Confusions of the newly inducted

[peacemom]

Okay, so I have been on induction for a week tomorrow and so far lost 5 lbs.

I confess I have not purchased the book. No money, no time. But I thoroughly read the info on the Atkins website.

I am surprised to hear about total calories and percentages divided into food types. I thought that Atkins was NOT a calorie counting diet....The website induction directions tell you to eat liberally from the allowed foods (and list). and it also tells you how many net carbs to allow and from which sources.

I can't be counting calories right now,,,it's too much with what I've got going on.

But I am pleased so far, so we will see.

I'm not a bit hungry, haven't even thought about eating bread!

[IrishMom82]

Re: Confusions of the newly inducted

I just learned this recently myself. You don't need to be counting calories but you want to make sure that you're eating enough. You need to eat at least your BMR (what you would burn if you laid in bed all day), otherwise your body will go into starvation mode. That happened to me. I was eating enough carbs, and my percentages were right but my calorie intake was far too low. If you get an account on fitday.com (it's free) you'll be able to log all the food you eat and it will let you know everything about carbs, calories, percentages, etc. Also if you go to this link BMR Calculator you'll be able to figure out how much you need to eat in calories to avoid starvation mode. Hope that helps! Congrats on the loss so far!

[blue996]

Re: Confusions of the newly inducted

My advice...

#1: you need to read the 2002 DANDR book. It's not optional...you can pick one up on ebay for cheap. It's a very quick read and since Atkins is a life long plan (unless you want to be a second timer like me...which I DO NOT recommend) invest the time and learn about the program.

#2: do not use the Atkins website for reference. The company has changed the program since his death and it is not true Atkins.

#3: Dr. Atkins said not to count calories but to remember that calories do count (i.e. don't eat low calorie but if you're eating 4 times your BMR you are not going to lose weight). Everyday I eat somewhere between 1300 and 2100 calories and I don't ever worry about it. I eat until I am satisfied and some days I am just more hungry. I do track everything on fit day though so I know I am not overeating carbs.

Hope this helps and good luck!