I feel like I will never be able to do it!!!

[shannarae]

I see everyones pic online and all of the wonderfull success stories and I ask myself??? Can I really do this??? Please, Please, Please!!! If anybody is listening.... I need help... I need a partner, coach, penpal....Anything!!!

This is me fighting myself...LOL

[sallyseachange]

Welcome Shannarae! Yessssss! You certainly can do this. You've found a great support group here. We all understand your emotions because we've all been there, and are more than happy to help. I think that most of us wondered, on starting out, if we'd ever be successful...but by staying firmly focused on the prize, so many of us lost loads and/or reached goal. You can too. Have faith!

Close your ears and mind to the naysayers and just continue doggedly to do the programme day by day. With each baby step, you'll find it gets easier and easier. After a while you won't even miss those pesky carbs.

Use the board... join an exercise challenge, start a journal, try a low carb recipe... anything you like that you find fun and motivating.

We're all behind you 110%!

[echomike23]

What one person can do, another can too!

first off , i dont know if you started or are going to start. just remember this; its not going to be preety, there are days where you are going to hate what you are going through. Your emotions...as well as your weight will go up and down. There will come a time when you are going to crave your old habits SO MUCH that it will drive you crazy. your patience will be put to the test and stretched beyond anything you ever encountered, and yes you will falter, but if you dont get up after you fall down, then and only then will you fail.

I don't even know you and i can tell you that you can do this. How do i know? because the sucess stories of the people on this board tell me that YOU can succeed.

if you are willing to deal with the bad days of atkins, then you are ready for the good days of atkins.

[SandyL2002]

Originally Posted by echomike23

What one person can do, another can too!

first off , i dont know if you started or are going to start. just remember this; its not going to be preety, there are days where you are going to hate what you are going through. Your emotions...as well as your weight will go up and down. There will come a time when you are going to crave your old habits SO MUCH that it will drive you crazy. your patience will be put to the test and stretched beyond anything you ever encountered, and yes you will falter....

I don't even know you and i can tell you that you can do this. How do i know? because the sucess stories of the people on this board tell me that YOU can succeed.

if you are willing to deal with the bad days of atkins, then you are ready for the good days of atkins.

Thank you for this...I am not the originial poster...but this hits me today.. TODAY I HATE ATKINS...But I am sticking to program

[kisstuck]

Shannarae, this is the hardest and best thing you can do for yourself and your body. Soon you will see, 1 lb turns into 2 lbs and on and on. We have all been in your shoes, but you have made the committment and you found this board, so I know you can do this! I'm positive you can succeed!

One of the best things about this board is that everyone wants everyone else to achieve their goal! We are all separate people working toward common goals of weightloss and healthier lives. Jump in with both feet and we will be the trampoline that helps you spring forward!!

[julirama723]

Shanna, you CAN do it!

At first it seems daunting, right? You're thinking, "OH MY GOSH I am giving up pizza and pasta and cookies and cakes and it's all I can think about--I'll never have those foods again" and you start to panic. Well stop! Take a deep breath. Set goals, but take this one day at a time.

I also thought I'd NEVER be eating my "favorite" foods again. I was wrong for a couple of reasons. These foods I thought I loved...I really didn't, I was just addicted to them. In fact, my favorite food used to be potatoes, and it wasn't until I did Atkins that I found out that I have a food sensitivity to potatoes--if I eat them, I get horrible stomach cramps. Most often we cannot tolerate the foods we "love" and are addicted to. Your tastes will change and you'll find new foods to love and substitutes for old favorites.

Set minigoals. You're starting out at 240. How about making 230 your first minigoal? Give yourself a NON-food reward, like a new CD or DVD or new lip gloss or SOMETHING!! I set smaller minigoals and it makes the journey seem easier. Right now I'm not totally fixated on 160 pounds, I'm gearing myself up to hit 180 pounds! And then after that, I'm focusing on hitting 170 pounds.

Take small steps, and focus on each day. Have a plan, and stick to that plan. And if you're ever tempted by a food, DON'T GIVE IN! Be strong--instead of diving into that bad food, drink some water, go for a walk, read a book, read some posts on ADBB...do something to take your mind off it.

YOU CAN DO THIS! We're here for you.

[sillygirl]

Hello, Shannarae! Welcome to the board. You really CAN do this, if you're willing to work at it 100%. It's not a quick loss thing, this is a way of eating properly, minus the carbs so that you can lose weight permanently, and stay healthy. Let us know how it's going for you?

[Womentrip]

Shannarae welcome to ADBB i am new here and we have all most the same weight and i will be happy to support you just pm me

be strong

[free2b]

Shannarae,
Hang in there, you can do it. I just started 3 days ago and know it's not going to be easy. But you are worth it, make yourself a good meal plan, have plenty of no carb foods in the fridge and don't forget your water! So many people will be rooting for your success, give it a try.

[Carbaholic]

hey - congratulations on deciding that you're going to try a new way of eating!

Firstly, I can say honestly, that this WOE has been FAR FAR easier than any low fat, watercress, cabbage soup diet, I've ever done. The first 4 days are not amazing to be honest but if you have enough determination and motivation and drive to get through them, it WILL get a whole load easier, in fact your body will send you signals to surpress your appetite once you get into ketosis!

Setting mini-goals is a great motivator, as is writing a food journal or posting in fitday.com or similar. Try to concentrate on the yummy foods that you can have instead of the ones you think you'll miss - steak, burgers, sausages, bacon, eggs, roasted vegetables, cheese, gammon etc etc. Also, once you get going you can slowly start adding a lot of foods back into your diet.

Remember, we're not just doing this for cosmetic reasons (though it IS a huge and effective perk) we are trying to re-educate ourselves in eating, portion control, food choices etc, and also we are trying to improve our health.

This time next week you'll wish you had started last week!

All the very best of luck with your new way of eating! we're all here for you!