I was the poster child for low carb eating. I had major weight loss that I maintained for several years, felt great, got lazy, gained it all back. Now here I am having to start all over again. This time around it's harder to commit. I know the results can be there but I keep nailing my toe to the floor and I'm getting nowhere. Can anyone relate to this? How did you get going again?
Thanks
Abby

I got motivated by several things. I looked in the mirror. I looked at how my clothes fit. My chiropractor told me if I didn't lose weight my back would get progressively worse. So, I had not choice but to get back into low carb. I take each day at a time. I've joined this site, and have embraced several challenges, all of which keep me committed. My pride won't let me have to post that I cheated, and if I cheated, I would have to post it!

Just keep doing this, one day at a time, and before you know it you'll see wonderful results.

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Nita

welcome back, abby. congratulations on deciding to come back to a way of eating that you know works for you and helps you feel good while you do it!

and there is NOTHING to be embarrassed about. we have lives in progress, you know? at different times, we focus our energy on different things. you'll find many, many folks have taken little detours here and there. in the long run, there is no failure short of giving up and you're here, so you're in the game, sister.

for me, when i'm having a tough time staying focused, i will often pick one or two small things to improve. stuff that is relatively easy and not too painful. if you're eating sugar, how about cutting that down (or way down)? upping water intake. replacing some of the less helpful snacks with veggies. adding a little movement to your daily routine. whatever it is, just do SOMETHING. anything. the smallest action does more good than a billion and two grand intentions, so take an action.

and then? well, after you pat yourself on the back good and hard, take another. for me, the only real motivation is success, and to get some of that, i have to do something first.

feeling guilty, embarrassed and frustrated gets in your way. your best bet, in my not so humble opinion, is to focus on stuff you feel good about exclusively, and totally disregard any detours beyond the single, useful function they can serve: what can you learn from them? what went wrong? if you approach those "breaks" that way, they can become educational experiences that ultimately contribute to your success. then, there is no way you can actually make a mistake. use it all, man.

anyway, that's my approach. hope you find what works for you soon and remember why you started the journey to begin with. those reasons are still there. don't beat on yourself--that's fattening. just move forward from where you are now, and come here often. the support and postive energy is contagious.

good luck and peace out.

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EatSmart Nutritional Scale Review

Abby,
Welcome! Don't be embarrassed! I have been down the very same road with you over and over again. It is a forever struggle and a daily commitment to this woe.
Hang in there,
you made the first step you are at this site!
Welcome & best of luck!

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"Summer of PQ"
19 pounds down....
Atkins

Welcome Abby,
You're in good company. Most of us have stumbled at some time. I'm doing the same as you getting back on the wagon. Like as said above: Life is a journey and there will be many choices and many priorities that we have to deal with during that journey. We make the best decisions we can at the time. You will find the motivation to take you over the fence and meet your goals.
Good Luck and happy days ahead.

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To think is to create!
So What? Now What?
Tom
Restart LC 7/05/08

thanks all. I had to spend the last two days out of town which meant eating out every meal. I am very pleased, I chose lean meats, veggies and even a couple bites of cantaloupe. My digestive system is letting me know I've made a big change
I know that's a good thing too because everything is starting to work like it should. I took a water bottle and filled it up at the hotel in the mornings and whenever else I needed it so I drank but probably not as much as I normally would at home. I tried to make it so that there were no excuses not to follow plan. Tonight at late dinner I sat next to a woman who's lost 60 pounds on weight watchers. She was counting out her food and figuring what she could and couldn't have. Although I am so happy for her weight loss, I felt very glad that I could eat an egg and cantaloupe and not worry about points or anything else. Another woman was figuring in her head what all she'd eaten that day and whether she could have a bowl of soup. It made me realize how easy this wol truly is and that all those other ways are not for me.
thanks for all the encouraging notes! it was nice to come home and find them

Abby -

Good for you! It's good to feel good. Isn't it ?

One small FYI - Cantaloupe isn't particularly good on the lc/glycemic index chart

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Sven
305/218/200
Start Date: 1/1/06

Welcome to low-carb eating.
The food's not bad here.

Abby,
That is an awesome story about the WW loser, that is true, there is very little restrictions to this woe and the restricted things we don't need anyways!
Good for you!
Sounds like you are on your way!
PQ

__________________
"Summer of PQ"
19 pounds down....
Atkins