5/22 Something to think about...

[Billie]

"It is the `follow through' that makes the great difference
between ultimate success and failure, because it is so easy
to stop."

*Charles F. Kettering

It is the hardest! Not hard to start, not hard to stop but those miles in the middle are always the hardest, but those miles are the difference. I thought it might be good to talk about and find out about from everyone, how they stay committed, how they keep it all going, keep it all together for the long haul. We have had some phenominal successes, lets lean on them for some encouragment and tips.

The follow through is the work part of it all, but knowing it is the best thing for us and knowing that it can be done, then lets start making the follow through our commitment to good health. It is easy to stop, but we can't.

Lets hear from some successful people, one week on the program or two, two years or five, there is something we can learn from everyone.

Have a great day!

[gitfiddle]

I think the way gets hard when the first bloom of success is over and the mundane sets in. Then I have to constantly remind myself why I’m doing this WOE. I’m enjoying the lipid improvements. For the first time since I’ve been diabetic I don’t dread (or put off) the A1C blood tests. I’ve been told that keeping my blood sugar normal will prevent the physical problems associated with the disease and I plan on doing this for the rest of my life.

The first forty pounds came off effortlessly, but I gained some back over several months of inactivity, a new job, plus the holidays. Now that I’m active again and have seen some weight go, it gives me renewed enthusiasm.

The benefit of having the eating problems under control is that I can then address the issues of emotional eating that I have carried for years. I listen to what everyone here has to say and then I have to customize it to my body and lifestyle. I think that’s going to take a long, long time. It is not worth it to eat carby foods no matter how nostalgic or festive: it takes me too long to get back on track. Just because someone else supplements their eating with low-carb treats doesn’t mean that I can justify it. If I can’t eat just one, it can’t be in my diet.

I found a quotation I wrote down years ago in an old planner: “To many, total abstinence is easer than perfect moderation.” It is attributed to St. Augustine. Hey, that’s me!

Disclaimer: I wouldn't want anyone to think I can adhere perfectly to this plan! It's a work in progress, as I am. I just am developing an idea of what works best for me. I'm apt to do a face plant at any given time. :p

[Mitra]

I'm not entirely sure what keeps me on track. Not wanting to regain the weight I lost is certainly a factor, but I think the main thing is that I feel bloated and sleepy if I eat too many carbs. Especially if they come from wheat, which, of course, is my favourite! Unlike Carol, I find that if I eat small quantities of things like grains or potatoes, or occasionally something sweet, then I feel satisfied and don't stray too far. If I abstain altogether, then I start to feel deprived and find it harder to stay in line. This abstinence or moderation choice is one of the areas that's very individual, and where it's very important not to deceive yourself about which way will work best for you. I don't eat artificially sweetened things, because I feel they just build up a taste for more and more sweetness, as well as generally coming with more calories than I need.

[debby]

Hi everyone, I will speak up as one who has only been on the plan for 2 weeks (this time . Used the plan 7 yrs ago and held off the weight for years - until a major time of celebration in our family, lasting months!!!, brought on 10 pounds) So here I am, and for the sake of my husband, who desperately needs this plan, and my energy level, we are hopefully back for good.
As before, I am amazed that I can eat so fully and drop weight so fast. I have found myself very discouraged simply for the reason that my heart hasn't caught up yet - I FEEL like I am not doing a good job since I am so full. I am doing a great job staying under 30 grams, so as soon as my heart will accept what my brain knows is true, it will be easier.
I am absolutely in accord with the group who find total abstainance as easier than moderation. Give me a rule, and I will follow. Give me a gray area, and I am helpless!
I enjoy so much all of your support and reading of your successes and struggles. Keep up the good work!
Debby

[Missy]

Hi Debby!! Welcome!!! I'm a newbie too! :)

Interesting quote Billie....yep, it's not the start...and I don't yet know about the stop...lol...but I do know that the "hard" part is this long part in the middle. To be honest with you, sometimes it terrifys me :eek: considering how much I have to lose. But...oh well. This is a lifetime committment, period.

