Move in with me and be my personal fridge guard? I had the worst day. Like mind numbingly bad. Things are work are awful and a bunch of us are being laid off and I had another job lined up but then they called today and said it wouldn't work. Then our HR guy came to me today and said that he might not have to let me go because of my seniority, but he won't know for sure until later this week. So I'm actually a little mad that he told me anything at all if there was nothing known for sure. It's just been a whole day of ups and downs and I feel like I'm being jerked around and CRIED at work today. I never cry! I just want to come home and break into the red velvet cake that is in the fridge, but I've been on Atkins Phase 1 for 4 days and feel like I would just be ruining everything. It's also my husband's birthday so of course we're going out to dinner at our favorite place. I just am super super frustrated and at the breaking point of almost making a bad decision. Help?

I'm so sorry you are having such a rough time lately. I'm glad you took the time to stop and post here. I don't know what to say, but I hope it gets better for you.

Well, that is a tuff day for sure; so good for you for getting through it -- and it's OK to cry ... esp when you have a good reason to! You already know that eating that birthday cake in the fridge is a no-no, so don't do it since it doesn't fit into your plan.

Now as for going out to dinner -- that's OK; just pick something that is healthy like grilled chicken or steak and a salad and/or veggies. I think I just suggested this to someone else a few minutes ago. Just choose the heathiest thing on the menu ...

I think that we all battle this type of thing -- when something stressful happens in our lives, we turn to food when we really need to find another outlet. Venting here is a better idea than sabotaging your good eating habits ...

Have a nice birthday dinner with your DH and keep on, keepin' on ...

I sympathize with the 'first few days of food adjustments' but we all go through it. Its too bad DH's B-day and cake (Red Velvet) is in your Phase 1 before you got a handle on your cravings.

Survive this, you'll know you can survive anything!!!

White knuckle your way through this. You'll amaze yourself.

Go Kathryn, Go!!! You can do it! Defense, defense, !!

I'm sorry that you are going through a rough time. I know that it's better said that done -- but be strong and positive. Make a list of reason why you're on this journey to a better lifestyle. On days like these.. look over that list as a reminder and encouragement. Also, what you did today (posting on 3FC) is great! We are here to help! I would take a few deep breaths and stay away from the cake! lol There's nothing you can do about work besides figure out your options about having another lined up. You stressing about it (I know we can't help but stress sometimes) will not make things better. As far as going out to eat.. what I do is this: I always try to look at a restaurants menu prior to going. Do they have a website? Could they fax or email it to you? Plan ahead. That way you don't have to worry about Well what the heck can I eat here.. because we all go through that frustration when beginning a diet. Chin up, hun. And don't forget to smile

I think the fact that you chose to write in the forum instead of eating the red velvet cake shows that you are a lot stronger than you think. I am also an emotional eater and know that feeling where you just want to eat and eat and not htink about anything else. But hang in there!! There is nothing worse than a carb loaded binge after a bad day to make you feel even worse. Have you tried cheese? I always find that when I have cravings for carbs (im also doing protein diet) that a salty rich cheese (like Gouda) tends to satisfy me and take away the craving. YOu are doing great and despite bad things happening around you, at least your health is improving and that's the most important thing of all! xoxo

Your post made me laugh and cry! I am so sorry for your terrible day, but I think it is GREAT that you toughed it out! I am not on Atkins, but these First days... for all of us will get better. HANG IN THERE! Keep posting, and good luck with all the work stress!

That really, really stinks!!! I am looking at this as an opportunity for you to look at the emotional eating thing. Like why would going off your food plan have anything to do with the job situation.

On New Year's Eve (Friday), I discovered a mini swamp on the side of my yard, and I could actually see water bubbling up from the ground. I called a plumber, and since it was the holiday the city was off work so he couldn't call them for inspection and to find out what he'd be allowed to do to fix it (long story, my pipes aren't buried deep enough for code, etc ). So all weekend I've been worried sick about whether this was going to cost me $6000 or $1200 depending on what some guy at the city water dept had to say. Not to mention this swamp is very close to my neighbor's house and I've been worried their basement is going to flood, I'm going to get sued, BLAH!

Anyway, the reason I'm going off on my own problem in your thread is that I've really had to examine my emotions/anxiety as it relates to food. I am generally a semi-anxious person anyway, but I have really begun to notice that now that I have taken away my biggest coping mechanism (eating large amounts of greasy/fatty food), I'm left to flap in the breeze with these sometimes REALLY scary feelings when crap like this happens. I can actually imagine and remember how eating something really caloric would calm me right now - like numb me out! I'm determined that my relationship with food IS going to change, and I'm looking at this as a challenge and an acute education for myself. When everything was going along fine, losing weight has been *almost* easy. But you know what they say about when the going gets tough.

I know this is long, but I'll end with saying that the plumber is here, it looks like the $1200 fix will work, and I didn't eat away any of it. Whatever happens with your situation, eating to numb it isn't going to help long term anyway. GOOD LUCK and lots of .