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Hi Folks, :wave
One of the great rewards about volunteering here is meeting, getting to know and being able to follow the progress and celebrate the victories of others along with my own.
Before I dive into the nature of this post, it's a good idea that I establish some caveats so that no one here takes offense. I think I can pretty much sum that up by saying this post isn't directed to any one person.
In addition I know the feeling of failing on Atkins, losing and gaining weight, the power of addiction, the obstacles of chronic illness - and the personal triumph of recovery.
That said, the term "you" or "They" maybe will apply to you in some way or someone you know.
It's easy to talk about the successes and victories that abound here. But it's harder to address unhealthy patterns and self destructive behaviors that undermine the success of Atkins.
How To Succeed On Atkins Without Even Trying
Getting it: Atkins is a way of life, not a fad, quick fix or easy solution for short term weightloss. The sooner you understand that and embrace it the better off you'll be.
Sure it takes work and commitment just like anything in life that's worthwhile and good.
Despair: Again and again I answer posts from those in despair over not having lost the weight they expected within a certain time frame.
Your successes on Atkins can't be measured in one week or two or three. It can never be validated by the readings of a scale. That's why it's suggested so strongly you avoid them during Induction.
During induction your body experiences profound changes not the least of which is switching your body from a fat storing machine into a fat burning furnace.
Get your mind as far away from pounds and inches as you can and focus on what really matters at this point, control over your cravings your appetite and your life.
The Book: This comes up much more than I can understand. I've talked to people here who are back on Atkins for the second, third and fourth time and have yet to read the book.
I can only guess at the reasons for this and my conclusion is that some people are determined to fail, to seize any opportunity to sabotage their success. It's tragic but some folks thrive on failure and disappointment. But that's only a guess, what I do know to be a fact is that if you don't read the book, understand it and follow it's simple path - make no mistake - you will fail.
You may lose weight initially and maybe even keep it off for a while but without the knowledge and the blue print for success outlined in DANDR your success, if any will be fleeting.
Feeling Deprived: A lot of folks on Atkins feel "Deprived" - deprived of what?
The foods, food addictions and eating habits that made you fat, miserable unhealthy and unhappy in the first place. But the cookies and cake and candy and all the rest of it, that's not what you're being deprived of on Atkins, not really.
You're depriving yourself of obesity, diabetes, stroke, coronary disease, depressive and anxiety disorders, body shame, self hate and worse.
Comfort Foods: Since early childhood we learned to find emotional comfort in certain foods. But you didn't know then what you do now about mashed potatoes, Mac and cheese and everything else you came to believe over a lifetime of eating to be your friend and companion.
These foods are not your friends, they wrecked havoc on your body on your emotions, on your self esteem and feelings of self worth. They aren't comfort foods they are "uncomfortable foods" and the price you paid for the brief comfort they gave you was far to high. The sooner you really understand that simple truth the better.
Excuses: You're stressed from work, school, relationship issues, family issues, Travel, Holidays, celebration, tragedy, Birth, Death - none of these life experiences are a reason to derail yourself.
Think of the recovering alcoholic.
At every turn there's an "excuse" to pick up a drink and at every turn he or she has a choice to make, to live sober and well or live life drunk and dying - because all it takes is one drink and you're back in the thick of your addiction. Believe me I know I've been sober for six years and it's one day at a time, one choice at a time.
Dr. Atkins used to say "One cheat is the kiss of death" for some reason he changed it to read "kiss of failure" in the 2002 version of DANDR. Personally I thought kiss of death was more appropriate - because that's what excuses and cheating do. They kill your progress they kill your motivation and far worse, they kill your hope.
Learn to think differently, the angst and anguish is really all in your mind - the right choice is insanely easy.
Instead of reaching for that soda reach for water, learn to say "No" without having to apologize for it.
I've read so many posts by folks who are embarrassed to ask for an Atkins friendly meal at a restaurant. I have news for you, the waiter simply wants to make decent tips finish his shift and go home. We live in a world of monumental problems from war to the threat of terrorist attacks to a global community still reeling after the Tsunami disaster - no one cares whether you eat potatoes or not.
FrankenFoods: These foods didn't earn that nickname because they have a history of helping people lose weight and keep it off. They earned it because they derail people, they ignite old cravings and unhealthy addictions - they're a loaded gun with a hair trigger even in the hands of even the most determined to succeed.
Dr. Atkins was saving lives and helping people lose weight decades before the first bar, shake, low carb waffle, pancake, muffin mix, candy and God only knows what else hit the shelves.
Dr Atkins was a savvy business man as well as a cardiologist and visionary - I have to believe that had he lived to see the damage these foods are causing he would have denounced them.
