Just Need some advise

ok so I know how atkins works, i know what i need to do, but for the life of me i cant stop cheating, last sunday i had cake, and went straight back on the diet and today with it being easter i shared a chocolate with my kids, my calorie intake ranges between 800 and 1600 i have been on a stall and lost a kg this am when i got on the scale ( i should mention i have had the constipation problem for over a week and took some laxatives witch resulted in visiting the loo the whole night) i think if i had to get over the stall id probably stop cheating, i think my mindset right now is o well im not losing weight so that bite wont hurt. I realy dont need anybody to judge me or rub rules of the diet in my face i get it, i know what i need to do, i seem to be battling with the fear of failing and this is probably going to be the reason why i fail. Every one say this is a lifestyle change i just cant see myself eating like this for ever, i have done arkins before, i had my veg and salads and meat and eggs, i even had kfc and peanuts and coffee with cremora - lots of it, and prunes, and i lost 29 kgs i had a stall for a week and lost 4 kgs the week after, should i just do that again?? then again it goes against everything atkins teach.. i feel more hungry this time around, (witch could be adding to the cheating) i dont like half of whats on the list and it makes me depressed, i have headaches and my eyes feel puffy like its going to pop out... i have now basicaly layed out all my problems and need advise from someone who will realy help, who realy understand, none of us were pro's at dieting when we started, regardless of massive weightloss,we all have fears and hicupps and that is where i am at now..

your replies will be much appreciated..

If you want long term success, then you need to consider picking a "diet" or "lifestyle" that fits. If "cheating" is a problem for you, then Atkins does not sound like it works. My suggestion, and you can take it for whatever it is worth, is to try and just eat balanced meals. Find some healthy foods for breakfast. Then for lunch and dinner, start with a large salad. Have some cooked veggies too. Then eat whatever you want for your main entree - within reason. By eating the salad and veggies first, then you won't have much room for the junk. That keeps the calories down, while giving you adequate nutrients.

If you eat mostly fruits and vegetables, then you can splurge on other things, like cake or ice cream and not feel as guilty about it.

Hope you find success.

Thank you NCNOLE, so if i have a slice of whole wheat toast with eggs and bacon for bfast, and salad for lunch, and meat with veg and brown rice for supper, even swop lunch and dinner around ( all in small portions) with a apple for a snack... would that work... i have been eating my meals out of a side plate so it looks more and i cant dish up too much, i have also been eating my salad in a sepperate bowl and when done ill eat my meat also in a sepperate plate, and when im full ill leave the rest. i dont have much of a problem with leaving the sugar and sweets, i just need to know that if my child gives me a bite of chocolate that i can have that bite without having to feel this guilty.. my kids dont understand dieting and having a daughter i dont want her life to be consumed with mommy dieting, just for incase it might create a negative view for her on food, and cause problems for her weight in the future, i also believe you only live once and being restricted just doesnt make sence. I think dieters in general has been so confused as to what is right and wrong that we cant find a happy medium, its either low fat or low carbs, but no where is there realy advise on balance,and even if there were, we are all aprehensive the last thing we want to do is follow the wrong diet and pick up more weight, we are all touch and go, and yes some have mastered it and some of us just havnt it doesnt mean we all dont desperatly need to..

Yep, I think simple is better. You need to live your life and since you have children you want to be a good example. Children pick up on our issues and I'm sure you don't want them to pick up any un-needed food issues . If you can control the snacking and junk, then simply planning your meals a little and allowing for healthy carbs and treats, you should do well.

I recently started incorporating more veggies in my diet and eliminating dairy. I've noticed a lot of changes in the past few weeks and my weight loss has increased. (I've lost a bunch over the past year, but had slowed some) I'm still eating about 1400-1500 calories/day, just basically eating more veggies. Fruits are more challenging - b/c I've been hard wired that they are higher calories and carbs, but I'm working on that. Obviously what works for me may not work for you, but it can't hurt to eat more veggies!

NCNOLE, Thank you, for taking the time and giving me the much needed advise, i truely appreciate it... i think i am also a bit of a rebel, if i get told i cant have it, i want it even if i dont like it.. lol i think i will be tweaking the diet a little bit and see if that works, besides i can always go back on atkins, every body opperates different.. i just have to figure out how mine works...

Have a lovely evening and God Bless

A. I'm glad you joined the Compulsive Eating... group. Sounds like you'll enjoy the exchange of info.

B. Beating yourself up is not "Exercise" so do not do it so much/often In fact, the only thing beating yourself up does is rais your level of discomfort and in turn makes you want to find comfort using the same, dependable, method. Stuffing food in the hole that's empty and hurts.

None of this is lecturing, it is all meant to say - it's Easter for heaven's sake. If you can't share a chocolate with your kid... I think you are making happy memories more than making a dietary mistake.

See you in group!

Bumbl ... Another thing I do, when I'm craving sweets, is stock up on the little 100 cal packs. That way I still have sweets but I'm limiting myself.

I would say that Atkins is not right for you. It is meant to be a lifetime way of eating. It is not meant for short term "dieting". Maybe calorie counting would work better for you. There are no "off limits" foods. Just moderation. No matter what you choose, I think you need to stay away from something that makes you feel guilty or physically bad when you don't follow it 100%. That sounds like what you are experiencing.