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  • Thoughts for Newbies (or anyone else!!) on STICKING WITH IT

    I have people PM me every now asking what a normal menu is or what my normal exercise is and then or see questions here and there and I thought I'd put down some of the responses I had.

    Let me say first and foremost, I wouldn't be this far along without support from ADBB and the friends I've made as well as support from home.

    I re-started Atkins on April 5th of this year. I had my 3rd and final child mid November and waited until the 'easy baby weight' came off. My heavy weight was 260+ (I stopped getting on the scale after that!).

    The first thing I did was re-read the book I had gotten. Then, I started induction. Currently, I am STILL in extended induction. I go up to Rung 2 then come back down because I do rather well with the induction foods. Occasionally, I'll bounce into Rung 1 or 2, but my critical carb levels are very low. I have an exercise chart, I keep the business card sized acceptable foods list in my purse (from the ADBB), and I hold myself accountable.

    I eat 5-6 meals a day. I get up around 6:30, eat about 2 scrambled eggs with bacon or sausage with peppers and onions diced in my eggs. Then, I go to work and eat a snack around 10 ish. Normally either a 1 ounce cheese stick or some cheese cubes. Sometimes, I'll eat homemade bacon bits. For lunch, I'll eat a small salad, no dressing, with either turkey, ham, or hamburger diced on it. Then, I eat a small snack around 3 ish. Then, I eat a dinner sized meal around 6 ish. Normally a cheeseburger salad, baked chicken salad, or some other concoction that I come up with off the recipe boards. I didn't find the recipe boards until I got bored with the same food. With Atkins, you don't have to get bored, especially with the recipe boards here.

    I drink water ALL DAY LONG. I have to force it down sometimes when I don't want it.

    I also did the boot camp that ADBB has. It really helps.

    I exercise 45 minutes to 1 hour a day. I have 3 kids, a hubby, a house, a FT job, a PT job, and a life. I squeeze 15 minutes in the AM and 30-45 minutes after the kids are in bed and sometimes the Ab Lounger while dinner is cooking. I LOVE the ab lounger. I do that every day along with one of the following: Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds, Billy Blanks Taebo, (or some other tape out of my random exercise tape box) or stepper machine and treadmill I have.

    Suggestions:
    -Read the book.
    -Pre-make snack baggies of food for you to munch on...it helps majorly during binge feelings (fry a burger, dice it up, put it in a baggie, precut cheese cubes, make heavy whipping cream with splenda as a 'sweet tooth snack'.)
    -Use Fitday to measure your portions and make sure you reach your %ages suggested by Atkins. It makes a huge difference. At first, I was doing way to much cheese and not enough veggies. Once you follow the plan to the T, the weight drops off.
    -Realize that if you cheat, it's just going to take longer to get where you want.
    -Squeeze some exercise in. It's a MUST. I got tapes/equipment at yard sales and thrift shops to make myself a mini gym spread thru out my house. Ab Lounger and stepper in the kitchen, Treadmill in the laundry room, tapes in the living room. I don't have the luxury of being able to afford a gym membership. Also, try freecycle.org, or ask friends if they have anything you can borrow for exercising.
    -Measure yourself and write down the measurements.
    -Take a picture and tape it to the frig (BIG thing for me to see that old pic!! YUCK!!)

    If you're going to do this, do it right. Commit yourself.

    Start a journal in the journal chat section. Log your food, exercise, water, and goals for the day. People will pop in your journal and give you advice. I think the support helped me get the weight off quicker this time. The journal chat section is great. I don't think I'd have made it this far without that section. Thanks to all that have given me advice or cracked the whip on me.

    I still have a long way to go. I go in others journals and try to find what is working for them. It helps to see what works for others.

    Anyway, I hope this helps someone that might be struggling like I was in past years. Good luck! Heather

    Do any other people want to include things that work for them? I know this is what works for me...this way, newbies (or others) might get the idea to try other options if their way isn't working for them.
    sigpicHeather, age 37
    HW:260+ CW: 190 LTG: 160-170

    Mom to: Dalton, 12, Katelynn, 8, Darrin, 4.

