Week of November 19th Atkinites! =)

[Richard6310]

Re: Week of November 19th Atkinites! =)

way to go Daina.

[ValidRouge]

Re: Week of November 19th Atkinites! =)

Just stopping by to see how you all are doing over here. Thanksgiving is hard even for those of us who've been at this a long time.

Carby "traditional" foods practically shoved down our throats by well-meaning family and friends. It's like being in high school and all the "cool" kids are peer pressuring us to join in on the drinking/smoking/partying band wagon. Bah!

The longer you're at this, the easier it gets...but I don't think it ever gets to a point where the WANT goes away. I WANT those foods...I want them bad (I'm an addict, they are my crack). However, I've learned (by my own experiences) what it's going to physically, mentally, emotionally do to me. I battle with myself to not go there with sugar and flour and other refined carbohdrates. There are other "legal" foods that are just as addictive (to my body) like dairy (especially cream or half & half and milk), nuts and grains that I can very very very quickly OD on. Some compare those types of foods to "methadone" and my decision to eat them as still "using". They are right. I can still "use" legal foods and feed my addiction.

Today, I'm having problems getting "back on track". My body is still compelling me to eat more of these "borderline" (yet allowed) foods. It's only a small step away from the next level of wanting the real stuff.

The reason for my little soap box discussion here is to say this. I don't ever condone my "cheat" or justify them, or say "it's okay". It's too easy to continue saying "it's okay" over and over and over while I return to the old habits and keep repeating the same behaviors. I see you guys in here learning from what you are doing. I'm proud of each of you for LOOKING for what's going on, why you slipped, and making plans for how to combat it in the future. If you can be objective and look at what happened and how you can avoid it moving forward, you'll do yourself a huge favor.

I don't remember who touched on these points but here are a few observations:
1. Avoid nuts. If I could re-write Atkins, I'd move nuts AFTER grains on the ongoing weight loss "ladder". Repeatedly I see people fall victim to nuts over and over and over. Plus, they are not allowed on induction.
2. The only "creamer" that is allowed on induction is 2 tablespoons per day of heavy whipping cream. No non-dairy creamer. No half n half. No milk. No french vanilla, no lattes, none of that stuff is allowed. Dairy products frequently give people troubles. Especially since they typically are used as crutch foods to deliver something SWEET or a treat. Be careful/mindful of your intake of this stuff. Splenda/cream/cream cheese concoctions can be a life saver or your complete downfall. I'm not saying don't use it, but be mindful of it. If you can take 1 tbspn of cream and throw some splenda in it and be perfectly fine to walk away from it for the rest of the day (or, preferably a couple days) then you're probably okay. If that 1 tbspn has you wanting another tbspn or a cup or two....you've got a problem, and I'd suggest removing this from your diet for a while.
3. Someone mentioned how tomatoes are "high" carb. Yes, higher carb than some of the other veggies...but this is where one of this misconceptions about Atkins comes in. We irrationally get a "fear" of carbs and avoid "high carb" veggies like tomatoes to keep our carb count low...while we have no problem eating cream, cheese, olives, sour cream, avocado, (special category foods) etc which add up in carbs MUCH faster than the healthy tomato. Eat the tomatoes, PLEASE! If your net carb count is going over 20 and you need to cut back, cut back the special category food NOT the vegetable.

[Esteliana]

Re: Week of November 19th Atkinites! =)

Great advice Validrouge! =) That gives me a bit more of an insight of what I can and cannot eat!!!

So, I made it!! Day 7!! Yes! I actually achieved a goal of mine. I am so tempted to weigh tomorrow, just to see how much I have lost in a week, but I want to weigh with you guys, just to make it fair. =) I'm so happy right now. I was so hyper earlier, it was crazy. I was at Cocos and I ordered myself a steak with veggies and a salad. Delicious!! Yum yum. I didn't eat all the veggies either, only the greenbeans and then some of the salad. That'll be some ruffage for tomorrow morning, I hope. I haven't had a decent bowel movement yet. I know, TMI, but ya...heh heh. I've been too TMI this week.

Okay, so I am adding on another 7 days and seeing where that takes me! wOOt!!

How are you guys today?

[Einy]

Re: Week of November 19th Atkinites! =)

I am doing fine. Saturday is almost over (in the west coast), this would be my 11th day with no cheat. I cheated the first day by a glass of milk (I LOVE milk), so not counting that day as part of my induction.

