My first week

**kirstyb1** · June 8, 2008, 02:01 AM

Re: My first week

you seem to be missing veg?

You can have decaff coffee, you are allowed 3 tablespoons of cream a day or have it black with splenda (1g carb each packet)

i cook my scrambled eggs in a pan with no milk and a little butter and pepper

x

**kirstyb1** · June 8, 2008, 02:07 AM

Re: My first week

i should have said as well, sausages & Bacon, may say trace or seem low in carbs but if you check the ingredients there may be hidden sugars that havent been taken into consideration.

What are you planning on for snacks?

I like to use carb free meat/fish for lunch and dinner and that leaves me spare carbs for snacks such as celery, eggs and peperamis

x

**Homer J** · June 8, 2008, 02:15 AM

Re: My first week

Hi Kirsty,

Do you just crack the eggs straight into a pan and whisk them around a little with a fork until cooked? Do you use any type of cooking fat or just a little butter and the eggs into a dry pan?

I aint too keen on veg to be honest. I did a little reading on this forum and it seems as though meat and eggs were a good way to get off to a good start.

I don't think I'll need stacks. Provided I get off to a good start with a big breakfast I wont be tempted to snack on stuff.

**kirstyb1** · June 8, 2008, 03:02 AM

Re: My first week

you really need the veg tho as you are allowed 20g a day and 12g of those carbs should come from veg.

Do you have the book?

Yeah just crack them in the pan, add a knob of butter and whisk, but i should say, i have a non-stick pan

Are you in Britain?

x

**Homer J** · June 8, 2008, 03:14 AM

Re: My first week

Kirsty,

Yes, I have the book but I've only just started it. I couldn't wait to get started so I'm pretty wet behind the ears at the moment.

I will add some veg but I don't really like it. I have read it's pretty important though.

I just had 2 eggs with some bacon and sausages. I cracked the eggs into a bowl, added some pepper, beat them a little with a fork and microwaved them for about 30 seconds. I got the idea from a google search. All washed down with 2 pints of water.

I've got some tuna for lunch which I will have with another 2 pints of water.

Yes, I'm in Britain. I live in Leeds. Cracking weather today!

**billbazz** · June 8, 2008, 06:31 AM

Re: My first week

A warm welcome!

I would be careful with processed meats and sausage and the bacon..the book would tell you to avoid Nitrates (sodium). and warn about what these products are cured with because of sugar. But I see you read the labels. you might try whole meats or smoked fish with your eggs? mix in scant handfulls of veggie's and cheese and you have an omelette!

veggie's are important..and think of it as an adventure..try veggie's on the exceptable list that you are not used to..cooked or prepared in way's you never tried before. soon you too will be eating from the fat of the land.

**Elsie150** · June 8, 2008, 07:47 AM

Re: My first week

Welcome aboard Homer!

Okay...I have to say your menu look pretty bad...sorry!! I know you have the book so just making sure you have the 2002 version. ( I had read the wrong one when I started) Okay, you need to skip ahead to chapter 11. 'And away you go: The induction phase'. In my book in is page 121.

Also for more helpful info there are stickies in the main forum and here in the induction forum that will help you a lot....READ them.

You need to have 2 cups of salad veggies a day plus 1 cup other veggies. The allowed list is in the book and stickies. This is a must. You have fallen for the myth that Atkins is no carbs. He NEVER said no carbs.

You have way to much protein in there. It really should be more around the 30% mark of your whole day. Like Bill said, you are using a lot of processed meats there. I understand they are easy but you could just as easy make hamburgers up (hamburger, eggs, a bit of spice) or buy a higher end hamburger patty. Chicken breasts cook up quick.

I see that you don't mind having the same thing day after day. That is fine if you don't get bored. So plan on a back up in case you get bored. Have some hardboiled eggs in the fridge. Have some cheese (limit 3-4 oz daily).

