Disheartened - please help me if you can

[Debismyname]

Hi all

I've written a few times on the Bulletin Board but never consistently- my hectic work schedule and having no computer at home makes it hard.

Today I am writing because I feel really down. I have successfully used Atkins once but stopped started several other times as well. I am in the process of trying to get back into it with the goal of losing 30 pounds in 3 months for my wedding. I started a week ago and got on the scales and have lost just 400 grams. I was crushed and am so disheartened and of course I want to give up. Why isn't it working for me I ask myself. Is it because I have stop started it several times? Does that mean it will no longer work for me? Is it because I deal with unbearable cravings by chewing 24 pieces of gum a day or drinking 9 cans of diet coke? (I thought diet drinks were allowed and the days I have that I make sure not to have any carbs at all, i just eat chicken, steak and fish). Is it because I excercise 2.5 hours a day (I am getting a bit obsessed there I know but I feel that if I don't exercise I will fill in any spare minute by eating lots. Am I not losing weight because I eat about 300 grams of sour cream every couple of days? Or is it because I go for seconds (with legal food) at dinner time and don't have breakfast?

I am lost and battling a whole bunch of negative thoughts and eating patterns which started years ago when I had anorexia. Anyway, I am over that now but really want and need to lose weight now....

Can anyone offer suggestions? Strategies? Any help at all?

Thank you for being here....

Deb

[ValidRouge]

Originally Posted by Debismyname

chewing 24 pieces of gum a day
drinking 9 cans of diet coke
I make sure not to have any carbs at all, i just eat chicken, steak and fish
I eat about 300 grams of sour cream every couple of days
I go for seconds (with legal food) at dinner time
don't have breakfast?

Deb, you know what the problem is. You've listed quite a few in your own post.

1. The gum counts as 1 carb per piece. So, that's 24 grams of carbs right there. not to mention that the reason for the cravings IS THE GUM!! You are in a never ending cycle. You crave, so you chew gum, which makes the cravings worse. By the end of the day, you've reinforced the craving 24 times just with gum!
2. Same goes for the diet coke. In the diet coke there is aspartame--a KNOWN staller, and Dr. Atkins even advises against aspartame specifically in his book. Not to mention that the sodium in the diet coke is a known cause of water retention. Add the diet coke to the increase of the cravings.
3. You MUST MUST MUST eat carbs. This is a LOW carbohydrate diet, NOT a NO carbohydrate diet. You need AT MINIMUM and ONLY on induction 3 cups of vegetables per day. If you don't eat them you are missing out on FIBER and other important nutrients. The fiber alone is needed to prevent constipation. If you get constipated it will be very unpleasant and cause you to go up on the scale.
4. I'm not sure how much 300 grams of sour cream in US measurement. Maybe Elizellen or someone else will be by to help with that one. BUT if that's too much, it could cause problems.
5. having Seconds isn't necessarily a problem IF you are truly hungry. If its from boredome or emotional issues, then it IS a problem.
6. Breakfast is very important. You need to get your metabolism started in the morning. You need to eat SOMETHING even if it's small like a piece of cheese or a boiled egg.

[kellypa2678]

Hello,

I know that one of the mods will give you really good advice and tips on success for this WOL. You just need to believe and trust that you will succeed with this.

I am a person who has tried this WOL numerous times, with some successes a some failures. But I can tell you, I am definately succeeding now, and that is only because I am preparing my meals in Sundays for the week. This allows me to have food at hand. Good nuritional meals!! Being prepared is the key to success with this WOL.

I would definately cut out the diet sodas, as many of people have mentioned they are stallers. I personally don't drink them. I only drink water, ALL DAY LONG!! Sometimes I complain that I go to the restroom too many times. LOL

The amount of gum that you chew also could have an affect on your weight loss. You might be exceeding your daily limit of artificial sweetner. I would suggest trying to munch on string cheese, pepperonis, cumcumber w/ tuna salad, celery w/ cream cheese, shrimp, chicken wings, smoked salmon with cream cheese, Jicama, ect...

Also when you go to the store, carry this list allowable foods.
http://www.wlrfoods.com/deli2.asp#stop1

Eat only the foods on this list for 14 days. Also make sure that you are reading your labels.

You must also make sure that you are eating every 5 waking hours. If you aren't hungry, just nibble on something legal. I would imagine that as long as your are eating something induction legal at dinner time, going for seconds would really matter.

Make sure you are counting your carbs as well. May I suggest fitday.com.

Your exercise regime sounds wonderful, keep up the wonderful work.

I hope this helps, and I know and believe that you can and will do this, not only for yourself, but for your health.

Just come to this board when you are down, you will be amazed at how many members will come to your aid.

Good luck and God Bless!!

Kelly

[Debismyname]

Dear Valid Rouge and Kelly


Thank you both so much for your quick replies....I am grateful for them and if only you could see me now....I have been moved to tears by you guys reaching out to me like that and being honest with me. I guess I am so caught up in this whole negative never-ending cycle that I don't see straight and therefore don't see what is trully happening.

