Dieting101 is Struggling!!

[Dieting101]

Hello Everyone,
Well I started Atkins March 5, 2007 and stopped March 9, 2007. I need motivation I know it works because during that time period I lost about 4 lbs!

It's like my willpower is non existent! Need advice, encouragement etc!!!

[Grant]

Re: Dieting101 is Struggling!!

What is it that is making you want to stop, how it makes you feel? Some specific food item?

[sallyseachange]

Re: Dieting101 is Struggling!!

Welcome to the board and congrats on the four lbs lost. The fact that you came here and posted is a big step in the right direction. Just get right back on the wagon and don't look back. Your goal weight is in the future, so it's no use worrying over what's past. Use this board for encouragement, support and inspiration. If you read the various forums, you'll get lots of all those.

Try to focus on your target weight and picture yourself there, whenever temptation arises. Also, it's a help to always have a legal fatty snack (like a piece of cheese, meat or a few olives) handy to give you something to munch on and take the focus off whatever it is that's causing you to waver.

Stick a "before" pic on your fridge, where you'll see it often. Make a list of all the reasons you want to lose weight so that your commitment is underlined... and last but not least, post here often and get involved with board activities such as challenges etc. You can do this!

Again welcome and happy Atkineering.

[13_jane]

Re: Dieting101 is Struggling!!

Hi Dieting 101

Once you get into it 100% you shouldn't want to cheat - and you will have amazing will power!!

I did what Sally suggested - I put photos all over the place to help me!!! I always remember someone on here suggest that I carry a "before" photo around in my purse - well I still do it, and it really helps!! Even if I'm going on a night out the photo comes too!!

I also did a major "clean out" of my food cupboards. All those naughty foods that I thought I may cheat with got taken around to my mums!!! Just put everything into bags and take them to a family member or friends!! hehe!!!

Also try a little exercise - it helps lots!!! Join an exercise challenge!

Good luck starting again

jane xxx

[WarOnTypeII]

Re: Dieting101 is Struggling!!

I try to forget about will power. My "will" is what got me close to 300 lbs. As I willfully ate what I wanted when I wanted and sang sweet lies to myself about how I would get a handle on it one day, not let it get it out of hand or whatever.


Instead of fighting the urges, I surrender to them, that doesn't mean run down to the store and buy a box of smores poptarts. I embrace the fact that I want something really bad but that it wouldn't be in my best interest to induldge in it and then I try to enjoy the discomfort.

As I'm wallowing in "it" ...the discomfort .... I think about my resentment that other people can eat these things and I am somehow unable to, the frustration and self hate as to how I let myself go this much, and somehow through it all CLARITY shines through .... What's more discomfortable ? Me right now, simply denying myself something that's bad for me ? Or .... the potential consequences of my obesity ?

The list goes on and on as it relates to those. Pretty sure we all know what they are.

Then I come here, I read about success, I read about diligence, I read about paying attention, and I come to the realization that .....

That could be mine too if I just trust in the process, do the right thing, and accept the fact .... all that pizza ever did for me was trap me in a real fatsuit.

Then I just resign myself to the discomfort and instead of enjoying the guilty and hidden pleasures that would go along with eating a box of pop tarts .....

I enjoy the secret joy that there is hope. That it can be done and that I can do it. Because it has and these people are people just like me.

That's what works for me today

[redfoxglove]

Re: Dieting101 is Struggling!!

Dieting101, I am new at Atkins but been getting my self under control re: food for 4 years, and when I started Atkins I had this weird feeling that almost kept me from doing it. It was, I was afraid to be successful at getting my weight down to optimum. Once I got on this board and saw all the people who decided they could do it, I saw that I could also do it. Then I was afraid. It sounds really strange, I know. Are you facing fear of success here? If so, then it would help to look into that fear and analyze what your real beliefs are about what you deserve. I will echo sallyseachange in saying, You Can Do This.

[sillygirl]

Re: Dieting101 is Struggling!!

Hello Everyone,
Well I started Atkins March 5, 2007 and stopped March 9, 2007. I need motivation I know it works because during that time period I lost about 4 lbs!

It's like my willpower is non existent! Need advice, encouragement etc!!!

WHAAAAAT? Only 4 days on? You just need to give it some time. After a week or so, you will be well on your way and won't be tempted to give in to cravings. 4 pounds in 4 days is awesome, just think what a month can do!

[julirama723]

Re: Dieting101 is Struggling!!

I agree, 4 pounds in 4 days is phenomenal! Think about it this way, if you have such potential to lose weight, imagine where you'll be in a year from now. If you stick with atkins, you could be at goal. If you jump ship, it will just be another year. Take this opportunity to seize what you want!

I use clothing as a motivator. I have small clothes that I keep trying on, and that keeps me going when I can pull up a pair of pants higher, or a skirt gets looser, or a shirt begins to hang off of me! It also helps to actually visualize where I want to be and where I'm going, rather than just saying I want to lose weight. It's always good to have a destination on your journey.