i *was* doing really well on atkins until a few weeks ago. i had lost around 30 pounds and was continuing to lose around 2-3 pounds per week. then i started slipping up a little bit. no biggie, but then i stopped working out for a week. then i started slipping up some more, and had a few very bad days complete with bread and cheesecake even, oh and lots of fruit.

then i quit my job, am starting school again, and was burglarized and robbed at home (currently in middle of trying to find the guy). and started TOM too. so i got a bit more stressed and ate two regular cookies. and an individual cheesecake slice. and an individual carrot cake slice (both from whole foods). at the worst point i had gained back 10 pounds. i've only managed to lose 2 of those 10. i'm getting so discouraged because going back to strict induction seems impossible. and i have tried. repeatedly. i just can't get myself to swoop in like i did the first time. (btw i am on extended induction). recently i added things like lc bread, lc peanut butter, etc. that i know are not allowed on induction. i just can't seem to get myself back on track but i do not want to see myself blow up to my starting weight again (235-240). i just feel so discouraged.

so no, there really isn't a point to this point, except maybe to say that i need some support because i'm faltering and about to fall.

Honey, we all go thru bad times....I am one of those emotional eaters too when things get rough. I have "fallen off the wagon" on several high-stress periods of time and its hard to get back on track but you can do it.

Take a good look at yourself in the mirror...I mean really look. Note what you want to change and tell yourself as many times as it takes...out loud...I want to succeed...I want to lose weight...I know I can do it.

I suggest first getting rid of any temptations from your house ... cookies...whatever. Less temptation...the better off you will be. Then go to the grocery store and buy yourself all the Low-Carb foods you need and like...

I hope you find the guy who robbed your home...and I hope you feel better both inside and out

Can I just copy your story into my journal? At least the stopping and starting point. You have to find your motivation. Mine is my boys. And the vain desire to look good in "girly" things. But you have to find yours! And run with it!

Val, You know you will get support here! You have been through a rough time, so don't beat yourself up! You are still down, what? 20 pounds? That is great! Ease yourself back into induction, or just back to the point of losing again. Maybe even maintain for awhile til you have other things in your life in control. A few bad days will not mess up all of your effort so far. Take care of yourself!

Induction always sounds scary after you slip up. Why not go straight to OWL first, and then if you feel like it got back to induction level carbs? that is how I eased myself back into Atkins: Maintainance level, then OWL level and finally two weeks of induction level. I have been doing to now since May!

Stop yourself now before it is two late! Trust me, you don't want to see your weight surpass your all-time high like mine did after three years of messing aound (I am LC, I'm not LC, I am LC...)

Hmmm, is that perfectionism I smell? I have a dear friend who keeps falling off Atkins because she finds strict/extended induction so daunting (gaining weight each time she does so), and your story reminded me of her. I'll tell you what I've tried to tell my friend: RELAX, nobody is going to beat you up if you don't stay on 100% perfect induction for the next six months! It sounds to me like you've got this whole Induction Monster built up in your head, and that you can't live a good, wholesome, LC lifestyle unless you are eating absolutely strict and clean. Some people do well with that kind of discipline, it's true, but in your case it sounds like a recipe for failure.

Instead of trying to keep to a clean induction, why not try to keep to a clean Atkins maintenance for a couple weeks? Get rid of all the carbage and Frankenfoods, but keep the unprocessed higher-carb stuff you can eat on maintenance, like starchy veggies such as peas and corn, yogurt, whole wheat bread, low- and medium-GI fruits like apples and grapes, and natural peanut butter. Make your own sugar-free desserts but keep it to one serving a day, and eat as many green vegetables as you can stand. Shoot to keep your carbs in the 60-75 range for a while. You probably won't lose weight, but if you're sticking to a good maintenance regime, you shouldn't gain either. Once your life has straightened out, then try lowering your intake gradually until you get back down to 30-35 carbs. Stay there a while, maybe even permanently -- I'd think hard about going back to an extended Induction. I just don't think it's all that beneficial for most people, in terms of speed of loss, and the psychological restriction can be killer. Better to lose weight slowly but steadily than lose it fast for a while and then go haywire, right?

Geez, I need spellcheck! My post looks like I have been hitting the sauce all morning! And me, a PR Specialist...

Hi Val,

Just thought I would drop by an offer some encouragement.

Induction is the really horrible part of this WOE but it is worth it. The buzz you get when your clothes start to feel looser, the increased amount of energy, the compliments from workmates.All these things make it worthwhile.

