I promise I'll try not to monologue again. I just want to find out what works for you guys!

Showing others a way of doing something new that works for you can help us change OUR habits and bereak out and do something new!

So, without further ado, what helps keep you going?



Here is my list so far:

1. Post regularly at LCBB. Support is ESSENTIAL. We're all carb addicts in recovery. Unlike driugs, which a person can detox from, you can't stop eating food! Daily support is a must!

2. Oregano Water water water. I hate water unless I'm washing my hair in it. So I add drops of Oregano oil to mine and that makes it so much better! Oil of oregano is an essential nutrient and helps as a natural fungicide, especially for people prone to yeast overgrowth.

3. Never just watch tv. Exercise or find something to keep your fingers busy! Always be in the habit of multi-tasking so that you never wander towards the kitchen or become accustomed to sitting around.

4. Write it down. It is SO important to be accountable. So start a journal. Use fitday.com and keep track of your food and water. Write down what you are feeling. You know, I was able to track a food intolerance by writing down menus and correlating them to my well-being!


What are things that make you successful or tips that work for you?

Water, Water, Water... plain ole water...

keeping track on Fitday....


coming here everyday to be accountable!!!

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~Mary~

Being in the moment while eating. I have a bad habbit of munching on stuff while I'm doing other stuff and I can put a lot of food away while not paying attention. Now I try to only eat while I'm eating. Cuts down on boredom snacking, since it can be even more boring to just eat...

Laura

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Atkins Maintenance (mostly )
High weight: 186
New Goal: 127.5 give or take 2.5

Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution

1.For me its all about the planning ahead!

The water

I have to be able to come to a board like this and journal, it keeps me accountable.

And exercise of coarse allthough its an area ive let slack the last month.

And an extremely supportive husband, i love him to death

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Plan ahead so I never get caught somewhere hungry - and always have a snack in bag (mine is nuts).
Put everything that passes my lips in my journal (bought a special 2006 diary for it) along with record of my exercise.
Eat as much fresh stuff as possible and keep processed to absolute minimum.

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Odille
Terranora, northern NSW, Australia
Fem 53, 170 cms - doing Atkins
SW 131 / CW 103 / GW 64 (kgs)
SW 288.5 / CW 227 / GW 140(lbs)
BP-Nov05 176/96; Dec 05 154/84; Jan 06 122/80; Mar 06 110/76

You guys are amazing! I'm loving those ideas!

I spend much of every Sunday getting foods ready for the week. I try to buy lots at the grocery store so I don't have to run out for little trips, which can lead to temptation.
I heat up water in the microwave and sip on it. Sometimes I put a dash of Real Lemon in it. It's more like a treat. Sometimes I'll fill up all the glasses of water that I'll need for the day (usually five 16 ounce glasses), then I can watch my success.
I wash and break up enough lettuce to have large salads for lunch each day. I always have chicken, parmesan, hard boiled eggs, and real crumpled bacon for these. Really, really good served in a large pasta bowl topped with ranch dressing.
If someone asks me about eating something, I find it's easier to just say I avoid sugars and starches. That holds me accountable, yet avoids lectures with their opinions.
Use Morton Lite salt to make sure you're adding potassium to your diet.
I keep sunflower seeds, real almonds, cheese sticks, and pepperoni slices around for quick snacks. I keep these at work, too. Too measure so you don't overdue the portions, I put the nuts/seeds in little bathroom paper cups. I don't fill them to the top.
I try to limit my coffee to two cups/day. I'm in the process of doing just half caffeine.
Check in here often. It keeps you mindful of what your doing. The support is great.
Oh, and as clothes get too big... GIVE THEM AWAY!

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Marge

Yes, give the clothes away is a goodie. I work next door to an Op Shop and they have had lots of donations just before Xmas, and I've got some more ready to go. It feels good to get rid of those fat pants. But I'm keeping one pair and I plan to have a photo in them when I am at goal - should be a hoot!

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Odille
Terranora, northern NSW, Australia
Fem 53, 170 cms - doing Atkins
SW 131 / CW 103 / GW 64 (kgs)
SW 288.5 / CW 227 / GW 140(lbs)
BP-Nov05 176/96; Dec 05 154/84; Jan 06 122/80; Mar 06 110/76

My tip is don't cheat, ever

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NO CHEATS, EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!

