My 1st Post And I Really Need Help Encouragement

[speck]

Hello Everyone
This is my first post but I am definitely not new to Atkins.

After years and years of binge eating and yo yo dieting I made the decision to make Atkins a way of life.

I finally believed that Dr Atkins was right when he said some of us have a chemical inbalance towards food and his plan is the only one to work.

I started Induction three months ago. A VERY clean induction. If I remember correctly I lost approx 8 pounds in the two weeks. (by the way I have about 50 pounds to lose)

Anyways, 3 months later and I have lost a total of 13 pounds. I really don't mean to be short but I'm not posting to hear 13 pounds is great. This is much more than that.

I joined a gym and went faithfully for the three months. I felt great in the beginning. Lots of energy, newfound confidence etc. However, ever since I tried to move up the carb ladder it has gone downhill. I have NEVER completely rid myself of sugar cravings. At times it can be very intense.

My question is directed to the people who were/are binge eaters and sugar addicts. Did you resign to yourself that you just won't be able to have certain foods that appear healthy. For example- I believe yogurt sets me off, I believe flaxmeal sets me off. etc.

If you can relate, please share.

[Kate113]

You may be eating more than your daily allowance of something or perhaps you're not eating enough or drinking enough water. You can post a menu or two and see if anyone can see anything that stands out. Going to the gym may be building muscle to replace the fat. Are you measuring and losing inches?

Someone else will be along soon that will be of more help. Good luck in your journey. You can do this!

[speck]

Menu During Induction

Breakfast- 2 eggs scram. with cheese or 1 egg scam with cheese & 1 piece of sausage

Lunch- Hamburger patty with mayo(if I don't use the mayo I find I get hungry quick) and a cup of broc and cheese or a full cup of green beans

Dinner- either salmon, hamburger with mayo, roast with mayo with a huge salad.(salad consist of lettuce, bacon bits, olives and 2-3 tbs cesar dressing or ranch.

If I just eat 1 cup of green beans and two cups of lettuce it isn't enough food for me. I get hungry. Also, my meat is large portions. If I try to eat a 4 oz burger or salmon, chicken, etc that doesn't fill me up so I probably eat 8 oz each time. Therefore, it ups my calories.

When trying to move up the carb ladder I can handle 1/4 blueberries but I can not handle yogurt, blueberries and flax together. I want to keep eating.

Anyways, I'm rambling so will close.

[SugarFreeSheila]

Hi, Speck! It is good to see you here.

[speck]

"process of elimination it looks like"

I just saw the above statement on another post.

Taking a deep breath. I know it's true. I don't like it. But I have to find "my way" and I know I will have issues with having to accept the process of elimination. I think that has actually been the problem. Not the specific foods but the loss of them and having to accept I can't have certain foods.

[apple]

Welcome to the board. I would agree with the process of elimination, and doing so by backing down the rungs to before you started your stopping of losing (did that make sense? It did in my head).

Berries were my trigger foods, and I still have to watch how much fruit I consume each week, but I backed down the rungs to regain control of what I was eating and it really helped to be able to skip certain trigger/allergic foods such as too much dairy and treenuts. I'm a slow loser by nature and because of doing the yo-yoing of off/on the LC wagon a few too many times, so losing 17 pounds for me is a big thing.

Watch your inches, water intake, and exercise, and I bet you'll be seeing amazing results

Best wishes!

[Tack Candy]

Ah, the yoyo off/on the LC wagon a few too many times rings a bell with me! It is coming off more slowly (alot more slowly) this time. But the important thing is....IT IS COMING OFF.......and I feel BETTER.

[speck]

Just want to give an update.

I'm doing well. I've decided that certain foods I have been trying to reintroduce are the culprit. I am diabetic and certain foods will trigger insulin problems. (rereading Atkins book over past several weeks and it's amazing you still find something "new" after reading it no less than 10 times)

Taking it slow and easy. Going on Induction for two weeks only and then I am moving on to OWL. I will have to test a food for several days to find out for sure how I tolerate it. And also how it mixes with other foods. Sounds tedious but I'm willing.

Thanks everyone who responded.

[Kawispice]

I just read your post after I wrote about my 100th day celebration which included breaking my desire for sugar sweets.

It really does happen, you can get past wanting sweets made with sugar also carb addiction.

The way it changed with me is that I used Stevia for sweetening my tea and anything else but the tea after each meal was so nice and sweet that it killed any desire to have anything else sweet.

As far as carbs go, I stay away from them. On the rare occassion I go over my limit in carbs I watch my total calories for that day. I don't like carbs because they drive me, one bread slice to another etc. I hate it when food or anything else controls me. I find if you take flax seed in small amounts, one or two tablespoons, added to cottage cheese for example, and cocoa and Stevia, for example, it adds a lovely crunch but does not cause carb cravings. Perhaps in large amounts it would.

The secret to not having carb cravings for me is to eat as many different types of legal foods as possible, so that I don't get bored with my diet. The other secret is that the food has to fit into my life style, I am on the go all the time and have about 5 minutes to prepare, eat and clean up after a meal. I end up eating a lot of raw food, but I actually like the taste ... like orange bell peppers with grilled chicken etc.

I also have to be able to eat with my friends and family, and I do. I just eat meat and salad if nothing else is available and that always seems to work.

It takes time for your taste to change. Stay with it for three months faithfully and after that you won't even like the taste of sugar.

[hopejoy]

Glad you are doing better!
liz