hi there ....
well, right now i am close to tears. i'm just so frustrated.
many of you have seen me (my posts) around here for a while now. since january 5, 2004, to be exact. i've posted a lot - and my karma title says i'm a "veteran" ... but i don't feel that way.
b/c as of this morning (on the scale), i am now officially back up to only 5-6 lbs lower than my ORIGINAL start weight when i began this WOE. do you know how depressing this is for me?? :(

i'm not posting to have ya'll help me figure out what i'm doing wrong (although i am still confused) ... i just needed to vent. i just can't go on like this.
in addition to changing my WOE at the start of the year, i also pledged to hit the gym at least 3 times a week. i have been going consistently 6 times a week now for almost 5 months! so why haven't i seen a greater weight loss?? my muscles do long stronger, more toned. but i still have the same stupid fat around my middle.

i know that i have been abusing LC treats (having one about every other day) and advantage bars. somehow, i thought that w/ all my exercise these treats would not affect me. and i've had a couple "bad" weekends - like the LC lite beers i had this past weekend. i can easily point out what mistakes have gotten me where i currently am.

i am leaving for vacation next week and couldn't be more upset about the way i look and feel. may 20th was my "goal date" ... i really wanted to hit 135 by then. monday i was 145, tuesday, 144 and today i am 146.5.
i suppose some of this is water - had a salty day yesterday.
but how am i EVER going to stop juggling the SAME 5 POUNDS?! :(

thanks for all of your support over the last few months .... but i just feel like i have hit rock bottom. *sigh*

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

{{{{big cyber hug}}}}}}

oh, carrie. I am so very sorry you're going through this. we've ALL been there, including me.

Abdominal fat is very hard to get rid of, especially if your genetics make you tend to store there - but with the amount you've been working out, I can't help but think you've traded a LOT of fat for muscle... which is why you haven't yet seen the number on the scale be where you want it to be.

I really think that talking to Kate Street a bit might help you, Carrie. you can reach her through her website www.lowcarbexercise.com. Her recent article on the site (the one about "i'm exercising, so why am i not seeing results?") might be encouraging.

well, just know that we're rooting for you, and i hope you don't let "the same five pounds" ruin your vacation - life's too short. I know how disappointing it can be to not lose when you've worked so hard! But going away with a clear mind and relaxed attitude might be just what the doctor ordered to get your body into the "losing" mode...

love and good thoughts for you!

