Hi, all! I'm here, and I need help!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2003
Hi, all! I'm here, and I need help!!!
4
Sat, 04-16-2005 - 7:29pm

Hello, everyone. I haven't been here for quite some time. Here's my story.
I started Atkins in the summer of 2003, and in the first 8 months I lost 60 pounds. And maybe I was spoiled, because other than eating on the Atkins plan, I didn't have to do much to lose that weight! It came off very easily. I barely even had to exercise! (Now I'm realizing the importance of exercise, though). I hit a plateau in March of 2004, and things just went down hill from there. I had my little phases of doing well, and then screwing up again, and getting back on the horse, and then screwing up AGAIN... until I wasn't even really doing Atkins anymore, just trying to eat low carb. It's been very discouraging. I think I should actually look at the bright side, and that the weight DIDN'T come back...probably because deep inside me I still had it in me to lose it, and so I was able to maintain, but I wasn't losing anymore. I stuck between 201-212, depending on what time of the month it was. But now here I am, it's April 2005, and I haven't seen a loss for over a year. Then again, I know I could have worked harder at it, and I'm tempted to use my busy life (beginning my career etc.) as an excuse, but that will serve no purpose. The thing that is making me panic the most is that I'm back up in the 220's again. And I can identify some of the problems, which I know is the first step in getting back my motivation. For the past month and a half, I've been working at my 2 new jobs. I'm an RPN, just graduated, and these are my first 2 RPN jobs. It's been quite stressful for various reasons, and I have a very anxious personality, but I've been coping quite well at work. It's very exciting to begin my career, but it can also be quite stressful because I have to learn a lot as I go along...that's just how it is in nursing. Another problem I've been having is that I work nights. My schedule is about 65 hours in a two week period, and almost all of them are night shifts. When I got the jobs, I didn't care, I just wanted a job, and I was willing to take anything. And I was so excited to begin my career...I had convinced myself that I would be able to go to the gym and work out almost daily, but my fiance said that will probably be very difficult while working nights. He's done that before, and he said that he wasn't able to stick to it. I just thought he was crazy....nothing was going to stand in my way!! Well, I hate to say it, but I was WRONG! I did about a week straight, and I felt WONDERFUL....but then I started cheating on my diet again, I'm not even sure why. And then I started not going to the gym. When I eat like crap, I have no energy to go work out, and that's the cycle I fell in. So in the past month and a half, I believe I've gained at least 8-10 pounds, but it's hard to say. Another thing that could be contributing to the weight gain is ovarian cysts that I've been having problems with...but I'm not going to kid myself and say that's the only thing. I know that I've been bad with my diet.
Right now I am questioning weather I should even do Atkins anymore. Don't get me wrong, I've been a die-hard advocate for the Atkins diet ever since I lost those 60 pounds, and I always try to quell the misconceptions out there about the Atkins diet. But I've been off it and on it so many times now that I just don't think it would work nearly as well as it did in the beginning. I know all about the golden shot theory, I've lived it first-hand!
The reasons for me wanting to go off Atkins and try something else are:
1. I am getting tired of all the food I'm allowed to eat...cheese, meat, chicken, EGGS! I find I'm really starting to miss things like yogurt, fruit, milk, etc. I just don't enjoy my meals anymore the same way I used to
2. I feel that something else might kick start my body, since my body has gotten used to the Atkins diet
3. Being on a different diet might allow me to make a wider variety of meals, so I can cook with my fiance more. There are a lot of limitations on Atkins if you're following it correctly, and I have a whole book of crock pot recipes I want to try, but can't because most of them are too carby.

The reasons I feel I want to stay with Atkins are:
1. Atkins is the only diet that I've ever been on that I've been able to stick to...except for recently, since I'm getting tired of the food. I just like the concept that the protein and fat keep the carb cravings away, it has really kept me from cheating, as long as I can stick to the diet.
2. Sugar is my downfall...and I'm afraid that going on a diet where I'm allowed to have some sugar (even just natural sugars in fruit and yogurt, etc.) will make me want more and more, and I'll really have to exercise my will-power. I've tried the "everything in moderation" theory...it's VERY hard for me, I've always had bad eating habits
3. There are some foods I will miss on Atkins...such as cheese and cream in my coffee, and they might be hard for me to eat in moderation

I'm sure there are more reasons for both arguments, but those are the main ones. As you can see, this is a real struggle for me to find out which diretion I should go in. I would greatly appreciate some advice about what I should do next. It's very true that Atkins is not for everyone, and I'm beginning to feel that my run with it is over. I've learned a LOT being on it, and I will never have negative feelings about Atkins, because I've seen firsthand that it can work!! I know that on this board, there are a lot of different diets people are trying, and I'd love it if someone could suggest some to me. I am hoping that I can find something that still limits the carbs, but gives me a wider variety of foods so I don't feel deprived.
Thanks to whoever is still reading...this is very important to me, so that's why I've babbled a little!! ~Sabrina 264/222/160-165 Atkid since July 17/03

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-17-2003
Sat, 04-16-2005 - 10:11pm

Hi, I am glad to see you posting again. I just quit doing a low carb diet for the exact reasons you mentioned. I actually switched to weight watchers. Maybe it is old habits, but I am still really watching my carbs. I actually cringed when I had a baked potato the other day. I am not really missing the cheese which I thought I would. When I do it it(and sr cream etc) I am going with the fat free which isn't that bad once you get used to it. Have you considered something like sugar busters or the south beach diet. They are Good carb diets rather than low carb diets. You are still able to eat some fruits and yogurt, but it is limited. (I don't know anything about atkins so I don't know what you can and can't eat.)

Good luck with what ever you decide.(and keep us updated. we want to know how you are doing.) sharla

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2003
Sun, 04-17-2005 - 7:52am
Thanks for your input, Sharla. I don't know much about the sugar busters or south beach diets, but they are worth looking into. Thanks for the tip. Another reason I'm reluctant to try a new diet is because I know that there is a lot of research and work to be done when you start a new diet, if you want to make sure you're following it correctly. I know when I started Atkins, I did a ton of research, and I found I had to put a lot of effort into it. That's why it's so important to have the motivation to do it!! I often fall short on charting what I eat every day, but I have to try to make a commitment. It will also be difficult because I work full time nights, and it's hard to know when to eat!!
And about the low fat products....I'm just so used to eating full fat cheese and stuff, I'm not sure if I could convert to low fat!! I'm a big cheese freak, and low fat cheese just doesn't cut it!! But I guess it's a sacrifice I could try to make, since I'll be able to add a lot of other foods I've been missing lately.
Thanks! ~Sabrina
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2004
Sun, 04-17-2005 - 6:24pm
I already told you what I think Sabrina :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2003
Sun, 04-17-2005 - 6:42pm
Shawna, that is the CUTEST signature I've ever seen!!