Your suggestions for newbies to the board!

[IrishIrish]

Undoubtedly, if you've been here at all for any length of time, you'll see new people joining the ADBB and asking lots of questions. In the next month or so will be no exception. People will be coming to the board after a summer of a few overindulgences and be ready to start out on Atkins for the fall in preparation for the holidays. So, what is your advice to the new members joining the ADBB to make it easier? What three things did you learn the hard way or do you wish someone told you when you joined?

My list includes:

1. Read Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution (DANDR)
2. Make copies of the Rules of Induction and the Acceptable Food List for Induction and refer to them often.
3. Plan your menus, your snacks, your grocery list so you don't get blindsided not having the right foods.

Best wishes to you all!

[sallyseachange]

Re: Your suggestions for newbies to the board!

I'd go for:

1. Exercise... as much as you can comfortably, with gradual increase.
2. Be prepared by having something acceptable to eat to fight the cravings, if they hit, and to avoid being caught in a situation where there's nothing you can eat.
3. Focus on all the delicious things you CAN eat, not what you can't have yet.

[jimmie 48]

Re: Your suggestions for newbies to the board!

!. plan plan plan
2. make time for exercise
3. join some challenges. they help to keep you accountable.

[Heidi3]

Re: Your suggestions for newbies to the board!

everything they said and

learn to cook ...if you don't cook already ...if you do ..expand your horizons and really get into preparing wonderful dishes so you never have to feel deprived

avoid all prepackaged or processed food ..eat fresh whole foods ..period ...no low carb or frankencrap ..no fast food ...eat food real food!!! and eat plenty of it!!!

eat veggies...three times a day and move up the ladder at least to the first rung as soon as you can so you can eat more veggies!!! print off and try every single veggie on that list at least one time ...especially if you have never tried it before ...if you have ..try them again ..systematically eat each and every veggie so you get used to having all kinds in your diet

stop using the words "Cheat" in your vocabulary it is self defeating this is not a test in life this is your life ...you are bound to make mistakes and when you do just put them in the right catagory of your brain where you learn from things and move on...

resolve conflicts around you ..if you don't they will keep flaring up and ibecome the excuse you need to eat foods you know are not good for you...f you are going to make a huge change in your life ...like a dietary one you need to have some calm in your life...

moving your body does not just mean being a gerbil on a wheel there are plenty of ways to get excercise so find them try all kinds of new stuff that helps you move with intent

avoid the scales for at least 2 weeks at a time they are also self defeating ...

I have tons more but I will shut up now ....

[2big4mysize]

Re: Your suggestions for newbies to the board!

never assume there will be something you can eat at a meeting/party/friend's house/etc
Allways call ahead for info on what will be servered and offer to bring your own to share.

Never assume Atkins has stopped working for you cause the scale isn't moving.

Know if you are a super heavyweight the meals that helped you lose at 300+ maybe too big at 250 pounds for you to keep losing learn to feed only your hunger and not anything else

[1poundatatime]

Re: Your suggestions for newbies to the board!

Drink your water! You might not like it to start with, and feel you have to choke it down, but eventually it will become second nature and you'll crave it!

If you're going to a restaurant you WILL be able to find something Atkins friendly. If you don't see anything on the menu, ask and you shall recieve. Most places are perfectly willing to grill you a chicken breast without the sauce or take that potato off your plate.

Stay away from the bars and shakes. If you can make it to the store to buy them, you can just as easily buy something whole and unprocessed to enjoy.