Is this really me?

[Shay]

I have never in my life had to force myself to eat. Amazing. I am wondering though...we are supposed to eat when hungry and also try not to go so low on calories that our body gets screwed up....what if we are just plain not hungry most of the day. I am eating anyway, because I know my body needs it but I thought it was sort of funny that I actually have to make the choice to eat rather than struggle with not eating everything. Love it!

[Sarah1341]

Congratulations on your new feeling! What a great truimph to be able to choose when and if you eat. Keep up the good work! :wave

[not2late]

Originally Posted by Shay

I have never in my life had to force myself to eat. Amazing. I am wondering though...we are supposed to eat when hungry and also try not to go so low on calories that our body gets screwed up....what if we are just plain not hungry most of the day. I am eating anyway, because I know my body needs it but I thought it was sort of funny that I actually have to make the choice to eat rather than struggle with not eating everything. Love it!

That's the great thing about Atkins---you don't have that gnawing feeling of hunger other weight loss diets have.

It's important for you now to not go more than 6 waking hours without eating. Moreover, you can start practicing portion control with your foods, so you'll get used to "normal" portions of meat, veggies, etc. Continue this portion control during OWL and Pre-maintenance as well.

It surprizes me that I used to eat HUGE portions of food and now, I eat "normal" sized portions (sometimes less). I'm in OWL and I can now eat potatoes. Well, the other day at brunch, I had homefries---two one inch cubes of potatoes and was completely satisfied with it. I remember a time when an entire skillet of home fries wasn't enough for me.

Yesterday, an old friend is staying with me this week. The last time I saw him was before I began this WOE. Last night we had sauteed chicken breasts in a mustard sauce, polenta, steammed broccoli with butter, and a tomato-basil-mozzarella salad. Also, bread for him. He ate twice the amount I did and for dessert we had baked peaches. I ate a fourth of a peach. He looked at me in said, "Don't you want anymore? You hardly ate anything?" I told him no, because that's was all the room I had left. He was surprized, because he knew I was a big eater! He kept giving me looks like "Poor Megs, I'm sure when I go to sleep she'll be standing in front of the frig stuffing herself". Things have changed.

[Shay]

It's great to hear it continues, to be honest I am afraid of when I get to the point that I start adding foods back in because I have never had control of my eating and I am so afraid of losing it again.

[Elizellen]

Originally Posted by Shay

It's great to hear it continues, to be honest I am afraid of when I get to the point that I start adding foods back in because I have never had control of my eating and I am so afraid of losing it again.

I know how you feel Shay :hug
But be assured - if you follow the 4 stages of Atkins it will help you keep in control of what you eat. :yes

[texwife&mom]

Good morning Shay!!! I am so Proud for you!!!!!!!!!! Make sure you get a little something at least every 6 hours as mentioned above. You are doing very well and all of us get a little nervous about "adding" in new foods. That is why this is a way of life and you can stay on one level for as long as it takes for you to be ready for the next step. When you are ready we will be here to help you. Keep up the great work!!!!

[cajunthunder]

I know how you feel! Most days, I have to make myself eat and when I do, I get full so quickly.

Many days, I have a hard time getting enough calories, but I swear if I have to eat another bite, I'll just puke. :sadblinky

I gained my weight through the years, not from being addicted to sugars and high carb stuff, but by eating too much and not exercising. I'm a southern cook who loves to eat my own cookin', and that's exactly what I did for years, but I just kept eating, even when I was full. Those extra bites here and there just started adding up, and not exercising just exacerbated the situation.

But I'll take this WOE any day over other "diets"....! :nod