Need Some Support and And Advice Can't Hurt Either

[bnzstar]

I am starting induction today 3/18/05. Here's my story as briefly as possible: I just turned 30 and was used to being to eat anything I want as much as I want with minimal exercise---until now! I am single, no kids, a high profile type job where weight is a factor. I recently began taking anti-depressants and birth control which I've been told could have been a factor in my recent weight gain. But as I have a very round, broad face with full cheeks, the slightest weight gain makes me look huge. For my height a size 8/10 is clearly not obese, but in pictures I look like a swallowed a whole ham from the neck up! This is the largest I have ever been my entire life and I hate it!

I have read the book. I have read nearly all sides of the media debate about Atkins, but having never truly "dieted" before I am coming into this very inexperienced. I have a sweet tooth, but rarely eat stuff like candy and a good fresh baked roll is big weakness for me, but I cannot continue to put on weight as my future could be in jeapordy--and frankly I am disgusted with myself b/c I am young, never been pregant, and although my job is/can be high stress I feel I have absolutely no excuse for being overweight.

So I am going to give this a try and see how it works for me. It's obvious I am going to have re-evaluate my eating habits. I should add that I am on a schedule that is quite erratic--sometimes early morning, sometimes late at night...and I am on call 24 hrs a day.

However, I still have managed for the past few months to exercise at least 3-4 times a week, usually jogging or elliptical, even so the scale is not budging at all, though my entire body is still firm and toned....the whole face issue is really wrecking my self esteem. It seems that unless I'm at ideal weight or underweight I look completely swollen from the neck up.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

5 feet 8 inches tall
CW160
Short Term GW 150
Long Term GW 140

[Peterlock]

Hi Bnzstar, :wave

First Welcome to Atkins! It's sounds as if you've got the motivation and it's refreshing to see someone starting out who as actually read the book! that's fantastic because those two tools are essential for long term success on the WOL (way of life)

As for having a busy schedule you're not alone and yes it definitely can pose a few extra challenges as opposed to someone like myself who works from home 99% of the time. But make no mistake there are Doctors, Paramedics, Pilots, and any "at the mercy of my schedule" people doing Atkins and winning, every step of the way.

Your best defense is in preparation, knowing the acceptable foods will help you a great deal, check out the list here on the board and print it out, tape it to your fridge - it'll make it easier to both know what you can and cannot have and what you need to stock up on.

• When you cook - cook extra so if you have to leave the house in a hurry you can grab a roasted chicken leg and hard boiled egg
  
  Buy bottled water, in a sports bottle, this way you don't have to worry about counting the ounces each one is 24 ounces so you'll know at any given time how much water you've had and if you've met the 64 ounce a day requirement
  
  Don't feel trapped into having 3 meals a day - on Atkins you can break your meals down to 5-6 small meals which might be a better fit for you considering your demanding and unpredictable schedule.
  
  Don't be shy about ordering Atkins friendly foods in restaurants "I'll have the grilled Filet, but please hold the potato and instead I would like a side of steamed broccoli"...well, you get the idea.
  
  Keep snacks on you so you don't feel hungry, cheese cubes, string cheese, small cans of Tuna, etc etc etc

With a little planning ahead you can save yourself a lot of grief and frustration ~ as for your sweet tooth once you break through your sugar withdrawal the cravings will subside and your taste buds will re discover the natural sweetness of these whole foods that refined sugar has dulled.

I say you're off to an excellent start and know if you're determined, do a bit of pre planning you'll be a great success on Atkins!

Peter ha

[cleochatra]

The facial swelling should definitely be addressed by your doctor, as it seems to me to be a ide effect of the medication you are currently taking. There are anti-depressants such as Effexor and Wellbutrin which do not have a weight-gaining effect, but if what you are taking right now works for you, chances are yoiu might experience some metabolic challenge to the loss (being so close to your goal weight as well).

I would recommend you weight train in addition to your aerobic exercise. Building muscle naturally increases your metabolism!

The cravings will disappear quickly, and always keeping food prepared and ready to go (as peter stated) will keep your blood sugars from doing the macarena!

*hip bump*

[bnzstar]

Thanks to both of you for responding!

