~*~ Back To Basics ~*~

[Carb Addict]

Re: ~*~ Back To Basics ~*~

I had no clue about the gum effect and insulin. Interesting. I agree, I do miss the taste of coffee. I have been doing ok with green tea and mint tea. I still miss my chai teas from Starbucks though but there is no way I am going back to 64 g of sugar for it!

[SunnySmile501]

Re: ~*~ Back To Basics ~*~

Glenda, you were interested in how much meat we were eating. A staple for me, when I am eating on plan, is a hamburger patty topped with swiss or provolone cheese for dinner. That patty is 8 ouces, raw. When I eat steak, roast, chicken drumettes, pork chops, the amount usually depends upon how much I've cooked. In a perfect world, I'd love to cook a little extra so I can bring it to work the next day... but more often than not, I end up eating it. It is nothing for me to eat 16 ounces of meat in a sitting... h*ll, depending upon what it is, I could eat more than that. I've always been that way.

I'm thinking that this is more of a problem than the sf gum is. Excess protein turns into glucose and 16 ounces for your small body is a lot of excess to turn to glucose. No wonder you could eat more.

I had to start way back to put a reasonable portion on my plate and immediately put the rest away, out of sight. I still have to eat my meal, immediately put everything away and clean up or I will pick at the food until it's gone. Not because I'm hungry, but because it's there and it tastes good. Even if I feel a little hungry when I finish, I have to go get busy for at least 30 minutes, and if I'm still hungry, then I can get some more to eat. That rarely happens.

[mitzimarie]

Re: ~*~ Back To Basics ~*~

I'm thinking that this is more of a problem than the sf gum is. Excess protein turns into glucose and 16 ounces for your small body is a lot of excess to turn to glucose. No wonder you could eat more.

Sunny, I have been a Fitday fanatic for my entire Atkins experience this time around, and until yesterday, my protein percentage very rarely ever hit 30%. The MUP and muffin in a minute I ate daily gave me tons of fat, and I cook most of my veggies and a lot of the pork/chicken/shrimp in olive oil and butter. I ate this way as I lost all of my weight. I only ate meat once a day, though, during OWL. So the fact that I could eat between 8 and 16 ounces wasn't such a big deal on the calories, as it is now when I was doing it more than once a day. The only difference between how I was eating now and how I ate in OWL is that I use waaaaay more sweeteners since hitting goal than I ever did in OWL. I never chewed a single piece of gum during OWL. In fact, the only time I ever used sweetener was in MUP, and when I tried to eat cottage cheese and greek yogurt (which I can't have anymore). And I handled the MUP just fine for over a year, until I started bombarding myself with gum and coffee.

Coffee... yep, another vice I've picked up since reaching goal... a new vehicle to consume lots of Splenda and tons of cream. I haven't even owned a coffee pot until about 6 months ago. Barry was stopping at McD's every morning to get a cup of coffee, so we decided to get a pot for home to save $ and time. After NEVER drinking coffee for 47 years, I decided to take on another problem food. And I'm not even sure the caffiene has anything to do with my struggles, because I make caffienated in the morning, and decaf at night... I switch up and would never be able to tell the difference. I did, however, use a buttload of liquid Splenda and lots of yummy cream (another food I never ate before goal).

And oh yeah... I DO clean everything up and put it away. And I'll brush and floss my teeth and swig some Listerene. And that's still no guarantee that I won't go fishing it out of the fridge.

The good news is, that I feel better already after only a day and half of Induction. I have been so far out of ketosis... it's just been a viscious cycle. I have GOT to stay strong with this Induction!

I'll be back later to report some details about my day.

[mitzimarie]

Re: ~*~ Back To Basics ~*~

Tuesday, July 15th - Day 2 of strict Induction

Another day down! Unfortunately, I did go a bit over 20 net carbs today... not a lot, but for a perfectionist like me, it kinda pisses me off. Ah well, it could have been a lot worse. It's hard to stay under 20 when counting 1 carb for each egg and each ounce of cheese... also ate 2 servings of salad dressing, which I hardly ever do. Needed the fat, though.

I will be glad to get to Rung 1, because on Induction I have to eat meat more often I than normally do. I normally make some meals out of veggies. I have a bag of broccoli slaw in the fridge right now that would have been soooo good stir-fried in the olive oil drippings from the pork chop I had tonight. Too many carbs for that today, but I'll be able to add it back when hitting Rung 1.

OK, here's my menu and numbers for the day:

Breakfast: 3 eggs fried in canola oil with 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed meal cut up into it. And yes, this was a strange meal. I am sorely lacking in my usual high fiber by following Induction, and was feeling a bit miserable (um... stopped up) at about 4:00am. I finally had some relief later in the morning (aren't you glad I'm sharing?), but decided I needed to get the allowed couple of tablespoons of flax in to help move things along tomorrow.

