hopeless with diets

[peace_keeper]

Hey I am new to the atkins site and was wondering if anyone had some tips on keeping willpower high and cheating to a minimum. I have started lots of diets and can never manage to stick with them. The one reason I keep going back to the atkins is tha I know it works if I can only figure out a way to stick with it. Last time I was on it and included exercise with it I lost seven pounds in three days. I am sick of my clothes not fitting. I would really appreicate any helpful hints that has helped others be true to this wonderful diet.

[slimndown]

It really helps to be part of this board and to keep tabs on it a couple times a day. Let us know when you're feeling weak - we'll kick you in the can. Just be determined and let your weight loss be your reward - not those beloved foods you are giving up. Start a journal of your own and get familiar with some other journals in the Journal Chats section - that REALLY helps.

[dreamof145]

WELCOME. You will get lots of support and motivation here. Everyone is dedicated to helping each other make it. I can't tell you how important it is to PLAN. Plan every hour of the day what you will eat, when you will exercise, what time of day you take your supplements, make this whole routine a HABIT. That is the only way you will succeed. Plan your meals and stick to it. Once you automatically start doing the ATkins plan without thinking about it, then it will become easier.

Also, if you want pizza, don't cheat...go to the recipe section and make the Atkins Pizza. If you want mashed potatoes, make the Atkins mashed cauliflower (its very good and will satisfy your craving).

You can do this. If you plan, plan, plan, plan, YOU CAN, CAN, CAN. (Thats what I have written on my bathroom mirror).

[cruiser gal]

What keeps me highly motivated, and not cheat, are a number of things. Setting mini goals for myself to attain is extremely important, and rewarding is as well. Planning ahead of what I am going to eat plays a huge role in my success, I never leave myself the opportunity to be hungry, and planning helps alot. Coming to this board for encouragement and getting information on things I am questionable about is great! Taking pictures of myself every few months and comparing to where I was at the end of January keeps me totally motivated. Believing that this is not just a DIET, but a WAY OF LIFE is crucial. Just plain believing in myself and knowing I WILL do it solidifies my goals, it keeps me totally motivated, and if I ever feel myself slip, I immediately confront the problem, and re-focus on how great I feel and look now 80 lbs less!

[soliwit]

First of all Welcome Aboard !
Deffinately check inhere ever so often and you will find all the motivation and support you need, this place is wonderfull.
Only reading can help you a lot, but of course participating is even better.
If you have ANY question just ask, there are no stupid questions, you will always find that there are people willing to help you out here.
You can DO IT !!!!

[rybread]

What keeps me motivated:

• That my knees don't hurt every day, all day, like they used to.
• That I now know that I can keep up with my skinny co-workers when they all get together for physical activities like rock climbing and the like. And doing it without feeling like the token fat, our of shape girl. [Now I'm in better shape than all of them!]
• The wider variety of clothes available to me now. I no longer buy the same shirt in 5 different colours just because I know its the only thing that fits!
• The toned body that's slowly emerging from underneath the fat.
• The amazing food we get to eat!

What keeps me from cheating:

• This is probably not a really good reason, but - I know if I cheat, I'm going to be seriously sick to my stomach. I spent so many years of my life always sick to my stomach, and I never want to go back there again. Being comfortable, and being able to eat whatever I feel like is much more worth it to me than a cheat food.
• I've worked so hard for this that there is no cheat food in the world worth being fat again.
• Participating in challenges helps a great deal - the 6WEC challenge keeps me exercising on a regular basis, and the BCtcCW challenge ensures I make it quality exercise. I don't want to get slugged with the 6WEC, and I really want to achieve my 600 minute exercise goal in October - so it keeps me on the execise straight & narrow!

[peace_keeper]

I want to thank every one whon replied. I was presently shocked by the responses. All my life I've heard you don't need to diet or you'll never stick to a diet so why bother. You have no ideal how great it was to hear supportive commets that weren't followed with negative thoughts! I just know it's going to work this time!!!

[JenDoe]

Hi and welcome

If I feel like cheating I look at the before and after pics and remind myself what I can do - oh and I also have some particularly unflattering pics of my in a swimsuit at the beginning of the year, they're always good to keep me on the straight and narrow!

[Analog6]

You need to motivate yourself. Get a picture of yourself in a swimsuit (yes, I look YUKKY!). Stick it up either on your fridge (best spot) or in your bathroom. Next to it pick a picture of a nice model in a swimsuit you'd like to be able to wear - you can surely find one from a catalogue. Every time you fell like cheating, just go and have a look.

YOU CAN DO IT!

Remember, this is not a diet - this is a whole new LIFE!

Although I've only lost 16 kgs and have 32kgs to go, my knees and ankles don't hurt any more and I have so much energy I don't know what to do with myself. As I'm now on OWL I carry with me a little lunchbox with 2 tablesoons of cashews and some walnut halves - if I feel REALLY peckish that fills me up for a goodly portion. I find I only need it every few days. Pick a 'filler' snack that's legal and keep it with you so you're not tempted.

Good luck and stick with it.