Good morning all,

I've tried LCE before and have lost weight (as much as 40lbs, one time) but always,
ALWAYS, there came a point where I would tell myself "oh you can have just ONE
regular soda" and one would rapidly turn into 6 or more A DAY. Same thing with
cookies, ice cream, etc... I wasn't able to just "treat" myself - I would completely fall
off the wagon.

So here I am now at 420+ lbs (I say + because my scale "only" goes to 420 and it
errors out when I get on it), miserable and with knee and skin problems (psoriasis)
that I have no doubt would improve if I could lose the weight.

I'm married to a wonderful man who loves me in spite of myself, even though I
know he desperately wants me to lose weight too.

I walk each day to pick my son up at the bus stop so I get *some* exercise, but
it kills my knees and by the time I get home I just want to flop down into my
recliner and sleep. Ugh.

So that's my past and my present. I am working on a better future. Thanks for
reading.

Cynthia

Hi Cynthia!

I can completely commiserate with what you have posted. I tend to be an emotioal eater, and my life has been pretty tough the last few years. I caved into the "I can have just one" thing too often because of stress issues.

I don't know a whole lot about it yet, but I am looking into the low carb plan put out by Wendy Chant called Crack the Weight Loss Code. From what I know without reading the whole book, you have carb down and carb up days. On the carb up days you can have "treats". I'm thinking that if this works the way that it may be a way to have more carby things as rewards and keep them under control. I can fill you in more as I learn if you're interested!

If you want, we can lean on each other as support. Kinda like low carb buddies.

Good luck with your goals! We're all behind you!

__________________
***Amy***
Since 10/01 - 257/190/150
Restart 10/09 -
236/215/150 (18/16/8)

Hi, Cynthia. Yes, you do need to get things under control. Your quality of life is seriously affected by that much extra "you" to carry around. Just think how STRONG your bones and muscles must be to move and balance that much extra weight!! Underneath it all, you are potentially one very fit lady. It's time for you to get rid of the covering and see what a beautiful, strong body you have.

From what you said, "just one" of anything sweet seems to sink your resolve. So I must respectfully disagree with the previous poster about "carb down/carb up" days. Even a taste of that sweet stuff could trigger a serious lapse. You just have to say NO to sugar, and anything that turns into sugar, in your daily nutritional picture. It's an addiction you can't "cure." You have to outsmart it.

I'd go so far as to suggest you avoid any sweet-tasting stuff--even if made with sugar substitutes like Splenda. And ESPECIALLY avoid "diet" soft drinks. Water is good. Water is excellent. Water is a life-giving substance. Learn to love water. You can do it!

Whatever LC plan you choose (I'm devoted to Dr. Atkins), read the book thoroughly, follow it to the letter. Take advantage of all the "goodies" available: good fats, juicy meats, LC salad dressings, and, best of all, the quantity of food that makes you feel satisfied and gives you the energy to keep moving.

You can do it! You can do it! No pain. No deprivation. Just good, solid LC eating today, tomorrow, the day after that....and so on.

Best wishes.

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


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