'Lo all,

There's this thing about traveling -- you know, when in Rome . . .

About this time last year, at about the same awful weight, I found this forum, bought several books, and started Atkins. The plan worked well for me. However, every year, long about June, I go to Alaska for the summer months. Have a three-day a week job there that pays for a remote cabin, groceries and fuel for a gas-guzzling borrowed van. I work, I hike, I play with grandchildren.

At first glance, Alaska might seem like an Atkins paradise. I mean, you're served a hunk of moose swimming in gravy-juices with a bear steak on the side. But . . .

Second day there I dropped by to see an old friend and she plunks a platter down in front of me. "You'er just in time, I made you a second breakfast; let me know if you want more." There is bacon AND sausages and three thick hotcakes about the size of manhole covers with a pitcher of warm fireweed syrup . . . And the weekend get togethers, where everyone brings food, groaning outdoor tables of food, and . . .


Didn't gain weight over the summer. Much. But, when I returned I was far away from Atkins and every pound came back.

Haven't formulated a plan for this summer. Yet. But, here I am. Sadder. Wish I could say wiser.

Hi there and welcome back! Sounds like you have really had an adventure. It is good to have you here with us. We all mess up sometimes. You just have to get back on plan and all will be fine. You can get lots of support here as you already know. Good luck. You can do it!

You sound so much like me, I was staying in a condo in bigsky, there arent really any food options. Welcome back, I find its so much harder the second time around though. Before I had endless amounts of motivation and will power, but now its really hard for me. I work at a restuarant where there are pastries and yummy food to munch on all day. I told everyone not to feed me though unless its meat or veggies. Best of luck, just read the board everyday, thats what keeps me on track. Im not changing my stats though, its reallly making me depressed

I am back for a second round as well. It seems the weight doesn't want to come off this time, but I am going to stick with it! I feel so much better on the low carb diet and I guess I just have to be patient for the weight to start to come off.

Good Luck and hang in there.....

Alaska sounds like a wonderful place!

sigh Alaska, my ultimate dream vacation

If you really want to lose the weight and keep it off, you have to accept this as a WOF, not a diet that you "cheat" on.

If you are carb addicted (and you probably are) you cannot eat pancakes and syrup even occasionally because it starts a craving for carbs that is irresistable. Take it from me, I know from experience.

When you go north next summer, take no carb bake mix and recipes and make your own pancakes and sticky buns that are on plan. When you have a week end get together with lots of food, take things you can eat--a big beautiful salad, cole slaw, and a SF dessert. Eat the protein and fat selections and if necessary, pick out the carbs in a dish. Then eat lots of what you brought along with a LC drink.

If you were diabetic and a second breakfast of pancakes would make you ill, you would explain that to your friend and your friend would understand. Is your carb addiction really any less dangerous to your health. Tell everyone you cannot eat carbs for your health and then if they serve them, eat around them and don't even explain yourself. Anyone who encourages you to eat things that are unhealthy for you is not really a friend. They may need to be educated but you can do it.

If you really stop eating carbs, the cravings will go away, and then it becomes easy to say no to high carb foods.

If you are eating carbs as comfort foods, then you have to deal with your need for comfort foods. Emotional eating does not necessarily understand LC.

Good luck. We know you can do it. We can all do it.

I plan on moving to Juneau in the somewhat (hopefully) near future. Welcome back!Click me!

Hey Arrow! Welcome back! I am back too! I gained backed 13lbs but I have lost three of them so far. Good luck and glad to see you on here again!