Back again

[Monroe]

I have to tell you. I have been doing atkins for 4 years now (well almost) and was a member of another board before I found this one. It simply amazes me to go back and read some of my posts. I feel exactly the way I do this time, than all the other times I have started before. What is the difference this time? Probably nothing. But like this time, I feel so motivated and ready to do this (like all the other times). I guess its better to keep trying than to totally just give up. But sometimes I wonder about myself. I wonder how do I get to the point where I just go off it after doing so good? Do I think I am not worthy of it? I don't know. Do I psych myself out so much, that I am setting myself up for a major let down? I don't know. Do I try to do something I expect I will fail at? Not at all, when I start, I feel like I could do atkins for ever, but usually around a month (2 months tops) something is happening there that is preventing me from wanting to continue. Honestly, I think it is food addiction. I love everything about food. But the food I really love eating, is killing me.

I went to the hospital about 2 months ago, my girlfriend made me go cause she was worried my sugar was high. Well she was right. They kept me in there for 4 days to get my sugar/blood pressure "normalized" even tho when I left it was still very high. When I went in the doctor checked it and it was just under 400. And he said to me, "I use to be a paramedic and we would get patients like you from time to time. You know what we would call these patients? Ticking time-bombs." He told me its only a matter of time the way I eat, that it will all catch up to me and have a stroke, coma, or even death. As he was leaving the room he said "You're a dummy" and took one last look at me as he was leaving the room as if to say, I am serious.

I checked my blood sugar last night, finally got a tester, and it was 326, I haven't been taking my meds and eating whatever I wanted to. Although I stopped drinking my cherry pepsi, and went to diet caffine coke, and it has kept my weight down about 10 pounds or so. I know I shouldn't even be drinking that. So when I left the hospital my sugar was arounf 180 or something, don't remember the exact. But I am getting in the same situation I was a few months ago. Someone my age shouldn't have to worry about strokes comas or death, but I am. I hope this is the motivation I need to keep me going good this time. Even though I have been in the hospital for this before, and it didn't change my ways.

Sorry about the novel I just needed to get this off my chest and I really hope this is my time to shine, I really do.

[Sherri]

Re: Back again

Hello Monroe,
So nice to meet you! Boy, I know exactly where you are at right now. You see, I once weighed 374 pounds and with my doctor telling me that I was that 'Ticking Time Bomb". He told me that I could go at any time. That seriously scared me.
At 374 I had Type-2 Diabetes, High blood pressure, Blood chemistry that was out the window. arthritis that kept me from moving besides the excess weight. I was a mess.
I began Atkins on 07-07-04 and never looked back. When I started, I read the book DANDR 2002 and kept it close. I didn't know sites like this exsisted. I relied on me and my DANDR.
I chose foods on the Glycemic index (GI). Dr. Atkins talks about it on page 78-84, 92. Also there's a site you can learn more about it at www.glycemicindex.com.
I didn't eat any fruit for a year and stayed close to rung 1 veggies after doing Extended Induction for about 4 months. I didn't exercise untill my 5th month on Atkins. After I lost my 100 pounds I moved up the rungs and now stay close to rung 7 Other fruits besides berries and melon. I don't go over that rung because the GI in those foods are too high for me. And after whaat I learned about grains, i'll never eat them again.
So far I have lost 144 pounds and have kept it off. This isn't a diet, it's a lefestyle. We are making lifestyle changes with Atkins.
You are right about food addiction. I was addicted to sugar. I recently discovered by stopping all sweetners that I no longer have cravings for them at all. I have been sweetner free for almost four months now.
I hear you on the diet sodas. I was a Diet Coke Queen. I havn't had any soft drinks for over a year now. I'll never drink them again. Not only because of the sweetners being so unhealthy for us but also because the carbination irritates our digestive system and causes swelling (bloating) and water retention.
I really beleive that you can do this Monroe. If I can do this, anyone can. And I really mean that. I was once a women with no hope in site. Once I found Atkins I regained hope and got my life back. I'll never go back to that women I once was. Life is good. It will be for you again too.
I'm here all the time. If you need a shoulder to lean on or an ear to listen, i'll be here, just holler, okay?
My Type- 2 Diabetes disappeared within 48 days on this plan. It never returned and I still control it with this woe (way of eating) to this day. Here's some info to help you get started.
Wishing you the best of health and liteOh ya, get yourself some L-Glutamin to help you with sweet cravings. It totally helps. Also some Chromium to help balance out the glucose levels. Other supplement to take for glucose management are-
Alpha-Lopic Acid
Noni Juice- normalizes glucose levels ( a must have)
Pro-Biotics- for yeast problems
Olive leaf extract- anti fungul
Cinnamin- 500 MG- lowers glucose levels by 40 points
Grapeseed extract- prevents damage to blood vessels
Milk thistle- helps liver process the glucose in the blood stream
When and if you decide to take these supplements along with your Atkins woe. Make sure to watch your glucose levels closely. They will start to come down. You won't need to take as much medication and eventually maybe never again. And of course. Keep going to your physician so he can monitor your progress. I go to mine every 12 weeks.
Sincerely, Sherri


