have ever delt with.

I have tried about 5 times in the last 2 months to start this plan again. I did it once with kick arse, awsome results.

I cant seem to even do it past 2 days and I start eating crap foods again. I know most of you will tell me I gotta want it to do it.

I have to say, I damn sure want it, I am to the point of busting out the waistband in my work pants, I can barely get them fastened without pushing the waistband under my belly and hooking the snap thingy. Hell, even then it is hard to do. I want to do it to insure that I will be around for my kids in 30 years or actually 60 years.

I just dont understand why I am having such a hard time doing this. I still remember how good I felt skinny and not having all the stomach problems, mood swings, sweating problems, headaches, etc. I loved the way I felt, I just dont know why I cant seem to get those feelings to motivate me again.

I have turned this thing into a yo-yo diet I'm affraid.

yes, you can.... just promise yourself 2 weeks !
you know its often a bit rough the first few days, and when youre past that bit you will find you feel so much better.

Did you set up a journal ? Its actually very motivating.... try that.
welcome back to LC.

hey i am from wichita too!!
step one--CHANGE THAT AWFUL SCREEN NAME!!!!!!!!!!
the first step is a positive image at least.
step two--- look at the person looking back at you in the mirror. ask him if he really wants to do this. ask him what he is willing to do to reach his goals .
this game is 98 percent mental, think positive, tell yourself you are going to do this and your not going to cheat. you are better than that arent you?
don't think about the things you cant have, forget about that crap. that was the stuff that is going to kill us!!
now go talk to the person in the mirror and find out if they are really ready to commit and then get with the program, you can do it!!

I am glad you posted. That is a good step in getting really motivated.

I have a few tricks that I use:

I cannot live in terms of "forever". I know that I can do ANYTHING for a short period of time. Just give it a two week time limit and see what happens. You can do anything for two weeks.
People even put up with visits for their in-laws for that long!

Get rid of all the crap food in the house. If it isn't there-you won't eat it. It is much more of a pain for me to have to go to the store than it is to eat something low carb I already have.

Don't let myself get hungry. I am not saying gorge yourself all the time-but I know "cheat" thoughts only occur when I allow myself to get too hungry. Then I want french fries. As soon as I eat-that feeling goes away.

Make myself accountable to someone else. Frankly, sometimes I have to have a healthy dose of fear to keep me in line when I am changing a bad habit. I would not know how to tell my parents that I went back to eating the old way-that I gave up. Especially since they both are successfully low carbing. Since I am a terrible liar-this will sometimes keep me straight when nothing else will. I haven't had to use this trick on the woe so far-but I have used it in the past with other things. I have a friend who reports to me on her eating. Helps to keep her honest.

Read success stories. They REALLY keep me motived.

Make connections on this forum. Again-that helps to keep me accountable. There are people here who care. Finding this forum has been one of the best things about doing this woe. It helps to be in the middle of a group of people that are all doing the same thing.

First of all, I totally agree with gonna, change that screen name - you need to start of a positive note! Start with mini goals, every time you get down 10% say, reward yourself. Just keep reminding yourself how good you're gonna feel and look to keep on track - ask your family for support in keeping the nasty food out of the house. You can do it. Stay close to this forum.

Vikki

gonnaBlean had a point, change the screen name, we want you to be motivated and get past Induction, which is the worst part, and on to a leaner you! The first few days when your body is detoxing is the worst. I had a splitting headache (caffeine withdrawal and the detox), was irritable and snapped at my husband a lot. This too, will pass, if we can get you motivated and going. Paleoanth also had a point, giving it two weeks time limit. Also, remove offending foods from your house, that eliminates temptation. I just intended to lose my pregnancy weight, not necessarily do this for life. But gone were my migraines and I was feeling much better overall that I was hooked! Pre-LCing, usually around 2:00P or 2:30P at work, I was ready for a nap because I was in a food "coma". Once I started LCing, no more hankering for a post-lunch nap. I don't think I've experienced the burst of energy other posters have referred to, but I am less tired now. If you end up changing your screen name, let us know in your posts. Good luck!