    IT'S NOT WHAT I'M GIVING UP, IT'S WHAT I'M GETTING!

  • #2
    Re: Thoughts for Newbies (or anyone else!!) on STICKING WITH IT

    Wow! Great explanation. There is no other way of doing Atkins except the right way. Anything else wouldnt be Atkins.
    Fitday

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    • #3
      Re: Thoughts for Newbies (or anyone else!!) on STICKING WITH IT

      Thanks, these are wonderful!


      The only thing I'd add is to make plans for days that are out of whack. I have plans for when I travel, when I go to barbecues, dinner invites, vacation, hospital, and days when I am on the go all day. I carry acceptable foods in my cooler in the back of my car just in case I get stuck somewhere or can't get back home to eat when I am hungry. I have plans for when people are coming to visit. I keep motivational sayings in my bathroom, on my frig and in my purse. On days I feel vulnerable, they help me to keep my focus.
      Starting Date 3/12/04 285/165/145 - F



      Dedication gives wings to our dreams and keeps them in flight! In One Word...COMMITTMENT.

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      • #4
        Re: Thoughts for Newbies (or anyone else!!) on STICKING WITH IT

        I have no problem sticking to it foodwise; my biggest issue right now (and why I may throw in the towel) is extreme dry skin to a point of being broken and sore.


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        • #5
          Re: Thoughts for Newbies (or anyone else!!) on STICKING WITH IT

          Hey Joe, Ive got skin problems as well but from a medication and not Atkins. If you want, I can try and tell you whats worked for me??
          Female, 30 , 5'9
          234/182.0/not shopping in the fat girl store.
          start 1/9/06 (down 49.5inches as of 7/7/06)
          10/03/06- Im in a size 14 jean!!!!
          (Modified OWL-moving up rungs for convenience when travelling, keeping carbs moderate)
          Foods I cannot have-
          Black beans.- instant headache and upset belly.
          spaghetti squash mixed with tomatoes- ravenous


          I Made it!!!! TWICE!!!! (10/06 and 1/07!!!)

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          • #6
            Re: Thoughts for Newbies (or anyone else!!) on STICKING WITH IT

            Carboholic

            Are you taking supplements. Biotin, B Vitamins, Essential Oils?

            My skin is one of the main reasons I stick with this. It is much softer. I had scaly spots that have gone away. Dry spots that have gone away. And I don't sun burn and peal any more. I was worried about my skin (precancer) and now - much better.
            Start 7/5/2004

            290/205/204

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            • #7
              Re: Thoughts for Newbies (or anyone else!!) on STICKING WITH IT

              Good point on the emergency food plan. I do have that as well. Alway nice to know you have a backup plan for outings, barbeques, etc.

              As for the dry skin issue. I have that issue as well. I use a Neutrogena T-gel shampoo for my scalp, take the fish oil vitamin, and I use Johnson's baby lotion all over OR for the really scaly areas (heels, knees, elbows) I use the Udderly Smooth cream (very cheap) from walmart.

              Good luck!
              sigpicHeather, age 37
              HW:260+ CW: 190 LTG: 160-170

              Mom to: Dalton, 12, Katelynn, 8, Darrin, 4.

              IT'S NOT WHAT I'M GIVING UP, IT'S WHAT I'M GETTING!

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Thoughts for Newbies (or anyone else!!) on STICKING WITH IT

                Great post, Heather. I love hearing how you fit exercise into your busy schedule by stashing exercise equipment in every room! Leaves very little room for excuses, I'll bet. You are a great example of truly changing your lifestyle!

                What seems to make a big difference for me is WATER, WATER, WATER! Also, tracking my percentages in Fitday and watching my fat intake at dinner. For a while, my mom in law (who cooks for us) was making lots of great cream and cheese laden recipes for dinner. YUMMY, but a bit too heavy for me to be eating after 7 p.m. So, we've layed off those some. I've also layed off the blue cheese a bit. I think newbies (myself included) might get a little carried away with allowable foods. As much as we hate to admit it, some normal "diet" rules apply even to Atkins... watch portion size, not TOO much fat, don't eat too late at night, etc.

