OK question about measuring... maybe I'm obsessing

[shrinkdieter]

I understand the induction rule of 2-3 cups of acceptable salad veggies and 1 cup of 'less acceptable' salad veggies (if the above salad veggie ration doesn't exceed 2 cups) but I think I slipped up today, and it all has to do with measurement I think.

Here was my veggie intake today:

1 pickle
approx 3 celery heart stalks (give or take)
2 cups of salad veggies (a couple of small tomato slices sneaked in)

Now, I just diced up three celery stalks that were about the same size as the ones I had earlier today. They appear to take up one cup in size. But these are *diced* celery stalks. How to you "loosely pack" a celery stalk? Arrrg.

Also, I did three chunks of cheese with lunch today, and a smaller chunk with dinner. I have no idea, but I think it was about 3.5 ounces of cheese today. It was a little over perhaps, but on the other hand, I have no idea what an ounce looks like!!!!

Perhaps someone could tell me the actual, physical dimensions of an ounce of cheddar cheese.

Even better, someone tell me if I'm obsessing too much. I just want to know if I'm still overall doing induction properly, even though I seem to be messing up in these minor ways (e.g., the Atkins Advantage bars, the coffee, going over on my carb count on the first day by about 3-5 carbs, and now apparently overdoing my veggies and cheese... maybe)....

I think I'm getting better at this, but I feel I need some encouragement. All this measuring is pretty frustrating and I'm not used to it yet. Perhaps also my carb-addicted side is trying to sneak in a few extra carbs?

Anyways, my daily carb count today was about 16 or 17, within the accepted 20 (counting the 50/50 coffee I mistakenly had today).

Whats the deal? Have I more or less been doing induction properly?

:nono

[shrinkdieter]

OK maybe I'll answer my own question here

I found this on-line source that speaks specifically of this measurement issue, which doesn't seem to be covered fully in Dr. Atkins original book.

http://www.countcarbs.com/advice/LCG_rules_induction_atkins.htm

<http://tinyurl.com/6scrh>

My main issue is regarding a day like today - I kept well within my 20 grams of carbs for the day, but I may have gone over slightly in terms of the recommended WEIGHT (or volume) amount for cheese (then again, maybe not), and also slightly for veggies (e.g., I did four "chunks" of cheese and two cups of salad veggies plus approximately three celery stalks).

Here's what the above site says (exerpt):

"....The acceptable foods list contains a very large selection of vegetables and salad fixings one can choose from - and the rule gives a guideline as to how much this is - approximately three cups of salad or two cups of salad and one cup of vegetables... the 3 cups a day is an approximate amount, not an absolute fixed limit to how much you can eat. You must strive to get most of your carbohydrate allowance from vegetables and salads each day. Over the long-term this builds the habit of eating your vegetables and salads each day - a habit seen in every culture with low obesity rates! Vegetables and salad greens not only add quantity to how much you eat each day, they also provide quality - a necessary component to your long-term success - by providing vital nutrients you cannot get from your sources of protein or from fats and oils and by providing fiber you need to maintain regularity."

So perhaps I should stress about the veggie issue today.

However I still want to know... WHAT IS THE PHYSICAL DIMENSIONS OF AN OUNCE OF CHEESE? Is it like 1cm cubed of cheese? Help!

Thanks again all I have been posting so much lately....

[tabekat]

a healthy obsession

I think you are to be congratulated on caring so much about having proper portions - your diligence will pay off for you.

As for me - my cream cheese is measured in ounces, so I save the foil that shows me what an ounce is, and I compare the cheese to that. It is about the size of my index and the middle finger put together. Of course, I'm a woman and I have small hands. So maybe that example wouldn't work if you were a big guy! lol...

Keep your carbs at 20 and don't go under or over that. If you keep tracking on Fitday, you will soon have a sense of what you need to eat to stay in that bracket.

You have to measure in the beginning so that you develop a clear idea of what the appropriate portions should be - but it certainly gets easier with time and practice

Make sure you get a taste of butter, of cheese, of meat fat, of cream in your daily diet. This will help you control your cravings and you will have a higher level of mental satisfaction that will prevent you from needing to sneak more carbs into your day.

Be obsessed - be very obsessed with Atkins. It will literally change your life.
:joy ha

[sadie147]

It's a good idea to know how much veggies cheese etc are in a cup/ounce. I'd mesure at least once with the veggies so you have an idea. I wouldnt' obsess over the celery unless you really think you went WAY over. As for the cheese, well that one i'd be careful with. I'm in maintenance and still weigh my cheese just to be sure. Too much of it can cause many people to stall. I purchased a digital scale (it was a great investment! I only paid $30 for it) and I use that to weigh my cheese.

[Pam_C]

I went to GNC and bought a food weigher thingy. I don't know exactly what you call it but asked for a food weigher. It weighs small things in ounces. It is very tiny and weighs like up to 12 ounces at a time. It was $9.99 and you might could find them cheaper but it is worth it. You can weigh out your cheese or meat or anything and know exactly how much your eating!

[shrinkdieter]

Good suggestion you two... I just bought a pocket digital scale from eBay... about 20 bucks including shipping. It's small and cute. They seem to sell a lot of 'em over there. I don't have a lot of money but it seems like a good investment.

:ThumbsUp

[maysea]

an ounce of cheese is about the same size as a small match box :flowerki:

[earthgodes]

Hey there Shrink!

Another way to measure out your cheese is to look at the package, see how much it weighs, and then divide it up that way. I think most cheese blocks are sold by the pound? Half pound? Anyway, there are 16 oz in a pound, so you could just figure it out from there.

On the obsessing question, I think that is a totally personal thing. Some people find it very motivating to do all of the exact weighing/measuring. Some people measure about once, and then eyeball it from there.

For me, the strict weighing and measuring makes me a little crazy. I don't mean it is just annoying, but I find that if I can start really freaking out and become completely obsessive/compulsive, and for me, that leads to disaster. I end up feeling overwhelmed, and begin to think that this WOE is just too hard, when it really isn't.

But that is me. You have to decide for yourself what you are comfortable with. I refuse to get upset at the end of the day if I ate 22 grams of carbs instead of 20. Stuff happens. If I start thinking that is just a total disaster, my mind talks itself into scrapping the whole day, and chowing on chocolate, or something equally as evil.

Anyway, hope this helps!