kRIZ...Atkins discussion....

so its not a big deal because it has always been like that? and therefore not worth changing? that makes no sense silly boy! anytime you put "self" and "loathing" together is not a good thing. how can you be inspired to change your body or behavior when you are so disgusted by it? you have to accept yourself before you can try changing yourself. you have to feel that you are worthy enough to make a change. self-worth is basically the complete opposite of self-loathing. the majority of obese people are hugely successful in every other area of their life except this one so your confidence in certain areas is normal. i feel like the more you try these random dieting plans, the more failure you'll see and the more down and self-loathing you'll become - you are caught is a vicious cycle that will not change until you figure out and address the root of the cause. these roots will not be found in any kind of diet or fitness book.  if you had a chance to leave this cycle behind that, why wouldn't you want to?? i really, really, really think you need to see someone. at least go for a consult - its not like you'd have to make a commitment if you don't like what they have to say.

I like Atkins theories.. they make perfect sense to me for some reason, whereas other so called "diets" never did.  I can get into the hunter/gatherer lifestyle.  It's uncomplicated, easier and cheaper...  I throw out a lot less. The best part.. this is NOT a diet... it's a way of eating for life.. and I can seriously live with it.  I love turkey and chicken and steak and tuna.  Ok.. so I'm not much of a fishhead, but we love shrimp around here.. yea.. ya gotta limit mussels and we both love mussels, but they aren't the same without a 1/2 loaf of garlic bread ANYWAY.  LOL It's simple... if one has an indiscretion... you start all over again.  Go back to induction.. but for those of you who are doing it/have done it... have you ever really felt the urge to splurge when you were into it?  Other than a couple of ****tails, I don't feel the need.  Going out is ALWAYS a problem on a diet.. but not doing low carb!  There's something on EVERY menu (even fast food if you don't overdo it and throw away the buns). The named "MEAL TIME".. doesn't mean anything anymore, and that's cool too.  If I want eggs for dinner but a lean hamburger patty for breakfast, that's what I'm gonna have.  It seems more natural to eat what your body is craving rather than to feel burdened to eat what we're told is PROPER. For the longest time I was programmed for LOW FAT.. LOW FAT EVERYTHING.. never noticing that when they take that fat out, they gotta add something to make it taste good.  I think whole food tastes better. PS.... I don't know about anyone else.. but I feel GOOD doing this... physically GOOD!  Even my trainer did a little naysaying until he saw that I've got the energy to work out just as good, if not better than everyone else.

Studies show that obesity really began to skyrocket when low fat came into vogue, not just when we became a more sedentary society.  IMO it's a little bit of both.... Think of it, primary diets before the 50s were high on protein and veggies and low on starches.  We didn't have cereal for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch, chips for snack, candy bar for snacks and potatoes with our dinner.  It was more like one meal included a starch, not all.  I frankly think it's about going back to our roots.

I've also read information that suggests at the turn of the century, when refined sugar and flour became plentiful was the beginning of obesity in this country.

Do you know of any studies on this?  I'm curious about it.  It seems quite likely that it's true but all I've never known was what we have now. Since you might as well say I was born in the 80s afterall. September of 1979 doesn't even qualify as the 70s much less the 50s!

Chris... I know you have the book on the way.  I also know you are in prep mode... please.. read it before you DO anything.  Remember.. this is not a diet, and I don't want to see you yo-yo.   When you're on it.. it's for life.  There are 4 stages, and your carb count increases with each stage until you're on maintenance...until you know which carbs and how many of them will make you gain.   THIS IS MY OPINION: When it comes to exercise, I have only one theory to shove at  you.  You have to find what works for YOUR body.. not someone else's.  It IS possible to lose weight with no exercise on Atkins (Jon is living proof), but it's NOT recommended.  Only YOU know what your lifestyle is like, and only you know how much is too much (except I know about the owie from the other night) LOL.   Also, most of us know that if there isn't a healthy balance, you will be miserable. Sometimes it's hard to take care of ourselves and still take care of everyone else in our lives.... balance grasshopper... balance. I train because that's what works for me, and if you saw the muscle mass I have to maintain, you'd understand why I get off on it.  I'll be a slave to it for the rest of my life.  You don't have to do that...  you don't have to start something now that will be nearly impossible to maintain when you're my age..unless of course you're going to make your living in the fitness industry.  You walk and you're doing Karate.. and I suspect that if you do the Atkins, in the first week you'll see your energy level increase and then do whatever turns you on.. for now though, you're moving and that's great! Neecee brought up something interesting.... and VERY true... do stuff you can stick with.  Remember, this is a lifelong, lifesaving, quality of life improving endeavor.  So far, I've been blessed and I have 80 lbs worth of proof.... God willing, it will continue and I will maintain (as long as I don't getting all ****y on myself). Whatever you choose to do... just get that Nike tag line in your brain like you said and JUST DO IT!  In whatever you choose, there are many folks here who seem to have experienced just about everything... and they are so willing to offer their wisdom...   so keep everyone posted. Lori

LVS, I feel my best on low carb.  I'm full of energy, sleep less, less cranky, less tempted, more clearheaded, and the list goes on.

Well I also think it's important to admit to yourself (as you are doing) that these are things you are going to have to deal with along the way.  These are foods that you are going to mourn the loss of, and I think it's good to have a plan ahead of time or at least think it out ahead of time what you are going to do when that happens.  You have to be prepared when the time comes that the prospect of chips and queso are staring you in the face! Jerz -- I COMPLETELY understand what you are saying, and in the perfect world, you are RIGHT -- absolutely, but not everyone is as strong as you are in this.  I hope you are ALWAYS as strong as you are right now!  I think Kriz acknowledging that these types of things are going to be a problem for him down the road is a good step in the right direction.  Being prepared for how to handle it can only HELP him when he gets to that point.

I'm not strong.  I've just learned.  I did everything he's doing for the last 20 years and it didn't help me lose weight.  I got so pissed off I decided to finally get it if I really wanted to achieve it....

Kriz- Bear in mind, DonnaMarie pretty much followed a South Beach diet and look how quickly she lost all her weight.   Brenda