copied from old message board...

Wow,
This has been a REALLY hard week for some people...
Frustration and depression seem to be running rampant on this board and I just want to take a moment and send
{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}
out to everyone who is feeling low.

Please know that we have ALL been where you are. We have ALL felt the frustration of the scale not moving.
We have all been disappointed in ourselves for giving in to seemingly senseless cheats.
And we have ALL wondered at some point if this is really the WOL (way of life) for us.
But I want to remind you (and myself) of some things:

1) WHY are you on this woe (way of eating)?
If you are like me, then this was a LAST RESORT because NOTHING else has worked for you. Maybe you were tired of eating bland, tasteless, "diet" food, always feeling deprived, only to lose maybe a pound or two.
Maybe your health was in jeopardy.
My doctor was threatening to put me on diabetes medication. NOW, I'm no longer diabetic.
GO BACK TO YOUR "WOE-ROOTS": remember what led you to this point and why you chose this woe for yourself.

2) HOW do you FEEL?
I told someone this morning, that EVEN IF I never lost another pound, I would continue to eat this way for the rest of my life.
Why?
Because *I have more energy, *I'm less irritable, *My digestive problems have ceased, *My acne is gone, *My PCOS is gone, *I don't feel deprived (especially when I'm eating a juicy steak with melted butter), *My face is not puffy, *I am more patient with those I love (especially my children), *I'm no longer diabetic, *I JUST FEEL BETTER.

3) LOOK past yourself.
I know this may sound trite and simplistic, but LOOK around you.
There are others on this board who are having a harder time than you. Or maybe they have overcome more obstacles.
I know that when I start feeling sorry for myself because the scale hasn't moved in a while, I go and read others' posts -- posts of people with twice as much weight to lose than I have. Others who are facing extended stalls that make mine look like a mere "pause."
We are all tempted to throw in the towel, but those who make it to their goals NEVER DO.

4) Throw away the scale? THROW AWAY YOUR CALENDAR!
If this is your WOL (way of life) now, then what is the rush? This is not a race. Your body is naturally going to resist giving up what you so willingly gave it. It took me 9 years to pile on 134 excessive pounds. WHY do I think it will (or SHOULD) be gone by Christmas?
I have abused my body (albeit, unknowingly at times) with too many carbs, too many diets, and not enough healthy eating.
NOW is the time to make amends.
I will take this time (because it WILL take time) to pamper my body, and soothe its wounded spirit, and feed it healthy foods, and exercise it to a healthy glow. And eventually, those walls my metabolism has so expertly constructed will start to crumble and I will be rewarded.

Now, think on these things, and commit to them. Because you know, deep down, that QUITTING is NEVER the answer.
Will y'all remind me of that the next time I start whining?

Summer


www.herstorygirl.com

Great points to remember!

Susan

LC and feeling better every day!

Atkins since 7/18/03
210/190/140

Thanks. I needed that

Shay
205/205/150
Atkins since 8/29/03

Wonderful post, thank you.
You replied to one of my posts about my cheating with a cupcake! haha
I would just like to say thanks because it was a kick in the butt I needed to get me to be serious. I started induction over as you said, am on day two (going into three since it is 1am here) and doing great. Thanks again

~Steph

Definitely a thread worth repeating!

Bon
210/181/165
Atkins since 12/15/02

As one of those who has been feeling a bit of a malaise lately, your post was very timely.

Yes, I do feel much better - before this woe I was utterly fed up, with no motivation, and at serious risk of heart disease and diabetes (I just 'felt' this was all going to happen soon). Even after three months, I feel so much better and am fitting into clothes in my wardrobe that in some cases I'd never worn. I've a LONG way to go, and sometimes it all seems too much, when the scale hardly moves.... (I'm very impatient!). But the alternative??

Thanks, Summer. Hugs to you too.
Clare

Thank You Summer! This has come at a perfect time for me. I greatly appreciate you digging through all your files to find this thread!

222/219/150
Started Atkins 8/19/2003

Great post Summer. I just wanted to <bump> it up again so nobody will miss it.

Susan ( AKA Northwest)
207/178.5/160

Thanks I needed that!

Let's make it a sticky!

Bon
210/181/165
Atkins since 12/15/02

No matter where I go Or what thread I peak into I always feel that your speaking just to me.

Thanks

Great post Summer. Thanks from a veteran. It is always good to read one of your "inspirational" message. Have a great day.

Shortie19
224+/201/130
Since 1/1/03

Thanks for the post...It is really helping me, as I cheated 2 days in a row and had cookies and mini donuts into my 9th and 10th day into induction.
I am committed to this woe/wol change, I felt really bad about this cheat until I read your post.
I have dieted many times, all kinds, even lc before but would screw up and give up.
As you said...I didn't gain it all in 6 mos., i won't lose it or completely change right away either.
I also have noticed that my constant nasuea has ceasted and I am starting to feel better.
I CAN DO THIS...with God and all of you and your experiences. THANK YOU.

Sorry to ramble...I just got carried away.
Back to the cheat I guess that I will add a couple more days to my induction and then move up.

Dawn
started Atkins 9/4/03
233/225/150

Thank you all... <blushing>
Believe me, it's a life-long journey!

Hang in there, Dawn. You can do this.

Summer


www.herstorygirl.com

If you totally mess up one day and have something you're not supposed to, Do you need to start over again? (meaning like the induction stage of the atkins diet)Should you just start again even if it was just one day?