Stuck Stuck Stuck

[Whatsername]

Re: Stuck Stuck Stuck

While I started Atkins to lose weight, I did have other motives. One of the big things was to be in control of my eating and to not have cravings. One of the things I really love about this is how I choose what I eat now. I am motivated by what makes me feel good and what is good for me. My motivation is not to just eat whatever I get my hands on. I do not feel deprived at all.
Initially, I did have some of the sweeter, atkins friendly dishes (cheesecake pudding, crustless cheesecake for example). But I moved away from that. Now, I don't usually crave sweets. Which is not to say I never have things like that but it is pretty rare.
What helps me is to plan my meals, snacks. Yet, I take it one day at a time. When I started, I would say to myself "for today, I am choosing to eat on plan. One day..I can do it.". But then one day becomes two, two becomes three and you get to a point where you just want to keep going.
The other thing I say to myself when faced with a decision (not just food) is..."At the end of the day, what will make me feel good?". If it is something that is going to make me feel bad for the rest of the day, it isn't really worth it. In terms of food...a couple of minutes of eating something I may or may not enjoy...versus hours of not feeling good about having eaten that.
I do not use the ketone strips. I think it can give a false sense of security. Just my .02.
Good luck!

Jane

[RosieC]

Re: Stuck Stuck Stuck

I agree there are times when we want a food treat because others are having one, and may go off the rails if we don't get it, but it doesn't have to be sweet. If you are a real sugar addict even sweeteners can trigger problems. Of course if you're not a sugar addict, Splenda is fine. But I would take along cheese, cooked bacon, olives, nuts if at that point in OWL, but never sweet things.

Also watch for sugar in products like mayonnaise, tomato paste, and anything else that comes in a jar, can or packet. I don't know what it's like in the USA but here it is very hard to find sugar free mayonnaise even in health food stores. But it's possible and it's worth it. It keeps pretty well so you can order online if you have to.

If you stay completely off sugar and sweeteners for just a few days you will find the cravings stop. Really! The rest is habit and you can use non-sweet snacks to satisfy that.