I must admit, there have been a couple of times when I was too affraid (for lack of a better word) to stay committed. The first week for one. I recall thinking "I'll post on this board, but, I'm not going to count on this plan working for me. I won't get too involved, therefore, allow myself any expectations to later find out to be disappointments." ~ but...I followed through, and just like I ignore those inner voices saying "go on, one won't hurt you" I ignored the voice that said "don't look for support". It would be easier to "stop"...but I'm not into easy these days, I guess. Easy was what got me to the physcial shape I'm in. :rolleyes: Carbs are easy.

I'm learning a great deal from the personalities here, and I'm quite thankful for the sharing that everyone does!

[LisaS]

I really don't think it is about carbs or not carbs.
I think change is hard - staying the same is easy -

If you read boards for programs like McDougal (vegan) or Eat-2-Live (vegan) - people can't figure out what to eat w/out meat. They think they crave meat - they go on about how hard it is. If you read boards that promote the Zone -- you hear the same thing - how hard it is to Zone their meals - what can they eat or not - how will they ever eat out again ... etc.

[Mitra]

I've just thought of another thing - I absolutely avoid any food ("on plan" or not) that has that sort of compulsive more-ish quality about it. I once tried one of the recipes for a chocolate flavoured protein bar, and I didn't even like the taste, but kept going back for a bit more - so I threw it away. I eat nuts, but not salted ones, because it's so much harder to stop if they're salted.

[Billie]

Welcome Debby!

It is about the persistance and the effort and the continuous trying--it is not just about this program but in everything we do. The start to save money for a vacation is always easy but the long road in between is hard--and heck the end result is something we all want.

It is alot also like Lisa says about mind set and we can do it and we are and we will!

[gitfiddle]

I've just thought of another thing - I absolutely avoid any food ("on plan" or not) that has that sort of compulsive more-ish quality about it.
I absolutely agree, Janet. In fact, years ago in OA the phrase was "If you can take it or leave it, then you can have it." I can't hear that, though, when I'm having cravings. It takes program to make program, to paraphrase another cliche. ;)

[Missy]

I must say...it really does require "being on your toes" much more then I expected. But, I will not be deterred. :D

[Billie]

Missy and what is the alternative? If we have to be alittle more vigilant, aren't we so much better off--not saying it is easy but just saying we have few real options. And you missy woman have done so well, just kick it in gear!

[SherryJ]

The alternative, Billie, and here goes my vivid imagination, is to not be able to get up on them fat little piggies! :D ;) :D

Sherry

[SoPines]

Just completed 3 years on PP/PPLP. I seem to be a person who likes a set pattern and the types of food I eat is no different. I was on a low fat diet for many years and was just as committed to that as I am to PP/PPLP now. Education and results has convinced me that I am doing the right thing. I want to live as long as possible; and as to carbs when presented, my inner voice says "This stuff will kill you, Roger!". It helps me to say, "Thanks but no thanks.". I see other people eating lots of carbs and think, "I used to be like that; they don't know what they are doing to themselves.". A little self reinforcement along the way helps.

[SherryJ]

Three years already, SoPines?!!?!

Wow... that's cool! Congrats!

Sherry

[Missy]

Missy and what is the alternative? If we have to be alittle more vigilant, aren't we so much better off--not saying it is easy but just saying we have few real options. And you missy woman have done so well, just kick it in gear.

Yep...better off....and your so correct there are no real options ~ that I'm going to resign up too anyways. ~ Thanks for the encouragement....:) brought me to tears actually! :tear:

SoPines....another one who's making this a woe...wow, I'm in grand company!!! :thumbsup:

Kicking it back into HIGH GEAR NOW!!! :D

[Billie]

There you go Missy--and you feel comfortable to kick me as well anytime! It's what support is, being there in hard times and saying it! So you go girl!

SoPines--Great going, it is education and learning and then it is doing it, nice job!

[Mitra]

I must say...it really does require "being on your toes" much more then I expected. But, I will not be deterred. :D

Missy, that part does get easier with time - once it becomes a habit to eat this way, and you are just used to cooking PP meals. There may still be things that tempt you; there may be odd times when you just wish you could eat whatever you want and not think about what's in it, but you'll know what your risky times and foods are, and what your strategies are for dealing with them. And you'll know we're all standing next to you, watching :paranoid: :D .

