newbies, oldies, in betweeines, Think Positive (all read)

[Betty]

hello all, I have been reading some of the posts on the different forums here on ADBB, and unfortunately I am seeing a lot of negatives, and people being down on themselves and sometimes down on others. Well hello People, we need positives. Celebrate the inch or inches lost, the halfor quarter of a pound as well as the 1,2 & 3 pounds a person might lose. Sometimes you have to celebrate the fact that you didn't cheat, or you did that exercise even when you didn't want to. Celebrate the fact that you got all the water drank you were supposed to. Are you getting the idea. This WOEFL is about the benefits it brings to us. Contrary to opinion, I do know there are going to be days when everything is not the best, and yes we do want you to come to us for support, and help when you need it. I will make one request, if you have a negative, then you need to also list 2 positives for each negative you list.
Having said all of this, let me show you that I do know what I am talking about. I am going to tell you my journey and success story doing this WOE.
I began my new life Dec. 28, 2002. Yep right in the middle of those holidays, I started induction. I don't know that there is an easy time to begin induction, but I do know that during the Christmas/New Years holidays has got to be one of the worst times. However, that is when I made up my mind to do this. I had the book, I read the book, and I stocked my refrigrator and cabinet with legal induction foods. I went through a whole 2 weeks of induction clean, and I lost Not a pound. I had taken my measurements before I started induction, and when I measured at the end of those 2 weeks, I had lost inches. HOORAY! a mini celebration time. I was a little discouraged because like all of you I had heard about the wonderful loss of pounds that most people had during induction. Just one problem, I am not most people, I am me, and me is different. The same way a lot of you are different and you will lose at different rates and in different ways. I stayed on induction for about another 2 weeks or so, and I lost a couple of pounds, and some more inches. CELEBRATION TIME AGAIN. I talked to friends that I knew were doing Atkins and were successful, they all told me the same thing, move on to OWL. Sometimes just the change will kick start the system and you start losing again. So I moved on to OWL, and added more veggies. The swoosh fairy visited me and I lost 3 pounds in one week. Wooooooooooooohooooooooooooooo BIG CELEBRATION. I had found some support from those around me, but I was looking for a group that I could talk to and get help from when I needed it. I hooked up with this group in March, and I have been here ever since. I won't leave because this group is the best. I have seen a lot of the same questions asked over and over (and I asked them too) and the questions were always answered with positives, and I nor anyone else that I am aware of was or has been made to feel they should not have asked a question.
By this time I was getting pretty good with this WOE and the weight was coming off fairly steady. I would avg. about a pound a week. Now that doesn't mean I lost a pound each and every week, sometimes 2 and sometimes none, but the point is it was a fairly steady weight loss. I had one small stall in there of about 4weeks with not losing even a quarter of a pound, but people were noticing my weight loss, I had lost a size or two in clothes, and I had great levels of energy. So I talked with friends, in person, and here on the board. They all kept me going. I had to realize that hey, I hadn't lost but and this is hugely important folks, I had NOT gained. I did have energy, and the results were showing. This was not the time to moan and complain about what wasn't happening it was time to realize that I did not put that weight on overnight and it sure as heck wasn't going to come off over night, and in fact it was going to take a tremendous amount of effort and work on my part to get rid of all that excess weight that was holding me down and holding me back. I continued my journey and the next big hurdle was my vacation to Utah for 2 weeks in June of 2003. I was just stubborn enough that I was not going to cheat, I was going to continue my WOE while on this vacation. So the first thing I did was to plan. I let my sister know ahead of time what I was doing. I made a list of snacks that I could take with me on the plane. I was withing 10-15 pounds of goal by the time my trip came up and this is when I hit my major stall. I did not lose one pound between June 24, 2003 and beginning of Sept. 2003 I did however stay cheatfree during my vacation. I did not gain any weight, and my sister was blown away when she saw how much weight I had lost at that time. Big boost for my ego, and at a time when I needed it. I was encouraged by my sister and her fiance while I was out there. I came home and kept right on going just like the energizer bunny. My stall broke in early Sept. with another visit from the woosh fairy and a loss of about 3 pounds as I recall. I made goal about Oct. 15th, and I have maintained my weight. I did it through all those holiday treats, and meals. No, it wasn't always easy, but the alternative is just unthinkable. I keep my picture of what I looked like before and what I look like now. I just will not go back to the old me. I like the new me much better.
I am over 50 and it gets harder to lose that weight the older you are. It is usually easier for men to lose than women, and so I had the double whammy there. However I did it and I continue to do it each and everyday of my life. I choose to eat healthy, exercise, and take care of me because "I am worth it." You are also worth it, and you have to make a choice each day for yourself. You can do this but I want you to remember that if something is worth doing, it is worth doing right. There are no shortcuts. I mean none. This takes work and effort on your part. A positive attitude is always best, and a smile not a frown.
I hope that my story will help someone else, the way I have been helped by others.
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[2manymuffins]

Thank you so much for your words of encouragment....all of us at one time will relate to your story along our own journey's ....
Thank you for taking the time out of your life to pick up our bottom lips! :nods

[Bren]

:clapping :clapping :clapping :clapping


:hugs .........And that is why we love Betty so! She is amazing! Read and reread!

[leslie0021]

:hugs

Exellent post!

Thank you!

leslie

[momtocj7mea]

This is the most wonderful post that I have read.I am going to print it off and post it on my fridge and keep a copy with me in my purse.Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us.So often we are so caught up with seeing that scale move that we are blinded by all of the positve things around us.I ,for one, feel AWESOME and have so much energy that I am bouncing off walls.The main thing that I need to do is lower my blood pressure so that I can get off of medication,the weight loss is just an added bonus for me.Thanks again!!!!

[Betty]

I am just glad if I can help anyone at all. I received so much support here on this board, and it made such a difference to me, helping me stick with it even through the rough times, and to look for those positives.
Momtocj I hope that you are lowering your blood pressure. Keep us informed of your progress.

[CJ2BFit]

The name suits you! I needed to hear that! and I too will print off your post for my fridge. Regardless of the fact I have not lost any weight, I feel better. Also, I have not gained! I have to remember that delayed gratificaiton is worth more than the everyday instant! I'm going to keep on trucking, with the help of this forum.

[Wannabeme]

Wow what an inspirational story! Its so true, we all can get really down on ourselvs at times. But we cant always be watching the scales, you have to look at the bigger picture and be happy for whatever changes, big or small.

[doghowlett]

You said you began on December 2003. Did you mean December 2002? Or did you mean your restarted induction a couple of months ago?

[caroleg4]

Betty, thanks so much for your wonderful words of wisdom. I'm 39 1/2, with 4 kids, and sometimes I forget that I am worth doing these things to keep me healthy. You're a wonderful role model and example of what we all can achieve.

I just started 2 days ago, but I definitely will work harder on staying positive and motivated. Thanks again, I'm off to the grocery.