Low Carb Prep: Planning for Success

The little things do add up! When you're preparing to take the low-carb plunge, here is exactly how to get ready. (P.S. Most of these tips will work for just about any weight-loss plan, too!)

First off, you need to pick a plan and get the book for your plan. This is vital, because it gives you a roadmap to success, and it DOES make a huge difference. Many of the folks I know are on Atkins (so "the book" for that is Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution, aka DANDR), but whichever plan you pick is fine. The important part is that you DO select a plan, and you DO get the corresponding book. Let's add it up: how well has “your way” been working for you thusfar? Yeah. ‘Nuff said, huh? Be sure to give your plan at least two full weeks to start as a commitment, following it explicitly and see where it takes you.

I like to point out that I've “done” low-carb twice. The first time, I just heard about the plan and tried to follow it. I lasted two weeks and lost 12 pounds. Not bad, except…the next time, I got the book and did my homework. That was November 2003, and I'm still low-carbing. I've lost over 100 pounds and I feel and look great. Which results would you prefer? This is non-negotiable.

[Sidebar : Please don't tell me that it's “too expensive” and you just can't afford to get the book. You can't afford NOT to get the book. A paperback copy of DANDR cost about six bucks. That's ONE trip to McDonalds, a couple of Starbucks Lattés, less than a single lunch out. Not to mention that wonderful institution we call the Library. Except to be frank, if you're not willing to dig up and invest $6 in the rest of your life, there isn't much I can say that will be of help to you. Get the %(^*% book already!]

In the meantime , start cutting back on your sugar consumption. You don't have to quit at first, but cut back as much as you feel comfortable doing right now. Slow down on white flour products as well, and replace as much of your liquid consumption with water as you can.

Your long-term goal with water is to be drinking 1/2 your body weight in oz. of water. It takes a while to work up, but it is a huge help! Start eating more veggies. Pay attention to what's going into your mouth! Move around a bit; take a short walk after dinner. Park a bit further from the store. Whatever. Just start taking SMALL steps and moving in the direction you want to go.

What you're really doing here is changing your HABITS from the ones that are keeping you overweight to ones that will help you be healthy for life. It doesn't have to be hard. In fact, those small changes that aren't that hard are the best, because they are the least painful, you can start feeling a sense of success right away, and you can build on them!

The other thing I would suggest is that you start working on having a whole slew of (non-eating) options for dealing with stress. Some ideas: journaling, taking a walk, baths, calling a friend, knitting, watching a movie, meditating, listening to music, whatever. Just have a list of things you can turn to when stress hits that are NOT related to eating.
 

And while we're at it, start getting rid of the crap in your fridge and cupboard! You don't need it there. It's much easier to stay on track when the temptations aren't there to begin with! And please don't tell me other folks in your home “need” those unhealthy foods: they need YOU much more!

The other vital factor to develop: keep working on feeling good about you! Define yourself as a strong person who is ready, willing, and capable of moving forward. Use your language to reinforce that perception, even if you don't quite believe it yet. Your subconscious hears what you are saying and it begins to act accordingly. The evolution starts.

The know-how comes from reading your plan and researching; the drive comes from believing you can do it and getting a little success under your belt. Nothing motivates like success! Feeling good about yourself will help you keep going when it gets tough, as it sometimes does. But one thing I promise you without reservation: it's WAY worth every bit of effort you put into it!

Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution, New and Revised Edition author: Robert C. Atkins asin: B000C4T48I