how do you keep focused?

[Jes]

Question...
I just stared Atkins yesterday, so far so good but I am scared about Saturday. My friend is getting married and I am affraid I will fall off the wagen. How do you guys keep focused on situations like this. I really want to stick to it but I think I will need some herlp. Any advise?

[Richt]

To stay focussed all I really need to do is take a look at my before photo!

I hope that helps.

Rich

[not2late]

I keep my focus by remembering how fat I was when I started and how I don't want to be that fat ever again. When I began Atkins, I was also out of shape. Now I hike, bike, and can do many more physically demanding things I wasn't able to do. I don't want to be the out-of-shape potato I used to be. My health have improved tremendously----this is probably the biggest motivator for me: I don't want to spend the rest of my life swallowing multiple pills 3 or 4 times a day, getting blood draws every 6 months, being on death's door in a hospital intensive care unit every few months for weeks at a time.

There's no way, I'm going to die fat and diabetic with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and on a mile-long list of medications. That's my motivation. I want to be healthy and remain that way.

[Laurenfra]

Plan! Know what is being served and what you can eat. Eat before you go and keep a legal snack in your purse. I fail because I get too hungry.

[ValidRouge]

Definitely take things with you in your purse or your car. You can put a cooler in your car with all kinds of legal foods. When it's cake time, make sure you are dancing or talking with people. Be the social butterfly...too busy to eat.

[Miss Phode]

I read somewhere on the board that anytime someone is tempted to eat something they shouldn't, they imagine it covered in maggots. That is very effective. In fact, last night, hubby and I were out to dinner, and he ordered onion rings. I wanted an onion ring, but didn't want to give in, so I imagined the onion rings covered in maggots and other creepy things, and that killed any desire I had to cheat.

Over the long haul, I have this dress that I'd like to be able to wear again, so I keep it in my closet where I can look at it as a reminder of how I want to look. It's exciting to see myself getting closer and closer to goal.

[julirama723]

Like everyone said, eat a legal meal beforehand, brink legal snacks if possible, drink water, and dance your butt off! That way you're not only eating healthy, but you're getting a workout with your friends!

[Richt]

Another tip that others have tried is to eat whilst standing naked looking in the mirror. Now I understand that you cant really do that at a party, but you probably get the idea.

Rich

[dreamof145]

Write out a list of 'reasons' you want to lose the weight. Take the list with you. Take some motivational sayings with you that make you want to lose the weight. The wedding is one day of your life, but the WOE is going to make you happier and healthier for the rest of your life. Best wishes....let us know how you do!!

[Miss Phode]

Originally Posted by Richt

Another tip that others have tried is to eat whilst standing naked looking in the mirror. Now I understand that you cant really do that at a party, but you probably get the idea.

Rich

That could make for a wild party.