I've fallen and need support and advice.

[mariet]

I work out at curves 3 times a week. This month when I got weighed and measured I've gained 5 pounds. This past month my eating habits aren't the greatest. I've been eating alot of junk and not sensibly. Low carb tortilla shells with carb options peanut butter and sugar free jelly. I've been snacking on the low carb candy bars alot and I never used to. I've added Atkins icecream once in a while and low carb pasta at times also. I need some support and advice to get back on track. I've been on the atkins way of life for 2 years. I've been very dedicated until lately and I can feel myself slipping in a bad way. Please help.
Thanks,
Marie T. :help

[not2late]

Go back to the basics: drop the bars and the other stuff, begin counting the carbs to everything you eat and drink, begin measuring your foods, and start eating the whole, natural foods rather than the processed stuff.

If you work out vigorously, you might want to see what your body fat percentage is rather than rely on the scale. If you increase your lean muscle, the scale will reflect that muscle gain as pounds gain.

[Anna74]

You can do this, you know how, you have been doing it for 2 years... I would go back to induction for a week to rid your body of all the cravings..

With all the LC stuff that is out now, carb creep is easy.. Just stick with the basics and you will see the diffrence in how you feel...

I wish you great success...

[sadie147]

I also think alot of these things can be high calorie as well (the bars/shakes) so you have to limit them..and is not different then eating a 250cal chocolate bar/shake every day as a snack. I'm a big believer that when near/at your goal calories do count as well as carbs, and all these processed snack foods can cause issues when overeaten.

I'd be careful with the portions of things like l/c pastas, ice cream etc. I noticed the new carb options noodles and sauce portion size is a half cup, and l/c ice creams are as well... i konw for a fact i could never only eat a half cup..so i avoid them all together.

[not2late]

You know sadie, you bring up a good point: portion size!

According to the USDA one serving of pasta is 1/2 cup cooked product. Alot of us are used to eating a whole lot more.

The low carb convenience food thing is almost going the way of the low fat craze with people eating or over-eating the products because they are "low carb" forgetting about the calories and the serving sizes.

[Elleth Faewen]

Go back to induction and fight off the cravings. Can you determine what triggered the slip?

[mariet]

Thanks for all the advice lord knows I need it. I think my triggers were the atkins bars and the pasta. I started eating them quight frequently. I've been on the induction going on my 3rd day and I already feel better. I have alot more energy. I know I was slipping back to my old eating habits. I guess I forgot what my main problems with eating were to begin with. Thanks again everyone.
Marie T.
160/ 119

[shmooziecat]

Hi, do you post your food on fitday? Accountability tends to make me walk a tighter rope. Good luck, I had a similair problem lately. I slacked off on posting my food intake, followed by going crazy with nuts and cream...gained 4 pounds and really lost control. I am back to religious fitday posting, and measuring all my food. I feel better already, and had a *bonus* 8 pound whooshie! Trish

[mariet]

Whats fitday? I would be interested in it. I would at least like to check it out. Today is day 3 for being back on the induction. I feel so much energy back in just a few days I'm almost restless. :joy
Thanks,
Marie T.

[not2late]

http://www.fitday.com

Lots of people find it useful to track their carbs, calories, etc. It's a free service, but you have to register for it.

[shmooziecat]

Fitday is awesome. People sometimes even make it accessible to this board so that others can look at their menu and help them find trouble spots. I have never done this.....I just keep it as my own personal record. You can even input your exercise. Plus it has charts that can tell you your vitamin defincies. That is just the tip of the iceberg. There is more. Check it out. Most of us love it! Trish

[Elizellen]

There is a FAQ about using fitday here

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/viewtopic.php?t=68066

which you might find interesting.

[mariet]

:joy You gals are a great help and wonderful in the support department also. I will check out fitday sounds like something I'd like. I did the induction 11 days and I did drop 5 pounds. I do feel better and can tell in my energy level to. Thanks for all the help.
Marie T. ha

[mkline71]

Were you in Ketosis when you had the bars and low carb tortilla etc? The reason I ask is because some of the things you mentioned I want to eat when I move to OWL and Atkins for life. For example one of the Klondike ice cream bars once a week. Or the 3 net carb tortilla, make a steak and cheese out of that.

I think Atkins is great but I can't imagine being on induction for the next 40 years and some of those foods do sound good so aren't they ok at this phase?


Thanks
Mike

[Elizellen]

I think Atkins is great but I can't imagine being on induction for the next 40 years and some of those foods do sound good so aren't they ok at this phase?

Nor should you think of being on induction for life, Mike because Atkins isnt just induction.

OWL is when we gradually add the different food groups to see how we react to them and work out what level of carbs we can eat and still lose weight.

Then with 5-10 pounds left to lose we move on to pre-imaintenance and work out what level of carbs we can eat and not gain weight.

Then to maintenance and remaining at our goal weight for life, eating most food items apart from any we found upset us during OWL.

Many goalees are able to eat the occasional spuds or rice or pasta in maintenance.

Where the 'low-carb' products come in is mainly when you are on the maintenance stage of Atkins but you can try them when on the appropriate rung of OWL. So a bar with soy products in it would not be 'legal' till the legume rung whereas one with milk or berries (say) would be OK on the dairy or berries rung etc.

A bar with wheat and berries would not be OK till the grains rung, so you have to look at the ingredients to ascertain whether it is allowed on the particular rung of OWL that you are on.