How to be successful and not give up...

[D3anna]

I have struggled on this WOE, times I had just completely given up, and other times I was so motivated it was all I talked about. Right now, I'm happy that I got up the courage to try this yet again, but I thought a lot of us have had the courage to do it...had success, but not stuck with it...like myself.

I thought it would be interesting and helpful to see how others have stuck with this WOE despite the struggle of staying on the plan, sickness, criticism...whatever. What was it that made you not give up, and how have you been successful by doing so?

[Alienore]

I enjoy being on Atkins because of the sheer variety of things I can have for my meals - and I don't get the fatigue levels I had before when my bloodsugar was all over the place. I have periods of time when nothing much happens on the scales but due to me actually getting off my backside and exercising I've lost inches and I can get into clothes I've not worn in years. Seeing the looks on my parents' faces last week when I wore a skirt I last fitted fourteen years ago was a real incentive for me to keep this going, along with being able to shop in the 'normal' areas of ladies' clothes shops and not buying from the plus-size sections!


Deborah

[Bren]

I never feel deprived, I am never bored with my choices and I feel wonderful! It is no longer (after over two years) a "diet" it is a way of life and I cannot imagine doing anything else.

[DebbieY]

Whenever I feel like I may cheat, I try to remember that I am liking myself better than I have in the last 5 years. I am at least finally at my pre-pregnancy weight. Now I just have to get to my pre-married weight.

I also think about a cruise that my husband and I will be going on at the end of April. I want to be at a weight in which I won't mind being in a swimsuit and having fun. I don't want to worry about how fat I look at the time.

Plus, I want to enjoy time with my daughter and do fun things with her. I want to actively participate and not just sit on the side lines watching.

Those are just a few things that keep me going.

[Sarah1341]

I know it can be hard. For me, it seems that that the first time I started this woe it was a breeze. So easy and so much success. This time, its been harder for me to stay on track. But, I refuse to give up. I refuse to be fat for the rest of my life. I refuse to die young because I'm obese. I refuse to miss special times with my son because I'm fat. These are the things that push me forward and convince me to never stop trying. No matter how many times I fall, I will get back up and start again. I cannot afford to give up, too much at risk.

Wishing you the best! Feel free to check out the Second Time Around Forum. Lots of people in your position there, including me.

[AllieCat0817]

Originally Posted by jdbeckers

What was it that made you not give up, and how have you been successful by doing so?

Not wanting to ever be fat again-- refusing to
Enjoying THOROUGHLY my vast and endless food choices
Not having to be hungry
Yep, very successful- there's no other way.

[ttdriver]

What made me successful? Focus focus focus. Keeping my eyes on the GOAL and refusing to settle for anything less. Daily rigorous exercise.

What made me not give up (or give in)? For the first time in my life, I had found a weight loss plan I truly enjoyed. I love the foods I can eat; I love the energy they give. I love being IN CONTROL of how much I eat.

No more migraines; no brain fog; no couch potato; excellent blood pressure and cholesterol ..

Being smaller at age 49 than I was at 20. I've replaced ALL my clothes (the Goodwill loves me) and I never intend to wear anything big again.

Spandex is HISTORY!

Betty

[Finelly]

- making sure I always have food prepared to snack on or make a meal of.
- Preparing treats for the weekends when I'd be more likely to be tempted.
- Rarely eating out.
- One day at a time (I'm not going to have icecream TODAY)
- Eating something high in fat whenever I'm tempted or have a craving.
- Using Fitday religiously.
- NEVER buying any prepackaged low carb foods.
- Allowing myself one sweet (splenda) treat per day, if desired.
- Using this board (I'm a regular on the STAC-ked forum) daily, if not 2 and 3 times per day.
- Posting about my successes and struggles, reflecting on my progress regularly.

Nobody ever criticizes Atkins in front of me. If someone started to, I'd just smile and shrug.

[k5commando]

I never once thought about giving up. I HATED being fat and everything that went along with it.The more I lost and the more I exercised the more I wanted it and the harder I pushed. Little things every day helped to keep my mind on track. For instance, I HATED shopping for clothes and having to try on 20 pairs of jeans just to find the one that made me look just a little smaller or kept my thighs from rubbing together. Now every time I go to the 34 rack instead of the 40 rack I say to myself "why didn't I figure this out 15 years ago"?

I love the food I eat and going to the gym every morning and getting my "fix", I love having more energy, I love being flirted with by women (my wife doesn't like that one as much), I love being in better shape than my "healthy" friends. These all are excellent motivators for me. Being fat made me unhappy and unhealthy, why would I ever consider going back to that miserable lifestyle? This diet is so easy to follow when it's done properly.

[D3anna]

Those are all excellent! Thanks for your replies!

Keep 'em coming!