Killer Thoughts

[grovemonkey]

There is a good number of people who breeze through induction, reach their goal and live a happy life on the Atkins. I respect that. In my case, I've done induction a few times, successfully and unsuccessfully. For me, successfully completing induction and living on this way of eating is always a mental fight with me. My thoughts, especially during induction, can be the difference between continuing and giving up. Personally, I've identified a few KILLER THOUGHTS!. Thoughts that can derail me completely if those thoughts end up getting a hold of me. I hope people will share some of their killer thoughts and try to provide ways of overcoming those thoughts.

One of my Killer Thoughts:

This usually happens around day 3 or 4 when I'm feeling really crappy. I start to think that I could never live my whole life on a diet that is so restrictive of such a basic food group. This thought has made me jump off the wagon at least once. This basic thought usually will spiral out of control leading to doubt and coupled with the feeling of being crappy because of induction flu, I will just stop the diet completely. I will usually enforce the thought by complaining to someone I know about how I feel or something like this. After that, it's all down hill!!!

How I overcome this thought:

Well, luckily I've been able to overcome this thought by basically repeatedly telling myself that I'll be ok and that it's the carb addiction talking to me. I also re-read the atkins book on the later stages and think to myself, NO, I will eventually be able to eat more carbs. I try to also think that this will pass and it's just a phase.

I have other KILLER THOUGHTS but want to start by throwing out one of my own and see if anyone else is willing to post up. By recognizing some of the mental challenges, I think it's a good way to help new people realize that having KILLER THOUGHTS is normal and there are ways to overcome them.

grove.

[obkbbby]

I totally agree with you, Grove. I've been on Atkins many times and I don't think I ever really understood the WOE until this go round. I've jumped off the wagon for the same reason you stated - I thought I would be eating induction food for the rest of my life. I think that if I hadn't found this board, I may still feel that way. I read the book, but I still had the 1999 version and it wasn't nearly as explanatory as the 2002 version. The great people on this board helped me see the light!

[julirama723]

Grove, I like this post!

I too had that "I will never be able to eat in a 'normal' way again" fear when I first started. Of course, that was before I was knowledgeable about the various phases of Atkins, and how the plan can be tailored to each person's tastes. I'm STILL adding carbs in and losing weight. I'm up to 80g a day and wondering what the heck I'll eat to keep raising my carbs. I never feel deprived because I've added back in SO many foods it's unreal.

A killer thought that I've noticed from A LOT of people starting out is "I didn't lose any weight this week, I must be stalled, I might as well give up"! OH MY GOSH! First off, give your poor body a break. Usually it's just dropped a ton of weight on induction and needs some time to catch up. And I've never understood why someone would want to quit an eating plan that makes them feel satisfied, curbs cravings, controls mood swings, lowers BG, and as a BONUS, helps them lose weight. Why quit and start eating junk just to gain back the weight you just lost? So you can eat a french fry? Give me a break. Quitting makes no sense! Patience is the key. The weight didn't come on in 7 days, don't expect to drop it in 7 days!

[grovemonkey]

Julie,

That' a real good one. I think many people can relate.

grove.

[apple]

Here here! I agree....I'll take the inches over the pounds most any day!

Another thought comes to mind is telling that little voice in your head to shut up. I'm talking about head hunger, and not body hunger. It's the one evil that I've found many different ways to shove a sock in the head hunger voice and finally enjoy realizing when I'm hungry. Oh, and interesting enough, head hunger comes in various forms such as emotional eating, and "I deserve this!" eating, as well. Imgaine that?!

[kisstuck]

I, too, had the same "killer thoughts" during induction. But since my body is over the carb addiction delirium, I don't have that problem anymore. I'm satisfied, cravings are gone and I'm losing weight! It's totally great! My "killer thoughts" come when I read derrogatory things about the diet. I always have a moment of pause and think, "Is that true? Is this bad for me?" Then I re-read DANDR and remember 90% of what others think they "know" about this WOE is baloney! Great posts grove and juli.

[beba]

You and I got what it takes to make it
We wont fake it
And never brake it
'Cause I can't take it