Hi All

I have had a couple of useful insights over the last couple of weeks that I would love to share. I have started Atkins again and with breatfeeding, I am allowed no less than maintenance levels of carbs ie 100 grams. The only reason why I ever stopped was my pregnancy.

Like most people on this site I seem to have my one food that I just struggle to give up. For some it is chocloate, for others it is fries. For me it is iced coffee (pathetic, isn't it?). I have really been observing my own behaviour and have drunk iced coffees at two main times:

1. when my blood pressure has been dropping dreadfully low
2. as a form of a temporary time out from life when things get too hectic

The second one is particularly important. The iced coffee is almost like a mini meditation!

Does this ring true for anyone else? For the brand newies I have realised this through keeping a journal. It is certainly worth taking the time to do a journal if you can.

I came up with the following little acronym and I hope that others may find it helpful. Before you eat, first BREATHE:

? Bored
? Routine
? Emotional
? Anxious
? Tired
? Hungry
? Escapism

For me to obtain permanent weight loss, the emotional insights are just as important as the physical sugar addiction. If this post can help one other person speed up their weight loss then it has been worth the time.

iced coffee (pathetic, isn't it?).

No it isn't, I could never give up my coffee, I only have 2 large cups in the morning and perhaps 1 in the afternoon, (no sugar) I miss the half teaspoon of sugar but it had to go.

Lez

Dear Lez,
You might have to give up the sugar but you don't have to give up the sweeteness. I drink coffee with splenda in. You can buy it in a ll the main supermarkets.

Hi Lez

I have made the decision not to give the iced coffees up but rather work them in to my carbohydrate allowance. Every time I try and give them up I just panic and drink more. I think they are stuck with me for life. It will slow my weight loss down but if i stay sane and focused, and less likely to binge then it will be worth it.

Leanne