Hi,

I have been around since July 2003, but I haven't written that many comments. Most of the time I just read and use the advise for others to help me.

I am doing Atkins and I think it is a wonderful way of eating. When I follow the plan, I feel great, more energetic than ever, not to mention the weight loss I experienced. I lost 41 pounds from July 7, 2003 to mid October.

Then I stalled, but I can't be sure to blame my body and not give blame to my mind. I began to cheat way too often starting at Halloween, carrying to Thanksgiving, Christmas, vacation, New Year's.

Then January 5, 2004, I started new. I lost ten of the eleven pounds I gained during the holidays and began to cheat again. Now I have gained 7 of the 10 back and have started new (again) today.

Why am I doing this to myself? I know I feel better when I eat better. I want to lose the weight, I have a long way to go, but where did my determination go? What can I do to put myself back in the frame of mind I was in back in July, August, September?

I would appreciate any advise those of you who have fallen off plan may have for me. I want to make this my way of life, not just a diet. I am happy that I have only gained back a little and not all of it.

Thank you in advance for you help (signature will stay the same, I will be back there soon).

__________________
Michelle P.
265/224/160
Atkins since 7/7/03

Oh Michelle I understand completely what you are saying. I was/am the same way. There is always an occasion to make me go off for a day or two then it's back on and so forth. I don't think anyone can really tell you what happened, all I can say is just get up dust off and get back on the horse. Check in here often and start a daily journal. You might be able to write down what is triggering this behavior and then you will see it there in black and white. In any case stay strong!

Michelle,
Just wanted to give you some words of encouragement. I know how hard it is to lose weight and stick with the program. But, believe in yourself and do this for yourself. YOU CAN DO IT!!
Use this forum for support and come here often. Read the post, ask questions, and get into the spirit of low carb that this forum represents so well. Everyone is so motivated here and they will support you.
Hang in there!!

Thank you both for your replies. I feel really dumb when I know how to lose the weight and I don't stick to the plan. I definitely can't blame my weight on not knowing how to lose the weight since I have discovered Atkins. This is the only thing that has ever worked for me. I did great yesterday and so far today. I have already gotten most of my energy back and am feeling good. Thank you again for your encouragement.

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Michelle P.
265/224/160
Atkins since 7/7/03

Don't feel bad, the same thing happened to me. I lost 80 pounds and then got married and went on vacation then christmas, then valentines, ice cream galore. I gained 50 back and am now re inducting and getting back to weight loss. My biggest obstacle right now is that I'm so used to Ongoing weight loss that eating induction has been very difficult for me. I miss my salsa and my cream cheese splenda deserts.

So far after 5 days I've only lost 4 pounds, and I'm a bit in a panic, but I have about 10 or so days left, so we'll see how it goes.

Chrissy
309/270/130

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I would appreciate any advise those of you who have fallen off plan may have for me. I want to make this my way of life, not just a diet. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yanno, I have "fallen off plan" many times in the nearly 6 years I've been low carbing. Had this been a diet for me, I would have completely stopped the first time I "fell off" and never would have gone back to it. I think I have made this a way of life for the simple reason that when I do "fall off", I know that I will pick right back up where I left off, and continue on.

Two years ago my boss, Neil, finally tried low carb (at my suggestion) after many years of failed low fat diets. He quickly and successfully lost 40 pounds, and his doctor took him off all of his prescription meds...even his prostate meds. Neil "cheated" over the holidays and has had a difficult time getting back into the swing of things and has put on a few pounds. He told me yesterday that he simply craves sweet, carby foods now, has no energy, and feels irritable and tired. He told me that he is going to go back to Induction level carbs to get back to where he was weight-wise but, more importantly, to the energy level he had while following low carb strictly.

I told him that we call that kind of approach "eating clean" and challeneged him to do it starting today. I've been eating clean now for two whole days and feel much, much better.

The beauty of the low carb way of life is that it is clearly evident that it works. Not only does it help me lose weight and maintain that weight loss, the side benefit of added, sustained energy cannot be understated. As I get older, and as I strive to "eat clean", I find that my overall feeling of being healthy is great for me physically and emotionally.

Sometimes I "fall off" plan...but I get right back on and continue. Realizing that this isn't a race, but is a way of life, puts it better into perspective for me. I will eat this way until the day I die.

__________________
April

The face of a child can say a lot -- especially the mouth part of the face.

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Just remember, also, not to use falling off the plan as an excuse for not following the plan the rest of the day. If you fall off, forgive yourself and move on and get back on the plan immediately - like at your next snack or next meal...one thing that has always helped me in the past is writing down what I ate, how hungry I was (a 0 being not hungry, a 5 being famished) and how I was feeling at that particular moment. And that's when I realized I was an emotional eater - stuff that angered me or upset me triggered me to eat - especially unhealthy foods...but thank the Lord that those habits changed, and I'm not an emotional eater anymore...but it took me writing everything down to realize I needed to change that habit...also, I always find other thiings to do to preoccupy my mind as well - maybe doing a crossword puzzle, reading, writing poetry or stories...etc...I'll confess that even I cheated while losing my weight but all I was doing was sabotaging myself...I'd lose 7 lbs one week and then on Saturday, I'd indulge in a Big Mac Meal supersized with 3 chocolate chip cookies on the side! And of course, I'd have to start all over again...it wasn't worth it. I could have been at my goal weight by now had I not screwed around like that. I use to beat myself up over it. Not anymore. It's the past. Leave it there and move on to a new day, a fresh start.

Also, one other thing that always got me motivated - it works for some people, for others it doesn't - was buying a really nice outfit one size smaller. I cannot even begin to describe the feeling when I was able to get into that smaller size!

Anyway, just keep going...remember Paul in the Bible? He looked forward to what was at the end of the journey rather than being discouraged by the bumps along the way.

Sheyla
186/129/105 60.5 inches

Thank you all for your words of encouragement. I weighed this morning and I am two pounds down. YEAH!!! I steped off the scale and thanked God for doing this for me on a Friday morning so I will have the willpower to make it through the weekend. Tomorrow I will be going to a beach party. Now I know I can handle it and I will bring a cooler of water and diet drinks and LC snacks.

I have kept all of my "small" clothes, so I have plenty of motivation. I am just really glad that I didn't gain it all back and have to start all over again.

Thanks again, I know we can all do it!

__________________
Michelle P.
265/224/160
Atkins since 7/7/03