Another newbie

[mknc4ever]

Hi! I have been lurking on the boards for a while and am new to Atkins. However, I am not new to low carb. I have been trying hard this summer and past semester (I am 21 in college) to cut out sugar and grains and high glycemic vegetables. AT the beginning of the semester, I managed to go pretty clean for almost 2 weeks and lost some weight, but I have been struggling since then. I mistakenly thought that I could still alllow little treats and be able to handle. Since then, I could only manage a few days without sugar- I am such an addict! So, now that it is Winter Break, I have decided to start Atkins. It took me awhile to get started (I had many days where I would start it and then give in to cravings and postpone).
Well, I am on day 4 and have been doing well- that is until tonight. I hadn't done any cheating. I have been really strict and have stuck to only induction foods. I am also not using any artificial sweetners (I know that they usually just make me crave more, and I also don't think that they're safe). I got through my bad cravings the first two days, but tonight I was really bored of all my allowed food, even though I have been doing a good job of varying it. I knew that I shouldn't, but I had some of the goodies that my mom was baking. It wasn't worth it and now I really mad at myself. It wasn't a binge or anything, but I was feeling so good!
My question is how bad will this set me back? Should I start all over? Were my previous days wasted? I guess three days isn't a big deal, but they were the hardest. I am going to get back on track tomorrow and stay on it. I want to have lost a few pounds before heading back to school. Thanks to anyone who reads this ridiculously long post!

[not2late]

Originally Posted by mknc4ever

Hi! I have been lurking on the boards for a while and am new to Atkins. However, I am not new to low carb. I have been trying hard this summer and past semester (I am 21 in college) to cut out sugar and grains and high glycemic vegetables. AT the beginning of the semester, I managed to go pretty clean for almost 2 weeks and lost some weight, but I have been struggling since then. I mistakenly thought that I could still alllow little treats and be able to handle. Since then, I could only manage a few days without sugar- I am such an addict! So, now that it is Winter Break, I have decided to start Atkins. It took me awhile to get started (I had many days where I would start it and then give in to cravings and postpone).
Well, I am on day 4 and have been doing well- that is until tonight. I hadn't done any cheating. I have been really strict and have stuck to only induction foods. I am also not using any artificial sweetners (I know that they usually just make me crave more, and I also don't think that they're safe). I got through my bad cravings the first two days, but tonight I was really bored of all my allowed food, even though I have been doing a good job of varying it. I knew that I shouldn't, but I had some of the goodies that my mom was baking. It wasn't worth it and now I really mad at myself. It wasn't a binge or anything, but I was feeling so good!
My question is how bad will this set me back? Should I start all over? Were my previous days wasted? I guess three days isn't a big deal, but they were the hardest. I am going to get back on track tomorrow and stay on it. I want to have lost a few pounds before heading back to school. Thanks to anyone who reads this ridiculously long post!

Hi and welcome.

What's done is done. So make sure your next meal is an Atkins one. Also, it would be a good idea to see what triggered you tonight and try to think of ways to handle it the next time that situation arises.

[Laurenfra]

I agree with megs and would add drink extra water.

[mknc4ever]

Thanks for your replies- I am drinking water right now. I was trying to think about what my problem could have been, and it might be related to the fact that I went more than 6 hours without eating (was out shopping and didn't eat before I left), and once I finally did eat, I started getting the cravings. I definately won't let that happen again.

[killerbombshell]

Welcome! I'm also at college full time, and being on Atkins is really tough. Get ready for willpower and a lot of temptations. You're going to learn a lot though--especially about how not to rely on food during stressful periods (finals, etc).

How much do you want to lose? Do you live in a dorm or an apartment? If it's a dorm, I might be able to give you some advice on foods that are small and easy to prepare and keep in a mini-fridge.

[Moochiecat]

See...this is SO good!! You've thought about what made you behave this way, you've figured it out, and you'll be taking steps in the future to avoid being put in the same situation! Good job, little Atkineer! That's what it's all about..learning about yourself and shedding old bad habits. Keep it up!

Originally Posted by mknc4ever

Thanks for your replies- I am drinking water right now. I was trying to think about what my problem could have been, and it might be related to the fact that I went more than 6 hours without eating (was out shopping and didn't eat before I left), and once I finally did eat, I started getting the cravings. I definately won't let that happen again.

[mknc4ever]

Thanks, Moochiecat! Killerbombshell, I live in an apartment on campus now. I have an oven and fridge, so that should really help when I go back after break. I am hoping that it might be a little easier there than at home because I am surrounded by Christmas treats and all the food that I love at home, while at school, it is just some of my roommate's stuff that I am not really supposed to eat anyway. I struggled so much trying to find healthy things, not just low-carb, to eat when I was in the dorm because the food our cafeteria serves is almost all fried and carby. I am trying to lose about 20-25 pounds. I weigh about 155, maybe a few pounds less, and want to get to 130.