Snack: 1 serving sugar snap peas and 1 ounce string cheese

Lunch: 6 ounce hamburger patty (no cheese) with a bit of mustard and 1 half of a large cucumber with 2 tbsp. Ranch dressing

Snack: 1 cup jicama and 1 ounce of string cheese

Dinner: 7 ounce pork chop panfried in olive oil and the other half of the large cucumber with 2 tbsp. Ranch dressing

Fitday Totals:
1613 calories
24 net carbs (38g carbs - 14g fiber = 24 net carbs)
63% Fat
6% Carbs
31% Protein

- Haven't gotten my minimum of 64 ounces of water in yet, but I'm working on my last installment right now.

- Took Supplements

- Didn't get a chance to run today, but I did get in a 40 minute upper body workout.

[chinadoll]

Re: ~*~ Back To Basics ~*~

Mitzimarie, I am wishing you strength because you have been such an inspiration to me since I have been here that it pains me to see you struggling. (It also scares the crap out of me because it makes me realize that I will never be able to relax).

Just wanted you to know that I am sending you (and Liz too) good thoughts to stay on track. I am also happy to know that you don't eat little bitty 2 oz portions of meat. I am also a carnivorous type and I love a nice big steak. I have always felt a bit guilty about my meat consumption. I am learning to be happy with a six ounce portion (7 is better) and as Sunny says it often really is enough. Usually. But I think I will always be an 1800-2000 calorie a day girl. LOL

[mitzimarie]

Re: ~*~ Back To Basics ~*~

Mitzimarie, I am wishing you strength because you have been such an inspiration to me since I have been here that it pains me to see you struggling. (It also scares the crap out of me because it makes me realize that I will never be able to relax).

Hi, Jill

Thanks for the strength! I can feel it.

Yep, I know what you mean about it scaring the crap out of you. I can remember clipping right along in OWL... losing weight on an amazingly consistent basis... finding it easy, almost. Then I would read a post by one of the veterans who was struggling, and I would feel the same way. I had always heard that Maintenance was harder than actually losing the weight, and I just couldn't wrap my brain around that... now, I can. It's all good, though... at least I didn't get into trouble while doing everything perfectly. I have some very distinct trouble foods that I have a hard time staying away from... because technically, they're legal... so I want them. BUT, they are TRIGGER FOODS, so I need to avoid them. I just wish there wasn't so many of them.

OK - here are some details about my day:

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Wednesday, July 16th - Day 3 of strict Induction

Woo hoo! 3 days down. Protein was still a little high, but I'm OK with it. Holy cow, I can't wait to eat more veggies! I am used to getting between 30 and 45 grams of fiber a day. I only had 8 today. And I'm usually very "regular"... never miss a day. I've missed today. I can't believe that I read so many posts from newbies stating that they can't get up to 20g carbs. I was up to 18 after lunch, so was really limited in what I could eat for the rest of the day. While I haven't taken veggies for granted, I sure do have a new appreciation for them now.

Breakfast: 1 cup jicama and 1 ounce of string cheese

Lunch: 6 ounce Hamburger patty topped with 1 ounce of provolone cheese; 1 whole, raw, yellow bellpepper cut into strips

Snack: 1 boiled egg with mayo (gag me! I hate boiled eggs)

Dinner: 4 chicken drumettes, 2 chicken wings, 2 chicken drumsticks marinated in olive oil and seasonings, grilled outdoors

Fitday Totals:
1616 calories
20g net carbs (28g carbs - 8g fiber = 20g net carbs)
63% Fat
5% Carbs
32% Protein

- Drank 64 ounces of water

- Took supplements

- I didn't get any exercise in today. Yikes, I've really been slacking in that department this week. I'm cutting myself some slack, since I have been a bit lethargic with this strict Induction thing going. BUT, I will be on Day 4 tomorrow, and I think I should be feeling good enough, plus I have no work tomorrow, so I have absolutely NO excuse not to do something. I will!

[ValidRouge]

Re: ~*~ Back To Basics ~*~

Hey, Mitzi, I remember a time when you didn't eat veggies! Boy, today is a whole different ballgame isn't it?

I have a really hard time staying under 20 grams of carbs too...and I don't eat cheese and cream and olives, and a bunch of eggs. Its really really hard for me to stay on induction long.

I'm doing okay too. Keeping things simple, and basic. That's about all I can do.

[SunnySmile501]

Re: ~*~ Back To Basics ~*~

I had a good day food wise, but I ended up doing no exercise. I have been doing so well with the exercise!