When I started Atkins in January I felt totally disgusted with myself. I had terrible depression,mood swings and I would get kids shouting abuse at me in the street or on the bus.That was the very catalyst I needed. I knew I had to do something or I wouldn't be around to see my kids achievements in life.

Now eight months on I have lost 106 pounds. Life is great. Please believe me when I say that this works. I have tried everything else under the sun and this tops the lot by a long way.

These forums are the best place to come for support. Eveyone is in the same boat. You have got to want to lose the weight.I know you can do it.

Keep us updated on your progress and stick with it.

Regards

Kenny

Which may almost be a contradiction in terms.

But the problem I have is, I eat one, and then I think I'm OK. So next time I have two. And before I know it, I'm off and running, and the carbs start the craving for more carbs.

For me, induction is the EASIEST, because there aren't enough carbs in my diet to set off the craving for more carbs. I can't tolerate any of the fake sweets without wanting more; think they trigger an insulin reaction just because of the taste.

One day at a time. One workout at a time. Don't think about forever, just today. Can you get out for a walk, or a workout, today? Can you stick to LC foods, regardless of volume, today? I can do some damage to a loaf of cream cheese and I just discovered liverwurst again, and strange, but I stay stable. Don't lose, but don't gain either. And eating LC works miracles on my moods and general stability, so I'm more effective at handling all the other things that come along.

Stick around!

Hi Val,

You have come such a long way, don't beat yourself up b/c you have faltered a little bit. If you are having such a hard time getting back on induction, then for right now why just not try to reduce your carb intake a little, lets say day by day, until you can feel yourself being steady with your WOE.

Just remeber to think about how far you have come, and how far you are going and get back on track. If possible, try to remove most temptations out of your house, and see about getting LC SNACK alternatives so when the moment strikes, you can grab a snack that is convenient and good for you!

Good luck, you are an awesome lady, and I know you will do well.

This is a Way of Life. You have lost alot and you know LC works, put your chin up and start over with Induction. You know it will work for you and you know what you will get out of it. Don't wait until tomorrow, don't wait until next week. I am sure you can do it just start now and take each day after that as a success!

Warm regards,

Sorry to hear of your difficulties...sounds like life is throwing you a bit of a curveball!!

I say, make the most decadent, delicious, low-carb meals you can to remind yourself of why you chose the lc way. For me that is a BIG juicy rib-eye steak smothered with mushrooms that have been sauteed in a liberal amount of butter and white wine. Or chicken thighs topped with bacon and swiss cheese and covered in faux honey-mustard (mayo, mustard and splenda). That usually makes me satisfied enough to withstand any temptation of highercarb junk.

Good luck!

wow! thanks guys, for all your wonderful words of encouragement. i'm slowly getting back to induction. really, i pretty much stick with it, i just have an item i shouldn't some days. mostly now it's fruit, since california has tons of fresh fruit in season right now. or that one day i had those sweets. (that was the worst day) everything else i eat is lc. i did do a strict, no-cheat induction for two months and it wasn't complete torture or anything, just a lot of work. i kinda like it because the concept of induction is very simple, and i can do simple.

i don't buy regular stuff anymore, there are never sweets in the house, and i make quick lc food like crustless quiche, stuffed chicken, pizza quiche, and eat lots of veggies. and i'm sitting here with mac nuts and flax seed muffins. i think part of it was that i was getting sick of the same salad everyday for lunch, but i switched lunch to something with more fat/protein now. plus a couple weeks back my appetite increased dramatically and i was constantly hungry. now that i think about it, it may be somehow related to TOM. that, and the stress. i've always been a stress eater.

i'm improving. i had a peach today though. i'm slightly worried about my birthday in two weeks, as a birthday treat meal sounds nice, but i don't think i can allow myself to do that. maybe i'll just make a low carb cheesecake and have a piece. and whatever i do, i am not going on the scale! last time i checked i was around 208, but this is during TOM and that always causes me to retain water.

this is way more information than any of you wanted.

THANK YOU for everything guys, you ROCK! when i get to my goal, we are all going out for a virtual lc cocktail!

I am really glad you feel like you can do it!!!!!

good going!!!

Don't give up now. we are all gonna fall off the wagon at some point or points i should say but you just have to get right back into it. don't beat yourself up for this cuz you have done great so far. you have alot to be proud off. if you find it too difficult to jump right back in just start commiting to one thing at a time that usually works for me. it could be making sure you exercise, or get all your water in or staying away from carbs. whatever you are comfortable with but just don't give up, you have accomplished so much.
Best of Luck
**************