Quote:
Originally Posted by eggsnsteak
Preparing self for the gut punch as we speak, but remembering (as someone else posted) that consistency + time = success.
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Stay positive. I've done this too many times to count, and each time I tried to reach goal I was frustrated by my weight going up-down-up-down. I could go up quite a bit overnight from some bad eating, and then I might spend the next week getting back where I was before. I gave up for a period of time, and this last year was horrible as I didn't watch my eating at all and didn't exercise.
So here is what I've discovered lately: I've just finished 3 weeks on what is basically Atkins '72 Induction. Low carbs, and due to that, my calories are fairly low naturally (I don't try in the least to keep them low....it's just that with low carb I can't eat a lot at one time any more, I have no cravings to speak of, and very low hunger). I've done something this time that I've NEVER NEVER NEVER done before: 3 straight weeks of perfect food, not a single cheat. So that's one thing. I'm also going to the gym as much as I can, for about an hour each time. So far in 3 weeks I've done 14 workouts. The result of all this is pretty much NO weight fluctuations. I haven't really gone up, but I've remained at a particular weight for 2 or 3 days on a few occasions. But the trajectory of weight is all downwards if it's not hanging for a bit. After 3 weeks I've lost 6 pounds, which is better than I expected (I thought I'd be lucky to hit a pound a week). Week one I was down 1.8 lbs, week 2 was 2.2 lbs, week 3 was 1.8 lbs. I haven't had any big drops....most drops like .4 or .2, but after a few days it added up to a pound. Out of 21 days on this diet, I've lost a bit on 12 of the days. More than half!
Why the difference this time around (after umpteen times doing this)? I have to attribute it to the consistency of my diet and exercise. I don't think exercise makes you lose weight, but it DOES help the process and helps boost the metabolism. I can't find anything else to explain it other than consistency of keeping carbs as low as possible thru my diet choices (aiming for 10g, usually hitting about 15g), and getting regular movement into my life again.
You CAN do this....but take my advice if you really want to succeed....I'm the one who said CONSISTENCY + TIME = SUCCESS. I really believe it. Most of us, including me in the past, gave up too soon. Don't be like me and let the process drag on forever because of eating foods that stall the process. Every bite is a choice that either moves you towards your goal or moves you away from it. A single bad food choice can open the door to more bad choices...believe me, I know! I lose control verrryyy easily, especially with sugar. I'm succeeding this time because I eat absolutely no sugar anywhere.
I got really tired of never reaching my goal. I'm doing it this time. If you resolve to reach your goal and don't let anything pull you off course, you WILL be able to get there. And how GREAT will that be!!!