Melissa from Ontario

[Spirit_Wolf]

Hello all, I joined a few days ago after maybe 20 hours of lurking and reading. I am not a big poster, at least I have never been before on other bulletin boards and I am not sure that I have changed too much! But I was asked to introduce myself so I will and then maybe I won't feel too strange if I post elsewhere.
I am a 30 year old mother of 4, married for 8 years to a dairy farmer in Ontario. The only time in my life I have ever lost weight without trying was the 2 years after getting married before my first child and that is because I spent so much time in the barn I didn't have time to binge!
I hate to admit it but I too have had success with Atkins before going from 299 down to 248 before letting too many "allowed" carbs creep up on me and then getting pregnant with #2. I don't know how many others have had the same problem but even before I knew I was pregnant I just COULDN'T make myself eat eggs and meat except in small amounts. It was frustrating but once I realized I was pregnant I let it go anyways.
Since then I have gone on and off low carb (but never Atkins) with the greatest loss being 20 lbs and then stalling. I even tried Herbal One and lost a lot of money. Not that I don't think I could lose if I did and ate what they asked but I was always hungry and craving.
This time around I thought back to Atkins and decided to read the book again and do it properly and I can see now why I had stalled last time TOO MANY CARBS. No flaw in the diet!
So I am now in induction, day 4. I don't want to weigh myself until I am done induction because I am scared of letting the scale get the better of me if I don't lose as fast as I like!
Gotta go cook dinner! Spagetti with whole wheat for the gang hamburgers, sauteed mushrooms and salad for me!

Take care and God bless!
Melissa

[valcan]

Re: Melissa from Ontario

Welcome Melissa!

Great to see another Canadian, I am from Alberta. My best advice would be to hang in there during your stalls. I lost 100 lbs and now have been stalled for months even though I continue to eat a low carb diet. I have tried playing around with fat levels, carb levels, eliminating foods, etc. but just can not break my stall. Sure I am frustrated after months of trying to lose the last 35 lbs but I am also very proud that I stuck to it no matter what. If I had given up a few months ago, I would have gained a lot of weight back. I would much prefer to be stalled at the weight I am then to be gaining back the weight I have worked so hard to lose.

I think a lot of it has to do with mind set. During previous diets I would tell myself, "This is not a diet, it is a lifestyle". This time around, I actually believe it. Stall or no stall, low carb in the just the way I eat and will continue to eat for the rest of my life. There is no end, there are no "carb rewards", there is no looking forward reaching goal so I can eat bread, potatoes, rice and sugar again.

I am not perfect either. I have had times where I slipped and ate something I shouldn't have but I have learned to pick myself up as soon as possible and get back on track. Because I have been low carbing for 15 months, my body is used to the way I eat now. If I do eat illegal food, I get gassy and stomach pains. These two things alone are incentive enough to stay away from things I shouldn't eat. If you can get through a few months of low carbing and hang in there through stalls, it does get easier.

Oh yeah, another key ingredient to losing 100 lbs for me was posting a lot (I belonged to another forum when I lost most of my weight). It may not be for you but it worked for me because it helped to get things off my chest. The support from others also helped me through the tough times. Knowing there are others who are experiencing the same frustrations as me helped me to hang up and not give up.

Again, welcome Melissa. If you would prefer to talk to someone one-on-one, feel free to PM anytime.

Val

[liv]

Re: Melissa from Ontario

Hi Melissa
Yet another Canadian here. I have been doing this for 10 months and I love it. It has certainly become a lifestyle for me too. I don't see myself going back to eating a lot of white food ever again.
Build up a lot of will power Melissa. Find that inner strength.

[Trisha001]

Re: Melissa from Ontario

Welcome..I am in Ont as well...
Good luck , I know you CAN DO IT!!!!

[Spirit_Wolf]

Re: Melissa from Ontario

Thanks for all the support. I complete one week of induction on Wed. I want to weigh myself but I am scared. I am an emotional eater and don't want to see that it is not working (even though I know it is).
I have been biking in the evenings. Did 19 km yesterday. It tired me out but I felt good and will try it again in a few days. I have 4 kids, the oldest is 6, then two 3 year olds and the baby is 18 months. Just getting out on the bike is a miracle. I have to send 2 kids to the barn with my husband during evening chores, pull one in the bike trailer and keep my 6 year old safe as he bikes beside me. Having said all that, I love biking and HATE walking. Any idea for strength training with no time or money for gym or home weights?

[eclectikat]

Re: Melissa from Ontario

Hi Melissa... I am yet another canadian... ontarian... I am from south western ontario... its great to see canadians out in force!
Glad to have you aboard... Hope you become a regular here... the support here is fantastic.
YOU should eat the coconut oil chocolate now... they say coconut oil speeds up your metabolism.
what stage are you in? Induction?

KEEP us posted.
kathy

[pipee_pl]

Re: Melissa from Ontario

i am another from canada, ottawa exactly but i now live in poland. hang in there- you can do it, it is hard sometimes but it works and your body will be better off in the long run. good job on the biking

[laura1971]

Re: Melissa from Ontario

Hi Melissa,
I am another canadian. I live in Alberta. I am almost done my first week of induction. It has not been easy. I keep craving baked potatoes with sour cream and butter! Ive decided not to way myself until after the 2nd week. My goal wt is 150pnds which means I am going to lose 84pnds. Anyways the best of luck to you. We can do this!
Laura.

[sadie147]

Re: Melissa from Ontario

Wow so many Canadians here! I didn't realize!!!

Welcome Mellissa....re the exercise: I find a really great workout at home is pilates, I have Winsor pilates and I love it. Even the 20 minute workout you see a big difference in tone after a few weeks. I highly recommend it.

Also take a look at our exercise forums, you will get alot of good ideas there as well.