I had some long, straight zucchini, so I used a mandoline slicer to make 'noodles' so I had lasagna for the first time since starting Atkins. I over did the cheese, and I'm sure I will pay for it, but it sure did taste good. Lots of fresh veggies from the garden, so I am a happy camper. I'm gonna turn into a squash.

I have been taking cinnamon supplements for a little over two weeks, and it has completely turned off my cravings and my night eating urges. Since the first couple of days, I have had no trouble stopping with my dinner. I had been struggling with that for several months.

Sunny!

[hrgillespie]

Re: ~*~ Back To Basics ~*~

Howdy everyone .......... here I am once again confessing that I have been doing terrible with my eating plan ....... I don't know whats wrong with me lately I do good for a day or two and then BAM screw up royally .... I have a million and one excuses and reasons to tell but I'm not going to ...... the fact is I just lost my drive for it all I guess, my clothes are getting tight I have heartburn occasionally again and it's just plain stupid ..... Bob and I (hubby) talked about it and decied that tomorrow is D day we have got to get back on track which totally means BACK TO BASICS for me!!!!! So day 1 on induction tomorrow. My exercise has been on plan I love that "me time" so that has not suffered which has probably as I often say helped me more then I can ever know to not go completely off the deep end. Anyways here I am setting myself up for day 1 once again ......

Heidi

[mitzimarie]

Re: ~*~ Back To Basics ~*~

Good Morning, All

Just stopping by real quick to post my details for yesterday, since I wasn't able to access the board for most of the night last night.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Thursday, July 17th - Day 4 of strict Induction

Another successful day.

Breakfast - 6 drumettes rubbed in olive oil and baked; 1 cup of jicama

Lunch - 7 oz. Hamburger patty topped with provolone cheese; 1/2 of a medium cucumber with 2 tbsp. ranch dressing

Dinner - 9 oz. center cut boneless pork chops cooked in olive oil on stovetop; 12 ounces of steamed broccoli/caulifower mix

Fitday Totals:
1698 calories
21 net carbs (34g carbs - 13g fiber = 21 net carbs)
63% Fat
5% Carbs
32% Protein

- Drank 64 ounces of water

- Took Supplements

- Did 40 minute AB workout

------------------------------------------------------------------

Today is Day 5, and I'm going strong. Barry (DH) hugged me good morning, and said that I felt skinny. Woot!

[hrgillespie]

Re: ~*~ Back To Basics ~*~

Day 2 for me back on plan and I added some extra exercise today I woke up this morning and did the Jillian 30 day shred and then we went for a hike for about an hour and a half ..... after that we went swimming but that was more realxing then exercise........ so far my eating has been good. Days 4-7 are the hardest days for me so I expect tomorrow will still be fairly simple. Then it's game on!!!! If I can get myself successfully through the weekend and through Monday and Tuesday with out failure then I should be solid!

Mitzi looks like your doing great getting back on track!!!!

Heidi

[SunnySmile501]

Re: ~*~ Back To Basics ~*~

Heidi--your new grandbaby is soooo beautiful! She's got a full head of hair already! I know you are proud, once again.

Glad you're back on track. You need the energy to keep up with all the youngins and grandbabies!

Sunny!

[mitzimarie]

Re: ~*~ Back To Basics ~*~

Good Evening, All

Heidi, it's great to have you back! Sounds like you had a very good day.

Here are my details for today:

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Friday, July 18th - Day 5 of strict Induction

Breakfast - 4 ounce boneless pork chop; 1 tbsp mayo; 1 cup jicama

mini-meal: 4 ounce boneless pork chop; 1 tbsp mayo

mini-meal: 1 cup jicama; 1 ounce string cheese

Dinner: 8 ounce hamburger patty (fattier kind than I usually use) topped with swiss cheese and a few mushrooms; 8 ounces of steamed broccoli/cauliflower mix

Fitday Totals:
1618 calories
21 net carbs (39g carbs - 18g fiber = 21 net carbs)
68% Fat
5% Carbs
26% Protein

- Drank 64 ounces of water

- Took Supplements

- Ran 3 miles

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Man, oh man... I REALLY miss my gum. I was super, super dependent upon it.

Today being Day 5 meant that I had 4 whole days behind me, so I tested with a ketone test strip. Still no trace of ketosis.

Tomorrow is Saturday, and I have to work.

[mitzimarie]

Re: ~*~ Back To Basics ~*~

Just breezing through real quick - wanted to report that as of this morning, I am officially back into ketosis according to the sticks.

Off to work!

[odirish]

Re: ~*~ Back To Basics ~*~

Mitzi
I was reading your post. How important is it to use the ketone test strip? Would you suggest using them while on Induction? I'm assuming that I can buy them almost anywhere.

Mary Ann