To be honest... I was able to successfully make it through my first day of Atkins eating everything I'm supposed to and getting in the right number of carbs.
To be honest... When caught in a tough situation - like being served lasagna for lunch during my professional development training yesterday - I didn't falter. I got a piece of lasagna and took out every layer of pasta - leaving only the meat, cheese, and spinach. I also avoided the garlic bread and the peach cobbler and went with a salad as my side.
To be honest... It's not going to be an easy process wading through all the foods I can and can't eat, but I really feel up to the challenge. For the first time in a very long time, I didn't binge eat or feel hungry yesterday. I even avoided the chocolate chip cookies being served at my PTP meeting after school. WIN!!
To be honest... I don't like being away from my kiddos for professional development. Not that I don't love learning new strategies and tools I can use in the classroom, but I just don't like being gone for the first day of the week. I suppose it will make my week seem shorter, though.
To be honest... I was surprised and appreciative of the messages I got on Twitter yesterday. I haven't used Twitter in a long time, but after publishing yesterday's post.. I seemed to have sparked something inside some of my Twitter followers. All were supportive comments, and several were those of sharing their success of being on Atkins. Made me feel good.
To be honest... I really feel like this is going to be yet another winter where we don't get any real, accumulating snow. I know that's kinda random - but something I've been thinking about. Two years ago, we had snow that lasted for two weeks... since then? Nothing but rain and minor flurries. It's just not right to have a winter without, at least, a day or two off because of snow.
To be honest... I have a feeling I'm going to be talking about my weight loss efforts a lot more, again. While sitting here, trying to come up with other stuff to talk about, my mind is just racing about stuff that I want to say about my weight loss plans. While I know that I'll still be able to share stuff that's going on in my life - outside of trying to lose weight - I have a strong feeling that most days I'll be spending talking about how I'm feeling, my successes, struggles, etc. with trying to lose weight...again.
To be honest... My whole, pure motivation for making the split second call to try something as strict as Atkins is all based on my feelings that stemmed from shopping. Is it bad that I just want to be able to wear smaller clothes again? I know that my health and well being should be my top priority for wanting to shed the pounds...they're really not. It's all about fitting in to the bags of cute clothes I bought for myself two years ago that are nestled away in the bottom of my closet...begging to be set free.
To be honest... I know that I've made all these plans and claims and decisions many, many, MANY times over. I know that everyone's probably tired of hearing me rinse and repeat... or say something one day and then say something completely different the next. I'm not going to sit here and declare...once again... that THIS is it. This is going to be the time that the weight goes and I stick with it forever and that nothing will ever stand in my way again. I'm not going to say that, because the truth is - I've made those claims one too many times before, and I just can't throw myself out there like that anymore. What I can say is that I want to try, I'm motivated to at least see how it goes, and just take it from there.
To be honest... I think that's about it. Except, I really would like to hear what you guys think. The good and the bad... but please try to refrain from the ugly. I know that there are many supporters of Atkins out there... just as there are many strong opponents to Atkins. I'd like to hear both sides. Except, not just about what you've heard from a friend of a friend of a friend... maybe share some stories about people you know that have tried it, maybe you've tried it... I don't know... just some general feedback. Thanks!
I tried Atkins years ago -- it worked for a while, but you can't eat that way forever. Gained it all back. Waaahh! Very discouraging in the long run. Speaking of "run," I'm at a hotel -- going to hit the fitness center now!
ReplyDeleteWhen you say that you couldn't eat that way forever....did you move through all 4 phases? From everything I've read about the last phase - there are no restrictions on the foods you eat, you just eat portioned carbs for weight maintenance, and that's determined by your weight, activity level, etc.
DeleteJust curious. Thanks!!
No, I don't think I did. That makes a lot more sense, and I think it might have been modified since I tried it because it was SO restrictive. I have to admit that the initial weight loss was very motivating. I should look into it again!
DeleteThe first phase is VERY restrictive. The list of "acceptable foods" looks long - but half of the stuff on the list I've never heard of. LOL I've looked at the lists for phase 2, 3, and 4 and they look a lot better... so as long as I can make it through this first phase, I'll be alright.
DeleteBut, I have accepted the fact that I have an addiction...and the only way to break myself from it is to retrain my body to not crave and desire the foods it doesn't need. So far, so good.. LOL
To be honest your blog is the most I've ever heard about Atkins - I just...get really cranky if I haven't had rice in a few days. It's not pretty, so I've never considered it for myself :) but any diet that comes built in with a phase designed to prepare you for permanent change sounds pretty good :)
ReplyDeleteLOL...I'm waiting for that part of the program. The dreaded crankiness I'll feel without going without my beloved bread. It hasn't happened, yet, but I'm sure it will.
DeleteI was so glad I took the time to read through all of the phases. The first phase is the hardest - of course - but each phase introduces more foods, and the last phase really is set up for lifetime maintenance. I'll be allowed to eat healthy foods - keeping sugars and white flours at bay. I know many people that have gone for years and years just cutting out white flours and sugars from their diet - with the occasional adjustments for special events - and they've done just fine. It's really going to come down to if I'm strong enough to stay the course.
I think Atkins, when done the right way (the way you are planning on doing it), is just as good as any other diet option out there. I've dabbled in it before and found that people's criticism of it got old QUICK. I just told people I was low carbin' and they were much more accepting of that answer...
ReplyDeleteFrom what I've read, Atkins and Paleo share some characteristics. Paleo is a diet program/ lifestyle change that eliminates certain foods... but I don't hear near as many people bash it. Again, I really think it comes down to the commitment level.
DeleteI'm just going to keep on and see what happens. It's all I can do, right? LOL
Thanks for the support. :)
Yes! I totally agree and had that same thought about Atkins being similar to Paleo right after I hit publish!
DeleteI love when people say eating low carb (be it Atkins or Paleo or whatever) is not sustainable for life. Because eating tons of processed crap and bad carbs IS sustainable??? lol.
We are smart chicks. Can we both eat bacon on Paleo and Atkins? Yes, in my opinion we can (though some will disagree!). Does that mean we should eat a pound of it every day or even week? NOPE. We just have to be smart about our food choices and do our best every day! I'm glad you have found something that excites/interests you again. :D
HAHAHAHA!! We sound so alike. I've made that statement a few times this week. Yes, bacon is an acceptable food...as is steak, fried eggs, etc. But, when I plan my meals for the day, I know that I need to focus on LEAN meats and wholesome veggies. Why on earth would I try such a restrictive program just to eat pounds of bacon and steak? I wouldn't. So, even though I'm not eating carbs - I'm not replacing them with junk, either.
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