I can no longer deny I'm a STACer

[nanagoz]

Adena, I started Atkins 4 yrs ago and did fantastic. I lost 75 lbs in a year, then I decided to try going off induction (yep a year on it). I slowly gained back 35 of it. Now I am trying again and induction isn't working for me either. I have been on it over 3 weeks and only lost 5 lbs! Yeah, I know, its 5 lbs, but I am really struggling this time. I miss fruit and breakfast. I really love a little oatmeal or cereal with the vanilla Soy Slender soymilk in the morning (milk has 1 net carb). I am trying to stay with it, but losing faith quickly.

Everyone is right on about feeling great when you do manage to "do it right" though. Stay in there with me, maybe we can do it again!

[Adena]

Thank you so much, Spazzy and Mitzi. I so appreciate your good wishes and encouragement.

Nanagoz, I know just how you feel about how hard it is to stick with it. I've kept "restarting" over the past 6 months, but done it on higher rungs, thinking I didn't NEED induction -- I was experienced, afterall. But I've come to realize that I have gotten myself to the point where I have to bite the bullet just like anyone else new to the program. But like you, I REALLY miss those higher-rung extras.

We can do this... one day at a time.

Okay, so today I am putting a restart date in my signature. It's funny... I was just thinking about that, and thought... well, maybe I should list it as a 'buckle down' or 'get serious again' date. But, NO. No more denial. It is a restart -- effective yesterday, Feb. 19.

Here's to a good day -- one minute at a time.

[lisadallasr]

Hi Adena, this is my first time reading this. IM so proud of you for taking that step and restarting. I would never look at it like a failure just a learning process. I have restarted so many times its not even funny. I really admire you though you have came along way and your still there, you have had some mishaps but we are all human and that is what makes us stronger. I know you will fly through induction with no problems, im only on day 4 myself and feel stronger already and im having to do it kiss style lol.

[Adena]

Thank you, Lisa. I'm glad to hear you are feeling better, too. And KISS-style... oh, that's tough!! But will be well worth it, I'm sure. Hang strong, girlie. I'm with ya!

So look what I came across today: How do we AVOID becoming a STAC member?.

Geez, to feel that confident again... I remember writing that post. I truly wanted to understand how not to get into these shoes. Because then, it was hard to even fathom. Ha! Lots of good advice given... and I can absolutely second all of it now. Too bad I didn't follow it.

Completed day 3 today. Still doing okay. Got in more veggies and more food in general -- getting my appetite back a little. But I still can't really taste anything, so eating isn't very exciting. Oh, but I am in ketosis, according to my little pink stick this morning.

[Adena]

Originally Posted by Evermind

I know that for me, I was not willing to do 2 weeks of induction. Or reinduction. Just wasn't. I would go ok for a few days, but never could make it past that. The willingness wasn't there. It was just too big of a chunk to bite off for me.

So here's the deal: See if you can commit to doing induction for 5 days. Just five. That's all you have to do. After 5 days, if you want to eat a pound of Little Debbie Snack cakes in one sitting, you can.

Just five days. Can you do it?

I did it! As of today, 5 days down. I really feel good. I'm going to finish out the full 2 weeks, then on to rung 1.

[Cool Water]

Many moons ago in my younger days I did atkins because some of my friends said they had lost 20 or more pounds...I started and lost 18 lbs and got to 118 lbs. I then listened to these friends at how thin I was looking...(I thought I looked I looked good-because I went out and bought me the cutest bib overalls)
And now I am still with these friends through thick and thin, but now I want to lose at age 59-just 20lbs, BUT the friends don't care and seem to sabotage me at every cornor,,,,or I guess I sabotage myself. I tried again on this site it looks like in 2007...but dropped. MOTTO: No matter what goofs I make, I know now that I can start again and not drop out of the atkins forum.

I would like to start a new journal. The one I had in 2007 was closed. How do I do this?

[qbu]

Adena...I just read this post. Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting it.

I just posted in my journal that I've come to the realization that I'm a STACer too. I haven't strayed from this WOE, more this WOL. I've stopped exercising, stopped counting carbs that I'm eating. I haven't eaten anything I shouldn't, just eating more than I should and not exercising. So I guess that makes me a STACer too.

