My 4 weeks on Atkins

[kacey1]

Hi all - Back for my weekly report... I'm so psych'ed this week. I'm a very very very slow loser (translation: 12 weeks on Weight Watchers including daily exercise and I gained 1 pound) but I keep on losing inches and pounds. Slowly but SURELY!

Weekly report: Down a total of 11.35 pounds and over 13 inches. 4 weeks - cheat free! Increased from 15 carbs to 20 carbs/day for the week since I'm exercising.
Hardest non-cheating time: French fries served on top of a steak. I scraped them off immediately but they sat there staring at me. I analysed why they were calling me... Still can't figure it out. I put another plate on top of them and ignored them. NOT WORTH IT! As Dr. Atkins says: One bit is the kiss of death!
Most Proud Moment: Went to a 60 year birthday party. Drinking and eating from 1.30 - til wee hours. I didn't drink, I didn't cheat, it was easy! (I can't believe that has happened!)
Husband report: Well, I'm 4 weeks in and 2 days ago hubby finally says - "OK, OK - I'll go on your diet." (mind you I have NEVER asked him to) "But only for 2 weeks. That's it! " So, yesterday he started. This morning (he he) he says, "Wow, I feel thinner today." It is only a measure of my strength that I had NOTHING to say!

I was thinking last night - why is this working for me? (besides the obvious - this WOE works!) Here's a short list of some of the things that I came up with - this may help you or may not. (what works for one person doesn't work for another)

1. I BELIEVE in this way of eating. Deep down, I believe that eating good, REAL food works. (I tried to convince myself that The Grapefruit Diet, The Cabbage Diet, the Soup Diet, diet Pills, special drinks, etc. were THE way to fast weight loss - but I'm not really that stupid. It was just something that sounded like a quick fix.)
2. I don't have to count every calorie. (have you been on a calorie counting diet for any length of time? read ANY magazine on how to drop 10 pounds fast? You end up thinking calorie-calorie-calorie all the time. It is almost impossible to get away from that. IMHO, this leads to an inbalance between a 'good' calorie and a 'bad' one. In other words, does it really make sense to eat two 250 calorie candy bars and say that is as good, nurishing, etc. as a 500-600 calorie meal of steak, mushrooms, broccoli, and squash. If you are a 'calorie' counter - it does. )
3. I DO have to move my rear end... but I DON'T have to kill myself doing it. I have finally realised that 20 minutes of stationary biking at 7 am, 15 mins of fast walking the dog at 10 am, 20 minutes of pilates during my lunch break or after work, and a leasurely stroll with the family after dinner is OK. It's better than OK - it's fantastic! I feel like doing this, I have the energy to do it, and I can find NO excuse why 15 minutes is something I can't spare. (I used to spend AT LEAST that walking around the kitchen determining which sugar laden food I was going to eat.) Type A people you might recognise yourselves... whenever I would go on a diet I would immediately start a MAMMOTH exercise program. Every morning - up early - 1 or 2 hours. This is a great thing to do, don't get me wrong. But it doesn't fit my lifestyle so eventually (like a few weeks later) I would stop. Completely. I can rarely fit in 2 hours. I can ALWAYS fit in 15 minutes.
4. I have support. OMG - this forum has meant the difference between me cheating or not. Succeeding or not. What else can I say.

ADBB Success stories and Before and After Pics - YOU ROCK!

Kacey

[IrishIrish]

Congratulations Kacey1!!

Not only are you losing weight, but you are learning more about yourself, your triggers and how to control them. Good for you. Sometimes it is easy for people to forget the lessons along the way when they are just focused on the weight. So it looks like you are on the right path. And to have your husband joining you is great ... nice to have the support so close to home. Many people find it is easier to do Atkins with their spouse.

When I'm in a restaurant, I'm not beyond asking for a plate to remove the food I won't be eating. I generally try to order it without the carbs. My husband teases me saying that I don't order food, I interrogate the waitstaff.

Continued success to you!

[sofarsogood]

Way to go Kacey! I like it when other people in my life see the benefits I'm experiencing and want to join the band wagon too. My best friend started atkins 5 days ago. Now my PARENTS (the same ones who have been telling me how unhealthy this WOE is) plan to start Atkins when they get back from vacation - it's amazing.

Hubby must be seeing all the benefits you are experiencing, along with your weight loss. Also, great job resisting the french fries!

[dreamof145]

I love posts like this. Good work, your doing great!! Congratulations on you upbeat attitude and your progress!