Hey guys

I need some encouragement and a place to vent a bit in writing to get a handle on what has been happening to my food lately. For one thing, I haven't used my Fit Day for about 2 weeks. That corresponded to the day I had two large chocolate cupcakes. I suffered an emotional loss earlier that week and felt very sad. I knew the binge might happen and could have avoided the food, but chose not to. I also started drinking diet-Pepsi again. I really needed the upper feeling that both these foods gave me.

Interestingly, the medicine I'm taking is making me nauseated. Feeling sick to my stomach. Hard to make myself eat.
The idea of a full meal or vegatables was hard to stomach. Any of you have ideas about gentle foods easy to stomach?
So, I switched to small snacks and small meals. That was good.

But the thing is, I don't really know how many carbs I am eating per day. I guess I'm afraid I will feel worse knowing. I have a refrigerator full of great vegetables; a freezer full of meat; but none of it sounds good. And, I don't want to cook right now.

I am seeing a homeopathist who is working with me to detox.
I am using a medicinal food daily to help and it has 9 carbs in it.
So, I am down 9 carbs just out of the gate in the morning. I am trying to keep my carbs to 25 (ideal).

I am doing my best right now to make good choices as often as I can. I am afraid to step on the scale, I feel bloated, too.
It's likely I've gained some weight. I don't want to weight myself
because I don't want to use that against myself.

I am still drinking lots of water; doing a little more stretching.
I just hate having this setback. It was so unexpected. I don't feel as happy inside when I am not eating Atkins. On Atkins,
I feel lighter, brighter, and proud of myself. I smile more
(hence my nickname).

I want to re-commit. This is a first step. I am willing to
start writing down my food again starting this weekend. And, after a few more days of being back on Atkins, I commit to weighing in.

Thanks all for your encouragement. Words of support are always welcomed and appreciated.

I know how easy it is for an emotional letdown to result in a sweets or caffeine craving. They can certainly be hard to resist! But what's happened to you has happened to so many people here, myself included. When I went home for Christmas, I didn't post anything in Fitday at all because I was ashamed to put it down on paper (well, you know what I mean). Didn't get on the scale, either, because I knew I wasn't going to be happy with what I saw.

It happens, and the only way to deal with it is to FORGIVE YOURSELF and get right back on the wagon. It took me a while to go back to fitday, but I'm glad I did. Have you looked into the recipes section for some interesting food ideas? Trying new recipes has actually helped me get back into the swing of things.

Too bad the medicine has so many carbs - how long are you going to be on it?

Don't waste the mental energy beating yourself up - you'll be back on track in no time, smiling for all your worth!

Good luck!

Each TODAY holds a clean slate

Smilin,

YOU are NOT alone. Trust me. I blew it as well. I don't even have an excuse. I knew it before hand, I did it, I felt like total crap during and still did it. The only thing I can say is I am an addict and I gave in.

HOWEVER, I jump right back on the Low Carb WOE and keep going. It is all you really can do. I'm sorry for your loss, and somehow you thought the food would comfort you...and look, it didn't at all.

I think the guilt of wandering off Low Carb is enough to remind you why you chose Low Carbing to begin with.

So now that you've fessed up, you've done it, it is over, let's hop back on the LC train and get in gear.

I am at the end of my Week 3 of doing Body for Life -- and I ate a piece of chocolate AND drank wine last night... NOT my "free day" Why? I think because then I could have something to point to if this doesn't "work"... I am afraid of failing... and maybe also of succeeding...

BUT --

This morning I took my measurements, I've lost an inch off my bicep, 1/2 inch off my chest, 1/4 inch off my waist, 1 inch off my hips, 1 inch off my thighs. In 3 weeks. 3 weeks of NOT following the plan to perfection, but doing my best day by day.

Just keep perservering, and don't worry about not being perfect. Remember, every day you are at this, however imperfectly, is an improvement over the alternative.


Babs

Hi, Smilin.

I'm sorry for your loss.

You said "binge" and you also said "two chocolate cupcakes." That was it?? Or have you continued to eat sugar and flour? You also said, "diet Pepsi." I have to say that none of that sounds like a binge to me. Just a slip/small cheat/whatever.

You asked about gentle foods--that is so different for everyone. Maybe clear chicken broth with some chopped up chicken and little shredded veggie of some kind? For some people, dairy is gentle; for others not. If yes, why don't you try a little full-fat, live culture yogurt? Stoneyfield, I think, is a full-fat brand. There is a thread on here somewhere about the fact that the live culture basically "eats up" the carbs in the milk, making it a good food--in moderation--for a low-carb diet.

Are you attracted to hot or cold foods right now? Sweet taste? Sour taste? Salty taste? Smooth or crunchy texture? Spicy or bland? Thinking about these attributes can help you name a food that you might want to eat.

Also, if you can't think of a paticular food, but you can tell us that you want something warm and spicy and creamy, for example, we can probably help a lot more. For that paticular combo, I'd suggest adding a little bit of heavy cream, grated ginger root, and a pinch of cayenne to the chicken broth I mentioned above. For cold/crunchy/bland, I'd recommend cucumbers, sliced into long spears and eaten slowly, with much crunching! Or diced and mixed with a little plain yogurt. Or sliced thick and spread with butter and salt, or cream cheese.

So, you get the idea.

I support you in your decisoin to record your food every day. Have you stared a journal here? That is SO helpful for me. And it makes it much easier for others to help you.

You said that you don't feel like cooking. Can your budget handle several meals out? Go to a favorite restaurant and be pampered. Ask for what you want. "Could I please have a little dish of melted buter" is one of my favorite requests. And, "Veggies steamed with no seasoning, please." Then, of course, I dip the veggies in the butter. YUM. Take a friend with you, or go alone.

Get a massage. Get a facial. Eat 20 perfect raspberries with whipped heavy cream and splenda. Eat 2 perfect spears of asparagus with hollandaise. Eat one perfect poached egg on a tiny bed of sauteed spinach.

Hang in there, and let us know how you are doing.

Ann at Howcross Castle