I re-committed to myself again...seems like I've been doing that a lot lately, but this time it will work.

Again, thanks for opening my eyes to the fact that I need to re-start.

I'm sure I'll be visiting this forum often.

[Lori1]

Wow! I am so greatful for your honesty. I think I can use these boards now to their full potential...it's not just to say how great you are doing but also to say how you are struggling... Thank you for that

I, like you, have been struggling to get back on track. And it's hard....the whole going to bed depressed and waking up hopeful...Well TONIGHT (one day at a time) I am going to be hopeful! LOL

I am saying this as much to you as I am to myself: "You can do it!" "It doesn't matter what you did yesterday...It matters what you do today!"

Have a great day!

[brighterdaysahead]

Welcome Adena -- we are neighbors !!!

Heck, nothing wrong with STAC and I have to admit I am a member by default.........there isn't a place here called FTAC (fifth time around club).

I succeeded my first go around with Atkins and lost 75 lbs - liked how I looked, bought new close and then lost my mind eating like I used to and gained almost all of it back.
The other 4 times I only stayed on a week or two and gave in to the wrong carbs. I finally see that I am a carboholic and they do not treat me right - if I want to like how I look and feel, I have to continue this way of life for the rest of my life.

You are a brave, strong woman and your post was AMAZING !!

Welcome to STAC look forward to getting to know you !!

[Adena]

Hi, Cool Water -- so sorry for the delay in responding. I hadn't checked this thread in a while. If you're still here (and I hope you are!), you can send a PM to one of the moderators and ask them to reopen your journal. Or, you can just go the Journal Chats forum, and create a new thread. I know it's a tough issue when "friends" sabbotage your efforts. But you're right -- it's up to you. A good heart to heart talk with them about why this is so important to you and how you need them to support you could help. Best of luck.

Thanks so much, qbu. I'm glad it was helpful to you. I've struggled for months and months... taking this step has really signified a turning point for me. I hope the same happens for you. I look forward to seeing you around STAC.

Lori, I hope you went to bed hopeful last night. Oh yes, this board is great for not only sharing successes, but also sharing the low points. I've done plenty of both! Folks here understand -- and want to help. So, visit often, share the good and bad, both large and small. I'm POSITIVE I would have never made it to this point without ADBB. I've struggled lately, but I'd have thrown in the towel a long time ago if it wasn't for my friends and great support here.

Angie -- hi neighbor! I, too, have learned here that I am a carboholic. As I've struggled over the past few months, that has become even more clear as I felt and observed how my body responded to bad carbs... and how hard it was for me to break away. WAY harder than the first time. It was as if my body was holding on SO tightly, the carbs were speaking SO loudly... it was terribly hard to break free a second time. But, I hope I've gotten there (or at least, am well on my way). Because I certainly don't want to ever go through that again... I know you can relate. Best of luck to you!

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Thanks again, everyone.

These new posts are so timely as yesterday marked my last day of induction. I'm back down to 198 pounds, which is a loss of 7-9 pounds (my restart was somewhere between 205 and 207). I'm okay with that level of loss, because more importantly, I'm FEELING so much better. I think I've finally regained my control.

That said, twice during induction I've been out of ketosis.... about 4 days ago (but was back in the next day), and then again this morning. In both cases it was the result of eating out. I made good choices, but let a little carb/sugar creep in through sugar in sauces and salad dressing.

I'm a big believer in moving straight into OWL after induction, but since I'm out of ketosis this morning, I'm going to hang around on induction through the end of the week, and get myself firmly back in the pink.

I've gotten back into working out more regularly, but still need to step that up a bit more and get some real consistancy back.

I can't describe exactly why or how, but coming here to STAC has really helped shift my attitidue and focus. Lord knows I discussed these issues plenty in my journal -- with a number of STACer friends, in fact -- but somehow the act of coming here and admitted "defeat" has really helped to finally put me back on the straight and narrow. So thank you again for that, STACers.

I look forward to continuing to update this thread from time to time with progress along the way. I love happy endings.