Well I'm attempting it again!

[Bikini Bound]

Hi all, I'm back again. Third times a charm I hope! My husband is starting with me as well so I think we can keep each other in check.

I have a few questions...when talking about how much cheese we can eat in a day, I recall it being limited to about 3 ozs? Is that in volume or weight?

Also, I put today's first menu into fitday and I'm ending up with less than 20 carbs. I ate my limit of 3 cups of veggies (all romaine lettuce) so I can't eat more veggies. (I am REALLY not a veggie lover, which has been a problem with me being on Atkins)

I'm trying not to eat a lot of cheese. Any other suggestions on how to get in my carbs?

My fat/protein/carb ratio today according to fitday is 76/22/2 which I thought was not toooooo bad for the first day back on the wagon.

[Fabulou$]

Re: Well I'm attempting it again!

Welcome back BB!!! That's wonderful you and your husband are doing this together, what a great support system for the both of you, and plus this board and the people here are fabulous, as you know.

Cheese is 3 oz. per day. watch the package carbs.
I don't like veggies myself, so try and don't beat yourself up if you don't get the 20 quota each day, its best to be under than over.
For induction as a reminder: Protein 65%, Carbs 5%, Protein 30%.

You are doing just fine. Keep up the good work! And Good Luck to you and your hubby!!!

[easttexasdaisy]

Re: Well I'm attempting it again!

Congrats! You can do it this time!
I think your numbers look fine. Maybe some sauteed mushrooms and onions to add in some more veggies. add some sliced deli roast beef and top with montery jack cheese. It's very flavorfull and helps get those veggies in. And it's fast! Also when you sautee in butter or oil it adds more fat in.

[Bikini Bound]

Re: Well I'm attempting it again!

Thanks

So, the 3 ounces, is that 3 ounces in weight or 3 ounces as measured in a measuring cup?

[momtomany1]

Re: Well I'm attempting it again!

How would you measure 3 oz in a measuring cup?

If your cheese is shredded, figure a 1/4 cup is one oz, don't pack it. An 8 oz bag contains 8 servings and says 1/4 cup is a serving.

With block cheese, it isn't too hard to estimate. If you have an 8 oz block, picture it cut into 8 pieces and 3 is all you can have!

Looking for great things from you!

[Bikini Bound]

Re: Well I'm attempting it again!

Thanks for the help!

I know I'm not supposed to weigh but I did because my husband is (was!) very skeptical of this diet. I had to get on the scale and prove it to him. He's a believer now! He is down around 7 pounds in 4 days and I am down 4 and a little bit. The 1st and 2nd time I did Atkins I only lost 4 pounds during the 2 week induction.

I am eating less cheese this time (however, I don't think I ever went over the allowed amount of cheese either time). I am wondering if cheese is a nono for me..is it possible for cheese to be the culprit of slow loss for me?

[easttexasdaisy]

Re: Well I'm attempting it again!

I think it can be. I have been on Atkins before and I think I remember reading something about candida and cheese. Although I am sure there might be other issues too. Might be something to do a search about but really you are having great losses! Congrats to both of you!

[Bikini Bound]

Re: Well I'm attempting it again!

I buy the blocks of cheese but they are in grams, not ounces. I will have to go look up the conversion. Thanks again!

[Sherri]

Re: Well I'm attempting it again!

Before you begin:

1. Read Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution, 2002 edition.
At the very least, read chapters 10 through 14. These chapters tell you how to do the diet, what to expect, and why the first 14 days are so important.

ADBB uses DANDR 2002 as its reference. Granted there are other publications by Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. but we like to do the diet as it was written by Dr. Robert C. Atkins because in our collective experience Dr. Atkins' diet is more effective than Atkins Nutritionals, Inc's version.

2. See your physician.
Dr. Atkins recommended this himself. See your physician for a complete physical exam, including blood tests before beginning this or any other diet and exercise program.

Also take the Blood Sugar Symptom Test found in the book.

3. Make a commitment.
Commit yourself to giving the 14 day Induction a fair shot. If you can't commit yourself to 14 days of following rules and eating the foods listed in the acceptable foods list, this diet might not be for you.

4. Prepare your kitchen
If it's not on the list, remove it from your home. If you live with people who aren't on a low carb diet, then put your food(s) in areas separate from theirs. Also make sure you have low carb snacks available to you at all times, in case you get hungry.

