Scared to start

[Valinerya]

How silly is this? I'm not ready to post my introduction post, since I'm scared to even get started

I followed the Atkins program a few years ago, with great success. I let a lot of other stuff get in the way though, and my weight has skyrocketed back up, with pounds to spare. I smoke as well, and my high weight combined with the cancer sticks means that last week I was put on blood pressure medication.

I'm only 35. I shouldn't be having blood pressure issues.

So here I sit, afraid to step on the scale and see what my true weight is. I'm scared I'll fail. I'm scared I'll succeed, and have a ton of loose skin and not recognize the face staring back at me. I hate being overweight, I hate the smoking, and I'd love to give up both.

I don't know why I'm posting this, other than to try and reach out and tell people that I'm here. I'm reading these boards avidly, I have my DANDR sitting in front of me... I just need to start.

What if I'm ugly when I'm thin? What if I never get thin? What if I do quit smoking and follow Atkins, and I feel terrible?

Bleah.

If this is in the wrong place, please feel free to move it. And thanks for listening to my whining.

[Mick2360]

Re: Scared to start

It is natural to feel anxiety before stating a new commitment, I know I did! I think you'll find things a bit different here due to the level of support that you will get. Take it one step at a time, ask for help when you need it and trust in yourself that you have the wisdom and strength to fulfill your dreams. Change is always scary. The ONLY WAY you can fail is not to start.

Check out the before/after forum. There are some really beautiful people who were, not so long ago, feeling exactly the way that you are now.

Regards,
Mick

[chinadoll]

Re: Scared to start

Val, it sounds like you are afraid of change. Change is hard and the unknown is hard, but what have you got to lose? Do you feel great while smoking and being heavy? Do you think the damage you are doing to your health is going to make you feel better? Of course not. You already know this.

Look... getting on the scale is hard and depressing. Try this...Do you have a friend who you trust who could read the scale and write down the number for you? Then tuck it into an envelope and put it away for a month. Then, a month into a clean start on Atkins, open it. Yeah the number will be depressing, but by then the amount you have lost will serve as a positive and you will be motivated to continue.

Or bypass the scale and just go by clothing size. (I know measuring can be tough too) You already know the sizes so just concentrate on doing this WOE correctly and the losses will take care of themselves.

I can almost guarantee you will feel better after five days on Atkins. As far as being ugly goes, the only true measure of beauty is what's inside, not outside. Learning to be OKAY with yourself no matter what you look like is big and necessary if you are to be happy. Sending a big hug to you for moral support and a swift kick to say, c'mon--stop stalling and join the Atkins nation.

[imagood1]

Re: Scared to start

Hi and welcome -- once you are ready to start and commit yourself to follow the plan you will have great success. Not to overwhelm you but here is a little information once you are ready to start.

We follow the 2002 Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution (DANDR). At the top of the induction page you’ll find a condenced version of the book - http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/5781-before-you-begin-atkins-nutritional-approach.html.

If a food isn’t listed on the acceptable food don’t eat it. Look at the ingredients list and check it against the acceptable food list -- just because something says "low carb" doesn't mean you can eat it. Count "net carbs" not whole carbs (carb minus fiber = net carbs).

The recipe sites are a helpful meal planning tool – just make sure you use Induction Recipes to begin with.

Recipe Sites
http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/menus.html (Linda’s)
(Never ending induction recipes)(Never ending induction recipes)http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/58513-never-ending-induction-recipes.html (Induction recipes)
(Induction Recipe Basics--More recipes added)(Induction Recipe Basics--More recipes added)http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/6807-induction-recipe-basics-more-recipes-added.html (Induction Recipe Basics)

If you need anything we’re here to help you!! The moderators are excellent sources of anything and everything Atkins and they enjoy helping everyone. Good luck to you!

[NoDakMama]

Re: Scared to start

I completely understand your thoughts. I am also scale-aphobic! Being overweight stinks! But remember that the numbers on a scale are just that - numbers. Knowing the numbers doesn't change a thing in and of itself. But it is important to know right now so that you can somewhat gauge your progress. You have all of the tools you need to start and you've come to the right place for support. Nobody here is going to judge you in any way, everyone is here to help each other. I commend you for taking the first step - reaching out and recognizing your desire to change your WOL! Way to go! Now just take it one step at a time and you'll do great!

