A difficult first step for me....

[Kelsie]

<b>There are a lot of new faces since the WISH Challenge started but, I am sure some of you remember me or have seen my name.

My name is Kelsie and I'm in trouble

My story is typical, I am a carb junky and could live on sugar and soda. I know what it does to me and how it makes me feel but, I continue to eat it.

When the WISH Challenge started in January 2003, it actually took me 3 months to really commit to it myself and I started the challenge . Once I made the commitment to Atkins, I lost over 30 pounds in less than 3 months. I felt better physically, mentally and better about myself. So, what happened?

In August, I took an early retirement after 30 years with the same company. I decided to work a job from home full-time that I had been working part-time for the past 3 years.

To make a longer story a little shorter after 7 months, I have gained back 20 pounds I sit all day except for the visits to the kitchen. I get very little exercise. I am drinking regular coke again (and I really loved diet coke) and eat every bit of sweets in the house. I am out of control and it's time for me to stop and do something about my current lifestyle.

I do have a plan, I am going back on Atkins tomorrow, I will start walking and the most difficult part of my plan was to come back to WISH and admit my failure.

I feel like a failure especially since I started the original WISH Challenge. I hated showing my face here (although I continued to read) knowing that I did fail.

It's great to see all of you here and read about your successes (Robin, I love reading about Michael). I look forward to seeing old Wishers and meeting new ones. But, most of all I look forward to your support and suggestions. The next 2 weeks will be very difficult.</b>

 

[ibouncetoo]

Kelsie, You are NOT a failure and you'll get no judgments from your WISH buddies! Just a big and an even bigger WELCOME HOME!

I think there's nothing harder than fighting against a sedentary lifestyle. And sedentary really describes the way of life for lots of us....especially if you are no longer chasing after small children!

When I got my home computer I spent a lot less tiime in front of the television and the night time noshing really fell off. Now I'm noticing snacks creeping into my home office and once or twice my dinner has shown up here too. This is WAY BAD behavior on my part (geesh, not even getting up and walking to the kitchen for a nosh). My sister works from home and she actually schedules appointments to leave the house....even though they are not 'business' appointments. She makes herself leave the house for her lunch break....even if it's just for a walk around the block or an errand or two....might work for you.

Hope to see more of our "founding mother" (?) here on WISH.

 

[tlgoblue]

WOOO HOOO! Kelsie! I'm so glad you came back to us! I sure missed you, but knew that you would be back when you had your new situation straightened out! That is huge transition to make and can take every bit of energy and focus you have. Little is left to put toward getting and staying healthy! You are the reason we are all here. Let us help you the way you have helped so many of us! Hey everyone...

KELSIE'S BACK!



Welcome back!
Tracy

 

[gshoemate]

I don't know you Kelsie but I do know your story. I'm sending lots of your way. I work from home also and it is very easy to get caught up in food, it takes just a few steps to get to that fridge. My first question is why wait until tomorrow...when you can start Atkins right now! Get the junk food out of the house and replace it with good stuff. It's to much of a temptation, especially when you are home all day. I don't know if you work on a set schedule or not, but I had a little flexability when it came to doing my work. So now what I do is I go to the gym 2 hours a day, get out of the house away from food and then I work at night. Don't buy any Coke, not even diet. I have found that if it's in the house, I will drink it. I tried getting a 2-liter and making it last 4-5 days, it's gone in a day. So now I stock the fridge with bottled water. It's hard, very hard. I have been a carb junky for as long as I can remember. When I was younger, my breakfast consisted of a can of mountain dew and a Little Debbie snack cake, this continued until I had children. Heck, who am I kidding, it continued until I found out that I had Low Blood Sugar, and I still managed to sneak in junk food. The important thing is you are taking control. You have admitted that you need to stop. Thats a first big step. Now you just need to do the steps to make it happen. I know for me it's hard because I am the only one in the house going low carb. So I still have the bread, chips, candy, ice cream, etc......in the house. I have gone and fallen off Atkins 3 differant times. I know when I am low carbing I feel great, my moods is so much better, I physically feel stronger, but the junk food just keeps hooking me. This time I am determined to make it. I am still losing weight, but I am doing my own modified version of Induction. I allow myself one low carb treat a day, wheather it be low carb ice cream, cheesecake or for the salty cravings....pork rinds. So far I am going into my 4th day cheat free. DH even brought some cake home from work the other day....oh it tempted me. But I would look at it and ask myself....I am 2 days cheat free....do I really want to ruin that with a piece of cake. So far I haven't gotten into it. I also take the supplement that was suggested in the Atkins book for cravings....L-Glutanine (I might have the spelling wrong). I believe it really helps with the craving of junk food. Another trick that I do, I pour an Atkins chocolate shake into a water bottle and have it on the top shelf in the fridge...right up front. When I get that craving for chocolate....I just take a few drinks, seal it up and it's waiting there for the next craving.....so far it works pretty good. It's a tough start but I know you can do it. You have alot of support here on the DIS and thats makes the world of differance!!!

 

[septbride2002]

Welcome Home

Im new so I don't know you from before but I just wanted to say welcome back. I think we have all been in the same place that you are now. You've taken the most difficult step - the rest should be easy.

I have one suggestion - since you are working from home I would get rid of all the stuff you can't eat from your house. Just throw it out, and go buy Atkins friendly stuff. Also if you had a journal from before reactivate it! We have a great network of friends on the Journal board right now and we are really there for each other.

