Originally Posted by Survalia (Post 4231275)

I think that something positive can come from a cheat like this. We can discover that eating right makes us feel so much better than eating crap. We realize that the way to REALLY be good to ourselves, mentally and physically, is to eat right. I personally feel that an expectation that we will never, ever, make a mistake is ridiculous. We are human beings, not God. We are NOT 100% perfect. A cheat can be a real opportunity to learn if we step back, FORGIVE ourselves, then really examine what happened, what the triggers were, and formulate a way to LOVE YOURSELF THROUGH the next time it happens. Be kind and good to yourself, not by indulging, but by recognizing what it is that REALLY makes you happy! :hug: You are worth the very best! :)

Originally Posted by Sewmam (Post 4233285)

Hang in there. I think we've all been there. I did it a couple weeks ago...just sat down and ate a whole cup of almonds. I wasn't even particularly hungry, but could not stop myself. I went up 1.5 pds. This past week, I found new resolve and lost 4 pds. It's a process. When I calculated the amount of calories, carbs and fat in the blanched almonds, I was so disgusted with myself, but ultimately, you just have to go on anyway.

I have discovered that sweets are my downfall and when I had too many sugar-free jellos or Walden Farms chocolate sauce or Crystal-Light, I craved more and more, so I have learned to watch that and limit it. It feels like a real accomplishment when I am can do it. They may be carb free and sugar free, but the brain doesn't care...it wants more, and the aspartame has some pretty bad reports about it.

I posted about my experience too and found the folks here really supportive, and I appreciated it. We are never too old to stop learning about ourselves and to need a word of encouragement.

Originally Posted by purple sky (Post 4231185)

Weeks 5-7 were really tough on me. Cravings were the strongest and I was least interested in the program. Was having trouble coming up with ideas for things to eat. I think it could be a could a phase so these are just theories.

1. PMS cravings are powerful. Insane. My hunger was out of control and sometimes after I had my evening snack I wanted another one, another sweet one. I was drinking MIO all the time. And I put big squirts in my water bottle. I like it sweeeeeeeeeeeet. It all got better once TOM came last week so I am not sure if that was it but it certainly felt like I had gone back. It was harder for me to be in stores and around food and sometimes watching commercials were hard. These were all starting behaviors and I could not figure out why they had returned, seemingly stronger. So, I need to watch next TOM.

2. I remember noticing that when people dropped the program it seemed to be around between like weeks 5-7. They seemed to be doing well or they stalled or gave in or something. The last few weeks that were so challenging seemed like a test to me. Once TOM came, it just stopped and hunger was back to normal and so were other things.

I don't know if any of this is helpful but it sounds like you answered a lot of your concerns. You know the drill. Tomorrow is a new day. But, remember how crappy you feel now. It might help in the future. Hang in there. You have done really well so far. You may wish to stay away from the scale this week.

Originally Posted by mrsdavis55 (Post 4236958)

:(I cheated and am terrified to get on the scale tonight. I have been dealing with the big C for about 3-4 weeks now. Tuesday night it was so bad I was in tears and almost went to the ER. I had to do an enema and went to the doctor wednesday morning. I know this is from this diet and leaving the doctor I was so over it, i got some nachos from a Mexican restaurant. Part of me was hoping it would make me use the restroom, and most of me just wanted normal food. Of course I only had a few bites and tried to eat the meat, but I feel sooo guilty. I felt like being this miserable with the big C is not worth losing weight this quickly and expensive.
I am determined right now to stick with it, at least for 3 more weeks which is my original time frame. I will be taking 2 weeks off because I will be in Costa Rica. I am hoping the time off will help regain focus to lose the rest of my weight

Originally Posted by Sewmam (Post 4233285)

I have discovered that sweets are my downfall and when I had too many sugar-free jellos or Walden Farms chocolate sauce or Crystal-Light, I craved more and more, so I have learned to watch that and limit it. It feels like a real accomplishment when I am can do it. They may be carb free and sugar free, but the brain doesn't care...it wants more, and the aspartame has some pretty bad reports about it.