*sigh* I feel like a broken record

[threeoneeighty]

and I don't know what my issue is! I finished 3 weeks of induction from January-February and went way off the beaten path. I binged right back up to 250 and I feel absolutely HORRIBLE. While on induction, I had no headaches and now every night after work I end up with these splitting headaches. I know that I need to do this for my health, but something always seems to send me off the deep end. Has anyone else had this problem? What helped you overcome it and just do the plan the way it was written?

[Sunny_0ne]

Kristin, you have to want it worse than you want anything else. When it becomes that important to you, your brain will flip the switch that will make it possible.

(((((((((((hugs)))))))))))) and the best of luck!

[threeoneeighty]

I do want this more than anything, it just always seems that someone throws a wrench in my plans. If it's not one thing it's another. I have to hunker down and just do it with no excuses.

[peacefuljourney]

Hi Kristen,

For me. It is all of the 'this times' strung together that work. When you 'fail' or 'cheat' or 'fall off' or whatever, accept it, and MOVE RIGHT ON.

Really.

In my case, it means if I succomb to a peanut butter cookie - ok. It isn't the end of the world. It's a peanut butter cookie. And if I move on, then my health is ok, my emotions are ok and my weight is ok etc.

BUT - if I 'freak out' over the peanut butter cookie - then it's: well, today I failed so I might as well have licorice, an iced cappucino, and and and and - and then I even add things that I know are bad, but that I don't really like anyway - since the day is blown right? Let's say this happens on a thursday and maybe there is a family function Saturday -well then, why start back now really. I should just wait for the family function to be over - certainly there will be some tasty treats there. (Of course from Thursday to Saturday is just chock full of crap). Then, well forget about Sunday - I'll just start again on Monday.

Even if I can get back to a good start on Monday - which for me is REALLY hard - the damage is already done. In the past these 'small slip-ups' have been real excuses to just go crazy and they reinforce the negative self-images about failure.

So, in 1 scenario - I fail (eat the cookie) and just move on. The damage (psychological, emtional, health, progess, guilt etc.) isn't so bad.

BUT in scenario 2 - you know this is just so discouraging.

That's my experience. And I think the best advice I've picked up here is PLAN. Someone (Elizellen?) said: failing to plan is planning to fail.

So: What are you going to do when the craze floods over you? Really. Think it through. Is is walk away? Is it drink water? Is it call a friend? Is it log on to this board?

And: when you do 'give in' - how will you limit that?

Keep going. The strength is in you. Draw strength from the incredible strength of those here.

S-

[threeoneeighty]

THANK YOU! I really needed that smack upside the head. You're absolutely right. My entire mentality in the past has been "oh well, I already cheated today, why not go all out?" I need to get over that cheat and move on immediately, not tomorrow and not 4 days from now.

[Adena]

Kristen... believe me, I can relate. I was very successful here over the course of about 18 months. I lost a substantial amount of weight -- 90 pounds -- for the first time in my life. I felt incredible... it was SO much better than ANY food I was giving up. I got to the point where it just wasn't worth it. It was EASY. But, then I let myself fall off the wagon, and have struggled for the past 18 months to get back. I've regained about 50 pounds. I'm so angry with myself for repeating this cycle over and over... I know exactly what you mean when you say you feel like a broken record.

Last time I re-started -- about a month ago -- I just decided I was going to "fake it til I make it." I wasn't convinced I wanted it; I wasn't revved up and motivated. BUT, I knew it HAD to happen. SO, for a few days, I simply faked it... I MADE myself stick. I told myself I didn't have an option. Because I knew that after several days, it would be SO much easier. And it was... for about a month, until I went and did something stupid... but that's another issue.

I agree with planning -- that makes a huge difference. Having good, satisfying foods readily available, so you have no excuses. If I wanted something else, I would make myself first eat whatever I had prepared/brought/available that was legal. Typically, if I did that, I wasn't hungry and therefore, found whatever the other thing was easier to pass up.

It's not easy, and I understand your frustration. Just know you're not alone. Come here often for support -- it makes a HUGE difference. Best of luck to you!

[JaLiliFer]

Kristin,

I know how you feel, but my digression wasn't to the same magnitude. I had a rough week last week (sick kids, tight schedule, ToM...just being a mom, I guess), and I've had more than one occasion where I've gone off plan. I now have a wicked headache (I think it was the bread I ate), and I feel foolish for the decisions I made (or the decisions that I allowed to happen, rather than making proactive decision of my own). I'm tired, cranky, and I feel like I've let myself down.

On the other hand, I came in here to read how everybody else is doing and glean at all the wisdom the experts who have traveled this road before us have to give. So I'm brushing myself off, and getting "back on plan" NOW. Not first thing tomorrow, but turning my brain back towards "right thinking" this evening. When I get off-line, I'm going to plan my food for tomorrow, and I'm planning a trip to the library (I've also been reading in the Candida folder...that's a subject my NP mentioned YEARS ago, but I've never followed through on with appropriate diet changes).

We can do this -- we are better and stronger than any setbacks we might face!

Hope this helps!

[misplaced southerner]

hey! i read a quote in someone's journal that was total motivation for me. i can't recall the exact wording but it said something to the effect " putting off/making excuses simply postpones my success." how quickly will you succeed? you CAN do this. you have more control than you give yourself credit for. think of how good you feel. stick to it and just do it! we're all here behind you!