Back again and need advice

[Seamonkey]

Hi everybody! I was on atkins about 5 months ago and lost about 20lbs but then one day i cheated and just went back into my 'I'll start the diet tomorrow' cycle. Well I've gained it all back since then...plus more. I cant stand to be this big anymore, I need to lose at least 100 lbs. I recently tried cutting back on calories and eating right but I really dont think I will lose weight this way. Atkins seems to be the only thing that has worked- plus it's hard to stick to the low calorie diet when I can lose the same amount of weight in a month that I can lose on atkins in a week. I guess I'm just trying to talk myself back into getting on atkins. I'm not a big meat eater so its always hard to get it started. Anyways one thing i'm worried about is loose skin. If you lose a large amount of weight is this not avoidable? For people who have lost a lot - are you a lot happier now?

[sallyseachange]

Hiya Seamonkey! Welcome back to this WOE. You made a great decision in opting for Atkins again. Once you've taken the plunge and started up again, you'll find you slip back into it easily.
Check out the food forums or Linda's awesome site for meat alternatives:http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/index.html There are loads of other things you can eat if meat is not a fav of yours.

As for the loose skin... depends really on lots of things... your skin type, age, amount of exercise, speed of loss....
Of all these, exercise is the best way to keep skin supple and speed up skin shrinkage. But... most here feel that it's better to be slim with some loose skin than overweight and unhealthy.

Post lots and ask any questions you might have. We're with you 100%!

[bivium6]

I'm also I'm my second time round, came off a few months ago. And Atkins is the only thing that ever worked for me. And I really don't like meat either... We have way too much in common

One of my most favorite reasons to come to this site is to find recipes that don't have meat in them. Just this week I've found spaghetti squash, flaxseed muffins, and cream cheese pancakes. Don't know about anyone else, but I only have one serving of red meat a day, sometimes less. Just be very careful to keep your fat high enough. My downfall the first time on Atkins was not eating enough fat.

I work out as much as I can trying to avoid the extra skin, but I figure even if that doesn't work, I know there are different things that can be done to get rid of it (some insurances even cover the surgery)

Good luck. I hope you find what makes you healthy, and I hope you make you happy.

[dreamof145]

Welcome back to the WOE seamonkey. Glad you've returned.

I was also worried about loose skin when I began this WOE, but I did a lot of research and looked at photos of others who had lost lots of weight. I had 145 pounds to lose and didn't know what would happen. I drank loads of water (water keeps your skin elasticitized and helps it bounce back into shape), exercised, (exercise tightens and tones the skin and also helps it keep it's elasticity), and I stopped worrying.

I figured out that I was playing mind games with myself to keep from dealing with the real problem that I NEEDED TO LOSE WEIGHT. Once I told myself that it didn't matter, I'd be healthier even with baggy skin than if I stayed fat. To my surprise, my skin shrunk up and toned up nicely. I agree age and speed of loss are a big factor. If I had been younger I would probably have toned up even more - but I'll take what it looks like now over what it looked like before any-ol-time.

[sillygirl]

Welcome back seamonkey. Hopefully you'll be here to stay this time!

The link Sally gave you is great for meat alternative recipes. Atkins doesn't require meat per se, you can have fish, chicken, turkey, tofu etc. instead of red meat. Come around the board often, especially if you feel the urge to eat a non legal goodie! Lots of supportive people will help you through it, any time.

[Seamonkey]

Thanks for the support everyone! I'm sure i'll be on here a lot!