I thought the gum was carb free (as it says it on the packet) but i know for sure that it has aspartame (like diet soda) so I can see now that these things are no nos. I guess I was trying to hide behind my emotional cravings and boredom cravings by just chewing/ drinking all the time to prevent me from eating. Thank you for helping me and pointing me in the right direction.....

I will try starting true induction again and see how it goes....

God bless you both and I hope to be chatting to you and others along the way and drawing advice and inspiration from you all....

I can't thank you enough....

xox
Deb

[sallyseachange]

Hi Debismyname!

I glad you posted because Joy and Kelly gave you awesome advice.

I just wanted to add my urgings that you don't get disheartened. Just do the plan the way it's supposed to be done and you'll see that it'll work for you again. Sometimes it takes a little longer for our body to wake up to the fact that we're serious about weight loss, so it hangs on to the weight a bit at the beginning... but then it usually gets moving!

Do you have the book? Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution (2002 edition) is the one you want. That's the one this board goes by. It's fundamental to understand the science behind the plan.

Hang in there... you can do this!

[Debismyname]

Hi Sally

Thank you for taking the time to write to me too. Your reassurance made a difference and I intend to keep trying to stick to it. Today I have had no gum and so far only two cans of diet cola. I must admit I ate a little too much at lunch time but it was all legal foods and I am hoping that my appetite will decrease as many have said happens in time once on induction. Of course I have a whopping big headache, feel tired, lethergic and basically aweful ! Anyway, I have read that that too is to be expected in the beginning.

You look fantastic in your pictures ! I'm proud of you and I'm sure it wasn't always easy. Can I ask you something please........do you think 32 pounds in 3 months is doable or am I setting myself up to fail? Last time I did atkins I lost 36 pounds in 7 weeks. It happened so quickly for me but i have a hunch that it was because I was having about 4 grams of carbs a day and exercising about 2.5 hours a day which exhausted me and (in my opinion) contributed to me gaining most of the weight back again when I went on holidays and was living with family in a small village in Greece without access to any gym.

Anyway....what do you think, is my goal of 32 in 3 months achievable?

Thanks again and God bless you.

Praying for all of us in here always....
Deb

[dreamof145]

Hi Deb. You've been given great advice already that will help you create a plan to succeed. You can do it. I'd totally agree with Sally's recomend to read the book. Reading in Dr. Atkins' own words what to do, why it works and what to expect is essential in forming your plan to make it happen.

Another suggestion is to get an exercise routine set up. Exercise gives your mind positive thoughts, energy and tightens the skin as you lose the weight. You can do it. Take your measurements ... as it is just as exciting to see your inches melt as you lose weight.

People lose at different speeds, so don't compare yourself to others. Following the program, exercising and keeping a good attitude will make you look fantastic regardless of how much weight the scales say you've lost! You can do this!

Join the board - do challenges, read motivational stories and photos, get a journal set up, make friends and enjoy being part of a community of great people who want to see you succeed!

[sallyseachange]

Yes Deb... Becky's right... everyone loses at different speeds so it's hard to predict. Your previous weight loss was great though, so it might be the same this time around. Hope so! However, the important thing is direction, rather than speed. Once you're at goal, the "losing phase" which seemed endless while you were going through it, suddenly seems to have passed in a flash.

[ConfusedAndNeedHelp]

Great advice! My only advice is not to make your own Atkin'ese diet up. Don't do it because if you do, from what I see on the board, you will not only gain it back, you'll do so plus more. Do it by the book and do it properly. Also, don't forget your vitamins.

[lbrowne]

Hi Deb,

You mention that you're exercising a lot. Kudos! Keep in mind that you need to properly fuel your body for that. Eat well, eat plenty. Eat breakfast! Try starting out with a large glass of water in the morning and having something for breakfast a while later.

Don't skimp on the veggies, salads and fats. Keep away from all transfats.

Break the sugar habit. No gum, no diet sodas, zilch for at least 2 weeks. The reward will be amazing. You'll be able to taste the sweetness in many more foods later on that you never knew was there.

As for the scale goal? Pull your mind away from the scale. Go by how you are feeling and how your clothes are fitting. Take progress photos. They tell the tale when the scale doesn't! A tight firm body with muscle will be able to do more, burn more energy, and will be thinner in appearance than one that's the same weight but with less muscle and more fat.

Check in the exercise forums for advice on that. You'll need to change up your routine from time to time if you want a better and quicker response from your body. You mentioned being tired. This could be from quitting carbs, overexercising, needing extra nutrients or something else. Are you taking your supplements and drinking lots of water? Even mild depression can cause fatigue. That's one that snuck up recently without me realizing it. If the tiredness doesn't go away, keep exploring possible causes and solutions.

Since you've had an eating disorder in the past, keep open to the fact that you may need more help in this, either by a personal counselor or group therapy. Wishing you much success in this on all levels!!

btw - what is your current or starting weight? If you add this info to your signature it'll show up on your posts and make it easier to advise on many points.

~ Linda