Heed Rule #5 of Induction

[Greeneggs&ham]

Originally Posted by Jace

I really think it's no coincidence that the long term weight loss success stories on this board are the same people that stress doing it by the book (and, unfortunately, get deried as purists for calling people out on their less that stellar adherence to Dr. Atkins' plan).

Wait a sec. I was the one who mentioned purists when I first joined in mid-June. But I swear is was meant in a good way. Besides, I was young and stupid "back then."

And yes, I second your reasoning for not posting as often lately while at the same time offering kudos for those who have been around for 6 months and more who graciously give the same responses over and over and over. I needed to hear it then and I'm sure others still need to hear it now.

[Rick]

And even more to the point.... Heed ALL rules of Induction. This is the very foundation of the entire Atkins WOL. It's where you build your core, and if you can master it here in the first few weeks, then you've built a machine that can work for you in the whole fat burning, muscle building process.

Induction can be difficult, or it can be easy. It just depends upon how determined you are at making a lifestyle change and improving your health and self image.

Those little cheats are what got us to where we started out, and to truly improve permanently, you have to figure out how to do it, without the cheats.

I've gone down that path, but fortunately was able to try it again, and just a bit smarter about it this time. So, if you do cheat (I did, and I gained it back), then you have to make a decision. "Is this the life that I really want?" If you can answer that with a great big fat NOOO!!!!, then do Atkins the way it was meant to be done.

Sorry... I'll get off my soapbox now.

Rick

[SueSue1212]

Well, since May 17 I have cheated with a plum, a peach and a 1"X2" piece of Birthday Cake. Does this qualify me as a food sl*t? LOL But seriously, I know I should not of done it, but I am human and I did get right back on the wagon. I am still losing. But, I wonder if I had not given in to the little temptations, if I would of in another day or so just given up altogether? Just a thought. I know cheating is wrong, but I would rather admitt that I messed up and hope for some support from the group. So, if your reading this and you have messed up, I have too have and I got back to the plan and I am still losing so don't give up!
SueSue1212

[flpooh19701]

Originally Posted by SueSue1212

Well, since May 17 I have cheated with a plum, a peach and a 1"X2" piece of Birthday Cake. Does this qualify me as a food sl*t? LOL But seriously, I know I should not of done it, but I am human and I did get right back on the wagon. I am still losing. But, I wonder if I had not given in to the little temptations, if I would of in another day or so just given up altogether? Just a thought. I know cheating is wrong, but I would rather admitt that I messed up and hope for some support from the group. So, if your reading this and you have messed up, I have too have and I got back to the plan and I am still losing so don't give up!
SueSue1212

YAY SUESUE1212! I think the way you handled it is what makes this a WOL.. We are all human and therefore, far from perfect. It's moving on into this woe from our imperfections that make us successful long term. I'm not discounting the importance of strict induction though.

I just want to say that erics post certainly has imerit as well especially where induction is concerned. And, I certainly see the yo yo issue that he is stressing.

[moniegail]

i find that it gets so menaugtiness(sp) when you see the same people over and over coming to the boards saying they cheated. or saying something like day 12 no lbs lost, i only cheated twice during induction.....blah blah blah....... i don't mind offering support and encouragement to people who really need it if it gets them back on plan. however, after i see someone who can't seem to make it past day 2 or 3 without cheating, get back on plan, 2 or 3 days later cheats again, starting over induction over and over.....i just can't seem to bring myself to offer anymore support. i know it's tough, i know that food is addicting, but if i can do it so can they. i also know that if the mindset is not there yet, no amount of support is gonna keep them from cheating.

having said that, i'm sure we've all been there before though or will be at some point and time. something's gonna happen and we give in. it happened to me, no planned cheat or anything like that, but it was a cheat nontheless. i had to have a family pet put down, and the grief got to me so bad, that the next day i went totally off plan. it was just one day for a few hours. it happened, and i wasn't proud. i took my lumps, and then i got back on plan. i plan to make this a lifestyle, but i know things like that could happen and i can live with that. i can't however justify going off plan, back on, off again.

it is sometimes just easier to not post than to rewrite the same posts over and over to 20 different people. then again, some people may feed off those posts of encouragement and can get back on plan for good and so who am i to not give it too them. sometimes it feels like a catch-22.

wow eric....thanks for this post....i needed that little vent...

[ValidRouge]

Jace and Eric (and the world....)

Here is an excerpt from a private conversation I had on here the other day with another member. I think it touches a bit on what you've each said, and maybe, it'll help someone else.

Eric, I'm glad you're one of those "open containers" I refer to in this upcoming post...willing to listen, willing to be open and accept advice from those who do care that you succeed and you make lasting change in your life.

I read the main boards every day. Most days I don't participate because I just can't take it. Today, I'm feeling a little introspective. I told this to another member once, but I use "those" people to my advantage. I watch what they do, see how they fail and then try to take a good hard look at myself and how I am using those same excuses and behaviors. I try to use it to my advantage instead of letting it get me too down.

