**TOUCHING THE VOID** how to win on Atkins!

[Peterlock]

Hi Folks, :wave

I saw a brilliant, gripping and incredible film called "Touching The Void" it's the true story of two mountain climbers who in 1985 set out to climb the face of Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes - a mountain no human had ever conquered and the only prior attempts ended in either the climbers giving up or dying.

Why am I talking about a movie in the Induction Forum? (I can hear Richt now!) Well, this time there is a reason.

Not to give too much of the film away but enough to relate it's relevance to our own perilous journeys.

The two climbers became separated, sub zero freezing weather, no water or food, snow coming down so every and thick that even the special goggles weren't enough to prevent snow blindness,

Add to that a shattered leg with each tiny movement causing excruciating pain as happened to one of them named Nicholas and yet against all odds, odds that medically were deemed impossible considering the dehydration at high altitudes had no choice but to inch his way thousands of feet down a mountain face of solid ice.

He survived - and I couldn't help thinking how smart these guys are especially in talking about how each of them made it. They made it because they never stopped, not for a moment to consider the mountain, their goals were measured in inches - literally inches.

The mountain is so overwhelming, so ominous and frightening that to allow your mind to dwell on it means certain disaster. Apparently mountain climbers know this and believe this right down to the very core of their being.

So how is it different for us?

It's not - if we take very calculated moves with the understanding that one false move will end in disaster. Like mountain climbers we can't afford to be careless, the price is far to high to pay.

Like mountain climbers our goal can't be that "ideal weight" it has to be getting through the next day, hour and for some of us seconds without cheating.

Reaching the peak (or in mountain climber lingo "Touching the void") isn't what drives them, not the serious climbers. It's the journey the grueling inch by inch journey motivated by small obtainable goals.

Maybe if we think of things in our life, especially the Atkins WOL in this way and try somehow to master this technique of small accessible goals we stand a better chance. If we can Erase the notion that this is a race or a contest or source of envy when compared to the results of others against our own - because Atkins is none of these things.

The WOL is easy - breaking through behavior patterns and addictions that have destroyed our bodies, spirit and self esteem is anything but.

I think it begins with the most basic choices we make, the small ones every time we reach for a drink we can choose the soda or the water...which will get us that tiny little bit closer to where we want to be?

You know the answer.

Peter ha

[tabekat]

Nice post Peter. And you just added another peak by adding the cigs, but I think it will be worth it. I'm cheering for both of us!

Inch by Inch - I like that! :joy

[penelope]

Thank you Peter. Your posts are always insightful and thought provoking. I love your posts! This story really helps for us Century Club members (over 100 lbs seems like a huge mountain!)
:hug

[Peterlock]

Hi Penelope! :wave

Thanks so much for the sweet response to my post ! I'm a century club member too...I guess lurk there mostly and should post more because I have over 100 to lose too...I know we'll get there I do I know in my heart that if we jsut go slow and easy and don't beat ourselves up...we'll get there and I think you're doing GREAT!

Now about those folks who come unglued over having 8 pounds to lose ........ LOL I won't say a word! :nono

Peter ha

[BusyDad]

Peter,
I think you really hit the nail square on the head. It is about small steps and goals in reaching your overall goal. Eventually you will get to the point that the right choice will be 2nd nature not a a conscious thought.

Have a great day ensive