[Missy]

Billie, Mitra, Thank you both for the support, and for everyone else...that meant the difference between progression and failure. I'm glad I stepped up and asked for it in a weak moment....and you all came through for me! :)

I think I was, no, I know I was feeling quite "comfortable" with this plan enough to start spreading my wings a bit...and when I relax I tend to become too generous with myself thinking "it won't hurt, just a little"...but I see that I cannot afford that thinking...even just a "little"....or it will lead me too close to the edge. What a valuable lesson I learned, and thankfully, I had you all more experienced members to help me identify what it was that was causing it.

I'm so glad you all are standing next to me, WATCHING....LURKING....READY TO POUNCE on me!!! lol Cause sometimes I need babysat! lol :rolleyes: ...what can I say? :D

Mentally, I now can visualize the group of you saying to me in the face of temptation "Don't do it!!!!!!" ~ and I'll listen. ~ just so you know...in two weeks, you all are going camping with me! :D

[Billie]

You bring smiles Missy! And just keep Janet and me with you!

[Missy]

Deal. :D .....and now I'm extending my message to contain at least 15 characters..... :rolleyes: (for get I wrote that last sentence...and this one too!)

[cmcole]

I would say maintaining is even more work than losing, especially when you don't really see any changes in the scale or anything else that you can track Ibeing the statistical weenie that I am).

It's also sometimes tough being the only low carber in the house.

At one time, I was the only one making a real commitment to exercise (and it was certainly easy to put that off in favour of not doing anything), because I was in trianing to join the military (my hubby plays sports and things, but wasn't into running)

Now that we are both trying to exercise regularly (gym, long walks, runs, etc.), it's a little easier to be consistant.

I was just remarking to my hubby this morning that I have to keep working and doing the right things so that I don't have to replace my clothing with something larger. He thinks that I'm doing fine. I think it's a constant battle.

Perspective.

Since exercising more frequently, I hate the scale. The clothing still fits, but the scale says I weigh more. I try to ignore it, even if some ambiguous chart says I'm still overweight. I'm happy with this size clothing, and shouldn't care about the scale, but I find myself caring sometimes, especially when I have a low self esteem day.

[Billie]

IGNORE THE EVIL SCALE!!! It is so darn hard but if you are going the program, working it hard, keeping your protein up where it should be your carbs where they should be, getting in some exercise, YOU ARE DOING EVERYTHING YOU CAN RIGHT, let go of the scale and think, Today I did my best, my body will react when it can, but I know there is nothing else I could have done today to make the scale change. Throw it out the window!

[gitfiddle]

The clothing still fits, but the scale says I weigh more.
Hey, I had friends who would actually keep the scale in the trunk of their car because it affected them so negatively. Listen to Billie. The scale is not necessary except for auditing purposes.

[ladydoc442]

Originally posted by cmcole:
Since exercising more frequently, I hate the scale. The clothing still fits, but the scale says I weigh more. I try to ignore it, even if some ambiguous chart says I'm still overweight. I'm happy with this size clothing, and shouldn't care about the scale, but I find myself caring sometimes, especially when I have a low self esteem day.


If you are exercising regularly, you are probably building muscle, which everyone knows weighs much more than fat! And you want to add muscle - it keeps your metabolism going so you can burn off excess fat! So if your clothes still fit, I say throw away that evil scale and ignore the ambiguous "charts" that are all outdated and more geared to the American way of eating - i.e., low-fat, high carbs!

If you MUST weigh yourself, try and do it just once a month and not obsess about it.

Deb

[root]

If you are exercising regularly, you are probably building muscle
How? There are no studies to prove that a low carb diet builds muscle. Show me one weight lifter that follows a carb restricted diet to build muslce. None, nada...show me one! That's because you can't build muscle on a low carb diet. That's because you're body is short circuited and in starvation mode. Ketones don't build muscle. Your body is leaching calcium from bones. That's not healthy over the long term.
Good luck!

[cmcole]

And where, pray tell, did you get that bit of information?

I guess I know why you chose that avatar . . . you really like to stir the pot.

[Billie]

Root tell you what, we play nice here and there is no need to dis a program you oviously no nothing about.

If your participation/contribution is not contributing to people's knowledge but continuing on old myths, I am afriad this is not the place for you to be. The old bash and the old stories you are quoting is really not cutting edge or contributing with anything positive. We have been there and done that with many people before you.

Your call but we will not tolerate this kind of behavior or talk here.

Billie

[hawk]

Anthony Colpo .....theomnivore.com... And me.. I'm a weight lifter..