Welcome! I'm relatively new to this forum as well, but let me tell you, in the couple weeks I've been coming here, I've been encouraged SO much!

The stress can definitely be heavy. I would suggest a few things to help you keep the stress reduced:

1. Plan ahead. Make a list from the Atkins induction list in the book before you head for the grocery store. This way you'll be sure to get all the stuff you need and not get "stuck" in an emergency situation.

2. Plan meals ahead - nothing is worse than getting home after a hard day's work and realizing you didn't get anything out to thaw for dinner. But, if you do forget, just microwave that ole hamburger meat and make a type of hamburger, mustard, onion goulash

3. Keep "legal" snacks on hand wherever you go. I carry a big purse, and keep a ziplock bag in it of beef jerky, cheese, and a few vegetable sticks (like celery or green peppers); that way, if I get suddenly hungry, or am stuck in traffic, or at a meeting, I won't be tempted to pull into the nearest drive through or head for the snack machine! If you do end up with nothing, hit the drive through, but ask for no ketchup and throw the bread away on that burger.

4. Journalize - it was mentioned above. It does help to know what we've eaten; for one, we can guage our mood by it, and see if food is affecting mood. Or, if we haven't lost weight in awhile, we can examine it and see where we might be going off track.

5. One thing I do also is look for BE (beta endorphin)-raisers - things that I do that just make me feel better or more relaxed; like reading Psalms, or going outside in sunny weather and just breathing in, or playing with my cats. No, that's not exactly dieting, but it DOES seem to help lower stress and keep focus - and that helps any diet

I'm glad you (and I) found this place.

Sh'ra