Having Difficult Time Staying on this WOE - Any Tips???

[Nutri_Nut]

I tried starting over April 18th, but when I had to go out of town, I got off the low-carb WOE. I have two more trips coming up. I am having a very difficult time staying on the low-carb WOE, but I honestly believe it's what I need to do. I'm unhappy with the way I look and feel miserable. I remember the first time I started Atkins, a friend tried it as well. She couldn't stay with it and asked how I do it. I told her you really had to want it. Is that my problem this time?

Any tips or advice would help. I know this is something only I can do, but it seems more difficult the second time around.

:anger

[teejay]

I am sure you want very badly to make this WOE work for you. And you can. I am pretty sure that wherever your trips will be taking you there are some sort of grocery store, farmer's market, market stall, someplace where you can do a bit of grocery shopping. Coolers are a great thing. They make some that plug into the wall or a car cigarette lighter. They have ice packs that are contained and do not melt.

I would say that if you really want to do well with this WOE then it will just take a little bit of work and maybe a little imagination or creativity on your part. There are stickies with lists of things you might be able to have if you MUST eat at a fast food place. There are recipes all over the place, some of them are things you can make and transport.

It will take an amount of planning ahead, stubborness about sticking with this eating plan, imagination, maybe a cooler, some ziploc baggies, tupperware, plastic silverware. Whatever it takes Just get it and do it

Also know that you can come in here and get help and support whenever you need it. Somebody seems to be here at all hours of the day and night.

You can do this. But YOU are the one it all comes down to

TJ

[cleochatra]

Hi, nutri. I think you answered your own question (that was efficient *lol*). As with anything, you really have to want it. I've lost over 100 pounds on this WOE, but only because I wanted to lose the weight. I wish you well on your journey. :hug

[mannamay]

You can do it!

Listen, you did not gain all of your weight in one day and so, you are not going to lose it all in one day either. If you are really tired of feeling bad, then you will be willing to make it work for YOU!

It is very hard sticking to the right choices when you have nothing but junk around you. That includes all the fast food places. If you have time while traveling, stop in and dine instead of going to the window. Applebbes, Chilies, etc...have many choices now for low-carb. If you want simply a burger, just go bunless.

This is my 3rd time starting Atkins, and they say 3rd time a charm. The first time, I lost almost 30 pounds in 1 1/2 months, the 2nd time, made it maybe a week, but this time, its different for some reason. I am determined to lose the weight and get healthy. Diabetes is so common in my family, I do not wanna go there and I will not allow myself to go there.

Anyway, the cooler is a good idea if you are traveling by vehicle. I wish you all the luck...and its just mind over matter..you can do this!

Amanda

[Nutri_Nut]

Thanks for the advice and encouragement. I will be traveling overseas soon, and food choices are VERY limited. Yes, I can stop by a market in some places, but traveling with a cooler in a car already packed with four people and the trunk full of suitcases is impossible. It's a different ballgame over there.

It's easier to do this in the States, however. But here is a situation I found myself in last week. I arrived at my relative's home, and dinner was already in the making: baked beans, bbqued pork ribs, bread, and coleslaw. There was no way around this. And is it really fair to tell everyone before you come, "I eat low-carb, so you will have to fix something special for me or change your menu to suit ME"? I can't see doing something like that. It seems rude. Or have I simply not thought of a "creative" way to explain my diet to others??

I guess one of my main problems is having to force others to conform their menu to MY way of eating.

Does this make sense?

And, yes, I really do want to do this. It would just be nice if I didn't have to go anywhere in the process! :sadblinky

[ttdriver]

A clean induction is mandatory. No excuses or rationalizations.
If you get into this mentality of 'I couldn't help it' or 'I had no choice', you are setting yourself up for failure.

Your health is at stake. Take charge of it! You need never eat to please others. Look at food as you would any other addiction .. you simply MUST not eat certain foods, any more than an alcoholic can have just one drink.

Salads are available most everywhere I would think; even overseas. And I assume you can find your share of legal protein as well? That should get you through until you are back home.