I see you figured out the egg thing in the microwave. For the stove put some oil (or some of your bacon grease...yummy..in the pan..let it heat up and then put your eggs in and cook as desired. Your coffee may or may not hurt you. Personal choice there. I cut it out the first two weeks and added it back in later. Here is a thought...induction is about breaking our addictions to food and kick starting our bodies. If you are worried you may not be able to start your day without your caffeine I would say that is the addiction talking and you may want to try it. Up to you.

Breakie sounded good. Tuna for lunch also good...BUT you need the veggies. You need to find a way to eat them that you like. It doesn't have to be in a salad. It just has to be from the salad list. It also doesn't need to be all lettuce. What about a stir fry?? Or you could add some mayo to your tuna, some cucumbers for some crunch, some celery and chives and wrap it in a lettuce leaf or two. Your own Atkins version of a wrap.

You gotta follow the rules or you fail the plan..it won't fail you. Great job with the water!!! You are worth it!

**Homer J** · June 8, 2008, 08:12 AM

Re: My first week

Thanks for the replies.

I'll knock the coffee on the head. I had cup this morning but I've since had 7 pints of water which seems to have kicked any craving.

I have a query I hope someone can answer please:

Why can I not eat what I like if my daily carbs are under 20grms? What I mean is, can I not check the labels on food, see that it contains trace of carbs or 0.8 and then go crazy (within limits) on that food?

The sausages for example have a good content breakdown on the label and contain 0.8grams per sausage. The tuna contains nil (according to the label). Is it not possible for me to eat a dozen sausages and lots of tuna and if my carbs stay under 20? The reason I ask is I'm overweight because I eat too much. I was hoping I could have a huge breakfast, a simple lunch, and then a big tea. Providing I stay under 20 grams I thought my body would go into ketosis and I'd lose weight and not be hungry?

Sorry if this seems like a simple question but the appeal to this lifestyle of eating was I wouldn't be hungry like I would if I was on a low cal diet.

Thanks.

**Elsie150** · June 8, 2008, 08:36 AM

Re: My first week

LOL...sounds like a boy trying to avoid eating his veggies..LOL! Here is a really simple answer. You can't just eat the sausages and stay below 20 grams of carbs because DR Atkins said so! That is the diet that is followed here. If you don't do it then you are not following it the way it is supposed to be done and are doing your own modified version of it. Doing it his way will give you a greater chance of success.

Dr Atkins never said no carbs. In fact...each step of this diet is about adding carbs...good carbs back in and learning how to eat healthier and how the food affect our bodies. The first step after induction is to add 5 more grams of carb from a different list. The veggies are really a must. You just have to find something you like....mushroom fried in butter? Jimaca cut thin and deep fried tasts like chips I heard. Radishes boiled just right are like a mildly spicy potatoe. Celery stick filled with tuna and mayo. There is a whole whack on there that I have never tried. I mostly like a simplified caesar taco salad for lunch (romaine, sometimes I throw cucumbers in for more crunch...beef cooked in the fry pan with cayenne powder sprinkled all over it and full fat caesar dressing. A bit of parmesan on the top if you want.

There are a lot of us here that now have trouble eating enough because following Dr Atkins way really suppresses the appetite.

So you can do it the way it by the book and we can help you or you can do it your own modified way but we can't help you because we won't know how it will affect your body.

Really though...aren't you worth giving it two weeks by the book and then deciding then? Give it a chance.

JMO!

**Elsie150** · June 8, 2008, 08:43 AM

Re: My first week

So I am wondering...doing it your way...what is the next step after induction? 5 more carb grams of sausages?? Just meat for the rest of your life? I am worried for you as if you do your way I am sure you may lose this week and think you are doing it right and being successfull. But I just can't see you succeeding for a lifetime eating plan. Did you know Dr Atkins has it all written out in the book...what steps to take...how to add food back in. You need to look at the before and after pictures and some induction friendly recipes...maybe some casseroles with veggies in it.

Anyhow...good luck to you..which ever way you choose.

