Hi, My name is Debbie. I'm 36, married with one 4yr. old daughter. I am having a hard time getting and staying motivated and focused. I keep "starting over" on a daily basis! I am trying to follow the Atkins plan as I find that the low-carb way of eating makes me feel better. It keeps the cravings away and I find I eat less "when" I follow it.

I would love to share experiences, feelings, advice, friendship with anyone seeking the same.

Best wishes to you all -


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XOXO
Debbie in New York

It looks like it's been awhile since you posted your note, but I JUST NOW GOT TO THIS GREAT SITE! I hope you get my response!

I wanted to tell you that the first thing I noticed was the http://www.diettalk.com/uub//frown.gif you put after "I've got alot to lose". What you neglected to see is that you are doing something about it!!, which definitely deserves a :)

One step at a time & whether posting to this site was your 1st or 50th step, the fact is -- you are moving forward!! At the moment I'm on the Weight Watcher's program. I've lost 18lbs since the beginning of the year. I know there are ALOT of people who've lost more in that amt. of time. But guess what? This time (& there have been MANY diet-times before), I've stopped pressuring myself. I told myself that I need to find an eating plan that lets me EAT -- the way I know I will. I just can't see myself starving anymore. So my philosophy is "One Day At A Time." Its taken alot of pressure off.

I started with over 100 lbs. to lose. Now I "only" have 85. So no matter what, I'm better off than what I was... I imagine you are, too!

Good luck, take care, & please don't give up!

Hi Debbie. If possible, get rid of the negative feelings that being over weight brings to your life. Life is too short to allow ourselves to be shadowed by unhappiness because our forms are larger than other people. For health's sake, moving our bodies more often, will do more than anything else, to take off weight. Hating ourselves or hating food, will never get us where we want to go. Good luck!!

Hey, don't give up. I've got a lot too loose as well. I know it's easier said than done. I've been there as wanting to give up at times.You are a blessing to everyone around you wither you realize it or not. Just hang in there and take it a day at a time, if not a moment at a time if needed. Keep on the diet that you are one and just focus on the positves, not the negatives.

You can lose a lot of weight on any number of food plans, including Atkins. It is the long-term eating that is the problem for many of us. I could not stick to the no or very-low carb plans. I had to reduce carbs, and change my diet such that my carbs are under 30% of my daily calories; and most of my carbs come from fruits, beans, vegetables, and some whole-grains.

I think that you should find a food plan that you can live with FOREVER. I started out eating a little less than I do these days, but I plan to eat the kind of foods that I eat now for the rest of my life. Like I alluded to above, there are no "restricted" foods for me. I can eat just about anything, as long as I watch portion control and how often. For instance, I limit simple carbs like white rice, white potatoes, white bread, pasta, and stuff like that to less than once per day (not two days in a row). That keeps my blood sugar from spiking too often, which really helps prevent binge cravings for me. I writing too many details. Sorry.

It can be done, and has. It is hard, but not impossible, and it takes a lot more than willpower to work. Willpower will only get you so far. You have to change EVERYTHING in your life in relation to food. Take care.

Well, I am catching onto what you are saying. At one time I swore that I could not do without the sandwiches that I had been accustom to eating. Even though I still eat these lascious thing, I am catching myself eating less of these items than I had before stareing WW. It is amazing what support I am recieving from WW. There are still days that I want to give up for various reasons & everyone that knows the effort that I have put into loosing all of weight that I have refuses to allow me to give, no matters what reason that I give. Amazing!!!!!!!!

Be aware that this thread was started in 2000. But feel free to continue if you like.