In 2002, I gave up. After five years of maintaining a 50 lb loss (on low-cal, low fat) I was losing the fight...again. I regained 20 lbs. Although I kept up an excellent exercise routine (weights and cardio) I was definitely struggling with the eating thing, going in and out of calorie-counting periods without commitment or success.

Finally, I decided, to heck with dreaming about the skinny pants in the closet! I'll just reconcile with the body I've got. So I went to a dressmaker and had a muslin pattern made to the size of my 165 lb. body. Had some nice pants made, too. Now, I'm not a big spender on clothing, and this was an investment:crying: They fit nicely.

Then a funny thing happened. Something in my spirit said NO! No to settling for less than the best of myself. NO to the ageing effects of excess weight. NO to those doggone fat pants.

I bought a new copy of DANDR. In January 2003, I made the commitment to low-carb, and it worked. I lost down to my previous low--still a bit above what I considered a good goal for me, but comfortable. Then I hit a monster plateau. All through the latter part of 2003 and dragging on into 2004--no change. Hey! What about my goal?? I read all the info I could, asked lots of questions (here!), and tweaked the program to no avail. Was this my forever set-point? Would any further effort be totally futile?

That year, during a long vacation, and on through the holiday season, I pretty well lost track of my low-carb commitment. You guessed it--gained back ten lbs.

When January 2005 rolled around, I decided to try again. Back to DANDR. Back to induction. Back to the program that had worked for me--and even better, the plan that fit in so well with my life.

This time, I seem to have found a few things that work better for me. This time, I really HAVE arrived at my original goal--the goal I set back in 1996.

I feel more confident than ever that I'm in charge now of my eating habits and my future. And I've got those expensive pants to remind me where I don't want to go again. I should probably take a picture!

This time, I've rewarded myself with a monovision contact lens. I'm dumping the reading glasses and bifocals. I want to look as youthful as I feel in every way I can :butterfly:

So...hang in there. First try...second try...third try. Doesn't matter. Today's a new day...and the new you is on the way.

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


My Fitday Journal

Barb, thank you so much for posting this: a testimony to perserverance, determination, and faith.
Congratulations on your success. You're a real inspiration to those of us still on the journey.

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Trina

Vice-President of the Intergalactic Order of Brussels Sprouts Haters

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Barb, just a thought. You might want to stop the calorie-counting thing for a while. It will sap your will after a while, and that's the one thing you DON'T want to have happen. Cut your carbs even lower, eat your fill, and just get into a comfortable groove so you don't ever feel the need to "take a break." That's killed me before.

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**************
"And so, in my State of the—my State of the Union—or state—my speech to the nation, whatever you want to call it, speech to the nation—I asked Americans to give 4,000 years—4,000 hours over the next—the rest of your life—of service to America. That's what I asked—4,000 hours."

thanks for the testimony barb... very inspiring words..

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kims SECOND journal is HERE
kims new blog
KIMS BLOG !!
SUGARFREE BLOG

Well, Barb. I started in Jan. 2003 too. I saw the title of this thread and decided all day not to open it. I've been 10 lbs above my goal for a year. I can NOT say that I've tried my hardest. There have been some slips, but I've always gotten back on the lc road.

But, I'm tired of watching every little bite and glass of water. I'm still considering, but giving some thought to giving up for a while.

Thanks for your encouragement. It helps!

__________________
"Live the questions and some day you will live along into the answers."
Rainer Marie Rilke

Atkins since 2003
5'8" 206.4/197/175
65 years young

Barb, I don't think you have any idea how helpful your experiences have been to so many people.

You demonstrate that nothing is failure until one declares it to be so.

Thank you.

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Oh Barb,I so understand the fisrt try, second try, third try situation. Right now I am about 3 pounds above my goal weight. I would really like to lose that three and another three before DS's wedding in September. As it is, I'm doing good just to maintain. I need to get DANDR out and read it again. I think I could use a booster shot. Thanks for the encouragement.

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Judy
All time highest = 180, Goal = 140, Current status = RIGHT ON TARGET!
Every single time I put food in my mouth, it matters. No more fooling myself!

...that getting into a "comfortable groove" and not obsessing about every carb and calorie is the goal of this and every WOE. That's what I genuinely like about low-carb. It's comfortable and relatively easy.

However, I'm with Pegster and Judy. When nothing is happening, and you're still not at goal, that's when the will tends to give out. My plateau was a "comfortable groove" all right--but not where I wanted to be. My goal was (and is) quite realistic for my age etc. so I was truly puzzled, and finally I got discouraged enough to let go of my hard-won awareness.

Know Thyself is the key, and I've found that accountability--keeping close track of what I'm doing so I have a better idea what's working--is always helpful. This time, I'm pretty sure that adding a substantial amount of fiber to my daily intake has been extremely important. I'll keep doing that.

Also, for short women of a certain age, it's easier to exceed what's appropriate in calories than carbs, and (sorry to create anxiety for newbies) both of these factors DO count. Only 100 calories more per day than the body can use can put on ten pounds a year--and that's about what I gain when I stop paying attention. 100 calories doesn't have to be cake. It could be a half-cup of cottage cheese, a couple TBS of salad dressing or heavy cream or a carton of low-carb yogurt--all legal foods carb-wise, but not very much food when it comes to feeling "filled." It can still be more than "enough." And I can't overlook the cost of a glass or two of wine.

So...for me, knowledge is vital, and keeping track is the game.

Now that I'm in the remarkable situation of true maintenance, I still have a long way to go in the education process. I wish there were an easy, "natural" way, but I'm willing to do the work to get what I want for my life and health (and vanity!)

Now...how shall we have our broccoli today?

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


My Fitday Journal

kinda reminds me of that DIET commercial.. when the lady says..
"i dont WANT to look good for a woman with three children... i want to look good PERIOD!!"

i keep in mind that i have a friend (shes about 31 now) who i have known since she was about 17... she has had FOUR kids .. and she looks like a little model STILL...

i know that age has alot to do with what weight is acceptable... but i also know that WE can make choices on what WE want our appearance to be by the choices we make...

__________________
kims SECOND journal is HERE
kims new blog
KIMS BLOG !!
SUGARFREE BLOG

Barb, thanks for posting this....I've really struggled alot, so it helps me to know if I stay committed and never stop trying, I'll get there eventually!

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Great story, Im printing it and posting it on my wall in my bedroom and on my bathroom mirror. I have been beating myself up over my relaps. Putting myself down cuz I don't reach my goal and thinking about giving up. Your post is a Godsend. Thanks again, again and again. Oh a Congrads!!!!!!!!!

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If God is for me, who can be againist me?

July 21, 2003 - 246.7/214/155
Janurary 31, 2007 - 246.7/228.6/155
(Notice 246.7, again)

This very well may be my 50th try with a diet but only my 2nd start with LCE. But you do help me realize not to fret and not to give up. Thanks for your story.

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Noël


Worry doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrows, it empties today of its strengths.