everyone be honest....

[Calico]

Okay here is a question for all of you who reached your goal....did you ever cheat a little here and there? Not much, but just indulge in a bowl of ice-cream once, or a piece of bread? Because if you do, I know it stalls the weight loss, but is it the absolute end all?? Were you still able to get to your goal weight even if you messed up a few times? Just curious, so many people say how they never cheat, and I just don't believe it sometimes.... :confused

[Perry]

Re: everyone be honest....

Okay here is a question for all of you who reached your goal....did you ever cheat a little here and there? Not much, but just indulge in a bowl of ice-cream once, or a piece of bread? Because if you do, I know it stalls the weight loss, but is it the absolute end all?? Were you still able to get to your goal weight even if you messed up a few times? Just curious, so many people say how they never cheat, and I just don't believe it sometimes.... :confused

Yep. I messed up a couple of times. Not with ice cream, not with bread, not with sugar. I saved potatoes for their proper rung. However, I had a few slices of pizza before I should have and one time had Chinese egg rolls and sesame chicken. Granted, it took me 3 months to make goal so I don't know if I could have made it over a longer duration. I know I still haven't had any ice cream since December - and I really liked my Butter Pecan!

[JoanOH]

I, personally, have no reason to lie about whether I have cheated or not.

My one and only cheat was when I ordered some Da Vinci Strawberry syrup and used it as an ingredient in Clouds and THEN realized it wasn't sugar free. It wasn't more than a dab to taste it. I didn't eat any of the Clouds. My non-Atkins daughter loved them.

I have no reason to cheat. I am 5 months into this and loving everything about it. I didn't cheat during induction, I don't have any desire to cheat now. Today I went to a farewell luncheon for a co-worker -- it was a pizza and cake party. I brought a salad (enough to feed everyone if they wanted it), and my own 0 carb dressing and bottle of water. A co-worker gave me the "just one piece" hard time until I finally said to her, "There are no words that are going to come out of your mouth that are going to make me change my mind, so you might as well give it up." I didn't care if she was offended or not. I was just being truthful.

You can post here and sure, you'll find folks who have cheated and will tell you it's no big deal, they did it, they lost weight, blah blah blah. And there ya go -- you'll officially have "permission" to cheat. What you don't seem to understand is that you're only hurting yourself. You'll never get past the cravings (and the addictions) and you'll never learn a new way of eating. And pretty quick you'll be back to your old way of eating -- and you know where that got you.

It's all about choices. I choose not to cheat. I'm not being holier-than-thou because it doesn't affect me one bit whether you cheat or not. But I'm responsible for me, and I choose not to cheat and I'm not ashamed to tell the world. LOL

Joan J

[JoanOH]

I find this interesting.... here's your own words written on 03/24:

After 3 1/2 weeks of being on this diet, and never cheating once, I am sad to say I cheated.... my cousin brought by a big ol' container of carrot cake with cream cheese frosting....2 days ago I wouldn't have touched it, but after that pizza, the cravings came back with aveangence!!! And so, I succumbed to the temptation....but I suppose the moral of the story is one "little" cheat can turn in to a couple little "cheats" or more, and soon you are off the diet altogether....

Great advice -- from you to YOU!

Joan J

[Calico]

yes, I know all too well where cheating can get you...I was just curious about others, and how they handle it, and for those who have never cheated---more power to you, I think its great motivation for us who may have a little harder time! Thanks for your input. I knew if I wrote that I didn't believe people didn't cheat, that the true non-cheaters would write, and that is the motivation I need, so thanks! :yes

[Dionnesupermom]

Yes I have! I have 4 kids that always have some form of junk food. I often steel a cookie when I make the family some but my reasoning there is I made them with Splenda. I do sneak goldfish and often pretzles once and a while. I also will have a piece of pizza or some spagetti but that hasn't stopped me from reaching and passing my goal.

[proofisintheatkins]

I'm getting close to a year and cheated this past w/e. I ordered beef ribs and they were soaked with sugary marinade. That and a pale ale and I was a sugar buzzed guy with a smile on his face.

