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  • #1

    Lesson Learned. Why I can't cheat...

    I posted this in another thread, but think it warrants its own thread so that others can learn from my terrible mistakes between June 16th and last week (when I finally got on track). I had incredible results from March 17th to Father's Day (June 16th), and lost about 50 lbs. I got confident/cocky on Father's Day and cheated through my own decision-making/fault. The day after, I weighed in at the same number, so I figured what the heck, one more day of cheating won't be bad if I didn't gain anything (i.e. water weight) from a day of cheating. Then I started the self-delusional thoughts of perhaps those people who believe in a weekly "carb-up" were onto something. To make matters worse, the veins in my biceps and forearms were bulging, which I knew was from the carb-up. I got a couple of compliments on my arms and I figured, hey, this isn't so bad.

    I would be cheat-free through the day, and ravenous at night, and would eat peanut butter, crackers, ice cream and everything else I shouldn't have. My weight (thankfully) stayed the same, but I was feeling terrible. I wasn't sleeping, my hip started hurting again, and my face felt puffy. I felt like a smaller, doughy version of my old 240 pound self. I'm finally back in ketosis and feeling great (and down to 187). I don't want to (and will not) go through that ever again.

    Yes, some of us can cheat and have the discipline/willpower/fortitude to get right back on the horse. Sadly, I am not one of them, and I think I'm in the majority.

    Please learn from my lesson. I just wonder how much closer I'd be to my goal (if not already at it) if I didn't go through this 6 weeks of nonsense:

    • M/37
    • Started March 17, 2009
    • Pounds lost to date: 57
    • Pounds to go: 15
    Tags: can't, cheat..., learned., lesson
  • #2
    Re: Lesson Learned. Why I can't cheat...

    Thanks for posting slapshot. It's great perspective for all of us!
    Start date: June 26, 2009

    September Strength Challenge 30/600
    September Stability Ball Challenge 40/200
    September Water Challenge (80 oz/day) 9/30

    August Strength Challenge 600/600 (Just barely...but YAY!)

    Mini-goals:
    Size 12...7/10/2009!
    Size 10...
    Size 8...


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    • #3
      Re: Lesson Learned. Why I can't cheat...

      Thank you for posting that, Slapshot. I know how it feels to eat crow, and it's very cool of you to show others a common downfall. I suspect the fact that you're holding yourself accountable is going to make you even stronger than before.

      Start date: 03/14/09
      Goal #1 - 260 - Met 04/12/09! Goal #4 - 230 - Met 08/03/09!
      Goal #2 - 250 - Met 05/22/09! Goal #5 - 220 - Met 01/29/10 FINALLY!
      Goal #3 - 240 - Met 06/20/09! Goal #6 - 210

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      • #4
        Re: Lesson Learned. Why I can't cheat...

        "...those people who believe in a weekly "carb-up" were onto something...."

        CKD are very difficult because of knowing when to break the carb up without laying fat. It takes great effort during a carb up to measure your self constantly with calipers and "feel" when your body has had enough.
        Suffice to say: "the veins in my biceps and forearms were bulging, which I knew was from the carb-up. I got a couple of compliments on my arms and I figured, hey, this isn't so bad."

        "...Yes, some of us can cheat and have the discipline/willpower/fortitude to get right back on the horse. Sadly, I am not one of them, and I think I'm in the majority...."

        Maybe some of us can Cheat, but maybe some of us do not consider it cheating, but use a carb up as an alternative to the use of anabolic steroids, growth hormone and IGF-1 Insulin factors. Maybe some of us see a carb up as sort of a performance enhancing tool or medicine.
        sigpic Me, at 195 lb. September 24, 2009. It's 5:30 a.m. and can't wait to hit the coffee.

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        • #5
          Re: Lesson Learned. Why I can't cheat...

          Norman - agreed. I understand that probably 1% of the people here know how to do a CKD cycle correctly, as you do. I also recognize that it's not "cheating" if done correctly, so I didn't mean to include proper CKD cycling in the bucket of cheat. Certainly what I did was cheating, and not anything like CKD.

          Thank you for posting that, Slapshot. I know how it feels to eat crow, and it's very cool of you to show others a common downfall. I suspect the fact that you're holding yourself accountable is going to make you even stronger than before.
          Thanks for posting slapshot. It's great perspective for all of us!
          Thanks for the support. It's hard to look in the mirror at my failings, and it's even harder to be public about them. However, when I read posts about people struggling with the decision to knowingly cheat or go off plan for a while, or even to delay getting back on it, I think of the chart I posted above and want to scream to them that it was not worth it for me.
          • M/37
          • Started March 17, 2009
          • Pounds lost to date: 57
          • Pounds to go: 15

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Lesson Learned. Why I can't cheat...

