I need some advice

[madonna1]

I just hope I am posting in the right place: I am going too take a chance and briefly describe why I have joined this community. I have been bulimic for many years and I hope with the atkins woe and therapy (which is costing a bunch) I can finally get to grips with my ongoing fight with food. My question is this although I am aware of my weight being low I feel comfortable finally with my body and wish to maintain this weight, could I do this with the atkins woe. At the moment I am stuck in a place where I am afraid of eating because I might not maintain my weight. Please help I need support in this battle and hope to find it hereThanx in advance.
Tracy (South Africa)

[suzanneyea]

Atkins was the only solution that actually stopped all urges for me to to binge and purge and I have have been 100% non ED for several years now. First, make sure you have read and understand his book and philosophy. You must do Atkins 100% or it will not work. I always say it is the same as having a financial budget, if you stay within your budget all week and then go buy a flat panel tv on the last day of the week, all your other budgetting is out the window. Now, I can only say how Atkins helped me, it stabilized my moods and anxiety, I was finally able to eat freely and without guilt. Now, the ironic thing is I am thinner and have a better body eating more on Atkins than I ever had during mt million other tries to stay thin (Bulimia included) Not tooo mention, for the first time, I am happy, I do not obsess about food EVER (small miracle), I can excercise normally (also was an over excerciser in the past). But, you really need to put yourself heart and soul into this program, no second doubts, for it to work. And give it time. Your body will be thrown for a loop cause you will be cutting out sugar and other things it has grown dependant on. I felt like death for the first few weeks (yes, weeks!) on Atkins, I think that may be another reason I never slip up, I do not want to go through the sugar withdrawl again or the soda caffeine withdrawl. I hope you choose this way of life, I just wish I had found it sooner. Good luck.

[madonna1]

Thank you for your advice. I do have doubts but despite them I am committing myself fully. I am a little anxious about calories and all but as you say I have to put myself heart and soul into it. Thanx to Atkins I have been bp free for the last 3days. The book which I am using almost like my bible right now is definitely making it easier. My moods are a little less pendulum like and anxiety is less threatening. Thank you once again for your support and honesty.

[JuliaL]

Madonna - you might want to check the Addiction Support board. There is a thread there for people who are addicted to food and binging. There may also be support for you on the Health board. Best of luck!

[atcgirl42]

I think you are asking a question that cannot be answered by the little information you are providing. I'm 5'10". At your weight I'd be skeletal. Can you maintain your weight on Atkins? I don't know. But I tend to think your weight issues are more emotional than physical. Stick with therapy and all my best to you.

[TaDa!]

Hi Madonna I'm a binge-eater (bulimia without the purging) and am doing really well with Atkins ... Since you are at a happy weight, I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Atkins book Atkins For Life over the standard Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution. It comes more from the standpoint of someone with a couple of pounds to lose and from the Maintenance standpoint.

In your place, you do not have to do induction per se, and OWL should look a little different for someone maintaining. I Atkins For Life, you start at 60 net carbs and work from there - and I would think that would be much safer for you, so that you do not risk falling into an ED pattern again.

Congratulations on getting this far overcoming the mind stuff and big big