 5 days it becomes evident why we're all doing this! You will see results!

[Sunny_0ne]

Re: I don't want to throw in the towel...any boost?

Kathi, what keeps me going, in spite of the terribly slow weight loss, is looking at all the benefits I've gained.

I used to not be able to sleep at night. Now I sleep like a baby all night long.

My skin used to be dry and flaky. Now it is a lot more normal.

My cholesterol and triglycerides were through the roof. I have not had them checked yet, but based on what everyone else has reported, I know they are a lot lower. I will check them next month so I can see the difference in black and white.

By blood pressure is perfect now.

I used to retain a lot of water and my ankles were always swollen. Now I can't believe what tiny ankles I have.

I used to have frequent attacks of diarrhea. That is completely gone now.

I have decided that if I were never to lose another pound, I would still eat this way because of the tremendous boost in my health.

But I know I WILL continue to lose weight. It will just be a lot slower than most people. But this time next year, it will all be long gone and I will be at goal.

So please don't give up. There's so much at stake.

[Fizgig]

Re: I don't want to throw in the towel...any boost?

Do you like to cook? I really enjoy the incredibly luxurious food, and being able to eat it without any worry. How about hitting the store and splurging a bit on your favorite meal - leg of lamb, porterhouse, whatever floats your boat. Roast some peppers and make your favorite salad. Savor all the colors on your plate and dig in!

Just a thought, but maybe reveling in great food would recharge your batteries a bit.

[not2late]

Re: I don't want to throw in the towel...any boost?

What phase are you in?

If you are doing "extended Induction", it might be time to move to OWL Phase. There is no real advantage in doing "extended Induction". It does not guarantee "faster" weight loss or a more "steady" weight loss. In fact, many people find they have less weight loss snags when they move to OWL after the 2 Week Induction. Furthermore there's less food boredom on OWL: fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, etc. are all legal OWL foods.

[liv]

Re: I don't want to throw in the towel...any boost?

Try this thread

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/main-atkins-diet-forum/42078-what-excuse-do-you-have.html

[basketballbelly]

Re: I don't want to throw in the towel...any boost?

What has helped me in the past is just to have the 'just do it' attitude. Really, I keep making excuses but know I need to get back on track...I have to literally tell myself to pick a day and just get it done already, it actually works. Then I just take it a day at a time until I start to feel better about my choices, I always start off not counting anything but carbs...I eat eat eat until I'm full and even at those times that I am full and just want to eat, I eat as long as it is low carb and not processed. When I've fallen like you have I have to get through the first three days low carbing...I eat everything low carb I love, eggs, cheese sauce (cheese with heavy cream melted together) bacon, hamburger, diet jello for sweetness...I know that day four is mentally easier for me so I make the first three days as unthreatening as possible. I do not start counting induction days until I'm done with my low carb binge, but once over those first three days I can start day one of induction.

It works for me...

bbb

[Kathi22]

Re: I don't want to throw in the towel...any boost?

Thanks everyone. I was really upset last night when a good friend of mine started pointing out all the negative deprivations - and she is very uninformed about Atkins. My DH wanted to go to a mexican place for a bite to eat and we all know this is all white flour! I missed that occasional mexican meal with nachos and started believing that I was depriving myself. But you know what, I am depriving myself more from happiness and an active lifestyle by being so over weight. I have been depriving myself from my mini goal to lose 66 pounds because I keep going off plan. I am not gaining anything from this - but weight!

I decided to not allow my blues to take me over completely. I had a temporary mental set back and got back on the horse this AM. Not2late, thank you for mentioning the rungs - I really need to do this! I am going to spend the next two weeks on strict induction while re-reading the book and moving through the rungs as I am supposed to.

I wrote out my meals for the week for dinner on our fridge board. I went to the grocery store and got our meat, veggies, and fish for the week. I am 26 pounds from reaching my mini goal and I WILL do this no matter how long it takes. Then, I can make another mini goal for myself until I am down the entire amount. Thanks again, I really needed this!

[liv]

Re: I don't want to throw in the towel...any boost?

Way to go Kathi.
As with everything we do we all have our moments of weaknesses but, as you did, keeping the goal in mind does help.

[HoustonMommy]

Re: I don't want to throw in the towel...any boost?

Maybe try to make eating fun again. Light some candles and make yourself something yummy that is still within the guidelines. Lobster w/butter, steak w/veggies, crab legs, shrimp, whatever you like. Reward yourself for all of your hard work to date and let yourself relax. It always seems easier to curb those cravings when you aren't as stressed or anxious about life issues.

Every one of us have moments of "weakness", especially when under pressure from friends/family. Just take time over the next few weeks to think about how losing this weight will benefit you and remember all of the good things you've already accomplished!

[Sunny_0ne]

Re: I don't want to throw in the towel...any boost?

Kathi, so GLAD to see you got past the blues.

Yes, we all do get them, but it feels so good the next morning when you know you stayed on track.

So here's to a wonderful Atkins day filled with all kinds of yummy, legal foods!

And kudus to you!!!!!!!!

[rajenki]

Re: I don't want to throw in the towel...any boost?

Great job Kathi!