213.5/127.5/140, 5ft 5 in, Age 33
Original Goal: 160
Started 5/23/03
Maintenance

That's it. I'm printing out this thread. *l*

{{{Allie}}}{{{Analog}}}{{{Marge}}} {{{Deb}}}{{{Laura}}}}{{{Mary}}}



What an amazing amount of excellent information here!

As you lose weight, be ever mindful of calories. Yeah, I know, we're told "IN THE BEGINNING" not to worry about calories. But yanno what? Your body counts every single calorie whether you do or not. Also, you will need to reduce your FAT intake as you get closer to maintenance. Fat is very calorically dense.

Take your supplements EVERYDAY, and at least (hopefully more) 30 minutes of rigorous cardiovascular exercise a day.

Betty

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5'3, 98.5 POUNDS, AGE 50
FULL-FLEDGED RUNNER SINCE NOVEMBER 2003

MIDDLE-AGE spread is the ugliest thing a man -- or woman -- can possess.

First half marathon completed January 7, 2006, 2 hours 40 minutes

First full marathon completed February 26, 2006, 5 hours

Next Goal: WDW Minnie Marathon 15K "Women Run The World", May 7, 2006

Betty's so right about the exercising. Look at her! She's so in shape from eating right and working her body.
I wish I had someone to come kick me each day to get me working out better!
So, stick to the book and exercise! There really is no better advice. Keep your book out ALL the time. Get a good carb counter and check EVERYTHING you put in your mouth. You CAN be successful.

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Marge

I always tell other people who ask about Atkins "Make it once, eat it 3 times" I try and make alot of any dish and bag it up and either fridge it or freeze it. I have always laughed about ziplocks being my best friend. Soups and stir-fries both freeze pretty well, as well as little mini muffin quiches. My recipe makes 14 muffins and you can freeze them in bags of two to grab on your way out the door and nuke at work. My mother-in-law paid me to make these for her when she was doing South Beach. I will post the recipe in the food forum later today.

Remind yourself to eat when you are hungry. Get out of the mentality that you have to feel deprived to lose weight. Prepping snackies is definitely important. I loved the bathroom cup idea for nuts! They are my weakness. I love me some nuts!

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~*~Melinda~*~ Started 11/26/05
"MommaGlass"
HW 276 SW 196 CW 157 GW Sexy, Hot MommaGlass135
GOOD-BYE 180 & 170 *shake your booty*
*New Year's Resolution Challenge*
1/2/06- 179.5 Goal 3/28/06 155


"Argue your limitations and they are yours" -Richard Bach
I Cleo
My Glass Art is here...
http://s73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...slideshow=true

Be prepared/Prepare ahead: always have an emergency snack with you (even an atkins bar/shake is better than nothing i think). I also make alot of my foods on Sunday night..for the week.

Try to have a low carb alternative for your favourite foods if possible. Flax muffins are good when you're in the mood for a 'bread' like snack, try to find subs for sweets, like mini l/c cheesecakes etc.

Try not to cheat, but if you do..don't make that an excuse to give up..pick up where you left off, drink your water. Really it's not the end of the world.

Watch calories, be aware of how many calories are in your favourite foods. Calories do count. but also be sure you eat enough.

Make sure you add new legal foods for your woe to avoid boredom. I think people spend far too long on atkins induction, and it is their downfall...no variety, boredom sets in.

Journal...write down everything you eat.

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Started Atkins March 2004

Great ideas!!!

Marge, I do the same thing. Telling some people that you're doing Atkins is looking for arguments. I also tell them I just don't eat sugar or anything processed. It works!

As others do, I grocery shop on the weekend and cook my meats for my lunches for the week. I usually have enough for dinners, too. I have to plan ahead or I'll grab bad stuff from the pantry and go!

Exercise........... I'm really, really trying. I had surgery on my right foot last July and it's either not healing or it's going to cause me pain the rest of my life. I'm trying to suck it in and bear with it. Same with the bursitis in my hips. I get on the treadmill for 30-45 minutes and then I hobble around for 2 days loaded on ibuprofens.

However, I WANT to exercise! So somehow I will push through all that crap and drive on. I hope to see you all someday in the Success Stories and Maintenance!

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F/49 5' 152.5/143/110

Why take life seriously? We aren't getting out alive anyway.....
~George Burns