Someone help me get motivated...

[KyWildOne]

:help: My boyfriend and I started an Adkins/South Beach type diet last year and had wonderful results but of course we fell off the wagon and I fell hard.

To let you in on just a few of my (I think good) excuses - I changed positions in June at work to a new building and things just went down hill from there, I ate out with the girls all the time even though it was a salad, my position made me become the poster child for those late night commercials for the "over 30 and stressed" weight gain pill candidates, I was in a motorcycle wreck and injured my leg in Sept. which that same motorcycle was stolen out of my back driveway 1 month later and then the icing on my lil better crocker cake called life was that I was terminated from my job in Nov. (candy bars have been part of my stress reduction)

So between laying around and having a pity party for myself and just growing roots in to the couch, I have gained almost 20 full pounds!!

I so want to get motivated and back on the diet and just eating healthy all the way around. My biggest problem during the first three weeks (which I lovingly call it the starvation period since the food choices are so bland) is getting through the cravings of chocolate and sugars. I mean that is my drug of choice!
I had very good luck with some of the Adkins endulge products, they are yummy! I also found I have a low tolerance to the sugar alcohols. (this great forum was accidentally found by googling info about sugar alcohol)

This is the largest I have even been. I have not even attempted to put on jeans since I stopped working (Nov 5) I am afraid I am going to out grow my sweat pants! Since I am tall, I can hide it well, but I am so uncomfortable with myself.

Any advise from all the guru's out there on the best ways to start all over again?
Last time I was able to go for daily walks, but now with winter setting in here and my leg still not being 100% I am looking in to a stationary bike.

[LatinGuy]

Hi KyWildOne, :wave:

Welcome to the forum. I am also new here. I joined just over a week ago (http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=221601). I have found already many great folks here that are full of ideas and willing to help. One of them advised me to create a Journal (http://forum.lowcarber.org/forumdisplay.php?f=36). It's a great tool to have fellow members come an visit with you in your journey.

I wish you the best.

Latin Guy

[kiwigal]

Welcome!!
O.k...so you said it The "pity party" is OVER!!!..Its now time to re-build you!!
On to a strong, healthy, slim and confident you!..And you CAN do it.
The first 14 days of induction..should curb your carb cravings..this is a good time for you to learn how to eat REAL foods..meat, veg, salads, dairy etc,
Forget convenient foods, even if they are low carb.
Check these sites out..they are full of good food and meal ideas for the induction period.
http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/menus/pastcj1.shtml
http://atkins.com/food/recipes/phase1recipes.html
http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/showthread.php?s=&threadid=65922&highlight=induction+recipes
http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/showthread.php?s=&threadid=252087&highlight=induction+recipes
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze4n46b/lc/index.html

The only reason for any meal to be bland..is if you prepare it that way!
Experiment with new recipes, try new things..hey.you may even learn to love this way of life and eating! ;)
I wish you lots of luck and determination..start to reclaim your life TODAY! :wave:

[Jazzylyn]

Hello and welcome to the forums! I see that Latin Guy and Kiwigal have already given you some great advice! Hang in there and we'll be rooting for you! :wave:

Jazz

http://www.image-cafe.net/xmas/xmastree14.gif

[jessica020]

For the chocolate fix, try zcarb bars. I doubt they're allowed on induction if you're following it by the book, but they don't cause gastric distress, and are sweetened with erythritol and splenda. I'm a chocolate addict and some days I have 2 or 3 over the course of the day :lol:

Good luck!

[Dylan]

You know- I completely agree with you with regards to the chocolate bars! From one addict to another the best way I found to stay away from them, in the beginning when its the hardest, is to just stay away from convienence stores and don't even look at the items with sugar any other place. Outta sight outta mind. The craving s WILL get easier and more manageable BUT if you can hold out for the next 2 weeks-perhaps even after a week, you'll notice a severe change in mind and body. Just know that if you don't, you'll never experience that first step of freedom. What is 2 weeks....
We all are here when it gets tough and when it is so-so and just when ever!

[kidnj]

motivation -- um, how about this -- for starters, throw away your sweat pants or donate them to charity. If you're serious about this, I have learned one great tactic that works for permanent weight-loss.... force yourself to go out and buy a pair of pants in an actual size. That way, you will know just exactly how far you've slipped and where you're starting. A drug addict generally has to hit rock-bottom prior to determining a life of recovery is the solution -- so do you. And being honest with yourself is one way to find out how close to the bottom you are. So suck it up and go out for a pair of pants. They don't have to be anything special, but they should fit SNUGLY. For instance, if the 16 is comfortable enough to wear, squeeze into the 14. If you can zip them at all, buy those. Then wear those every waking moment of the day, and you'll be motivated by your need for comfort. Then, once those 14s start getting comfortable, donate them to charity as well. And along with that, toss all your sweats, stretchies, sack dresses, housegowns or whatever. Then, get a 12 and repeat the process. If you can manage, it's great motivation. It's a daily painful reminder of just how far you've slipped.

As for chocolate cravings themselves, well, they got you here, didn't they? It's time to get angry at yourself. Go through your house and get rid of the foods that aren't on the list of foods you're allowed to eat on induction. Just toss them. I don't have that option, since I have my hubby and two kids who need to eat and who aren't on induction! :lol: But by not having those items in the house, you will be forced to leave the house to buy them. If none of that works, then I got nothin'... The induction period is hard. It's designed that way for a reason -- it's not to get you out of the habit of sweets, it's set up to get your body into fat-burning mode. Maybe think of it in those terms and it'll help. Also, what really REALLY helped me was going to atkins.com and reading the entire site. And I mean all of it. There's so much incredible information there and it'll help you solidify your reasons for doing this.

And I talked specifically to an Atkins nutritionalist and those bars are not allowed until pre-maintenance at the earliest, if you really want to do this correctly. So yeah. It's hard. For me, it's been worth it. I have my life back for the first time in years. I hope you can find it in you to do the same!! Best of luck to you!!!
d.

[skippie]

I see you have had some wonderful advise from everyone. I'd just like to offer you a little encouragment. You have made a start, and just need to stick to it. You can do it. :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:
Good Luck,
:wave:

[angeljandy]

I can understand the "falling off the wagon". I too fell hard and gained back 63 of the 45 lbs I lost. Yes, I gained back extra weight!!!!
Welcome and good luck with your program!

[MissScruff]

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[4beans4me]

Hello and welcome! :wave: