oh and Brenda? Housecleaning lessons? I needed them too. Got them from Flylady. My mom even noticed that my house was "so much cleaner" when she was here just the other day. And it has actually become easier to keep it that way. But when critical Moms notice you know you must be doing something right.

Originally Posted by SherryA:
Robin, don't you know that if you work your behind off ALL day long and hurt all day and clean the whole house except for one little spot they STILL want you to praise them when they do that one spot that you didn't?

And smart wives will do just that. Give them lots of recognition and praise for the little that they did do. How else can you train them to help out more?

Too bad they can't figure out that we might like the same kind of recognition and praise.

Isnt that the truth!! I had just walked in the house, and didnt have my shoes and coat off yet, and he made sure I knew. Usually I notice right away....I was a little slow last night :lol:

Today I got....what did you do all day? I told him I sat around played on the pc, and ate bonbons....how about you? The house is clean, laundry caught up on, and a double batch of muffins made!! *sigh* I just dont know sometimes! Maybe I need to let the place get horrid!!!! Then clean....then he might notice??

Alright, I'll quit griping :lol:

Well now DH has turned into a mean cleaning fairy! I came home last night, took off my coat and hung it on a chair in the kitchen. I got this really weird look and he picked it up, marched into the living room to the coat closet and hung it up for me. Oops! Tonight I think I'll go home and hand him my coat to hang up and see what kind of reaction that gets!

Then he tried to make me eat cauliflower! I hate cauliflower and I had to eat 3 pieces because he'd cooked it for me. But he makes the best grilled steak -- better than a restaurant.

I'll rent him out Falon if you want to come get him. He made me a nice fire in the fireplace in our bedroom when I went to bed last night too. I hate snow!

Morgaine -- congrats on the chick change -- good job!

Brenda - stick it out on the fast and you will be ready to go back to steak and chicken soon. You'll be so sick of mayo you'll want to stick with the program.

Robin - I'd send you my DH to do your laundry, but it's a little far away.

Sandra - you may also be having caffeine withdrawal -- that's really nasty. Congrats on doing so well.

Well guys I have a confession. I am thinking about giving up. I dont know why this is so dang hard for me this time around. I cant even make it through one day of induction with out messing up. I mean I dont know what is wrong with me. What should I do. I need some advise. -Sandra

I wanna scream 'DON'T GIVE UP!!!' but if YOU don't want it, then no one can force it on you. It has to be something inside that just 'clicks'. Maybe something like the south beach would be easier?? Good luck in your decision :hug:

Lacey

think about the real reason you want to give up....you started at 320lbs right???? Look how far you've come, you have done amazing!!!!!!!!!!!! Sometimes its just hard to get back on track after being derailed for a bit. But dont give up what you really want. You might have to switch gears, but dont give up what you really truly want.

You have lost 105lbs!!!! I know exactly how you feel, and sometimes it still feels like another 100lbs to go, because the struggle doesnt get any easier. Hang in there girly, we're here for you :hug:

Sandra, I don't want to give up, but I do want a day off. I'm fighting with myself right now over it.

On the other hand I weighed and took measurements this morning and nothing is much different from the last time I took them EXCEPT my fat calipers have pinched SO much less fat. That measurement verifies what I've been seeing but can't prove.

One day of induction can be hard. Sometimes what helps for me is making up my mind that I want to be in ketosis in three days. Setting that 3 day goal helps. Sometimes to jump start it, I will eat next to nothing the first day. If you are having a hard time getting started, you might try that.

For me once ketosis is here I don't want to blow it. Once it is gone I can't stop eating the wrong foods. I think that is my problem today I had something I shouldn't and now I want to raid the fridge and eat everything illegal in sight. Good thing I don't have much in there right now that is illegal and tempting. Still those potatoes look good in the kitchen....

Anyway Hang in there. Set mini goals. Tell yourself you will get through ONE day. Don't think about or worry about tomorrow. Just today. Then get through tomorrow. By day three you will be ready to restart and do well. If you can't do induction? Don't be perfectionistic, do the closest that you can. Get a little closer each day. Don't beat yourself up for mistakes.

You have lost a LOT of weight and you are looking really good. Maybe you need a little time to let your mind adjust to the changes. For some of us losing weight (a lot of it) can be really scary. The changes we are making frighten us. Think about and talk about not only the things you want out of this journey, what things will be good about having a slimmer body, but also think about and talk about the negatives. What are you afraid of? What might happen that you need to be wary of etc? Face the WORST part of it all and then ask yourself if you can live with that?

That is the thing about fears. Sometimes just facing them and recognizing that you could live with even your worst case scenario, and they aren't so frightening.

You are at a point very close to where I was when I gave up last time. I think I might have done it out of certain amounts of fear. This time I'm not going there. You shouldn't either.

Sherry: maybe I need to check out flylady again.

Robin: You know, it's disgusting but I HAVE let the house go. Didn't clean anything for I don't know how long. And NOW look at me....struggling to get it straightened up again. So nope, not the wise choice. Now you can't tell when I clean either....because it still looks messy :lol:

Sue: Did you hand him the coat? :lol: I couldn't take it any longer on the fat fast. I had to have something crunchy (salad). Then I went "too far" and had some watermelon. I know, I was doing so well. TOM sure is messing things up....and I need to learn self control!!!

