My issue is silly but need support

[lanmaam]

I have an odd issue. I have lost 13 pounds so far on Atkins which is great. The problem is, whenever I hit 242, some trigger in my head goes off and I want to cheat. This goes for any diet I have been on. It is the weirdest thing. I know it is silly but am really having problems today. It is not like I am hungry.

[Elizellen]

No advice from experience, but maybe now you have noticed this happening you might find it easier to resist and talk yourself out of giving up?

Perhaps you need to sort out your Atkins Emergency Kit to help you reinforce your decision to lose weight?

[dreamof145]

Since you know the trigger weight at which you find yourself having trouble....make a plan now to do something before you jeopardize all the efforts you've put into losing more weight.

What causes you to want to cheat? Is it boredom? Fear? Frustration?
Write out what goes on in your mind, have alternative choices that you will make besides cheating. If you've thought it out ahead of time, then it will be easier to pull out your list and change direction before it is too late.

Drink water when these feelings arise, maybe you are thirsty and mistaking it for hunger.
Brush your teeth. (I used to brush my teeth when I felt like eating something I shouldn't. Sometimes I brushed them 2-3 times before the feeling passed).
Take a walk,
call a friend,
come to the ADBB for motivation to not cheat....
Write in your journal why you want to lose the weight and what you are going to do to keep that committment to yourself.

You can do this. Find substitution foods for the things you are considering eating. Are they worth the destruction of what you are working towards? Remember how you feel everytime you hit that trigger weight and have to start over again. Eating those foods only give you a moment of satisfaction...Not letting them control you will help you create a lifetime of satisfaction in your new weight and self control.

[Desertthorn]

Your issue is not silly at all and not uncommon either. Check out this post http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ad.php?t=17987 (Stop the Self-Sabotage)

[Outback Jess]

Ianmaam, it's not a silly problem...it's a REAL problem! You recognize it and are taking it very seriously by bringing it to the boards...You are very smart! Good suggestions will come your way. This is just ONE HURDLE...and you can make a plan, do some deep questioning and remove the Power it holds, and crushing it! Walking right thru this number. Where would you like to be at 240, or 235? What can you do to treat yourself once you meet a lower number...
My daughter and I have been on Atkins since Aug 1. We set it up to reward ourselves with a piece of clothing or purse or shoes at the 10lb mark...We work towards things. We join challengs like the "no weigh-Scales" for two weeks...It was a challenge. I jointed a milage challenge to keep myself motivated thru certain times..
Think about this...You can do it, you will have to work hard, you will have to stay very focused, but if you want to continue to progress and get into onederland (it starts at 199) you have to stay one step ahead of yourself and desires...

[lanmaam]

Thank you all for your wonderful words of wisdom. I will try all of the suggestions. This board really helps, and I do come here when I am feeling weak. I am an emotional eater bigtime and have been trying to find other things to do instead of eat but it gets difficult sometimes. Again, thanks for being there!

[prfctlildvl]

What significance does that number hold for you? Is that a pre baby weight or maybe some other milestone surrounds that number and you've attached a feeling to it. A feeling of comfort perhaps?

First, figure out what that number means to you. It has to mean something since you keep cheating when you reach it. Maybe once you've figured out what the significance is, then you can rationalize and move past it.

You can do it - one day at a time.

[Bren]

Silly thought, but might work. STAY OFF THE SCALE when you get near that number...... and wait a few weeks before you weigh again. It is only a number!

Might be a good time to make friends with your tape measure!

[Katlambert]

I like Bren's idea!! Maybe if you don't weigh yourself, you'll breeze right by 242 and by the time you weigh yourself again, it'll be a distant memory.

On another note...I am very worried about 190 so I know what you mean. I think for me it's just a mental thing---on another diet I made it to 190 and then collapsed. But this time...I know that it's going to be different because I have chosen a way of eating and not a "diet."

[lanmaam]

Hi All, thanks, and I have taken the batteries out of my scale and put them in my daughters Elmo, she will never let me have them back. LOL