Flat on my face . . .

[ldyj]

that's what I've done - fallen flat on my face!!

I was doing so good until last week - I keep going back on plan, even getting back into ketosis, and then - bam!! Down I fall again!!

I've been traveling for about 3 weeks (extended road trip with my WH) and thought I had it all worked out to stay legal - but we've visited too many people, gone out to too many dinners, too many family buffets, reunions, dinner parties, etc., etc.

My husband has wisely pointed out to me what I know to be the truth - what I eat is my choice, and I always have that choice. So it's only me to blame and only me to fix it!

I've struggled whether or not I should even share this - thinking as soon as I get home it's back on plan and no one will have to know - but I'm on this board to get my bottom kicked when I need it and I know you will surely do that for me (Carole, Elizellen, Mitzimarie, Georgiana), as soon as I get my own foot out of the way!

This is my last weekend with friends and then we're off to visit our daughters (no problems there) and then home - I love to travel, but I sure miss the safety of home when it comes to what I eat!

[EverLosing]

There certainly is safety in being at home, isn't there? We all know that's the easiest way. I'm just sitting here thinking how brave you were to try it on the road! I've gone on short little jaunts here and there and stayed on plan but even the best of us can fall down at home!! I fell on my face on Easter at Mom's house....3 miles down the road!! Took me 3 weeks to get my groove back! Don't beat yourself up too much. After all, learning these lessons is all part of the journey and it sounds like you "got" your lesson. Jump back on....the journey is NOT over!!!

[NETTY12]

I am also guilty of eatting ANYTHING when I'm traveling but its only for a short time though - I get right back on once I'm home but in your case you travel often so I wouldn't advice just cheating while traveling....Just remember, atkins is all about making your own food and you have an advantage with traveling that you can get all this food without cooking yourself - you can have the easy, clean side of atkins, lol - just my opinion

[Grizzabella]

It's always harder when you're travelling and going to parties. Not participating in the eating at social functions can make us feel like we're slightly alienated from the other people there. Eating together is a form of communion and sharing a common experience.

I think you'll be able to get back on track once you get home. Maybe it was just too much too soon. Don't be too hard on yourself, though. I'm sure that you'll learn to handle situations like parties and gatherings and restaurants. Maybe this was too much all at once.

You'll be fine.

[Elizellen]

I think you have probably done enough kicking, so here is a hug instead from me

Are you travelling by car?

We have one (in fact several different sized ones) of those cooler boxes you can plug into the cigarette lighter socket so I can pack 'legal' food for on the go eating.

I pack cold meat and cheese slices for rollups, sweet red peppers (which I like to eat as snacks if I fancy something cool and crunchy) mayo, hard boiled eggs (they keep for several days unpeeled) precooked chicken etc.

If away for several days I restock from supermarkets as we go.

My big cooler also has a mains adapter so I can move it into the hotel/place we are staying overnight to keep stuff for longer.

If I know that where we are going will not have 'legal' foods then I make sure we stop somewhere and eat a filling meal first, so I can truthfully say I am not hungry and just 'toy' with a few salady bits when others are eating.

Most restaurants and even fast food outlets will have 'something' I can make work with my Atkins phase. when on induction it was a bit harder as I had to pick out soem of the salad ingredients, but mostly it was possible even then.

Now I am further along my Atkins journey it is much easier as I can allow myself nuts, berries, yogurt etc as well as an occasional small portion of higher rung food like apples, grapes, citrus fruits, carrots, parsnips, swede (rutabagas) and potatoes.

I see you got to rung 2 - if you could work your way on to rung 4 life will be much easier for you to cope without having to eat off-plan.

[ldyj]

When I posted I was so frustrated with myself - and was kicking pretty hard! Thanks for the words of support and suggestions, I really needed that more than another swift kick!

Elizellen, thanks for the hug! I actually have been traveling with my "supplies", HB eggs, cheese sticks, celery and cream cheese, I even allowed myself some macadamia nuts and Greek yogurt. I was getting plenty of water, the first couple weeks, 100 oz a day (I was doing Carole's water challenge). I thought I was prepared, both mentally and with food. But it turned out to be harder than I thought it would be to resist things I wouldn't even think of eating any place else.

The rest of my trip will be away from the wonderful expression of love and family given in the form of "good southern cooking." Next time I will be stronger!

[EverLosing]

I hear you, Sister!!! I'm in the south too! When I grew up...up north, I ate food. Here, it's like you're filling yourself with their love!! LOL!! Wonder which state line causes that change!

[chinadoll]

Jeannette, good for you for posting this. I know that when I get off track and don't come and confess, I am much more likely to not get back on track. Making yourself accountable and open to the scolding is brave and also very smart of you.

[ldyj]

Three days have passed since my last post and my face is still in the carb dirt! I start out really determined, then . . . Today it was the rain - more than rain, pouring rain. We got to our motel and decided to eat next door, not go back out in the pouring, dangerous to drive in, rain, and, of course, it's a Mexican restaurant. No problem, right, I can always find something, and today should have been no exception - but before I even knew what I was saying, tamales came out of my mouth! Ah, lawd, I have got to get a grip!

You have all been so generous with your advice and support, I can't tell you how much I appreciate you for that. I will do this, I can do this and I will!!

[barbiedoll4j]

It's all about pre planning .. at least for me. I need to make sure there are the right things for me to eat around. If I have to "find something" last minute .. I'm very likely to slip. If I'm going to a resteraunt where there isn't much choice ... I eat salad and drink water ... and then feel proud of myself for sticking to it. I have also drank so much water that I was no longer hungry ... tee hee