Hi there everyone!

I was a past member (under a different screen name, which I forgot!), successfully lost over 30 pounds, got pregnant, had a baby and took a VERY HARD fall "off the wagon"! Been off the wagon for over 4 years now.

I made a career change to become a full-time SAHM and stuffed myself for 4 years with junk/crap/sugar and everything high carb as a way to "treat" myself. But I KNOW I am only PUNISHING myself.

I am at the lowest point of my life...DEPRESSED as hell, hate myself for getting this way, hate the way I look and feel. I am tired of trying to "hide" behind this FAT COSTUME and long to let the real me back out!

I KNOW it is going to be tough for me to get back up on the wagon. I REALLY need a helping hand up. I know I need to come back to LCE for life, but part of me is scared of failing AGAIN. I am 5 years older and the toll that sugar/carbs and no exercise has taken on my body and mind makes it difficult to be motivated to do ANYTHING.

I have some big "Food Events" coming up...family wedding, child's birthday, etc. Do I wait until these are over to start or just do it NOW?

Any advice, encouragement, help would be soooo greatly appreciated!

It is comforting to see some familiar names from back in 2005 still here (way to go for you!).

Thanks for reading.

God bless!

Suzy

Welcome back, Suzy.

Food events are always going to happen. No matter when you "start", there are always going to be food events on the horizon - family reunions, birthdays, holidays etc. I think practice at learning to successfully "navigate" them is part of learning to live a low carb lifestyle.

So, it might be more useful to plan your return low carb lifestyle based on your own internal sense of readiness rather than base it on external circumstances. Just a thought.

Happy to have you back here.

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Thank you, Maggie.

Being on here and reading is really helping me become motivated and realize I should not put off healthy living another day.

Thanks, again!

Suzy

Howdy, Suzy. I've got to agree with Maggie here - there are always food events indeed. You don't notice how much until you start paying attention to them.

There's a post on Dr. Mike's blog (Protein Power dude) that your post reminded me of a lot. Meditating in the Garden of Self Loathing | The Blog of Michael R. Eades, M.D.

there is always something, and there always will be. question isn't when the "something" is going to be done, but how you manage it, y'kno? the best motivation doesn't really come from not having challenges. the only thing i've found that motivates me worth a ^*#&$ is having some success. And that comes from doing something about it.

one thing i sometimes do is to make a commitment starting out for a very short period of time. as in, "for TODAY, i will make the best choices I can." and at the end of the day, i review how i feel. then i work on tomorrow.

participating here will help a lot with your motivation, so you're definitely on the right track....and we're rooting for you!

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I've preached LC so much, you'd think I'd hear myself. But no. The Weight Creep is a mean customer. So, Suzy, it's you n' me against that creep, okay?
I've got my shopping list made, and my resolve pumped up.

See you back here!

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Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Hi LMT2Be,

Nice to meet you. I too know the power of the "creep". We can get back on this wagon together!! Welcome!

I am back again also, I lost 45lbs and I have gained 9 lbs back. That is a lot for a short gal. I had a hystrrectomy March 08, and my body fat has moved around to the worst places. I feel fat, bloated and the queen of muffin top.

So I am back after a unscheduled break. I want to get to my goal of 125. Hopefully by next Spring, I would like to sooner, but slow and easy...


Good Luck all my LCE peeps

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KIMLOU

Welcome back, Kim.

Nice to see you here agaian.

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Okay. Today's the day. Got my Atkins "bible" at hand, and plenty of low-carb choices in the fridge. Most important, I've got my mind made up.

Fourteen days of dedicated induction. I can do it!

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Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

go barb go!

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Beginning of Day Three. So far so good.

Things I do for inspiration:
1--Read the "bible" daily (random reading in Atkins)
2--Keep a food a diary in Fitday
3--Make menu plans
4--Notice how much better I feel (already!)

I caved and broke out the Ketostix today--really too soon. Even so, I'm a little bit "in the pink" and that's an encouraging sign. I'm sure my body appreciates being sugar-free and alcohol free. Keep up the good work, Barb!

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Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

LOL, Barb! I did a ketostix just an hour or so ago...dark pink!!! I'm shocked, but definitely pleased! I had a hint I might be this morning, as I had that good ole *ketotaste* in my mouth. It is a rare thing for me to test anything over light pink; then nothing after a week or more on Induction.

s

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Shelley


Visit Kassie's Korner


"A goal without a plan is just a wish."
--Antoine de Saint Exupery

I’m SOONER born,
And SOONER bred,
And when I die,
I’ll be SOONER dead!
GO SOONERS!
I be ready for some football!

One little walker-runner Dude for every 10 miles!

Funny how so many of us fall and then the weight creeps back. I guess if that wasn't a normal part of life for most of us 'chubby' people, then EVERYONE in the whole world would be at their perfect goal weight by now, right? So we all fall and aren't we lucky we have each other and no one preaches about it because we've all been there.
This is my first week back after about 2 years. I gave up because after 2 months of induction I still didn't turn purple! It made me mad. I went back to the low calorie thing and it worked for a while but now that "fat creep" came back and he won't go away so I am sick of trying to starve myself because the scale doesn't move, I'd rather EAT and look forward to all the wonderful foods I adore. Even if I don't turn purple or lose substantial weight again this time at least I enjoyed myself while trying.
As for the events...that is a great time to do low carb! We are going on vacation in 2 weeks, ROAD TRIP! That means bring a cooler in the truck and snack on deli meats and cheeses on the road and stop at a bunch of fresh fish markets and surf shacks along the coast! Parties, weddings, buffets...just go for the meats and other low carb options.
Good luck and like I said...we've all been there, done that, so don't be ashamed or depressed any longer! YOU CAN DO IT~

Hey, Cinderella. Good going.

Y'know, I remember now why I liked low-carb: I actually FEEL BETTER. It isn't all about weight loss, although weight management certainly motivates me. I remind myself every day that sleeping well, good energy, and a happy digestive system are all benefits of sticking with what works for me. Duh. How did I forget?? Well, I did. And do. And probably will again. But that's life.

For now...LCE for me!

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

I agree! With LC you DO feel better, are more energized and can EAT satisfying things. and...(knock on wood) THIS time, so far (only 4 days) I am NOT constipated and I have actually lost weight already. I was shocked, I wasn't even going to weigh myself for a month because it's usually so depressing but I couldn't help myself and I KNEW I would have probably gained a couple just from the drastic switch to meat and fat after eating stuff like cabbage soup, tons of grapes and huge pots of veggies only, but alas...3 pounds down in 4 days!~
Say What? and I'm really overeating, I know I am and I do it everytime I start because I have craved these foods so much and have denied myself, but apparently THIS TIME, my body is liking it alot and saying thanks!