Sandra: You came back to Atkins for a reason. Remember the reason? Are you sure you want to switch tracks or is it just one of those days? Don't do anything until you've thought things through. You can do this :) We BOTH can (yup, I'm struggling as well). So come on :)

Lacey & Robin: :hug:

Sherry: Such wise advice. It really hits home to me as well. Fear of....I just have to figure out the answer. I think it's a mental throwback to when I was growing up.

Did well today. But ended up feeling "dizzy" (just slightly off balance) a couple times. Thought it wise to up the carb intake until TOM is over. Then see how the scale is doing. If it's not moving might do the fat fast again to jump start it again. Hoping to be able to control the cravings during TOM. It stinks to have done so well on the fast...and then have hormones screw it up. ARGH!!! We'll see. At least I got my water and exercise in today. And didn't do THAT bad on carbs :) So I'm happy with the day. Onto tomorrow.... Night all

Sandra go down the dog food isle and pick up a 50 lb bag of food try to carry that around, and then go to the butter isle and start counting the lbs of butter, look at what you have done. I know where you are and some times you need a good dose of reality to kick you square in the face. I did that one and it really worked. (for me it was 30 lbs I carried up a set of stairs) You do not want to lose all that wonderful ground you gained on your journey. (I did 60 lbs worth and then some and I could kick my self for that) Just5 hang out here for a while and it will clikc again. just call your self on hiatus if you need to but like they say one day at a time, where are you falling?? evening I bed. plan on snacks at that time and make your seld eat the snacks forst and wait 30 min before you eat off plan, remember baby steps that is the way to do it.

Okay guys so I called my dad last night and told him about my struggles and my wanting to give up and he told me that he has never known me to give up a thing in my life, not even as a child and he just cant see why I would start now, but he also told me that it is my decision and I am the one who has to live with it and that I should sleep on the thought cause everything is always answered through your dreams. So I did and I decided that I was just being weak and that is going to happen from time to time and I just have to be strong when it does. So here is my plan.

1. I am not going to tell anyone about my diet cause if I have a slip, then I wont feel so defeated, which I hope that I wont have to worry about.

2. I am going to make it a point to make it to the gym. Heck I am paying for it, why not.

3. I am going to confess all my fears in a new post and I would like for others to share theirs, makes me feel better to know that I am not alone.

4. I am going to post motivational signs around my apartment to be a constant reminder and I am going to hang the bikini I bought up on the wall in my bedroom to inspire me cause damn it I will get into it some time soon.

5. And now I am going to thank you all for being so supportive. You guys are exactly what I need and next time I am having issues, I am coming here and confessing.

-Sandra

Sandra...this is the BEST place to come when you're starting to falter. We've all been there (me most recently and STILL having struggles)!!! Sue had an excellent suggestion of going on "hiatus" and DEFINITELY look at one day at a time. Baby steps!! YOU CAN DO THIS!! Awesome plan :hug:

Well, decided I didn't do too badly yesterday. Yes, I had watermelon but with TOM it COULD have been worse. I think I'm going to continue on the fat fast for breakfast and lunch...but then eat "regular" for supper. Small portions if possible :lol: I don't feel bloated or anything today, haven't stepped on the scale (yet..and thinking I won't today. Will do an official WI tomorrow and wait for that). I've also decided to be happy with the 3 pounds lost because dang it they're well earned 3 pounds and definitely better than the 0 I had been having to log!!! I'll celebrate them tomorrow :) Off to get my water started for the day and thinking of cutting my hair before the rest of my errands need doing.

:wave: gutter guys are here....one of them looks like larry the cable guy :lol:

Must be his brother, Larry the Gutter Guy.

Oh Morgaine!! You're good :lol: :rofl:

It has been a very sh*ty 2 days. Both of the kids are sick. Chelsea had 103 yesterday, and currently has 102 - Moose has 101 - they both have gunk in their chests and it hurts to cough it up. Follow that with headaches, it makes for 2 miserable kids!:(

Then, of all things, we get a call last night for DH's aunt in Chicago with news that his mothers partner of 20 years, was killed in a car accident here in Colorado. He was down here visiting his daughter in Colorado Springs, and I guess they went to the casinos in the mountain town of Cripple Creek. They had a one vehicle accident, and he wasn't wearing a seatbelt. He was ejected and killed immediately. His mum was unable to make any calls, but to her sister who called everyone else. I loved that man! As an outsider in this family, looking in.. him and I both were on the same page. And he gave the best hugs in the world. He always wore to much colonge, but when he hugged you, it was as if you were the most important person he had seen in a long time.

As for diet goes: I feel I might be stalling again, so I have to cut out the Carb Freedom icecream bars, and the coca-cola zero *wimpers*

Sandra - Don't give up. You have come so far! You have lost what many women (and men) out there would give their eye teeth to loose. You are worth every ounce of effort! No one else can do this for you... :hug:

To everyone else: Thanks for being you! Coming here is exactly what I need, and I am blessed to be among such awesome women. Thanks ladies.