[Valinerya]

Re: Scared to start

I'm a single mother of two, and the kids are away for the summer, so I'll need to look at the scale number myself. I'm thinking of figuring out how my camera works, so I can put it on a timer and take a couple pics of myself as I am right now.

I don't know if quitting smoking and going on Atkins at the same time is a good idea - worried about the freak out. Maybe after the first 72 hours of being smoke free (that's the hardest time) I can begin Atkins and maybe I'll feel good about doing so much good stuff for myself.

Okay. I'm getting my scale out right now and stepping on it. At least I'll have that part done.

[Valinerya]

Re: Scared to start

Oh wow.

267.4.

Yes, I have clothes on and it's night time, but yuck.

I'm about 5'9". Way too high.

Heading to the before/after forums for some much needed motivation.

[cafe_et_creme]

Re: Scared to start

Why dont you take measurements instead of stepping on the scale?

[pinkfusion]

Re: Scared to start

I havent read any of the responses but all I would tell you is to not think too far ahead. I would just deal with the issues as they come along (IF they come along) and take that first step. It seems like you are intimidating yourself out of starting..

[Eama]

Re: Scared to start

If I were you, I would start Atkins, do it for a week or two and then quit smoking. Two weeks of strict Atkins will give you a lot of motivation and you will feel so much better. It's easier to quit smoking when you feel good otherwise.

I smoked for 15 years... from 180 pounds up to 350. If I didn't quit, I'd probably be dead already. I'm not preaching, just saying that it is possible. And you can do it if you put your mind to it.

[Elsie150]

Re: Scared to start

So much good advice here I am only going to address the loose skin one since that went through my mind in the beginning.

Hon..right now you probably don't look the best clothed or naked...but by the end you will look HOT clothed and the naked part could be taken care of with surgery if it was that bad. I think age and how long you have been overweight will factor in as well. For instance I have been overweight for 21 years...my skin is does not have the elastic in it to shrink back to the size it was meant to be. Oh well...I am feeling better..I will slowly be looking better and I am energized. Drink you water and exercise. That helps as well. Oh...and keep posting...for yourself and to others. You will be surprised how motivating motivating others can be. Best of luck...you are worth it.

[msanjelpie]

Re: Scared to start

• I followed the Atkins program a few years ago, with great success.
• I'm only 35. I shouldn't be having blood pressure issues.
• I hate being overweight, I hate the smoking, and I'd love to give up both.
• What if I'm ugly when I'm thin?
• What if I never get thin?
• What if I do quit smoking and follow Atkins, and I feel terrible?

How much weight did you lose on Atkins the first time around? Did you ever get to the non-obese category?

Do you feel ugly now?

What if you stay fat forever? What if you get diabetes?

Did you feel terrible when you did Atkins the first time?

[RitaCeleste]

Re: Scared to start

I have a little baggy effect now, but nothing like the pics of people that go to a doc for surgery. I think it will be less when I get the last little bit of weight off. Over all, its NOTHING like I feared it would be. My belly button isn't even frowning. And you can stop loosing weight anytime you are happy with how you look. If that's at a size 16, so what? Get started, take as much time as you need to. Sometimes I went off the diet because I felt comfortable with how I looked, or I wanted to give my skin time to adjust. Sometimes I just wanted to enjoy my clothes before I got too little for them! I am suprized more people don't have stepback from the diet for emotional reasons as their looks changes. I did/do sometimes. But I am glad I did start and I'm happy here.

[Rayley]

Re: Scared to start

I felt the same way you're feeling when i first started like to the T!! I would just stick out the first two weeks (induction) and i can pretty much gaurentee you'll feel ALOT better, not only that but with me i have smoked WAY less and i am on the verge of almost down to quitting! maybe 1 here and there, i know this doesn't happen with all people on atkins, but since being on this diet, it doesn't make me want to smoke at all!! its wonderful. because i also want to quit smoking. i wish you the best of luck!! i know you can do it!!

[tracyc]

Re: Scared to start

good luck