I actually did just start weight training in the last month and a 1/2. I had to get my resolve up because I hate lifting weights. I have to do things like that... in steps. First get into a routine with one thing then...move onto the next. I've adjusted to the exercise, so now I think it will be easier for me to start working on eating habits.

I never thought the medication might cause that facial swelling.....I opted off the Depo Provera finally...but I read it can stay in your system for as long as a year...but I am on a combination of anti depressants...one being Wellbutrin and the other is Prozac...but I had been doing them for more than two years and never had any weight gain or side effects until I threw Depo in the mix it caused me quite severe bloating for months at a time and really horrible PMS...and I recently started a medication for allergies and sinuses Extendryl....I might need to look up some info on those things to see if its possible they are the culprit.

Thanks, again.

[Lori41]

Hello! A big WELCOME to you.

I have only been here a week and the suggestions are EXCELLENT! If you follow the book, and the advice of those here, you will lose!

You will never regret this lifestyle - it rewards you in ways that last. It helps you feel better about yourself, you fit into clothes without the tight waist and ride up (if you know what I mean), you have more energy, you can think more clearly, and it's, bar far, healthier.

I want to mention, it was suggested to me to lower my sodium intake because of water weight. I did do that and my face isn't as "marshmellowy" as it was. I have a big problem with round face, too. When I went to fitday.com and entered what I had been eating I was up to 2600 mg! I guess, you only need 500 mg and shouldn't go over 2400 mg.

Also, regarding the bad things said about this diet - they never tell the whole story! Never! I get so mad watching the news! The best thing to do is go to the AtkinsDiet.com and read all the info under RESEARCH. I can attest to the fact that my cholesteral and triglycerides rose slightly in the first month, but then dropped dramatically after that and have been very low ever since (even though I've gain some back). Plus, they were very good to start with.

So, welcome and we will all be with you!
Lori

[Peterlock]

Hi Bnzstar,

Definitely look into the allergy and sinus meds. If you've been on Prozac and Wellbutrin without problems, that's great. Having lived with long term and highly treatment resistant Dysthemic disorder I can definitely relate to how difficult it is to find the right anti depressant and or cocktail.

Prozac worked wonders for me for about 2 years and I've been on every SSRI there is with the exception of Paxil, For a while I was taking a very high dose of prozac 100mg and a side order of celexa, from there I moved to Remeron which I have to say was the fastest acting most beneficial ADM I had ever tried - it's an SSNRI so it works on different uptake inhibitors than meds under the SSRI umbrulla - unfortunately one of them is appetite and within 3 months I had gained a whopping 35 pounds...so back to the drawing board..again!

Now I take the relatively new Cymbalta also an SSNRI but without the weight gain, in fact in the clinical studies about 24% experienced a loss of appetite..but not me!

For now, Cymbalta and clonopin work well for me and I'm finding that by following Atkins and adding his recommended vita-nutirients I'm able to lower my clonopin intake significantly and have reduced my Cymbalta.

If you find your weightloss is slow because of the anti depressive meds, don't let it get you down it's really just another wall you have to break through - and I have no doubt you will. Keep us posted on the swelling!

Peter ha

[not2late]

Hi.

You've been working out and your muscles are firm and toned....Don't rely on the scale.

Scales only measure poundage. They don't measure lean body poundage versus fat poundage versus water poundage. In your situation since you have been working out, your best bets are to use a measuring tape to follow inches lost and to get your body fat measured.

[Moochiecat]

Welcome, and all the best to you!!!

While you're at the doctor, ask him to run a panel of blood tests for you according to those that Dr. Atkins suggests (info starts on page 109 of DANDR) so you have something to refer to down the road. :yes

If it turns out there is no medical reason for your face swelling up(fingers crossed that you're perfectly fine!), and it's just where your body decides to grow when you gain weight, you can do the happy dance :icondance because that seems to be one of the first places the weight comes off first.
If I had a nickle for every time I heard 'Wow, I can really see it in your face!', well, I'd have a lot of nickles!

[2big4mysize]

welcome to the board. you have gotten so great advice so far.
You are right about the meds and the face wswelling too
One thing you do need to do since you are on antidepressentsa is get your doc to monitor the levels as the liver enzymes used for processing your meds are some of ther same ones Atkins uses and it can effect youravailible medication for your brain.

Happy low carbing.