Carb Sensitive, back on the wagon.

[fallwgrace21]

Hello my dear Low Carb Friends,

I started my low carb lifestyle Feb 2011 at 304 lbs aiming for a 170 goal. I lost 82 lbs started OWL adding nuts and fresh berries. I started stalling. Started a stronger dose of Meloxicam, for my Psoriatic Arthritis. I noticed that my ankles and feet were grossly swelling. I still did not go over 20 carbs per day. I went to the Dr and was told to take a diurutic for 3 days, which helped some but I ballooned back up within days of stopping the diuretic. After months of trying to psych myself back into losing weight, I started eating things that were ok to eat but too much of them. Then I decided that I would just not worry about the low carb for a week. I found myself eating things that I missed from my old way of eating knowing that I was not going to be able to continue to eat this way because of not feeling good with the processed foods. So I ate everything that I missed. I gained 20 hard lost pounds back in a month. And actually feel relieved that I am back on low carb and wanting to feel great again. I love eating low carb.

So could anyone help me so that I do not have a repeat of the past? I weighed, charted what I eat. I won't weigh again till a week later. Staying under 20 carbs with no sweets, (sugar free drinks, Atkins bars, gum, etc. for the first two weeks)

Any comments, reading materials, hints will be appreciated.

[nfowife]

Welcome back! I'm new/returning too. I don't think there's any "magic bullet" as far as sticking to it. I am only 3 weeks in but I have been surprised at how easy it is getting. I myself am taking it decision by decision. It's hard to think "I'll never have chocolate again"....because I can't even imagine a life without it! But I CAN imagine, next time I go to the store and pass the candy aisle, just NOT buying a bag or a bar even if I want to. I can do that one little thing. And if I just keep making small, good choices like that, eventually it will add up to success.

I had my monthly bunco group meeting last weekend. Dinner, dessert, and drinks are served. I started trying to figure out how I was going to work around it. And then I decided I'm not there for the food, I'm there for the fun and games. So I ate a good meal beforehand and showed up and drank water all night long. It wasn't super easy, but each time I said "no thanks, I already had dinner at home" it got easier. And I felt so proud of myself at the end of the night! And I had a great time, without the food.

So I say, make the commitment and take it day by day. You know that it's a slippery slope and what will happen. A slip up here and there will not break you, just get back on the wagon. It's a lifestyle, not a quick-fix diet. So treat it as such. You didn't fail, you fell off the wagon and now you are getting right back on after a small setback. You will do great because now you know "what if I just eat crap for a bit?". You know it won't end well. So now hopefully you won't try it again!

Best of luck.

[fallwgrace21]

Thanks for the kind words. that is why I have the Low Carb Friends on speed dial on my computer. You are totally right. And I was amazed that I could tell a hugh difference in the way I felt physically, not eating the low carb. I had gas, acid reflux, bloating, excess bowel movements, felt sluggish, sleepy. I couldn't believe that I use to think of this as a normal way to feel. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

[hotchick818]

Hi there and welcome back!! I wish I did know the secret for not falling off the low carb wagon, but I don't. I am also returning to the low carb way of eating after a couple of years of doing my own thing and having two beautiful babies

I can tell you that you are in the right place though, and I think it's amazing that you lost 82 lbs. you gained 20 or so back, but you're still much lighter than you were last year. Now that you're back, that 20 can be gone in a month or so.

Nfowife gave some amazing advice. Take it day by day. It's less overwhelming that way. I am also a chocoholic that finds it hard to accept that I really cant eat the things that I used to, but the reality is that if I want to reach my goal and stay there, low carb is the way to go.

This board is so helpful. I would also recommend that you check out all of the delicious recipes that the members have shared. Cleochatra seems to have some great recipes. Her food looks so good it's hard to believe its low carb!

Best of luck. You can do this!

[thealything]

I kinda feel lucky I'm not a chocoholic!! my boyfriend loves it, but my major cheat triggers are chips, delicious breads and any kind of pasta with cream sauce. I've never been a sweet person, though I do occasionally have a couple squares of 90% chocolate as a taste treat.

fallwgrace21, do you mind if I pm you? I have a question about Meloxicam.

[catcookie]

Me too!

I got tired of waiting and after losing close to 25 pounds switched back to low fat/high carb and very quickly gained 8 of my 25 back! I'm switching back before I regain the whole 25 back. And, the craving are all back and I'm stressed and not sleeping very
good either.
I have an appointment tonight but, tommorrow after work I'm going shopping! I love eating low carb! Having real cream and butter is so satisfying. And, I noticed that I really don't like chicken breast. I really like chicken thighs, and marbled steak. Not really a fan of london broil.

[Trixygamer]

Hi I am new to the board. Im excited to tap into and be part of the support that Ive seen here. I do have a question and I hope I can ask it in a way that folks can understand.

I have done Atkins before and I lost maybe 20lbs and then life got in the way and I went back to my old ways. I gained most of it back and now that I am working on the Induction phase again, Im noticing Im not losing it like I once did and my cravings are worse now then ever. Any advice to help would be SOOOOO appreciated. Im so frustrated it would be easy to give up but I want my health back

[hotchick818]

@Trixy, same here! I really believe that chronic dieting screws your metabolism up. I have been losing more slowly than my first time on Atkins, but I am losing! Since my restart in late Feb I have dropped about 18lb. The first time around it just melted off. I was also several years younger too. There are suggestions for things that are supposed to jump start or reset your metabolism. The fat blast is one thing that some have tried with success, but really, if you continue doing Atkins, you WILL lose weight. Try exercising and lots of water to give you a boost. Best of luck to you!

[fallwgrace21]

Thanks for all of the wonderful comments. I went back to the strict Induction phase and have lost 11.2 lbs in 3 weeks. I noticed the first few days that I craved so bad. But after that I do not even have an appetite. I drink my water and eat my 15 to 20 carbs in veggies and meats. I noticed that I am not bloated, so I must have lost a lot of water in that 11.2 lbs. I just feel better all over. I am going to stay on induction for a while because once I start to add carbs I find that my cravings come back, even if I stay under the 20 carbs per day.

thealything I would love to talk to you about Meloxicam but I do not know what a pm is? Please advise.

Nfowife Take it day by day should be my bumper sticker. LOL

hotchick818 I have not heard of Cleochatra. But I am sure gonna check out her recipes.

All of this has helped me sooooooo much. I feel so much better eating low carb. Thank you Dr. Atkins. May you rest in peace. K.