                Oh, and make sure you are getting ENOUGH carbs!
                Last edited by Adena; September 22, 2006, 10:37 AM.
                F/37/5'7" ~ Started: 8/1/06.
                Links: My Journal~ On "loose" skin

                sigpic

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                • #9
                  Re: Thoughts for Newbies (or anyone else!!) on STICKING WITH IT

                  Originally posted by Hudson
                  Carboholic

                  Are you taking supplements. Biotin, B Vitamins, Essential Oils?

                  My skin is one of the main reasons I stick with this. It is much softer. I had scaly spots that have gone away. Dry spots that have gone away. And I don't sun burn and peal any more. I was worried about my skin (precancer) and now - much better.
                  I'm taking a multivitamin without iron, chromium(100mg), coq10(50mg) and potassium(100mg), should I add omega3 type tablets?

                  Sorry to take this off topic


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                  • #10
                    Re: Thoughts for Newbies (or anyone else!!) on STICKING WITH IT

                    I first noticed the imporvement in my skin after taking a mulitvitamin that highlighted its biotin. I don't even remember how much it had. I just remember wondering if the Biotin had something to do with my improvement. One of its benefits is supposed to be better skin.

                    I now take a GNC Mega Man vitamin that has like 4000 % of the daily recommended for B vitamins and many others.

                    I've taken many supplements over the last 2 years plus on Atkins. I believe the B Vitamins are helpful and I will never quit taking my fish oil. (I don't eat much fish) But I don't think a typical Wal-mart multi-Vitamn has enough. But before Atkins I ate about as bad as you can, so I was probably a little deficient on about everything.

                    All I know is my skin is way better. I am a good boy diet wise except for diet soda - I get too much. And I get lots of supplements. One or the other or both is what has made my skin better.
                    Start 7/5/2004

                    290/205/204

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                    • #11
                      Re: Thoughts for Newbies (or anyone else!!) on STICKING WITH IT

                      Fantastic post Heather!

                      Personally, I eat when I'm hungry. Be it 4 in the afternoon or 2 in the morning. I'm less likely to binge if I eat as soon as I'm hungry and my portions are much smaller than before.

                      What works for me:
                      Writing positive things in my journal, on sticky notes, on notecards and keeping them in random places.

                      Doing a monthly picture...it helps a lot!

                      Joining the cheat free challenge. The longer I'm cheat free the more adamant I am about not cheating!

                      Rewarding myself with non-food items. A new outfit, piece of exercise equipment, pretty new stationery or a journal...these are things I love and I'm not harming my body by filling it full of junk.

                      Moving up the rungs. Granted, I've dropped myself back down to the veggie rung for the time being, but it was because I'd travelled up the rungs and saw signs of getting out of control. That's the beauty of the rungs...you can custom fit them!

                      Water. For me, water comes before any other beverage. If I want a diet soda I have to drink my gallon of water for the day first. Sometimes it sucks, but most of the time I find myself craving it and I feel dehydrated if I don't get at least 100 ounces in.

                      There's so many more, but those are some of the big ones for me.
                      Started June 11, 2006
                      ~Christine~/F/28
                      HW: 302/SW:294/CW:250/GW:150
                      I'm 4 months 1 week and 4 days cheat free!!
                      I'm currently on the:Veggie Rung
                      My website






                      October Mileage: 19.50/40 miles


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                      • #12
                        Re: Thoughts for Newbies (or anyone else!!) on STICKING WITH IT

                        Great points Christine! Hopefully this insight will help those that are struggling (like we were before we got our crap together!!)
                        sigpicHeather, age 37
                        HW:260+ CW: 190 LTG: 160-170

                        Mom to: Dalton, 12, Katelynn, 8, Darrin, 4.

                        IT'S NOT WHAT I'M GIVING UP, IT'S WHAT I'M GETTING!

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Thoughts for Newbies (or anyone else!!) on STICKING WITH IT

                          Excellent thread!
                          ~Kat
                          F, 45, 5'7"



                          A year from now you'll wish you had started today

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