Stop searching for mock pre packaged replacements to the foods that got you in trouble in the first place - what's the point?
Instead why not celebrate and enjoy the virtually endless variety of fresh, rich whole foods your not only allowed but expected to enjoy on Atkins.
Start Moving: I remember an interview with Dr. Atkins about a year before he died. He mentioned a six week study of patients all on different diets - including his. But the patients had to remain completely sedentary during the trial - not one lost a single pound and many gained.
Regular exercise is not an option - it's not a negotiation. It's an essential component to your success, it's rewards are infinite and they'll last a lifetime. I do believe had Dr. Atkins lived he would have stressed just how critical exercise to an even greater degree.
Before I joined this board I was smoking three packs a day and it took me 30 minutes to recover from walking up a flight of stairs. It's fair to say I was dying - literally.
Well a few visits into the exercise forum and I started as slow as molasses - but I started. Less than two months later I'm Power walking four miles a day and now lifting weights - believe me if you knew me? It's nothing short of a miracle.
If you haven't already - get moving.
Play The Long Game: Picture yourself a year from now, five years, ten years. What will you weigh? how will you feel? what do you look like? how do you carry yourself?
If you can visualize yourself as the person you've always dreamed of being, the person you know is inside you than you already have what it takes to make it happen.
It's so easy it's ridiculous. Read the book, follow it, ask for help when you need it and give it back when you can and be true to yourself along the way- that's it.
Of course there are always challenges, change is never effortless but you already know that.
You already know that Induction Flu is temporary, it's not Influenza, you don't need to be hospitalized you just have to suck it up and get through it. You already know that cravings pass, in about three minutes. You already know what you have to do to succeed - you already know failure is a choice.
Detox from sugar and caffeine?
It's not so bad, you won't spend agonizing nights climbing the walls. In fact the withdrawal pangs are so minimal you'll sleep straight through the night and in a few days the symptoms will be gone.
Atkins isn't a punishment, it wasn't designed to be a struggle - it was designed to detox your body and transform your life from one of certain doom to one of good food and good health.
So embrace it and make it your own - it's the key to that dream you have of yourself but may have yet see looking back at you from the mirror.
Protect it, hold on to it and rejoice in knowing that every positive step you take brings you closer to the promise of a better, healthier and longer joy filled life.
Peter
ha
One of the great rewards about volunteering here is meeting, getting to know and being able to follow the progress and celebrate the victories of others along with my own.
Before I dive into the nature of this post, it's a good idea that I establish some caveats so that no one here takes offense. I think I can pretty much sum that up by saying this post isn't directed to any one person.
In addition I know the feeling of failing on Atkins, losing and gaining weight, the power of addiction, the obstacles of chronic illness - and the personal triumph of recovery.
That said, the term "you" or "They" maybe will apply to you in some way or someone you know.
It's easy to talk about the successes and victories that abound here. But it's harder to address unhealthy patterns and self destructive behaviors that undermine the success of Atkins.
How To Succeed On Atkins Without Even Trying
Getting it: Atkins is a way of life, not a fad, quick fix or easy solution for short term weightloss. The sooner you understand that and embrace it the better off you'll be.
Sure it takes work and commitment just like anything in life that's worthwhile and good.
Despair: Again and again I answer posts from those in despair over not having lost the weight they expected within a certain time frame.
Your successes on Atkins can't be measured in one week or two or three. It can never be validated by the readings of a scale. That's why it's suggested so strongly you avoid them during Induction.
During induction your body experiences profound changes not the least of which is switching your body from a fat storing machine into a fat burning furnace.
Get your mind as far away from pounds and inches as you can and focus on what really matters at this point, control over your cravings your appetite and your life.
The Book: This comes up much more than I can understand. I've talked to people here who are back on Atkins for the second, third and fourth time and have yet to read the book.
I can only guess at the reasons for this and my conclusion is that some people are determined to fail, to seize any opportunity to sabotage their success. It's tragic but some folks thrive on failure and disappointment. But that's only a guess, what I do know to be a fact is that if you don't read the book, understand it and follow it's simple path - make no mistake - you will fail.
You may lose weight initially and maybe even keep it off for a while but without the knowledge and the blue print for success outlined in DANDR your success, if any will be fleeting.
Feeling Deprived: A lot of folks on Atkins feel "Deprived" - deprived of what?
The foods, food addictions and eating habits that made you fat, miserable unhealthy and unhappy in the first place. But the cookies and cake and candy and all the rest of it, that's not what you're being deprived of on Atkins, not really.
You're depriving yourself of obesity, diabetes, stroke, coronary disease, depressive and anxiety disorders, body shame, self hate and worse.