Never compromise. Your health is worth fighting for.

Betty

[Nutri_Nut]

So when I arrived at my relative's home and found that dinner consisted of bbque (w/ sugar) pork ribs, baked beans (w/ sugar), and coleslaw (w/ sugar), what should I have said or done?

And is it really polite to TELL your hostess what she must fix in order to work around MY way of eating? This is my biggest problem.

[ciaobella]

hhhhmmm thats a tuffy....my advice would be for the future eat something before you go and then offer to bring a salad or something and make that dish atkins-proof and eat that...this way you are not making people cook around and you are also actually helping to aliveate the burden on the host/hostess...i hope that helps

[ttdriver]

Yep, eat before you go and offer to bring an Atkins friendly salad.

Betty

[TryingToStayHappy]

Hello and :hug

One thing that's really helped me, is making Atkins fun. I still go out to eat a whole lot. Most places are totally cool about not getting something or changing something. I've never had a problem yet. It's a lifestyle change, and so worth it.

You can do it, I have faith in you. :joy

[290wannabe150onAtkins]

Well drink your water, and stay positive. And everyone has said it, you have to want it! Good Luck.



Holly :capital

[Nutri_Nut]

I couldn't eat before I went. I was staying there for a couple of days. I arrived early afternoon, so it wasn't as if I could grab something on the road and then arrive at dinner time.

Like I said, eating this way is nearly impossible in the "real world."

And I would starve if I just "drank water" and left it at that.

[Sarah_K]

How to talk to your relatives about Atkins...some options:

1. Lie. Say, "My numbers (cholesterol, blood pressure, weight) were bad at my last doctor's visit, and my doctor says I can't have anything with sugar or starches in it." (If you're like me when I started Atkins, you won't even have to lie!) Be sure to say this several weeks BEFORE you go visit.

2. If they ask, give them a copy of the Acceptable Foods list. You might also mention some things you know they cook that are legal (deviled eggs, for instance, green salad, grilled chicken or burgers, steamed veggies, cheese slices, things that don't require too much prep work).

3. Offer to help in the kitchen. Offer to run to the grocery store. While you're there, pick up some fresh produce and other legal snacking foods.

4. Put shake mix in a portable container (tupperware or a ziploc baggie), and keep it with you for emergencies.

5. Tell your relatives that you love them, that you love their food and the way that they cook it, and that you have to make some changes in what you eat because of your health. This is really important, because people can feel threatened by your food choices if you don't reassure them.

The way I explained this to my relatives is by saying, "I'm prediabetic. I'm eating the way that diabetics are supposed to (no sugar, no starchy foods) so that I don't have to actually *get* diabetes." That worked for me, along with a lot of patience and reassurance.

Good luck, and remember to give them lots of TIME to get used to the idea, and be open and friendly about answering their questions.

[Nutri_Nut]

Thanks, Sara. Although I would not lie, the other suggestions are helpful. My cholesterol is excellent already, so that is not a reason to eat low-carb. My blood pressure is high (runs in the family) and remained high even when I got down to my ideal body weight. Unfortunately weight loss is not going to change that. It's here to stay.

I will be sure and let people know how I eat before visiting and offer to shop for myself when I arrive and help prepare food, etc.

Thanks again.

[Pam_C]

So when I arrived at my relative's home and found that dinner consisted of bbque (w/ sugar) pork ribs, baked beans (w/ sugar), and coleslaw (w/ sugar), what should I have said or done?

And is it really polite to TELL your hostess what she must fix in order to work around MY way of eating? This is my biggest problem.

I make sure everyone knows I am doing atkins. If I get somewhere and see there is nothing I can eat I just pass it up. When they ask why I say well I am on this WOE for my health and at this point I am limited to certain foods. If they are family they will understand. I also say that looks sooooo good. Then they all want to know what I can eat. You could also bring an atkins friendly dish and if they say well you weren't supposed to bring anything then explain Atkins and say just thought you all would like to try something that I can eat. But everyone is different. My family doesn't take offense to much of anything. At least I show up and that means something.