~Amanda

 

[Jiminy102]

KELSIE!!!!!!!! I have missed you welcome back!! It seems that many of us who have been around for awhile have dropped out of site and have recently coem back with a plan. Some the same or similar plan some completely new plans but we came back that is what is important!!!

 

[Desiree]

Kelsie, I just came back recently too. You know you've done it before, so you can definatly do it again! I know you can do it!

Keep your chin up! and ((((HUGS))))

 

[DoomBuggieDriver]

Hi Kelsie,
I am pretty new here, but I just wanted to say GOOD FOR YOU!
We are all behind you. Changing jobs, moving, etc. are really huge life changes, and most people find them very stressful and disruptive. Now that you are more settled into your new lifestyle, you can concentrate on the exercise and food issues again. Good luck to you- as you know, we're all here if you need a sounding board-that's what WISH is all about.

Kathy

 

[luvmy2sams]

Hi Kelsie!

Welcome back! I'm another newbie here that wants to say how proud I am of you. It's so difficult to come back, and I admire you for doing so. We're all here to support you, which I'm sure you know, since you helped create this wonderful little group.

to you!

 

[wovenwonder]

Welcome Home Kelsie! I'm still on Atkins too but just not having very good success with it. Monday I'm moving to The Beach. I'm hoping that 'SouthBeach' will give me the change that I need.

 

[Robinrs]

Oh, Kels....

You know the best thing about WISH???? We've ALL been there!

I read your post and could totally relate. I'm at home now also and just let myself go to POT.... and frying pan and cake pan and plate....

I resisted WISH with everything I had but knew that I needed help.

The hardest part is doing what you did today.

The easiest part is knowing that we're here when you need us.

Look forward to the next two weeks! Know that they are just a start to your future! Walk with a bop to your step and let your body know that YOU own it, not the opposite! It will fight you but you will WIN!

Michael and I will be routing for you. How's your little girl doing? I know she loves having you home.

God bless,

Robinrs

 

[MelanieC]

Hey Kelsie-

Welcome Back! Big hugs

The first time I lost with Weight Watchers, I did the same thing. I lost 37 pounds, felt really good about myself and then went on a long weekend. I never recovered and ended up gaining all but 10 back. Then last June I re-started Weight Watchers, almost a year after I quit and I really feel like this is the time it will lost. I am down lower than I have been since I was in my early 20's and I feel great. I started exercising this time, and it feels really good.

Just remember that we are always here for you. Even if you fall off the wagon, never feel embarrased or that you don't want to come back. You know that if anyone can motivate you to get back on the wagon it is the WISH family! I am so glad you started the WISH challenge, it has litterally changed my life! Thank you so much! Welcome back! We are all glad you are here!

 

[ZerasPride]

Hi Kelsie,

I want to join everyone else in welcoming you back. I'm fairly new around WISH myself but the support and encouragement I am recieving here is so wonderful. We will help you through the next two weeks. Post often so we know how you are doing, okie dokey? Take care and I look forward to seeing more of your posts!

 

[nativetxn]

{{{HUGS}}} Kels. You didn't fail you just stopped trying for a while. Now you are trying again. That's a <i>good</i> thing

We're here for you, we'll always be here for you.

Thank you for the WISH challenge, I've made so many wonderful friends because of it and I've gotten healthier too

 

[DoeWDW]

Kelsie, this isn't a test or a race - you can't "fail". It's a lifelong journey. Sometimes we hit a small bump in the road and sometimes, for one reason or another, we take a detour for a while, but you've found your way back!!! Welcome home!!

I'm looking forward to getting to know you. Even while you were away from WISH, the board and the challenge and the journals have been helping and inspiring so many of us! I owe many of my new healthy habits and healthy attitudes to people I've met through WISH and things that have been shared here. I'm grateful that you started this, and I'm really glad you're back!

Best wishes, Kelsie!!

 

[firecracker]

Kelsie,

I don't know you, but when I read your post, I WAS you!

My other thought is this:

If you never would have tried in the first place (back in early '03) then NONE of us would have WISH to go to for encouragement and advice! I'm soooo glad you took that first step and I'm just as glad you're taking this next step!

YOU CAN DO IT!!!

 

[perfectmatch300]

Great to have you back, Kelsie!

 

[Robinrs]

Originally posted by DoeWDW
Kelsie, this isn't a test or a race - you can't "fail". It's a lifelong journey.

aMEN, Doe!!! Awesome point!

This is why I weigh myself once a month, I intend to make this a journey and not a trip!

 

[luvmydogs]

WELCOME HOME Kelsie and big hugs to you!

I am the Yo-Yo Queen! Not including my last weight loss of 110 pounds, in the last 15 years, I've gained and lost over 800 pounds! I understand where you are Kelsie, both emotionally and physically. YOU HAVE NOT FAILED!!! You are the reason I am committed to my good health forever this time--YOU STARTED WISH! I have never had such encouragement and support in my life, and it is the defining comoponent in my ability to maintain my loss! WE ARE HERE FOR YOU DEAR FRIEND, and we'll be right behind you with all the love you need to make your healthy lifestyle goals a reality! Your goals are our goals, Kelsie, and once again, WELCOME HOME!!!

 

[Beastlover]

You are SO NOT a failure!!! It takes a lot of courage to admit you slipped, and are back on track. It is so great to see you back here on WISH!!
Good for you--and best of luck!! We are all in this together!!