This maintenance stuff is hard. You know it. I know it. The majority of people will likely NEVER know it. Neither will they know what it feels like to look good after looking like a cow your whole life. The pride, the sexiness, the HEALTH that comes with it. The sense of empowerment that it gives you, the tools you learn to apply in other areas of your life when you decide to make other changes.

Use them, <<edited name out>>. I don't even pay that much attention to a name anymore. They have to REALLY become determined for me to notice them. Jess once told me to pour myself into OPEN containers. Most of the time people don't like my blunt style. Frankly, I don't care anymore. I'm doing what I have to do to be successful. I do the best I can to give advice to those people on here who really are trying and who are willing to accept the advice for what it is, a helping hand.

I used to get my feelings hurt when others around here would jump all over me as being insensitive. Ahh, it's just the opposite. I feel me being quiet and saying nothing is a much more insensitive action on my part rather than when I put myself out there to offer someone who is struggling some sound advice. Can't help it if it is supportive of what their body needs, not what their head/addiction wants to hear. When they are ready to listen their body will tell them the exact things I'm saying. Maybe one day, tomorrow, next week, next year, if they're desperate enough, they might remember something one of us has said and give it a try. That's the best we can hope for.

I'm surrounded by people like this in my real life. It's to the point that I just can't take being around them. I truly think they DO NOT want to hear reality. They want the excuse and only the excuse. Many of them will go from person to person to person (board to board to board) asking the same question until they get ONE post that supports the answer they already have their heart set on. They'll lash out pretty hard to anyone who gives them the advice they KNOW deep down is right, but isn't what they want to hear.

Pray for them, I guess. But, remember this....you won't catch me EVER excusing a cheat. You won't catch me EVER telling someone it's okay to eat this or eat that when they are struggling. I'm not saying it to be dictatorial, I'm not saying it to be bossy, or a know-it-all. Not at all. I say it because, I TOO am an addict. I deal every day with the same desires and addiction as the rest of them. I say it to reinforce it to myself more than I say it to help them. It's possible that 99% of what I say falls on deaf ears "out there", but 100% of it is said from my soul for the reason of keeping myself grounded and centered and real.

I'm having a lot of struggles these days in my personal, professional, and student life. A lot. But I haven't let it become a reason for giving up on myself. Anyway, thanks for spilling your guts...it gave me the impetus I needed to vent a little too.

[Greeneggs&ham]

Wow, that's good stuff Rouge. I think I'm going to have to check out your Journal Chat. I've shied away from the chats because it seems like they require too much of an investment in time, but if the content is half as inspiring it would be well worth it!

[Debie]

All..I really think this is a great thread. I am on day 15 of induction, staying on for awhile due to the amount of weight I have to lose AND I am not bored with the food.

I have not cheated, because if I did, I know it would be downhill. I also have a food addiction, I would eat when sad..when happy..etc.

I am not saying I am perfect, instead I am DETERMINED!! I like having my husband comment about my butt shrinking

Anyway, thanks for posting this!!

[Jace]

Thanks for sharing that Joy!

The "deaf ears" part is the biggest problem. Certainly people are going to fumble and fall, it's to be expected while trying to break any addiction. Food is, arguably, the hardest addiction to break since you can't just give it up cold turkey, we have to learn to live with it but far too many people purposely set themselves up for failure by stubbornly refusing to give up the foods that are going to trip them up.

Too many people complain about being stalled, or having fell off the wagon but just won't give up that pot of coffee, can of diet soda or alcoholic beverage that is holding them back. When someone points out the problem they'll get defensive and it becomes all too clear that they really didn't post looking for help, they came merely to get an answer that they wanted to hear. When you can't, in good conscience, give them the answer they want...why bother posting?

It's all so...frustrating But, when someone comes looking for help and is really working hard to change their lives and willing to do what it takes...it makes their posts all the more refreshing and response inspiring!

is the best Atkins related support group anyone will ever find, I just hope people utilize it to change their lives rather than just use it to complain that Atkins isn't working because "I can't give up that one glass of vodka and it has never stalled me before!"

All the best!

~Far la bella figura!

[BonnieRose16]

I have to say that when I ate pizza and pasta this week (I'm past 14 day induction but still eating on the induction plan) that I posted it hoping for some tought love. Hoping for what I have read here. I got that from a few people *most of whom are in this post as well* but mostly, I just got a lot of it's okay you'll be okay. I even got a private message from someone who told me that if I am going to succeed at all then every once in a while I have to cheat. WHAT?!?!?!?!?!? Did I read that right "BonnieRose, I know it's tough when you mess up like eating that pizza/pasta, however sometimes you have to cheat in order to survive. If you were never going to have pizza crusts or pasta again, you'd eventually want it so bad you'd binge and quit... So don't worry about being perfect. Messing up is human nature. Good lujck in the future! Regards, ___________"

I have to say that this message ALMOST got me... but thanks to you Eric it didn't..... Induction or extended induciton, I am still on induction. I still have to follow the rules.

Thanks!!!