How is your brain trying to sabotage you

[Desertthorn]

I just restarted Atkins in January and the first week of induction, I just couldn't go a whole day without cheating. OMG it was crazy, I would wake up all pumped and by dinner I would have eaten something not allowed. It took me about 4 days before I could say I was cheat free.
Then, my second month, Feb was so slow. It happens to a lot of folks, we lose that water weight and then nothing...for what seems like forever. My brain would tell me, "Its not working for you any more, just give up and try something else"
Okay so I got beyond that. Now I am in my third month and I'm just about 20 pounds down. My first thought this morning was. "I am losing to much, I must have cancer.

I really think my body just loves to be fat and just the way it is and it will do anything to sabotage my weight loss. Does this happen to you?

[spazzyhilo]

Originally Posted by Desertthorn

Now I am in my third month and I'm just about 20 pounds down. My first thought this morning was. "I am losing to much, I must have cancer.

Ok I might be a bad person for saying this but this part made me laugh.

Our mentalities can be very tricky. Sometimes your willpower just has to be stronger than our thinking. If something like this keeps happening it might be good to set up smaller goals or keep out that swimsuit you've always wanted to wear as a reminder of what you want to do.

Sometimes you just have to tell your brain to shut up and keep eating that steak w/ broccoli.

[Katie_1985]

DESERT!

You are so on!!! I had a bad week. Just cheated, cheated, cheated. I am up about 3 or 4 pounds after losing 15!!! I am finding it incredibly difficult to get back on the horse. I just fear going back to the way I was of always saying "tomorrow I'll do it"! Well today I am through the day ALMOST cheat free which is better than the last few days!

I so get what you mean!

[bozwellruby]

Im really feeling like that at the moment, i started begining of feb on atkins and lost around 9lb in the first 10 days, for the last month i have not lost anything,

Its starting to get to me now still on induction, cheated by eating 50g of cadburys mini eggs 34g carbs, its the only time i have cheated, now i am starting to crave my wine i am missing.

And i have also been thinking about doing a low fat diet instead so i can eat jacket potatoes, yoghurts, brown bread etc.

I have just joined a Gym, i am 5ft 7. did weigh 177lb now weigh 168lb which does fluctuate.

i am very active but just cannot seem to shift those extra lb, my measurments are different though i have lost 3" under my bust so maybe something is happening.

[spazzyhilo]

Originally Posted by bozwellruby

Its starting to get to me now still on induction

How long have you been on induction? You only need to do 2 weeks and then you can go up into the OWL rungs. It sounds like you are starting to get bored (hence wanting to change diets) so I would suggest going up the rungs. Eventually you can have potatoes and bread again. Yogurt you dont even have to wait that long for as dairy is the 2nd rung of OWL.

If you haven't already read Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution 2002 edition. It explains how Atkins works and the OWL rungs. Induction is not the entire plan and can actually do more harm than good if you DONT move up. How else are you supposed to know how your body reacts to foods?

[Desertthorn]

I am so glad you guys understand. I almost gave it up in February cause regardless of my signature, day by day I would go without a loss or worse with a gain. I am so happy that I refused to quit and suck with it and you will be to.

[bozwellruby]

Originally Posted by spazzyhilo

How long have you been on induction? You only need to do 2 weeks and then you can go up into the OWL rungs. It sounds like you are starting to get bored (hence wanting to change diets) so I would suggest going up the rungs. Eventually you can have potatoes and bread again. Yogurt you dont even have to wait that long for as dairy is the 2nd rung of OWL.

If you haven't already read Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution 2002 edition. It explains how Atkins works and the OWL rungs. Induction is not the entire plan and can actually do more harm than good if you DONT move up. How else are you supposed to know how your body reacts to foods?

Oh i see i must have missed something because on atkins web site on owl it just says eat an extra 5 carbs a week, do i have to buy the book

[Chicklady]

My brain would tell me, "Its not working for you any more, just give up and try something else"

You should hear the excuses my brain makes when I try to quit smoking!!

[peacefuljourney]

Hi Deserthorn,

I also know what you mean. I started in January with great success at first. Fell off a few times and what seemed hard for me was getting back in ketosis. My brain said: 'well this doesn't matter because you aren't in ketosis anyway.' Once I could hold on for those first 3-4 days and get into ketosis then I find it much more difficult to cheat knowing that I really lose 3-5 more days to get back into fat burning mode - just for that few seconds of pleasure from some forbidden food.

I've re-started induction and am now on day 4 - so far so good, but yes, I find it hard. So hard. I don't find myself missing much and there is so much you can eat on this WOE but some things I miss. I just have to believe that once I up my exercise and start adding back food that my brain won't feel so deprived.

I think it comes down to habits. We are used to certain foods at certain times of day or in certain situations. We have to plan for substitutes, visualize yourself in those situations and how you will deal with it and soon other habits will replace the bad ones.

Keep going. 6 months from now there will be a difference if we stick to this way of living. It really is healthy.

S-

[jersey]

oooh, Desertthorn - your post couldn't be more timely. I am a s l o w loser....I only lose during one week of each month (thank you hormones) so those little voices in my head get REALLY loud the other three weeks...but the 'side effects' of this WOE help keep me on track: no heartburn, no IBS symptoms, increased energy....
I'm the one in the corner mumbling I CAN do this, I CAN do this....