5. Recruit your family and friends.
You are about to embark on a completely new lifestyle. Getting the support of your family and friends will help you through this. Be frank with them and tell them your intentions and that this is very important to you. If they have any doubts about this diet, ask them to read the book because knowledge is power.

6. Keep the Induction Rules and Foods List handy.
Make two copies of these documents: keep one on your refrigerator at home and keep the other one on your person at all times. This will save you a lot of guesswork and worry when eating out or grocery shopping.

The Rules of Induction can be found here:
What are the Rules of Induction?

The Induction Acceptable Foods List can be found here:
What foods can be eaten on Induction?

7. Read the entire label, including the ingredients.
Some foods have little carbs, but contain things like hydrogenated oils (trans fats) and sugar, which makes them unacceptable for Induction.

8. Keep a food diary
It is of utmost importance to keep track of your daily carbohydrate intake to make sure you are not exceeding 20 net carbohydrates daily.

Some people keep a notebook journal. Others like to track their progress online.

Here are some resources:
An Atkins spreadsheet:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ead.php?t=4570

http://www.fitday.com ---This is a free online service (registration required) that allows you to input your foods, track your exercise, etc.

Carbohydrate Counters:
http://www.atkins.com ---The Atkins site has a downloadable Carb Counter.
http://www.calorieking.com ---This site has nutritional information for most foods and beverages.
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/ ---This is the United States Department of Agriculture Nutrition Database.

9. Exercise
According to Dr. Atkins "exercise is non-negotiable"! So get moving. Begin according to your level of fitness. Visit the Exercise Forum.

10. Vitamin Supplements
These are also recommended by Dr. Atkins because many of us have poor nutrition and we need extra nutrients. Visit the Vita-Nutrient Forum.

11. Weigh AND Measure Yourself on Day 1

Make sure you weigh and measure yourself before you begin this diet. Contrary to what we are lead to believe, the scale isn't the best tool for measuring weight loss (fat loss). It doesn't tell you how much muscle you gained. It doesn't tell you how much water weight you gained or lost. It doesn't tell you that you will fit into that pair of jeans.

Tips for weighing:
a. Weigh yourself at the same time of day under the same conditions. You can weigh "more" after a meal or after you drink water or you can weigh "less" after you exercise or have a bowel movement. So pick a time and stick to it. Likewise, clothing can also add on "pounds". So if you choose to weigh yourself wearing clothes, make sure you are wearing the same clothing or nearly the same clothing.

b. Use the same scale. Scales differ slightly. So the scale in your doctor's office or at the gym might have you weighing more or less than the scale in your bathroom.

Tips for measuring:
a. You can measure whatever body areas you want: chest, waist, hips, thighs, upper arm, wrists and ankles. To make the measuring easier, you body landmarks like your belly button or a mole or scar, to guide your tape measure placement. For chest measurement, women can either measure under their armpits and/or under their breasts.

b. Don't "pull" on the measuring tape because that will give you a false reading (and stretch the tape). The tape should be snug, but not tight.

c. Don't suck in to make yourself smaller. Again, that will give you a false measurement.

Measuring tapes can be purchased at craft stores (the sewing section) for under $5.00. If you can't find one, you can use a piece of string. Just mark that string with a marker pen to indicate your "start" points". Or if you have an old belt, you can use that too.

Another good "measuring tool" is your clothing. Non-stretchy clothing like a dress shirt, jeans, or dress is the best thing to use. Stretchy fabric (like t-shirts or anything with spandex) will conform to your body as you shrink so you might not see the results. Try on this article of clothing periodically to see how you are losing inches.

Good luck to you on your 14 day Induction journey.

[Bikini Bound]

Re: Well I'm attempting it again!

Thanks Sherri. I have read the book a few times since joining the forum in 2004. Always an interesting read.

By the way, congrats on the weight loss, you are almost to goal! What a feeling that must be!

[Outback Jess]

Re: Well I'm attempting it again!

Hey girl, since you joined in 2004, I am sure you know alot! Remember that your husband will loose weight much faster than you will. Remember also that Dr A values slow weightloss and learning good behaviors....that will help ensure good habits by the time you enter the part where you keep it all off!