What is your reason for doing Atkins?

[gonnabskinny]

Here is something to think about. Usually there is always a reason why somebody starts any kind of diet. Some type of goal. Maybe a reunion. Maybe a cruise. Possibly a wedding. Usually there is some reason why you wanted to lose weight in the first place. Something coming up in the future that you want to look your best for.

So, what is your reason?

Next question. This one I believe is even more important than the first. What are you going to do, once that reason and motivation has come and gone?

This question is coming from someone that has had two goals in the past. Once those goals were over however, I went back to my old ways of eating and then the weight came back on. I rationalized that I knew I could always start back tomorrow, but tomorrow just never came. Afterall, I had no reason, I had no goal, so I no longer had any motivation!!!

So, why are you doing this? What is your motivation? Is it just to fit into that bathing suit, or do you really believe that this is the way you should and CAN live your life from now on? Unless it is the latter, then I dare say, the success will probably just be temporary as it was for me on my first two attempts.

[Sherri]

My main reason for doing Atkins is for my health. Three years ago I was so unhealthy. With type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and weighing 334 lbs. My life was spiriling out of control. It took a trip to my doctors to get the wake up call I needed. He told me that if I didn't get a grip on my life-style I'd be checking out soon. He suggested the Atkins diet. I ran with it. After 48 days on atkins my blood sugar stablized and no longer required medication. After 10 months I lost 100 Lbs. My blood pressure came down also and no longer required medication for that too. I've managed to maintane my weight loss to this day and my good health because of Atkins. Atkins, I beleive ,is a life style not a diet. I truly beleive that Atkins saved my life.

[*Emma*]

oh such a pessimist!

i believe i can eat like this for the rest of my life, i mean theres really not much i cant have when im on maintenance!!


My reason to lose is well... Cos ive never been slim and i wanna know what its like to be like other people, do anything i want to go shopping in normal stores, etc etc...

My reason first of all, which counts for nothing now.... which i shouldnt admit, was that my ever so gorgeous ex boyfriend, was just that - he was stunning, i wanted people to stop sayin "whats he doin with her?"

[fit2Btied]

Ok, I'll participate in this one.

Before, my goals were always strictly to look good. Apparently this was not enough for me to stick to any kind of diet. I still want to look good, however, I have much deeper reasons now for sticking to this WOL. I am a paramedic and I see every day people who are in such bad health and taking multiple medications, mostly due to the fact that they simply have not taken care of themselves. I have decided recently that I do not want to be one of those people. I want to live a full and active life, and I had been sabatoging that desire by being so neglectful of my health and allowing myself to eat and eat so many things that were so bad for me, and letting my weight get so out of control. I am not going to let the food be in control of me anymore, I am in control of the food and my life.

[fit2Btied]

Way to go Sherri! See what I mean?? Keep up the good work!

[WindCriesMary]

My goal is Gannet Peak. I'm going to get my weight down and my fitness up and if the ole joints cooperate I'm going to make it! Our family goal is to become 48-completer Highpointers. All the walkups are done this summer. Then only the real mountains remain, and I'll be danged if I'm hauling one ounce more than I have to up the big hills.

[Bren]

Originally Posted by Sherri

My main reason for doing Atkins is for my health. Three years ago I was so unhealthy. With type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and weighing 334 lbs. My life was spiriling out of control. It took a trip to my doctors to get the wake up call I needed. He told me that if I didn't get a grip on my life-style I'd be checking out soon. He suggested the Atkins diet. I ran with it. After 48 days on atkins my blood sugar stablized and no longer required medication. After 10 months I lost 100 Lbs. My blood pressure came down also and no longer required medication for that too. I've managed to maintane my weight loss to this day and my good health because of Atkins. Atkins, I beleive ,is a life style not a diet. I truly beleive that Atkins saved my life.

What an inspiring post! I sure would like to hear alot more from you Sherri!!!

I applaud you!!!!!!!!!

I started Atkins cause a friend suggested it. I did it under "peer pressure". BUT......once I got started and realized how great I felt, there was no turning back. That was 4 years ago. Now, I will never change, I will never go back to "one step up the stairs at a time", sleeping 10+ hours and exercise was bending down to tie my shoes. I am for the first time in my life fit, and healthy! IT IS WONDERFUL! No more "pretty plus" sizes, no more feeling less of a person (well.....less of a person in one way!). I will never go back. I wasted 47 years as unfit/unhealthy. Going to be a Gramma soon and I cannot wait to do the things I physically could not do with my kids. I have a second chance on all of this and I am taking it!

[julirama723]

I think you bring up excellent points, Don! I agree, that if a person's main reason for starting the Atkins journey to fit into a bathing suit or to look good on a cruise, they won't be journeying long...or they'll be back a second time, journeying AGAIN.

My motivation was because I'd hit rock-bottom. I was horribly overweight, unable to walk distances without pain, and my self-confidence was in the gutter. I felt like a 70 year-old at 25! I looked around at other people my age and they were doing things that I was unable to do. I looked at my parents and family members and realized I don't want their health problems.

It hit me when I saw a picture of myself taken just a few days before I started Atkins--yup, I looked as bad as I felt. Or at least, I felt I should look and feel much better than I did.

My main reason is HEALTH. I want to be healthy enough to go running. I want to be healthy enough to go hiking into the mountains. I want to be healthy enough to do ANYTHING I put my mind to. I want to be healthy and not have to take 7 different medications just to function on a daily basis. And I want to spend as much time as I can with the people I love. If I continued on my path of junk food and no exercise I would have been diabetic at 35 and dead by 60.

Yes I have short-term goals to target specific body areas. For instance, I want to continue running faster and longer so my legs will be stronger. I want to be able to wear a bikini (something I'd never DREAMED of!!!) when I go on vacation in July, so I'm really focusing on abs. But I believe that if my whole motivation were to wear a bikini, I'd probably quit after August, because what would the reason be for me now?

In short, I think the decision to do Atkins and STAY on Atkins has to come from a life-changing experience, or a horrid realization, or a serious wake-up call.

[apple]

Wonderful questions!

I guess for the most part, like most of everyone here, I have short-term goals (using Julie's great quote) and yet I have long-term goals as well. I just want to have a healthy life style, be happy in my skin, and be able to set an example of taking care of the body we have to others.

And I'm guessing when (not if) I get there to my "goal", I will keep forward and strive for maintaining for the rest of my life.

[misplaced southerner]

great question. i have been thin and i have been overweight and being thin sure feels better. i have much more energy. i sleep better. my cholesterol and blood pressure are all within a very healthy range. after turning 40, a divorce and the death of my mom i realized that i am the only person left for my kids to depend on . THAT SCARED ME! i love having the vitality and enthusiasm to play and enjoy life with my family and friends. i love it that my 19 year old son loves to work out with me and is proud of his mom. i love it that most of my daughter;s friends can not believe i am her mom. i love being able to wear fun clothes and feel pretty and sexy and comfortable in my own skin....vanity? well we are lying if we say no. but bottom line......i wanna live life to the fullest and do all i can do ,,,,there is no way i can do that if i am not in the best health i can possible be in....and i do have a wedding date to look forward to as a goal but i want this to be my lifestyle from here on out....that's just the way it is