            That graphic says it all...much better than words. Thanks for sharing.
            Female, 54, 5'6" START DATE: 22JUL09




            Journal of a Shrinking Foodie
            Stats of a Shrinking Foodie

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            • #7
              Re: Lesson Learned. Why I can't cheat...

              Originally posted by mizski View Post
              That graphic says it all...much better than words. Thanks for sharing.
              Yes, the graphic does say it all, sadly...

              The silver lining here is I wonder if my CCLM/ACE is high given that I was cheating virtually every night and didn't gain weight. We'll see what happens once I finish progressing through the rungs and enter into pre-maintenance and maintenance.
              • M/37
              • Started March 17, 2009
              • Pounds lost to date: 57
              • Pounds to go: 15

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Lesson Learned. Why I can't cheat...

                On your graph, I noticed the flat line, the part almost devoid of concavity. It still had a slight negative slope to it, though.

                I strongly advise, whom ever is reading this post, not to attempt a CKD.
                sigpic Me, at 195 lb. September 24, 2009. It's 5:30 a.m. and can't wait to hit the coffee.

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Lesson Learned. Why I can't cheat...

                  Sometimes we just have to learn the hard lessons for ourselves. You did that and survived to tell the tale.

                  If you hadn't been hitting the exercise so hard since the very start and built a lot of muscle, you would have experienced weight gain.

                  Congratulations on getting back on track!
                  People who say it can't be done, should not interrupt those doing it.


                  "Some men give up their designs when they have almost reached the goal; While others, on the contrary, obtain a victory by exerting, at the last moment, more vigorous efforts than ever before."
                  ~~Herodotus


                  Doin' the "Real Deal" Atkins 2002 since 9/15/2005
                  Sunny's Secrets: My Journal



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                  • #10
                    Re: Lesson Learned. Why I can't cheat...

                    Originally posted by SunnySmile501 View Post
                    Sometimes we just have to learn the hard lessons for ourselves. You did that and survived to tell the tale.

                    If you hadn't been hitting the exercise so hard since the very start and built a lot of muscle, you would have experienced weight gain.

                    Congratulations on getting back on track!
                    Survive is a good word to use. I can't believe it took me 6 weeks to get back on track. Believe it or not, restarting was harder than starting in the first place! If that doesn't scare me straight I don't know what will....!
                    • M/37
                    • Started March 17, 2009
                    • Pounds lost to date: 57
                    • Pounds to go: 15

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Re: Lesson Learned. Why I can't cheat...

                      Kudos to you for this post Slapshot! I fell recently myself and could not believe how crummy I felt within 24 hours of eating off the WOE. So why did it take me a couple of weeks to get back to feeling good again? Man these carbs do a number on us! Glad you are back on track!
                      JILL

                      HW 298
                      HW (this time) 248
                      GOAL ONE 228                       (take 2)
                      GOAL TWO 213 (personal goal)
                      GOAL THREE 199 ONE-DERLAND
                      FINAL GOAL 165

                       It's not about the results. Its about the process.

                      "I've never come home after a workout and said, MAN, I wish I had NOT exercised today!"



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                      • #12
                        Re: Lesson Learned. Why I can't cheat...

                        Thanks Jill... I'm glad you can relate...! It's amazing how we know we'll feel like junk if we eat this stuff, but we do anyway. Crazy stuff.

                        Well, I think I got some good karma from my post as I weighed 187 yesterday morning and was 184.4 today (hello whooshie). I'm eating plenty and am properly hydrated so, I think this was a legitimate whooshie. It certainly is a nice validation of pulling myself up out of the ditch and getting back on track, and just what I needed.
                        • M/37
                        • Started March 17, 2009
                        • Pounds lost to date: 57
                        • Pounds to go: 15

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Re: Lesson Learned. Why I can't cheat...

                          I spent overnight in the hospital several weeks ago and am just now getting the scale to move again.....I was amazed 2 days ago when I got on the scale and didn't expect anything...but was so excited when the scale had finally moved down.....mine wasn't even much of a cheat (hospital food -- I did my best).....your body knows when it doesn't get good food - and it makes you pay dearly for it!
                          Carole
                          _____________________
                          May Water 130oz daily
                          7th Semi Annual Veggie Challenge



                          DON'T FORGET.....DRINK YOUR WATER TODAY
                          Join us for the May Water Challenge!


                          PLEASE


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                          • #14
                            Re: Lesson Learned. Why I can't cheat...

                            Hope you are doing okay Carole. Take care.
                            sigpic Me, at 195 lb. September 24, 2009. It's 5:30 a.m. and can't wait to hit the coffee.

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Re: Lesson Learned. Why I can't cheat...

                              Originally posted by neutronnorman View Post
                              Hope you are doing okay Carole. Take care.
                              Same here...hope you're back in the swing....
                              • M/37
                              • Started March 17, 2009
                              • Pounds lost to date: 57
                              • Pounds to go: 15

                              Comment

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