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

[Bostongreg]

Re: Back again

Hi Monroe...I'm brand new here myself, but like you I have attempted Atkins a couple times before, get results and then quit. Are you following the book exactly, or just sticking to induction? That's what got me every time. I would look around at all these thin people eating everything they want, and say to myself that this is no way to live, I can't live off of eggs and meat for the rest of my life. I'm heading into week two of my induction, and will definitely be moving up the rungs after that.

It's definitely better to keep trying, its like smoking, sometimes it takes more than one try to kick the addiction.

Good luck

[LaceyLooWho]

Re: Back again

Hi to you *waves*

I am new to this and this is my first time on Atkins but I just wanted to say that I know you can do it! I too have blood sugar issues, not diabetic (yet) but did have gestational diabetes so bad when I was pregnant 7 years ago that I had to inject myself twice a day with insulin. My doctor told me I would be a full blown diabetic in 5 years if I did not get my weight under control. I am lucky that the diabetes hasn't come yet and I was only borderline. I am now on day 6 of my induction and my blood sugars have completely stabilized! It is amazing! I have had unheard of (for me) blood sugar readings like 103 and 105 and this is just after a meal, no fasting blood sugars.
I just want to wish you the very best and cannot wait to hear all the good news and weight loss that I know you will be posting very soon!

[Elsie150]

Re: Back again

Welcome! Well you got a lot of good advice from Sherri. I will add that there is also since you have over 100 pounds to lose that there is a 'century' forum as well. This board really helps a lot so check in often. Lend support when you can and ask for it when you need it. It helps! You can soooo do this!! Do not be afraid of success!

[Elizellen]

Re: Back again

I just wanted to welcome you back to your ADBB family and wish you well in your Atkins journey

[Monroe]

Re: Back again

Sherri, thank you so much for that post, that is great! I have read the book a few times, I know what I am supposed to do, but it seems like I have a breaking point. This WOL does work, I have seen so much proof. I don't think it is so much to do with me being addicted to sugar, Im more addicted to fast foods (mcdonalds, BK, white castle, rallys, taco bell). I know that stuff is just garbage, but noone forces me to eat them, it's just bad choices on my part. Getting healthy isn't eating changing the whole way you eat. Ive eaten like this my whole life, I think it will take years to break me of it, I hope less, but I am not sure. Thank you again for that post, got so much to go through with all your links!

Bostongreg, I do follow it exactly,and when I do, I have amazing results. I do tend to like to go on extended induction, but if I feel that is going to be a problem this time around, I will move to the next rung. Thanks for your post!

Lacyloowho, that is awesome news with your sugar being more stabilized! I have never had a chance to actually test mine while on atkins, so this is exciting for me to have the opportunity to keep track this time. You say your sugar levels are 103 and 105 after eating? That is AWESOME! I myself have never seen mine under 180, I couldn't imagine it being that low, but it will be great to see if it does happen! Thanks!!