It is one of those frustrating moments. I do so good and then bam, I sink. Why do I do this to myself? I'm on my way and I'm so close to goal (15 lbs away) yet sometimes, it feels so far. It feels like a huge number. Why do I feel like this? Why do I sabotage myself so much when I'm so close? Why can't I ever get this right? Will I ever get this right?

I sat down and thought of ALL the advantages I have had eating this way.

I have lost 60 lbs - it took 2 1/2 years but I have managed to keep it off.

I have more energy.

I'm never hungry and my appetite is suppressed.

I don't crave sugar and don't miss bread all that much.

My feet don't swell.

I've lost a lot of inches - even when the scale hasn't moved.

My skin glows.

I'm happier and more full of life.

I LOVE eating my unlimited spinach and enjoying strawberries with real whipped cream for dessert!

Disadvantages: Nada, Zero, Nothing, Zilch, Nil!

I remind myself of how close I am to goal so why would I want to do anything wrong now? I just want this roller coaster ride to stop!

I know I tend to eat more on the weekends than during the week - me and the dh both - and the dh was telling someone about this and they recommended that for the next two weeks, eat the same way on the weekend that we eat during the week, and that would stablize and condition our bodies to eat that way all the time...I'm so tired of going up on the scale after a weekend of binging...especially when I'm not so far from goal!

Has anyone else ever felt this way? And what did you do to keep yourself motivated and from sinking into another mishap?

Sheyla

hi sheyla, i'm sorry you're struggling right now. i understand how you're feeling. it's great that you were able to make such a great "pros" list for this WOE though!

i'm kind of in the same boat ... i am about 10-15 lbs from my goal and it is so hard to stay strict now, especially on the weekends.
last nite, for example, i went to a baseball game w/ friends ... was very hard. i had a couple hotdogs w/ no buns, but they don't offer any LC drinks. boo. so i drink some lite beers and a one "real" beer! i felt so guilty. i should have abstained from drinking altogether. felt even worse this morning - bloated and tired.

and i exercise SO much ... so WHY would i jeopordize or offset all of that HARD work by making these little mistakes?

i wish i could say that i've done this WOE perfectly, you know? i doubt that anyone has ... no one is perfect after all.

the problem w/ weekends is that they are filled w/ more social events, usually more dining out, more TV watching, doing cultural things, etc. we're relaxed on the weekends and our minds tell us it's OK for our eating to be "relaxed" too. but that's not the case! i agree, we can let the reins loosen up a little (maybe on a specific day every week), but what's the key to staying consistent every other day??

i'm traveling this weekend and i'm already scared about what little mistakes i might make!
sorry i can't offer the perfect answer ... but just know that you're not alone.

__________________
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Carrie
SBD since 9/12/2005
Re-started 5/8/2006
My new journal: Just Breathe

Well, that's okay that you couldn't offer me any advice. I think I just needed to write this down for myself to see where I stood when it comes to this woe and all the benefits I have had thusfar...it is actually a good thing for I am starting to develop this new woe being that the only two people in my family who are not diabetic are my brother and me...so I know this woe will totally counteract that...yesterday, I wrote down on a piece of paper the ways I totally sabotage my weight loss efforts and then wrote down what I would do to change thsoe. I was telling my dh about this and he said, 'well, instead of writing down what you know, just do what you know.' I know he's right but I have to have it on paper as well so I can visualize it and make a plan. One thing I did notice - sometimes, I'll have a sugar-laden latte (is that REALLY healthy?) and then I won't eat the rest of the day (is that REALLY healthy?) and on top of that, I tend to sneeze a ton! And after only a few sips, I'm not satisfied with the drink anymore so it ends up being just a waste of money so I have made a plan of action to stop drinking those and opt for the no carb Arizona White Cranberry Apple Green Tea - which is absolutely delicious!

My dh and I are heading to AZ in 2 weeks for our delayed honeymoon, and I'm sure trying to lose a little more by then has just put extra pressure on me and has actually caused me to go off plan and eat wrong...and it's me doing it to myself...the dh and I have talked about it and decided the way we eat there will be the same way we eat here...it's not really going to be any different other than just going out for pizza one nite...but for that, I know I can get some buffalo wings with celery or just enjoy the salad bar since I just LOVE to eat salad. I don't even think I could down one slice of pizza anymore...seems like too much...and we're planning to have bbq's so have the hamburger without the bun...won't be a problem at all! I look forward to coming home and having not gained 10 lbs...I wonder what the avg weight gain is for people who go on vacation...I know I can come back with no weight gain...I did that when I went to texas last year - I came back 2 lbs lighter which was really awesome - but I also made sure I kept up my exercise and my woe (though it was a little more lax)

Anyway, I look forward to eating normally this weekend and either being the same weight on Monday or having lost a pound...as long as I don't gain this weekend, that is what will matter to me. Wow...instead of looking forward to binging this weekend, I'm looking forward to eating healthy delicious yummy, good,nutritious foods! That's a change!

Sheyla

After a year and a half on this WOL, I can say that it really IS a way of life. If I go on vacation and have some treats, it's like "coming home" to the real me when I resume the low-carb routine.

Yes, there are things I've given up "forever" like sugars, pasta, and white flour. An occasional treat won't change that commitment. However, for the long haul, I know that low-carb serves me well, and it is by far the simplest eating program I've ever been able to sustain.

Hang in there! This is a long-term thing, and over time, you'll continue to see the benefits of your new way of eating--and more importantly, your new way of thinking!

Best wishes!

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


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