Well I did it. Caved in to a craving for chinese noodles (Chow Fun). Had the craving for over 2 weeks and it was the first real craving I have had since starting LC 1/1/03. I have also been stuck on this same weight for almost 2 months and decided to see if the "carb load" would jump start the losing again.
I will admit with great hesitation, that I don't feel too guilty and contrary to popular belief my hair didn't fall out and the earth didn't stop. Now does this mean I am back on the path to "the dark side"? NO.
It was a one time thing that may happen again in the future but not every week and not without thought on my part. I feel good that this wasn't just a "to heck with it I am going to eat whatever I want to" lapse. I am back to LC today and no cravings for more carbs.
Thanks to everyone for your continued support.

Shortie19
224+/201/130
Since 1/1/03
http://www.lowcarbeating.com/lcesupporter.gif

Last time I checked there wasn't an angry Carb Guardian hovering over to zap ya when ya partake of a few more grams than necessary.

I think you were responsible in your choice. You certainly don't appear to have dived off the deep end and drowned yourself in an all-out binge.

I think the interesting thing will be to see how you FEEL tomorrow. Will you feel fine, so you know this can be a regular treat to look forward to.............. or............ will you feel bloated and blech so you might not choose the same way next time?

I'd be interested to know. So report back.

Michelle -- 208/196/140
Started Atkins 9/03
On my way to finding the new me.... WATCH OUT WORLD!!

Shortie, I did the same thing not long ago. I caved to my overwhelming craving for General Tso's Chicken....my all-time fave Chinese dish. I did not get sick and the world did not end either. I jumped right back on the bandwagon after that meal. I retained water for about 3 days, then went back to my normal, slower than molasses in January weight loss with little or no effect.

I say, if you enjoyed it, great. The fact that it was a thought out decision is even better!

Cheers!

Jen
Started Atkins 5.5.03
196/179/155

Thanks ladies for the kind words. I have to honestly say I did not feel bloated or yucky. I think I have retained some water weight, but I feel confident that will go away in a few days. I don't really want to make this a regular indulgence and it is not a "trigger" for me for additional cravings and that is nice to know.
Of course the same thing could not be said for even one M&M but that is another story. LOL.

Shortie19
224+/201/130
Since 1/1/03
http://www.lowcarbeating.com/lcesupporter.gif

I think you CAN have a "planned indulgence" occasionally without unduly upsetting this WOE. Stopping at ONE meal is the key, IMHO. If you use that one "cheat" (which I don't like to use, I mean, exactly WHOM do I think I'm cheating?!) as an excuse to go all haywire for a whole day or more, then you're in for trouble.

So congrats on doing what you needed to do to get right back on track after ONE PLANNED meal! I think that's pretty realistic!

Char

Don't squat with yer spurs on!

don't sweat it... one day off the diet isn't going to make you gain your weight back or ruin the whole diet. However getting to comfprtable with cheating will. I think that cheating and not seeing a negative reaction makes people feel like that it is ok, therefore they do it more often. As long as you back to your LC diet you will be just fine. I had a very small piece of cheese cake last week. The next day I really watched my carbs and I make sure not to skip the gym and I lost a lb bye the end of the week.

Maria
177/151/125
LC since 8/8/03

Really, don't beat yourself up over it. You realize this was wrong, and at least it didn't turn into a carb-fest (you know what I'm talking about folks).

Forget about it and start chugging that water!

194/179/125 (5'4)

And I'm gonna make it this time!

Shortie, I did the same thing last Thursday night. We had parent-teacher conferences and the food was left over from our dinner. Since I only had 4 parents come in, I was bored and tired. It was my first major "mishap" in 6 months. I ate cake and brownies . I was really worried about the carb carving coming back, buit Friday was fine. My weight was also down on Sat. morning.

I beat myself up for half of the morning on Friday, but I finally forgave myself. We are so hard on ourselves. I think as long as we don't use it for an excuse, like Char said, to go crazy, we will be fine.

BTW, I was really wired from all of the sugar .

Susan ( AKA Northwest)
207/171.5/160/
size 16/12/8
LC since 4/03

Shortie
If you can go almost 10 months before having a major indulgence I'd call that fantastic. Congratulations!

I intend to pick and choose the forbidden foods at thanksgiving. A tbs of stuffing a slice of sweet potato and some gravy. no pumpkin pie unless I make my own low carb version. which I just decided I will do.

Rob
310/243/180

Thanks one and all for the advice and support. I can safely say that my one "cheat" did not come back to haunt me. The 2nd day there was a little water weight gain but that went away within the next 2 days.
I really treasure all of you and your wise counsel.

Shortie19
224+/201/130
Since 1/1/03
http://www.lowcarbeating.com/lcesupporter.gif