I am seriously beginning to wonder if I am able to do this way of life and stick with it.

I am a serial yo-yo-er. Gaining and losing the same 5 pounds for 4 years now.

Had one year of low carb success in my late 30's where I lost 30 pounds. Now I am in my late 40's and cannot seem to make it stick.

The carbs call to me so strongly and I don't even know why I am not able to resist. My mind tells me to all the time.

Sorry to be moaning today, but I am losing confidence in myself in a big way today.

Kathy,

I hate it when what I call "stinkin thinkin" gets going. I can only speak for me, but it took me a number of years to finally, truly commit to something that did work for me. But nothing works if you don't continue to do it. I had to come to a place in my life where my priorities radically shifted, and no matter what, I was going to lose the weight and improve my health.

I love the plan I'm on. It's always been the right one for me, and I heartily recommend take a look at it, if you aren't sure you've yet found the right plan for you. I first, and foremost, love that it gives me peace..peace from constant, niggling hunger. Carbs no longer control me. I get hungry, tummy growls, I eat, am satisfied and done for hours. This kind of control is worth everything to me.

My best advice may sound trite, but this was the shift in perspective that worked for me - find a way you can, not all the reasons why you can not.

Best wishes to you.

Thank you Patriciakr, I am doing a little better today. I am in a rut of "stinkin thinkin", need to get myself out of my self-doubt.

I will look into CALP with Primal Leanings, actually what is that if you don't mind my asking?

Maybe a few sessions with a cognitive behavioral therapist would help?

I was going to a counselor who suggested Overeaters Anonymous. It has helped me a lot with my emotional eating. There are other similar groups if OA isn't available in your area or if you prefer a different format.

CALP (carbohydrate addickts lifespan program - which is for any adult age despite the rest of it's title implying it's for those 40 and up) helps control post-prandial hyperinsulinemia. I eat low carb veggies (from the list they give in their book) and protein for all meals and any snacks except once a day when I have what they call a Reward Meal. This meal (which must begin with a salad OR a serving of low carb veggies) is 1/3 protein, 1/3 low carb veggie, 1/3 carbohydrates. The Reward Meal is not an hour long binge, it is all about balance. When I eat this way, I get hungry, eat and am satisfied..no niggling constant hunger and grazing and no day long carb fest.

Meals/snacks shouldn't be more often than every 90 minutes (have I ever eaten often - yep, when first getting back on plan), and your meals should not last more than 60 minutes (there is a second wave of insulin release that occurs at 70 minutes of a meal).

It just works well for me. I eat lots of unconventional breakfasts (breakfast can be anything your body enjoys in the morning!), and still really enjoy cooking (and baking). I did have portion control issues when I first got back on plan, so use a daily calorie limit as a guide - but I still eat per CALP principles for meal composition.
Primal just means I really try to eat grass-fed beef only, local or homegrown veggies, organic when I can afford it, pastured butter etc. Just the best/freshest ingredients I can afford.

I have in early portions of my journal, a list of what I was eating, and also in my blog.

It's just what has made the most sense to me over the years, and has help keep me from progressing from pre-diabetes to type 2. Certainly helped my horrendous triglyceride levels come down

Thanks for all the advice. I had a good day 1 yesterday and am thinking about doing all of these things. I am really grateful for the support on these boards.