The light at the end of the tunnel I'm too chubby to fit through

[chubby&desparate]

I have been doing Atkins on and off for the last few years, I know it's the best approach to losing weight for me, but I get these nasty cravings and end up caving (almost always for Mcdonalds french fries ) so I have no idea what # attempt this is, but I am determined that this be "the one". I have been doing this for about 8 days and have already lost about 17 lbs. I don't know why I lose weight so well but I do. I have no excuse for being overweight, but I can't seem to fight the binging and craving. The thing is, I am so busy as a mother of three working part time with two of my kids in different schools that finish at varying times not to mention after school activities and whatever else comes up, I don't have time to make these gourmet meals. I pretty much live off those grocery store rotisserie chickens and a tomato slice now and again. I had a spoon of peanut butter for lunch as I ran out the door today. I feel ill, I have spasm's in my legs and my throat is killing me. I'm tired all the time, and crabby because I hate that I have put myself in this predicament where I'm so overweight that I am this desparate to lose it. I am miserable. I would like to achieve this without the misery and leg spasms. (but if that's the only way, I'll do it anyway spasms and all). How did you all conquer the crabbyness, leg pains, sore throat etc...?? Fill me in! I know magnesium and calcium are supposed to help with muscle cramping...
I want to be thin! I want to not be embarassed to eat out with my friends, they are all so tall and thin and lovely, I feel like an old toad with them. I'm only 40 lbs from my goal weight, I know I can do it, I just need the will.
thanks for listening to the lamenting of one who is chubby&desparate hope you're all in better spirits

[bradybunch]

Re: The light at the end of the tunnel I'm too chubby to fit through

Weclome to ADBB Chubby, you won't have that title for long if you stick with us. Everytime you have a sinking spell and a craving comes over you, get your rear in gear and sign on to ADBB and read and post. This board keeps so many accountable. I know of a few times when I was ready to give in and I would come here and read a motivating and inspirational story. My outlook for caving in soon changed. You can do it. This is your time to roar to the goal line. good luck dear.

[chubby&desparate]

Re: The light at the end of the tunnel I'm too chubby to fit through

thanks I am pretty determined so I am in for the long haul, whatever it takes. Your encouragement helps though.

[kelly50]

Re: The light at the end of the tunnel I'm too chubby to fit through

Hi, Chubby and welcome. This board is full of supportive and knowledgeable Atkins people who are here to help you reach your goal. Losing weight and changing our lifestyle is not easy but we are all in this together and are here to support, cheer each success, and push one another to be healthier! Join in, read the book and stickies, and post often. Look forward to seeing you around the board.

[sillygirl]

Re: The light at the end of the tunnel I'm too chubby to fit through

Good morning Chubby! I agree with Brady, one day in your future you are going to have to change your screen name! You've made a great decision coming to this board for support during your Atkins adventure. There is a wealth of information on the board, not to mention so many great people that can help you along the way.

Nothing wrong with the grocery store chickens, I always have one on hand for snacking on because it's so very handy! Your loss so far is terrific, you can do this! Post often, and give a shout out if you need any guidance!

[Prya]

Re: The light at the end of the tunnel I'm too chubby to fit through

It's great to have you here chubby! One of the best parts about Atkins is that the meals don't have to be gourmet--a chicken from the grocery store and salad (which you can put together from the salad bar there too) make a great substitute for fast food if you're busy and tired. And remember, frozen and canned veggies are your friends too, and require so little time to prepare.

[dreamof145]

Re: The light at the end of the tunnel I'm too chubby to fit through

Congratulations on the 17 pound loss. Great job. Dr. Atkins understood the eating habits of most people and his weight loss plan is designed to help curb those cravings. The first two weeks help to reduce the cravings. As you see the inches and weight falling, you feel better, look better, have increased energy and that encouages you to keep going. Things that help the frustration that you've described is to get active with others who are doing the program, make friends, exercise and focus on positive life-style changes. I had 140 pounds to lose when I began and I remember feeling ashamed and mad at myself...plus mad at just about everyone. But, it helps to boost your attitude, educate yourself and make a plan to succeed...and record the inches you drop every few weeks. Thats a great way to motivate yourself.

As for the leg cramps, drinking more water, potassium,magnesium,calcium and exercise helps to eliminate them. So happy you've joined us. The support and encouragement you get here is fantastic. We care about you and want to see you succeed. Keep us posted on your progress. You can do it.

[Discolemonade]

Re: The light at the end of the tunnel I'm too chubby to fit through

Welcome home!