I get really motivated when I go there. First I look at all the clothes in the shops that don't sell in my size. (I am going to where that stuff someday!) Then I people watch. Some reallly heavy, some too thin, some just right. Gives me an idea of where I want to be. I especially like to go to the food court and see what people eat. It makes me feel good to know that I've made a smart choice in avoiding carbs (the ones that are no good that is). I am reducing my risk for diabetes, heart disease and other diseases related to obesity. (A great motivation alone!)
Probably the hardest thing for me to accept with this WOL is that I will never be able to go back to the way things were. Makes me sad sometimes, because my life revolved around food. I am still working on this and most days it is a struggle. But I know with time it will become easier. It is so easy to stay where you are.. making such a big change takes lots of courage but I know you are up to the challange! Good Luck Ellen


Another motivation:
A good long look in a full length mirror OMG

I'm the queen of yo yo Atkins! What motivates me time and time again is the I know that without doubt at the end of the first week I will have lost at least five lbs...usually more. That alone motivates me...just think if you stick with it for the two weeks you could be down all the wieght you gained.

Gail

Also, you might try to stop buying "crap" food -- and with the savings ('cause that stuff is expensive!), treat yourself to some really special meals, like prime rib, lobster, rich juicy steaks, rainbow trout.

Did you know that water chestnuts wrapped in bacon strips and broiled is a totally legal snack for us? And mushrooms sauteed in garlic butter. It's amazing how luxuriously you can eat on this plan. I don't know if I'll ever want to go back to fast food.

Also, you might try to stop buying "crap" food -- and with the savings ('cause that stuff is expensive!), treat yourself to some really special meals, like prime rib, lobster, rich juicy steaks, rainbow trout.

Did you know that water chestnuts wrapped in bacon strips and broiled is a totally legal snack for us? And mushrooms sauteed in garlic butter. It's amazing how luxuriously you can eat on this plan. I don't know if I'll ever want to go back to fast food.

Whoops! Sorry about the double post.

Hi all,

FatArse -- I think you've received some very good advice here. But let me be the eleventeenth to suggest changing your handle.

When I first registered, I typed in what I thought was a way cool name. Rejected as already in use. So, I thought for a minute and came up with a truly great name. Rejected. Then I looked at the cursor on my computer screen.

Do you think Arrow sounds lean and mean ?

Then, promise yourself just two weeks. Then, expect to be absolutely craving-mad miserable the first week. Dr. Atkins doesn't tell you this, and maybe I'll get flack from forum members for saying it, but the first week can be hell. Well, if you expect it, then you can prepare yourself to deal with it. Just two weeks, that's all. Then you'll see.

Oh, I don't think Yo-Yo is a good handle either. C'mon, try it. It will be really good for you, and I'm betting it will be good for the forum to have you here.

You can do it man, I felt the same way you did. I have tried many diets and I would resort to the same thing after a few days back to eatting bad foods.

I heard from some co-workers that they knew someone who tried this diet and had good results. So i decided to give it a try. I will admit that the first few days are really hard, cause of the cravings, but after a few days they went away and i was REALLY supprised. I don't even want to eat or drink the bad stuff anymore and I find that amazing.

You just have to stick with it and make it past the worst part of the diet.

Sometimes my greatest motivation is trying to "show off how good I look" for someone who has hurt me. Sick, I know, but it works for me.

I'll agree with all of the above.

I'm on day 12 of induction and yes, we all that the first few days SUCK. So, like many of the previous posters, I just tell myself "okay, 2 weeks. I can do that." And when I get that desire for something I'm not supposed to have, I just remind myself what Dr. A says-- the induction menu is not the way you'll be eating for the rest of your life. Those first two weeks (or however long it ends up lasting for you) are the strictest and most difficult. It will gradually get more liberal and easy and natural.

I am the junk food queen, so here's my advice for avoiding junk food: Don't stay in one place too long. I'm not necessarily talking about exercise (though at some point you ought to pick it up). Just don't stay in one place in the house or wherever for too long. You're in front of the TV, you get a craving for Oreos-- go to the computer. You're at the computer, you want some ice cream-- go upstairs. Just get up and walk away from wherever you are and go somewhere else. And drink a Diet Rite if you have to. Best of luck!