I've noticed that we all use the word "cheat". I cheated this weekend or I didn't cheat today. I've done it too. I haven't cheated .... we all seem to use it.

I think that's a mistake and I'm not going to do it any more. If I were on a diet, I could theoretically cheat and eat something that my diet didn't allow.

I think my mind is working away from that mindset because I am not on a diet. I was talking with someone this morning outside the office before we went in. He's a big guy. A very big guy. And he has noticed that I've lost a lot of weight. We were talking about losing weight and how when someone is big, they know they're big and they don't need it pointed out to them or to be told that they need to lose weight because doubtless they've tried to lose the weight many many times.

He said when he was much younger he tried Atkins and that when he went off the diet he gained it all back and then some. A light bulb went off and I told him that I didn't think I would ever eat any differently because I'm not on a diet. I've changed my way of eating. I don't want flour, sugar, potatoes or rice. I don't really want any of the stuff that "I can't have". But I am not deprived. I could have it if I wanted it. I wouldn't be "cheating". I can have anything I want. I just don't want it.

I said that if he wanted to try it again, since he had done it once and lost, that there was a good chance he could lose again, but that if he considered it a diet and that once it was over he could have hagendaz (sp?) by the gallon, he was mistaken.

I told him if I want ice cream, I can have ice cream, just low carb ice cream.

This is kind of long and I don't know if it makes any sense, but I guess my point is if you eat something that you think of as wrong, don't feel guilty about it and don't beat yourself up because you didn't cheat. You just made a wrong choice and next time you want to eat that particular item, maybe you can make a better choice.

Virginia

I agree...its a choice BUT calling the choice a "cheat" if it is a true cheat (i.e. something that you are NOT suppose to eat that contains high carbs, starch, sweets) then it is a NEGATIVE word which may in turn keep you from doing it again. If you call it a choice, than too many of these choices will add up to disaster and thus not conveying a negativity.

So no matter what you call it - it is something negative that should be avoided and for me, the word "cheat" keeps me in line while I am losing weight. After I reach goal than the CHOICE takes on a whole new meaning...it is then a choice...not a cheat.

Very well said.

This is how alot of us long timers think. We all make our own choices. If I want a hot dog at a baseball game with my husband, by golly I am having a hot dog. It's a choice I make. I don't consider it cheating either. I know that after the game I shall be back to my normal eating patterns. Normal to me now is low carb.

This is something we long term members try to get across to the new folks that join us. This isn't a diet, it's a way of life.

Regardless of which diet people pick, if you return to your old eating patterns after you hit goal weight, 99 percent of the time you WILL regain the weight. You don't have the metabolism of an athelete therefore you can't eat like one. There has to be a lifestyle change somewhere in order to maintain a healthy weight.

Dr Atkin's said in his book that many people over look is this... Eating low carbohydrate does not mean you can NEVER have a bowl of ice cream or a piece of bread. Being Low Carbohydrate means you can not have that every single day or for many once a week. You can have anything you want within moderation. For some, moderation is that once a month treat.

Thanks..I needed that reinforcement today. I have always allowed myself to indulge in something if I am in a position where I am feeling really good about my progress, I'm emotionally well, and I really want to enjoy it. It's not as often as is was, because it was interfereing with my loss...not that there's been much, but a weekly "choice" was the most logical reason why.

Now, I go along well for a few weeks, and if an occasion comes up, or if I really want to taste something, no harm done. It keeps me free and unrestricted in the head! Which keeps me faithful to the rest of my eating choices.