I have restarted so many times I can't count. But when I get serious about it, my whole life changes. Atkins has changed my life and it can change yours. I was the toad in the crowd once too. I think you should challenge yourself to stay away from McDonalds period, for like 3 months. Even being in there for your kids is hard but until you can trust yourself enough not to eat those fries, you don't need to go there. Don't drive yourself into a cheat.

[sallyseachange]

Re: The light at the end of the tunnel I'm too chubby to fit through

Hi there Chubby and warm welcome to you! Glad you're here with us. We'll help you get to the other end of that tunnel, and you'll fit through it with yards to spare either side!!

Stick with the plan, eat the Atkins way to a "T" and it'll continue to work well for you. Remember your veggies, exercise, water ++ and supplements. It all gets easier as you go along, truly!

Happy losing!

[chubby&desparate]

Re: The light at the end of the tunnel I'm too chubby to fit through

Hey all! So happy to meet you! It's funny, as I was perusing the website yesterday I read posts from most of you so there are a lot of familiar faces. I bought some calcium/magnesium today so hopefully that's buhbye to the leg cramps it's kinda hard to exercise when the exhertion of pressing the gas pedal gives you charlie horses all up your leg. You know what else is funny? I work in Tim Hortons (canadian donut/coffee shop) and I havent' cheated once! I'm surprised at myself. You guys are all beacons of light, I wish my friends had a support group like this, the ones who are heavy have all given up. Anyhow, rock on, talk to you soon!

[nomoretears]

Re: The light at the end of the tunnel I'm too chubby to fit through

Hi Chubby -

I'm a single mom of 3 (ages 12, 9, and 7) and I can so totally relate to what you wrote. Not only do I work full time, I coach soccer, I'm a girl scout leader, a cub scout leader, and a part time youth leader in our church.

My house is usually a train wreck because we're home long enough to change clothes, grab something to eat and leave again.

I still haven't figured out how to fit exercise into my schedule because I need to sleep! But think about it this way - you need to take care of you FIRST AND FOREMOST because if you don't, you're not giving the best of yourself to your family and your kids are looking to you to be their role model.

I have one drawer in the refrigerator that is all mine. The kids know if they even sniff it, they'll be in trouble. I keep ziploc bags of pre-measured veggies, meat that I cooked the night before, sliced cheese (weighed on the food scale). That way, I don't have to think - I can just grab.

I've never liked making multiple dinners but I usually make one thing for the kids and some form of derivitive for me.

Your initial loss is freaking awesome and you don't have far to go!! Just know you're not alone and we've got your back!

[chubby&desparate]

Re: The light at the end of the tunnel I'm too chubby to fit through

I haven't sat with my family for supper for ages but such is life when they're eating potatoes and pasta and I'm eating... well, half the time I'm not. Sometimes I do like you do, just take something out of supper and eat that. Well tonight we're having grilled cheese with tomato soup... so I eat cheese for supper?? :P My tummy feels like an empty sack. And you know what I realized today? I hate romaine lettuce! I had a lettuce wrap with tomato and boursin cheese and ham, and I could barely eat it for the lettuce. Is iceburg that bad? I havent' had it in years, it must be better than that. Wow! I'm such a whiner! It's really not that bad, especially because it's self inflicted .. I have another 15 lbs to go before I come off induction, then I"m going to ease off a bit, that'll be easier. mmmm strawberrys and cream... yum.
'night!!

[nomoretears]

Re: The light at the end of the tunnel I'm too chubby to fit through

I hear you....sometimes it's hard for us moms. I've been trying to eat while I make the kids their dinner and then I have that time to myself to roll around and get stuck on my exercise ball.

I'll probably get my nose thumped for saying this, but I didn't have the books when I started and I didn't know anything about the OWL rungs. I was told to just keep the carbs under 20 - so I ate pretty much whatever I felt like eating. Now, I'm paying for it because my rate of loss has been slower than it should have been and now that I have my books, trying to figure out where the heck I should be is confusing as all heck but - the way I see it, lettuce is lettuce. I think many of us would fall off the wagon if we faced a future of eating food that was unappealing. Who the heck wants that?

At the end of the day, lettuce is lettuce and it's a nice green, leafy vegetable - which is our friend. My favorite dinner of late has been a 1/4 beef patty with a slice of colby jack cheese on a bed of shredded iceburg lettuce. Some nights, I saute mushrooms or add 1/2 an avocado - depending on what I still need to eat. It's fast, easy, filling, and very low carb.

Hang in there - you're doing great!

[chubby&desparate]

Re: The light at the end of the tunnel I'm too chubby to fit through

cool, thanks Are you doing the Christmas challenge? I think it sounds fun