andrea

~~~BIG HUGE HUGS CARRIE~~~

I know what you're going thru...I think everyone has either been there or are right where you are at. I hit the gym 4 times a week and I'll tell you, I've bulked up muscle wise which I think is great. I don't get on the scale anymore because it will just say I gained or I'm where I've been out the last 5 months. It used to really upset me to the point of tears, but I can look in the mirror and SEE the results of the weight training and cardio. I can feel it in my clothes so i KNOW its there and thats what you have to focus on. I know for me exercising just makes me feel good in general. I feel more fit, more energetic and my self esteem and confidence has shot up 200%. Take your vacation and focus on having fun and what the exercise does for your self worth instead of what that stupid scale says! Hang in there!!!!

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Tracy
REstarted 1/1/05
240/233--goal 150 at least

HUGS...HUGS....HUGS....HUGS....HUGS......HUGS..... HUGS....and more HUGS

Hi Carrie, Tracy is so correct, if you are working out a lot, you will appear to gain weight, however this will not be fat, but muscle which looks leaner, but weighs more than fat and that is a good thing, muscle in turn revs up your metabolism and if you are gaining more muscle, then you are correct, you will need more carbs. I can almost guarantee you, that your gain is from muscle building. so no need to fret, you are coming along just fine, this exact reason have me contemplating changing my goal weight to a slightly higher number.

Now get ready to have some fun on that vacation, girl.

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Started LC 1-10-04

302/199/160, 103lbs down, 39 to go, simply remarkable.

Restart- 8-19-07
242/226/160


405 points to date ( HOLIDAY CHALLENGE )

thank you, sooo much. you all are so wonderful and can always make me smile.
see-->

andrea, you are an angel. i re-read many of kate's articles about exercise. extremely helpful.

i understand and accept the fact that i'm gaining muscle and that it will weigh more than fat. i will keep on trying. i just want my clothes to be looser. i want to feel my body getting smaller.
i just wish i had more self control. i guess we all wish that though ....:o

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

You bet, Carrie! We all wish that we had more will power. I want to chime in here and give you a heads up on one question: why do you eat the things that you know you shouldn't? This was and continues to be a VERY important question for me. I know that most of my "overeating" is not because I am "stomach" hungry, but "mouth" hungry. That is, I am longing for something in my mouth. When I got in touch with that, I had to ask myself: why am I longing for something in my mouth? Well, the answers to that are many, but the most poignant one for me was that I was really longing for love. When I REALLY got in touch with what that meant for me I was able to look at many of the reasons why I make wrong choices in food.

I don't lack for love now, Carrie. I have a good life with lots of people who love me. I am extremely fortunate in that. But, it has not always been so. I have had to create my own reality. And, I have done that. I have had to let go of the past, knowing that I can only change the present and the future.

Sometimes, though, I make the wrong choice. When I do that, it usually has to do with food. Most of the time now, I forgive myself and simply move on to the next meal knowing that I can make better choices next time.

I hope that this is helpful to you.
Peace, Peg
1/1/03
204/171/155
5'8"

Carrie, I am sorry you ar feeling so bad.

I do think the weight you re-gained is probably from water. A day or two at 20 grams should make it go away.

It also sounds like you need to make yourself eat clean. If I were you, I would go home and throw out all the synthetic lc food. I have been through that myself. You get uesd to them, and before you know it, you can't imagine life without them. It does not have to be like that.

I dare you to go 24 hours without eating any of that junk. I know you can. Furthremore, after the first 24 hours it will get easier. Just like with induction, you can get past your cravings again! Don't wait until tomorrow, start right now!

Also, remember that tomorrow will be another day. I know that on days like the one you are having, I always feel better the next day.

Hope you feel better soon: hugs {{{Carrie}}}

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Started Atkins on 9/20/03
235-->190; 150 goal

{{hugs}} coming your way.
It really can be so frustrating - I know.
but you've got to stop worrying so much about it. Letting it depress you so much will just send you to the snacks. Pitch them. You know that the LC treats and the beers are giving you problems - you have to be willing to give them up - at least for a while to see if it is keeping you from losing.

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Mary Kay 1/1/04 - 232
5/19/08 (5/23/08) - sw226/(cw222)/mg210/fg160

Awww, Carrie :(

Sorry you're feeling bad...We all have those down times where we feel like nothing is going our way. Isn't it great we can come here to vent, gloat, ask for advice, and share our experiences! I do agree, though, that maybe you should try pitching the processed lc 'treats', breads, etc...Just try it for a week or so. The beer, too, tends to stall. That's one of my big problems.

__________________
"Live strong." ~ Lance Armstrong
SLEEP BE DAMNED! GET THY BUTT TO THE GYM!
Start Atkins 9.1.03
225/198/130ish

Carrie..you are doing a wonderful job! going to the gym 5-6 times a week is GREAT....I wish I could be so motivated! Dont sweat it hun...go enjoy your vacation and when you get home....recharge yourself and LC alittle stronger! You know you can....we have all been there and had our ups and downs! I know I sure do....

(((((((HUGS))))))) HUGE HUG for you!!!
Lisa

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LC WOL since 8-8-03
298+/256.5
want to be 175/165
"Where every you go There you are"

I am sorry you are feeling down, Carrie. I hope that your vacation is absolutely fanta-bulous!

I have to say that I envy your dedication in going to the gym and really admire you for how strict you are about going. I can't give you any more advice than what was already mentioned...just get back to the basics, and I know you will feel better in no time!

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wow, i am surrounded by some amazing, intelligent friends here.
thank you for all the hugs and support.
i know that you are all right in your advice. i know what i need to do to make myself feel better and (hopefully) start losing again.

peg, what you said is very insightful. i don't know why i eat what i know i'm supposed to avoid. when i first started this WOE, i had NO problem avoiding all snacks/treats. i knew (from all the wisdom here on the board) that they were a sure way to hinder success. and now that i've been LCing for a while, i find it easier to rationalize. "well, i'm not losing anyway, so why not eat this LC ice cream?" stupid.

identifying what's really wrong (or missing from my life) is something i really need to work on. i've been having financial problems and job stress. the other day when i got very upset about money, i grabbed an advantage bar as soon as i stopped crying. it goes hand in hand for me ... stress and eating. or maybe i should say distress and eating.

well now i'm rambling on. but thanks again for being there for me.

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

carrie- sorry to hear about your bad day! i won't repeat what everybody else said about water weight, muscle weight and whatnot, other than to say i agree.

and look at it this way: part of the reason why it's hard and slower is that you don't weigh _that_ much now...the more you weight, the faster it goes initially. you're just a little overweight, so it takes a lot to get it off.

honey, you just let go of those dang scale numbers and just enjoy the ride, ok?

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EatSmart Nutritional Scale Review

hey all, i was doing some informal research this morning ... and came across this site:
http://www.healthcastle.com/nutritio...s-flatab.shtml

i have trouble w/ remaining "ab flab" ... i found these tips to be somewhat helpful. the article does not really agree w/ LC diets (just ignore that part LOL) .... but they do recognize that high carbs can cause bloating, weight gain, etc.
just FYI.

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

Carrie my LC buddy and workout pal. (((((((((((carrie)))))))))))

I've so enjoyed your great attitude and enthusiasm on the boards here.

There will no doubt come a time in all of our LC journeys where things get tough. The initial quick weight loss slows down or stops. The EASY weight loss comes to a screeching halt. This is when we really gotta refocus and recommit. This is a way of life now. We can't afford to let ourselves go back to the old 'stinkin thinkin'.

Sounds to me like you really do need to lose that dang scale for a while. Focus on your success and not your failures. And remember to think long term. Where will you be in 6 months if you keep on? And where will you be if you go back to the old ways?

You know how to do this. Be process oriented and not so much goal oriented. Do what you know how to do and let the details work out by themselves. Maybe your body will take it's sweet time getting around to dropping the next few pounds of fat. In the meantime, keep on keepin' on.

Again big HUGS to you!

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keep on keepin on

211/165/170