The thing I feel different now is that anything I eat makes me satisfied, a small bowl of salad would do. Well, not really satisfied, but lets say, not hungry. I keep getting that feeling that I need *just* a little bit more, I open the fridge but don’t have the feel for eating anything.

Today also was my first day to feel cravings for sugar. I am still holding it, but still that urge for eating something sweet is killing me and happened all of a sudden, hopefully it is not something I ate that triggered it. I am being very cautious to stay away from anything that is outside the acceptable food list. Is there anything I can do or take that helps in curbing such cravings?

[futurerancher]

Re: Week of November 19th Atkinites! =)

Day 2 of cheat free is in the books folks. I am starting to feel myself slip back into Ketosis and hopefully by tomorrow I will be back in business. I had a very relaxing day, did a little grocery shopping (It is expensive to eat healthy!) and just took it easy. I did have a cup of strong coffee today my first in three weeks, whew, I sure felt the impact it had on my blood sugar as it made me start to crave, something, anything. However, they weren't to bad, a little extra water and a walk later they were gone. ValidRouge, thank you for stopping in here as you have been someone on the board whom I look up to. Many of the things I deal with seems like stuff you have encountered or lived through and it helps to hear your advice. Bekka, I have had "similar" issues and thus have incorporated Psyllium Husk into my diet. No major success yet but I will keep you posted. Diane, I am really proud of you that you made it through the day. Get that Cheat free button going! Talk to you all tomorrow. Einy, not sure what to say about the Sugar thing. I wish it was as easy as just having one piece of candy, thus satisfying your craving. Doesn't work like that for us! I have been making these mufffins with Stevia that has seemed to work pretty well for me. 11 days is awesome, don't give in to the taste test though.

Bekka, don't you sneak a weigh in on us and congrats on the seven days!

[Esteliana]

Re: Week of November 19th Atkinites! =)

wOOt! Good job brian! Glad you made it past day 2! ^^

This is a quickie because my dad wasted 15 minutes of my time this morning yelling at me about crap I don't care about.

Anyway, I feel great, awake and ready to work! And ooooh, I got some bowel movement this morning, sweetness. Anyway, I'll add more stuff later, see ya guys!!

-Bekka

[futurerancher]

Re: Week of November 19th Atkinites! =)

So far so good today. I have been dealing a lot with constipation and just could not take it anymore. So... I went to the store and got a bottle of Magnesium Citrate to speed things up. Boy did it speed things up! I am still hovering near the toilet just in case. I guess its nice to clean everything out but I won't be going that route again. I have been adding whole psyllium husk over the last 3-4 days with no luck. I may have to try Spinach instead or in addition to. I have been drinking between 96-128oz daily so that isn't why I was plugged up. I have been doing pretty good with the veggy's. I have been a touch heavy on the cream cheese though. Well, atleast I am back to square one again. Hopefully the psyllium will take over this week!

I am looking forward to making it three days in a row without a cheat! Wish me luck. How did everyone else do?

[daione]

Re: Week of November 19th Atkinites! =)

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Validrouge, Thanks for the information. Wow! Yes, I have been heavy on the cream. Before reading the board tonight, in my defense, I did have 3 cups of coffee with cool whip. Now I know why I have been enjoying it so much ... it is the only sugar that I have been getting. Okay that is probably why I am not losing like I need too.

Okay, I have the book.... why don't I see this? I must not be reading it right. My personal goal this week. Read a chapter a night. I read the induction part but ... I am not getting it.

Tomorrow, no coffee. I can't have coffee and no cream, so no coffee. Water, Water, Water ... I have been doing good on my water so I am happy about that, I have also been doing good on my abs. I started treadmilling yesterday 30 min a day.

Well I just got through watching 3 hrs of inside brookline obesity clinic on TLC. Wow! Some pretty scary stuff. I have too say that before losing the little bit that I have, I was having problems walking long distance or any distance, breathing and feeling tired. But I after looking at this show, it was an eyeopener. I did not realize that weight can actually kill you. Shut down your organs. How scary is that. I am just so glade for a mind to actually do something about my situation. It has taken me years just to make up my mind, lets more do it. My stomach is going down, I pee all the time.

Does anybody pee like that, i mean I pee at least every 2 hrs. I guess by wednesday i will really be peeing .... no coffee and cream . Wow. Well got to do it! The reward will be sweet. It would be so nice that once we all get too our goal, meet at a mall or something and go shopping for our dream outfit, or at the very least take pictures and share them of our dream outfits.

I am not showing any pictures till I am down some more. Wow. isnt this exciting. Ya'll we are going to lose weight.. ya hoo!