Comfort Foods: Since early childhood we learned to find emotional comfort in certain foods. But you didn't know then what you do now about mashed potatoes, Mac and cheese and everything else you came to believe over a lifetime of eating to be your friend and companion.
These foods are not your friends, they wrecked havoc on your body on your emotions, on your self esteem and feelings of self worth. They aren't comfort foods they are "uncomfortable foods" and the price you paid for the brief comfort they gave you was far to high. The sooner you really understand that simple truth the better.
Excuses: You're stressed from work, school, relationship issues, family issues, Travel, Holidays, celebration, tragedy, Birth, Death - none of these life experiences are a reason to derail yourself.
Think of the recovering alcoholic.
At every turn there's an "excuse" to pick up a drink and at every turn he or she has a choice to make, to live sober and well or live life drunk and dying - because all it takes is one drink and you're back in the thick of your addiction. Believe me I know I've been sober for six years and it's one day at a time, one choice at a time.
Dr. Atkins used to say "One cheat is the kiss of death" for some reason he changed it to read "kiss of failure" in the 2002 version of DANDR. Personally I thought kiss of death was more appropriate - because that's what excuses and cheating do. They kill your progress they kill your motivation and far worse, they kill your hope.
Learn to think differently, the angst and anguish is really all in your mind - the right choice is insanely easy.
Instead of reaching for that soda reach for water, learn to say "No" without having to apologize for it.
I've read so many posts by folks who are embarrassed to ask for an Atkins friendly meal at a restaurant. I have news for you, the waiter simply wants to make decent tips finish his shift and go home. We live in a world of monumental problems from war to the threat of terrorist attacks to a global community still reeling after the Tsunami disaster - no one cares whether you eat potatoes or not.
- "We would worry less about what others think of us if we realized how seldom they do."
Ethel Barrett
FrankenFoods: These foods didn't earn that nickname because they have a history of helping people lose weight and keep it off. They earned it because they derail people, they ignite old cravings and unhealthy addictions - they're a loaded gun with a hair trigger even in the hands of even the most determined to succeed.
Dr. Atkins was saving lives and helping people lose weight decades before the first bar, shake, low carb waffle, pancake, muffin mix, candy and God only knows what else hit the shelves.
Dr Atkins was a savvy business man as well as a cardiologist and visionary - I have to believe that had he lived to see the damage these foods are causing he would have denounced them.
Stop searching for mock pre packaged replacements to the foods that got you in trouble in the first place - what's the point?
Instead why not celebrate and enjoy the virtually endless variety of fresh, rich whole foods your not only allowed but expected to enjoy on Atkins.
Start Moving: I remember an interview with Dr. Atkins about a year before he died. He mentioned a six week study of patients all on different diets - including his. But the patients had to remain completely sedentary during the trial - not one lost a single pound and many gained.
Regular exercise is not an option - it's not a negotiation. It's an essential component to your success, it's rewards are infinite and they'll last a lifetime. I do believe had Dr. Atkins lived he would have stressed just how critical exercise to an even greater degree.
Before I joined this board I was smoking three packs a day and it took me 30 minutes to recover from walking up a flight of stairs. It's fair to say I was dying - literally.
Well a few visits into the exercise forum and I started as slow as molasses - but I started. Less than two months later I'm Power walking four miles a day and now lifting weights - believe me if you knew me? It's nothing short of a miracle.
If you haven't already - get moving.
Play The Long Game: Picture yourself a year from now, five years, ten years. What will you weigh? how will you feel? what do you look like? how do you carry yourself?
If you can visualize yourself as the person you've always dreamed of being, the person you know is inside you than you already have what it takes to make it happen.
It's so easy it's ridiculous. Read the book, follow it, ask for help when you need it and give it back when you can and be true to yourself along the way- that's it.
Of course there are always challenges, change is never effortless but you already know that.
You already know that Induction Flu is temporary, it's not Influenza, you don't need to be hospitalized you just have to suck it up and get through it. You already know that cravings pass, in about three minutes. You already know what you have to do to succeed - you already know failure is a choice.
Detox from sugar and caffeine?
It's not so bad, you won't spend agonizing nights climbing the walls. In fact the withdrawal pangs are so minimal you'll sleep straight through the night and in a few days the symptoms will be gone.
Atkins isn't a punishment, it wasn't designed to be a struggle - it was designed to detox your body and transform your life from one of certain doom to one of good food and good health.
So embrace it and make it your own - it's the key to that dream you have of yourself but may have yet see looking back at you from the mirror.
Protect it, hold on to it and rejoice in knowing that every positive step you take brings you closer to the promise of a better, healthier and longer joy filled life.
Peter
ha
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