[keriann_forgoodthistime]

Re: I don't want to throw in the towel...any boost?

Thanks everyone. I was really upset last night when a good friend of mine started pointing out all the negative deprivations - and she is very uninformed about Atkins. My DH wanted to go to a mexican place for a bite to eat and we all know this is all white flour! I missed that occasional mexican meal with nachos and started believing that I was depriving myself. But you know what, I am depriving myself more from happiness and an active lifestyle by being so over weight. I have been depriving myself from my mini goal to lose 66 pounds because I keep going off plan. I am not gaining anything from this - but weight!

good for you for getting right back on. i think we all have days like that - but look at your siggy - you've lost 40 POUNDS!!!!!!!!!!!! how INCREDIBLE is that!???? You, my friend, are absolutely FABULOUS for having lost 40 pounds! Do you really want to throw in the towel and gain it back?...I can almost guarantee that you will, if you go back to eating any other way...

i know - for me - i keep thinking about summer and ice cream...and how hard it'll be for me to stay away from the ice cream shops - and yes, i feel like i'm "depriving" myself - but at the same time - I then look at all the positives. You should do this - write down all the GOOD things you LOVE about doing atkins...for example - for me - all of this TOTALLY outweighs those negative feelings:

1. I've lost 14 pounds in 2.5 months. I think back that if I wouldn't have started atkins - and i'd have tried low fat diet "starting tomorrow" and more'n likely woulda GAINED weight instead...

2. I'm wearing my "skinny" jeans that I thought I'd NEVER EVER wear again (was in 17's now in 13's)...

3. While I may feel "deprived" about certain foods - there are other foods I'd never have DREAMED of eating on a low-fat diet - and these foods are INCREDIBLE!!! (real butter - full fat mayo - lots of olive oil - fattier meats - all the vegees I want without having to "weigh" or "measure" them...)

4. My grocery bill has gone WAY down now that I'm only buying whole foods and not junk.

5. I LOVE what I see in the mirror...

6. I KNOW that while it may take 1 pound a week - I WILL be 160 lbs again! the fact is that the way i'm eating is SO freakin' easy - and i'm NOT obsessing like i used to - that I FINALLY feel "normal" and i AM losing about 1 pound a week! Unlike being on a low-fat diet where it didn't work...

7. I know that atkins IS healthy. Our body NEEDS fat - NOT carbs. Grains and refined sugar wasn't even available until the 1900's and yet it's the 1900's when all the diseases we deal with EXPLODED!! Once low-fat diets became the "rage" and people stopped eating fat - what happened to society? Heart disease became the number 1 killer!

The list goes on and on and on. I know for me - I've already decided that there is just absolutely NO choice. I can NOT go back to the way I USED to eat - because look at where that got me. 197 pounds and a size 17. That's what eating bread and high carbs got me to. Do I REALLY want to go back there? NO!

You CAN do this. My suggestion is to go to Linda's Website and print off a bunch of new recipes (i made her coconut chicken last week and omg FABULOUS!!!)

You CAN do this and it IS worth it!!!!

[muzza]

Re: I don't want to throw in the towel...any boost?

well i used to have a notorious sweet tooth. go on chockalate and ice cream binges etc most of the time i ate these things i relised i didnt even enjoy them .and i used to get really weak and tired feeling in the afternoons before atkins .now im in my 4th week of extended induction and my biggest problem is trying to eat enough calories so i dont go into starvation mode .i mean i just dont get hunger like i used to b4 atkins i dont get weak in the afternoons anymore and i generally feel great [ stable ].i have the occasional off day where i think damn i gotta eat all this food etc because at my bodyweight of 151 kgs my bmr is about 2800 calories a day .so i dont wanna go much below that number .but i can see this woe is working i feel way better than i used to when i was full of caffeine 'sugar'and carbs.and to be honest eating that way for so many years scares me when i think what it does to your body and also social life etc.so just try to look at the longer term gains you will make on atkins for me im due to get married next may and i wanna look good in a suit again for my fiance think positive and change will happen . muz

[Kathi22]

Re: I don't want to throw in the towel...any boost?

Muz, Keriann, Sunnyone, and Rajenki - THANK YOU! I realy, really needed to read this. I was so reluctant to post something negative for support but that is why we are all here, and I sure am glad I did.

I am on day 2 of induction and I feel great. I really think the going off and on plan is what gave me the blues - because my mindset is 100% back now. I have lost 40 pounds, and 2 weeks ago it was 47 so I know first hand how fast the weight can come back on. Granted, I had a female dilemma the day I weighed so I think I really gained back 4 pounds and not 7 - but it doesn't matter. The bottom line is, I gained some back that fast and I have to spend the next week or so taking it back off. !!!!

I NEVER want to gain the 40 back. I made a promise to a friend and to myself that when I am in maintenance, the minute I go up 5 pounds I have to come back. And this little promise, doesn't go into effect for another 111 pound loss; so I have a long way to go. Just 8 months ago, I was 40 pounds heavier and that is definitely better then mexican, pizza, fries, or ice cream (my favorite carb and sugar filled downfalls!!) So again, thank you to all of you. I feel fantastic again.