Good night, lets make it a carb free day!

[lifetastesbetter]

Re: Week of November 19th Atkinites! =)

I was a naughty naughty girl last night and today!!! I was kid-free for the first time in quite some time, so my ladies and I had girl's night out. Well ofcourse I ended up having some vodka ginger and one beer (I LOVE beer and it was hard not to drink alot of it haha) Well as always from drinking I was having mad cravings for GREASY GROSS FOOD and I sucuumbed to the pizza that my inlaws brought over so I'd have an easy dinner for me and the kids *sigh* I really wanted to make one week cheat free, but I'm determined to do so starting now. Now I realize that doing that is definately a trigger so Im going to avoid going out like that all together for a while. Thing is, I honestly would have much rather chilled at home and gabbed on the phone or chatted online!! lol I know, Im a home body!! I'm soooo mad at myself though!! I'm going to work out sooooooooooo hard this evening to TRY and compensate for my boo-boo.

Tomorrow is a fresh day though. I'm jumping right back on the wagon. Normally I would have already quit. Sheesh.

I don't have time to do all personals right now, but Bekka congrats on doing 1 week CHEAT free!! You should be PROUD chikky!

[Einy]

Re: Week of November 19th Atkinites! =)

Quick question about Mushroms. I know it is part of the acceptable food during inductions. I just checked the nutrition facts of that though and found common white mushroms to have significant sugar.

http://www.carb-counter.org/veg/search/Mushrooms/1100

Is that acceptable?

[blue996]

Re: Week of November 19th Atkinites! =)

Daione - I am always running to the bathroom to pee on Atkins. You get use to it.

Einy - According to fitday one cup of mushrooms has 3 grams of carbs and 1 of fiber for only 2 net carbs so I wouldn't call that significant as the sugars are naturally occuring.

[Esteliana]

Re: Week of November 19th Atkinites! =)

Thanks Kristen!! Sorry about your fluke!!! I can't believe that happened, but I am so glad that you haven't quit, that is definately one step towards a greater tomorrow. And like you said, tomorrow is a new day. =) You did great by admitting to us what you did rather than hiding it, like I normally do.

Well, I am on day 8 being cheatfree. wOOt!!! I had some mad cravings tonight, but I countered them with some pork and I was fine. I am going to search for a lowcarb hot and sour soup. All I really want is just the liquid part, I don't care about anything else in it because it's SOOOOO good and I am craving it right now. MMm, my tummy is rumbling, but I know I can't eat.

I need to get to bed, I am so tired already. -.- Goodnight all!

Oh, Brian, congrats on day three!!

-Bekka

[Einy]

Re: Week of November 19th Atkinites! =)

blue996,

Thanks for your reply. I just finished my mushroom soup.. Cooked it from fresh mushrooms I got from the local store.. was real nice.. It is still many carbs though... had only 100gms of mushrooms, they are supposed to count for 4g of carbs. It was filling enough for me anyway.

Yeap.. Today went well and tomorrow is another day. Tomorrow is my 13th day, so I have only 2 days left in my induction..

[daione]

Re: Week of November 19th Atkinites! =)

Good evening everyone,

I did better than yesterday. Around 2:30 I got this death headach and pain in my left arm. I got some decafe coffee and was better.

I did okay, I did have some more coffee at home. But boiled egg with sausage links and patties this morning. Salad for lunch and turkey leg, greens and chicken wings for dinner and jell-o with some whipped cream just a little for desert.

I eat like a pig at night ... I don't know why that is. I do okay during the day but at night I go crazy. Again. I am tired.

I hope everyone is okay today.
Good night.

[nursechic]

Re: Week of November 19th Atkinites! =)

You're a brave soul to use Mag Citrate. We give that to our patients who are going to have a colonoscopy the next day. That plus Go-Lytely. It'll really clean you out. How are you feeling now?

So far so good today. I have been dealing a lot with constipation and just could not take it anymore. So... I went to the store and got a bottle of Magnesium Citrate to speed things up. Boy did it speed things up! I am still hovering near the toilet just in case. I guess its nice to clean everything out but I won't be going that route again. I have been adding whole psyllium husk over the last 3-4 days with no luck. I may have to try Spinach instead or in addition to. I have been drinking between 96-128oz daily so that isn't why I was plugged up. I have been doing pretty good with the veggy's. I have been a touch heavy on the cream cheese though. Well, atleast I am back to square one again. Hopefully the psyllium will take over this week!

I am looking forward to making it three days in a row without a cheat! Wish me luck. How did everyone else do?