**Homer J** · June 8, 2008, 08:47 AM

Re: My first week

Of course I'm trying to avoid my veggies, there's no pudding waiting for me now!

I possibly phrased my question wrong. I was trying to say I am hungry constantly so can I eat a lot of the foods it's ok to eat including vegetables? Eg: if I have a big breakfast I'll be ok for most of the day. I can have some tuna for lunch (as it's easy to carry and prepare) and then a decent sized meal for tea. This would see me through the day and I wouldn't be thinking about food constantly.

Would you say my food plan in my opening post is ok if I chuck some veg in?

**Homer J** · June 8, 2008, 08:51 AM

Re: My first week

I haven't finished the book and am still sourcing out ideas for meals at the moment. I just selected food I knew to be low in carbs and high in protein (meat, eggs etc) to get me going. This will take me through the first 2 weeks and then I'll have more ideas for what to cook for meals and can vary my diet more. I may have jumped into this a little quick but you must understand my desire to get started asap?

**billbazz** · June 8, 2008, 09:11 AM

Re: My first week

first I applaud your sharing your menu and your questions! big step for a lot of people is to ask for help.

I am no expert either..but Veggie's are more than just carbs..you will need the fiber! the vitamins and minerals..the energy they provide.

eat liberally of the meats that do not contain net carbs..to help that full feeling..the book best describes how to and when to stop.

the book speaks of excercise (and the benifits)...I am into my 8th day of excercise and already my hunger has diminished quite a bit..so portion control was easy for me.

the book explains the reason for induction..to introduce and shift your body's chemistry to achive lipolysis and ketosis

Canned anything needs sodium to have shelf life..in some cases even more than the meat or veggie's themselves.

and chapter 10--Before you begin will be a weath of info also.

and You are worth it..Take the time to read..what's a few more day's more or less.

**Elsie150** · June 8, 2008, 09:20 AM

Re: My first week

LOL...I am sure there is an induction legal pudding out there. Of course you don't want to just go around eating legal treats. Atkins said Don't count calories but calories count so of course if you are eating 5000 calories a day you are going to gain even if it is legal. But once we are in ketotsis our body burns our fat more efficently and we can actually eat more calories than on a low fat diet. You need to eat to at least your BMR and you can even go a few hundred calories more than that. And of course the more you exercise the more you can eat as well.

I understand about the hunger...heck..I didn't even need to be hungry to consume a massive amount of calories before. I promise you that if you follow the plan that that will pass...you will not be as hungry or think about food anywhere near as much. But you first have to get those veggies in and the water...and you may start to feel really ucky...induction flu...make through that and you will be well on your way.

Okay...why don't you plan some snacks in there. Some minimeals. A hardboiled egg with some mayo or better...mix it up into an egg salad and do the wrap. Then you have gotten to eat before your meal instead of having to wait for it...satisfied your body's need for fuel...got a bit of veggie in...helped to curb the hunger. Or tuna salad. Or a hamburger with a slice of cheese and a tomato on it. Or cauliflower soup?

Okay...your menu...

A little hard to figure out what you are eating for each meal during the day. But here is my opinion..I would cut back on the sausages a bit...add more unprocessed meat. How about a steak? Or pork chop...eat the fat on it if you wish.

You do need to find some way to add 2 cups of salad veggies to your day PLUS one cup of another veggie. I know I am harping. Does it help to tell you that before Atkins I probably ate less than 1 cup of veggies a week?? Really!!! But you just gotta do it...you are a big boy now. Thursday looks really low calories..even if you throw some veggies in. You can have mayo with your Tuna...right now during induction you are shooting for about 65% fat. So don't be afraid of it. Okay...my brain is getting tired...LOL!

I totally understand your excitement to get started. But you are worth the time to get it right...so one day of eating the menu as is is fine..with the added veggies. But you may want to change things up a little bit. There are menus posted in the stickies and there is a recipe section...just make sure it is okay for the stage you are on.

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My first week

My first week

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