Well, the holidays are really over. A lot of people caved in because of temptation. I just think those people that stuck to the plan, despite all the sabotaging relatives, the familiar treats laid out in front of you, all the "Just one bite won't hurt" messages, deserve a big pat on the back.

You were good to your body, you were good to your integrity, you were good to your self-esteem.

To a certain extent, carbs are like drugs. Getting off of them and staying off of them requires abstinence and the formation of new habits. Slip-ups can be overcome, but how much better it is to not slip-up, to keep your success, and to save the results of your efforts.

**************
"Sometimes I think you have to march right in and demand your rights, even if you don't know what your rights are, or who the person is you're talking to. Then on the way out, slam the door."

Hi Doc

I came through the holiday without gaining any weight. I went off plan a little bit I ate some rice and potatoes, It was the booze I thought would put my weight up but I escaped and I have a 1lb reduction from 1-1-04.

so all-in-all I am happy

BigLez Soon to be Littlelez

If you have never made a mistake then you've done nothing

Thanks, Doc. I did pretty well over the holidays. Kept up with my exercise, and avoided the sugary stuff.

Today is official REstart day. Hubby's doing induction, and I'm doing it with him. I've been over to Fitday to get the record going. Always helps to keep a diary.

Happy and healthy new year to you!

Barb L.
Started Atkins January 2003
162/137/130

I actually had a minor argument with one of my uncles over my diet, but I did not give in. I eventually explained to him that having too many carbs would hurt my biochemistry (which did happen to me once), and might take me 2-3 days to recover from. He seemed OK with that.

My other uncle - a psychiatrist told me that I was too obsessive-compulsive about my eating. Despite this he was also very supportive, and reminded me that my grandfather had died from diabetes. Thus loosing weight will help me avoid the disease. It was the first time he had ever heard about Atkins, and he was surprised that I could be loosing weight while eating meats and fats. He did encourage me to skip as many meals as possible, and I did skip one or two. I don’t think he believes that people should eat 3 meals a day.

I didn't exercise as much as I should have, but I did use the gym in his apartment building about 3 times. I also went for a few walks outside when I could. I am glad to be home and back to my normal environment though.

Started on 9/20/03
235-->195; 160 goal

No, people should not eat 3 meals a day. Ideally, they should eat 5 or 6! Of course, we know that means 5 or 6 TIMES, choosing appropriate foods and portions.

Those of us who struggle with our weight must be a bit preoccupied with food, and it isn't obsessive or compulsive at all.

You're doing great. Tune out all that other "advice."

Barb L.
Started Atkins January 2003
162/137/130

yes, doc, everyone that stayed true to plan should be commended....next year with a little more time in this WOE/WOL i will be better prepared for the holidays - I gained three lbs the week before christmas, and lost one week of christmas - and then maintained. Something you said Doc, in another thread always comes to my mind when I am debating on eating something high carb "I know what chocholate taste like, I know what pasta, rice, potatoes etc. taste like, I choose not to eat them cause I feel better when I don't eat them (I know I paraphrased). I didn't bake any sweets, and what little were brought over either sat so long they got moldy, or I forgot they were there and didn't eat any....I just had to have some pasta during the hoildays, and after I had it, I thought I really don't need to eat that (after 5 months I thought I was missing something, but I wasn't ).

http://www.youravon.com/cnorulak
carolyn in texas
started 8/11/03
327/298/150

I thought of another similar but good analogy.

Eating chocolate is like having sex with your ex-wife.

I mean, come on, you've been there, done that, and enjoyed it at the time, but you really, DON'T want to go back. There's just too much negative baggage!

And the same is all true for chocolate!

**************
"Sometimes I think you have to march right in and demand your rights, even if you don't know what your rights are, or who the person is you're talking to. Then on the way out, slam the door."

Doc... I have seen many of your posts and wanted to respond telling you how hysterical, inspiring, hits the spot, and informative your entries are, but this time, i just have to say........OMG!!!!!!!! hahhhahahhahahah lolololoolllllolll......Peace, Joanna

I'll take that pat, Doc - thanks!

Ya know, the holidays marked my first anniversary of maintenance at my goal weight, and it never occured to me to eat one bite of anything that's not on my plan. I just don't eat those things any more, period. And to tell you the truth, I found myself a little irked at the big holiday dinners, with everybody moaning and groaning about how stuffed they were, and then flopping on the couch at 6:30 because they were all so tired!