I haven't cheated today though.

Dave

[timthenavyguy]

i did cheat once on the 4th of july. i was starving and i was with friends at a festival and everyone was getting fried dough and junk. but my weakness is mexican food so i ate a huge borrito and i was pissed because it wasnt that great. but after that i went right back to induction

[Kibs]

during TOM I was very upset about some stuff and binged on chocolate Nestle Treasures. Not only did I gain 4 frickin pounds from that, it took me almost a week to get rid of them and get back to where I was BEFORE I ate em. I was going to be all defiant and throw them away, but my sweety (who's already eaten all HIS sweets) Wanted them. So now he eats them in front of me *grumble* and leaves them out, and I have to go put them up. grrr. But no other cheats after that.

[Betty]

Nope did not cheat once, and no desire to cheat. Started Dec., 2002 and made goal Oct. 2003. Did not cheat once before reaching goal and since I have made goal, I have maintained my goal weight.
I wish you the best and hope you find this WOE as satisfying as I do.

[Sharolo]

haha

I totally know what you mean about the burrito, Navy Guy! If you cheat and it doesn't end up being WORTH it? Nothing worse than that.

[Anniebugg]

I cheated once already during my two week induction. On the 10th day, I had a small glass of milk with breakfast. And I loved every drop! Shame on me, I know. I'm back on induction again tho, and I'm going to try my best to avoid it. :sadblinky

[Bugaboo]

I cheated once during my induction (2months into it) because I went to dinner at our priests house with a group from church, but because I knew it was coming and that I would eat whatever he served I planned for it the best I knew how at the time. Upped my water for about 3 days before and 3 days after and was really super strict about my carbs and where they came from. I do not recommend this but just answering your question about why sometimes people cheat. Some people may not have a problem saying "Sorry Father...can't eat that." But being new to the Catholic church I didn't want to be disrespectful. I rarely ever cheat, the only time I cheat is when I take a bite of something. I have the personality though to take a tiny nibble (like a chocolate chip cookie crumb) and stop. But I still count it as a cheat. That's really few and far between now though because I don't like to feel bad about giving in even if it is just a nibble.

[Heidi3]

honesty

Honestly...I am doing Atkins for Life and skipped the rest..I got so sick on Induction from all the fat (GERD never had it before and it is gone away since) ....then I could not climb any wrungs....I wanted to do this but really more than anything wanted to just NOT gain anymore weight and eat a better diet...so after reading the book and then reading the "For Life" I thought what the heck I would just do that....and honestly it has done wonders for me...I eat like 6 times a day...on the low end of the glycemic index..feeling good lots of energy and NO GERD!....the added bonus is that I am loosing...very slowly and because this is lifetime not dieting who cares? ..my plan was just not to gain anymore, exercise more and find a healthy plan to live with ...so here I am ....Atkins for Life...honestly....so I am NOT cheating anymore because there is nothing to cheat about!....I only eat healthy food that fuels my body.....that is not a cheat....
I want to add an addendum here ..I admire this WOE and especially those of you who have lost a lot of weight patiently climbed the steps and did this by the book....I just hope that my telling this you do not misunderstand my motives....I still need support ....and hope that I can offer some in return....I chose the "For Life" when a board friend recomended it due to my being so sick ..tried it and felt much better...

[Newleafveggiegirl]

I dont like the word cheat. We are all adults, capable of making decisions for ourselves. The word implies that there is something sneaky about it. We are eating and living our own lives and living with the choices we make. On occasion I choose to participate in a homemade pie, or special dessert at a celebratory dinner, and I absolutely dont regret them. I know its not atkins approved, and I choose to live with the results. Fortunately, no real harm was done as I seem to not have a problem keeping it to special occasions and out of my daily routine. I think awareness is the key, knowing our bodies and how to be healthy in them. And being aware of the risks and rewards of our choices. After all, this is for life, and we all have to decide what we want our quality of life to be. I for sure dont want to think that I will never again enjoy a homemade apple pie baked by a dear and loving friend.

Fun thread!
karen