After Christmas dinner, my lc sweetheart and I went for a walk while the others recovered enough to open gifts. But then they started in on the desserts, and that clinched the rest of the evening - dullsville!

I don't mean to come across as self-righteous about this (too late?), but it's gotten to the point that when I see somebody with a plate full of potatos and bread (like I used to), I have the same internal reaction as when I see someone smoking (like I used to) - oooh, you poor dear....free yourself! You can feel so much better if only....

For the first time in my adult life, my weight is not an issue. I will not trade that freedom for food.

Here's to a happy lc new year, everybody!

Sky
Atkins since 8/02
186/144/under 150

I am with you, Sky! I look at that stuff and I just think, YUCK. I didn't feel at all deprived, I ate plenty of great cheeses, prime rib, oven-roasted veggies - I TRIED to eat a small piece of my mother's penuche (brown sugar fudge) but it was so dang sweet I couldn't take it!! Now that's significant progress - in past years I'd have eaten several pieces at once, and then grabbed another every time I walked by the kitchen!

Not craving, or even DESIRING, pasta, bread, potatoes, and most importantly SWEETS made with sugar - I love it. I feel FREEEEEEE and finally in control of my eating!!

Char

Don't squat with yer spurs on!

I can sooo relate to everything said. The first time I tried this WOE I felt deprived when my family was having Krispy Creme donuts. My cheat lasted 8 months. I am a carb addict, and have no appetite control when not on this WOE.

This time around I've learned my lessons and feel compassion for those folk who are killing themselves with food.

Thanks for everyone's support!

Thanks Doc. I agree with what Sky had to say also. After a year and a half, I just don't do sugar or starch-laden foods anymore and I feel so blessed. It takes no willpower because I know so much more about food than I did prior to starting down this path. I just make great choices about the things I'll eat or drink now.

Joyce

I think the support from this site was the number one contributing factor for me to stay with the LC WOE. I can honestly say this is the first time in over 15 years that I had no weight gain during the holidays, but actualy lost 6 pounds during Christmas and New Years! How great is that?

Melinda B
240/215/150
Atkins 10/12/03

WOW Melinda that's GREAT!!!

Doc, that's a perfect analogy for anything we don't eat anymore.

All in all I think I did pretty good. My in-laws are doing SBD so they had meat and steamed veggies at Christmas. They did however have 2 potato dishes, my SIL's cheesy potatoes and german potato salad. I had 1 bite of each potato dish. I skipped the bread and egg nog. Oh and the 2 jello dishes too.

I had 2 teeeeeeeny cookies that had nuts and coconut. So with the "stuff" in them they weren't too bad. And they WERE TEENY.

I LC'd Christmas EVE with Chinese food, beef and peapods and shrimp cashew with veggies. I made my own LC sweet and sour sauce. Had NO rice.

New Years I made a ton of LC snackies. veggies and dip, Sharron's Bacon and 3 cheese mini pizzas (coming soon in her new book) YUMYUM, nuts, and LC cinnamon tortilla chips with strawberry salsa. I had 2 glasses of wine.

I didn't gain, in fact I lost.

I like the attitude in Maggie's thread, "I don't eat that" instead of "I CAN'T eat that." It really helps to not feel deprived.

So.......I didn't do toooooooo badly.

I didn't let the holidays become a CARBFEST.

Barb - 30 lbs gone FOREVER!
www.iwsgroupinc.com - website design and development


Atkins-3/14/03
174/144.6/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Knowledge is POWER

I was not good over the holidays but on the other hand I wasn't reallllllly bad. Lots of wonderful desserts at my mom's but I only had one small one. No mash potatoes or stuffing but I know I went over my allowance of carbs. Then off to Florida to my boyfriend's mom's house. She tried to give me the right food but when you cut out the starches it was very little meat. So I just went to the store and got some extra food. But on the other hand I knew I was restarting Atkins first monday in January. So I wasn't too worried. I didn't weigh but I figured I gained a couple of pounds.

But what is important now is that I those extra pounds and the other 8 pounds I didn't lose last year.

So wish me luck

travellost