Need some help!

[lor-n]

I am a male 46 - 6' and weigh 405. I want to start the atkins program but I don't know what to keep my cravings down. I've tried this once before and the major problem I have is between meals what to snack on and are there anything to do to keep the headaches from the sugar withdrawls down?
I need to stick to this, this time I am determined but will need some support,

Thanks

[Chef Kevin]

Re: Need some help!

well, you just need to get thru the first few days.
after that the cravings go away. Gotta drink tons of water too, that helps.

Are you hooked on caffeine as well?
that can cause cravings, caffeine is pure evil, I went cold turkey and went thru the migraines and all.
It's worth it, my type 2 diabetes is under control and I feel great!
I'm a fellow guy, so just know, we have an advantage on this eating plan. Guys do great on it.

[lor-n]

Re: Need some help!

Definitely hooked on caffeine!! I was drinking coffee with splenda but went off.
Thanks for the help.

[philliha]

Re: Need some help!

Anything with a fairly high fat content should help with cravings and keep you satisfied. My favorite snack is simple and easy: celery with cream cheese.

An occasional few olives and or half of an avocado are Dr. Atkins's suggestions, if I remember correctly.

[lor-n]

Re: Need some help!

Thanks Holly..

[Chef Kevin]

Re: Need some help!

i keep some sandwich pepperoni around to snack on.

During induction, I was all about eating all the fat I could.
it got me thru the cravings until I could get a handle on my eating.

Then I just wasn't hungry anymore.
and no headaches.
it is wonderful!!!!

but getting off caffeine was the biggie for me. now I drink water and diet ginger ale, sprite zero, diet rite, that kind of stuff.

The caffeine withdrawal was the worst.
check it out in the addictions section.

[Sarina D]

Re: Need some help!

Hey lor-n,

It's good to meet you! I agree with what Kevin and Holly have shared with you...gotta cut the caffeine and keep high fat snacks around...once you can get through a number of days in the Induction period the cravings reduce and go away. I know for me when I was going through Induction I ate high fat snacks...almost everything I ate I drizzled it with olive oil ....it worked for me and I didn't have any cravings and I still don't.

Also, check out the vitamin section in the book....I was talking with someone on the forum a couple of weeks ago who mentioned they were going through sugar cravings and Sherri reminded me about a suppliment called L-Glutamine which helps in dealing with sweet cravings....take a peek into it this might be helpful to you. I have read a number of posts on this forum where people found it to be most helpful.

Hang in there....these cravings will pass....you just gotta ride it out.

Drink LOTS of water and try to fit some form of exercise into your weekly routine...walking, hand weights, stationary bike, glider (one of my favorites), treadmill.....just something...this helps in the process as well.

All the very best to you!

Sarina
-------------------
Heaviest weight last year- 400 (2007)
Atkins start weight – 347 (July 19, 2008 )
(100 lbs. lost as of Oct 2, 2008 - Hit 300 lbs. on this day )
Current weight – 263
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[lor-n]

Re: Need some help!

thanks sarina I will do that

[rweeks]

Re: Need some help!

Just have your food ready to go and with you at all times. I ate as much as I could put down the first week.... and I have a HUGE appetite. Your appetite will decrease TRUST ME. I can honestly say with all of the good food I can eat on Atkins; I do not crave the naughty stuff (much). When I do crave the bad stuff, I reach into my cooler (that I carry EVERYWHERE) and chow down on a friendly snack. Exercise as often as you can and drink a lot of water and you should drop the weight like nobodies business! As far as the caffeine cold turkey if you can. I drink about 3-4 cans of Diet Shasta (uses Splenda). I drink the non caffeine varieties. I cannot explain it but just drinking "fizzy" drinks helped me past the caffeine addiction in like 2 days. I was like a 12-pack a day Diet Pepsi Max guy. It is like crack in a can. Come visit us often. Good luck and Merry Christmas!

[Chicklady]

Re: Need some help!

I'm gonna sound like a really ms piggy.....I kept hefty supplies of fried chicken wings and spareribs on hand at all times for when I was ready to freak. There's nothing like nice fatty meat to curb the carb monsters. I also took aspirin for the headaches.....especially the caffeine withdrawal ones the first time around.

[lor-n]

Re: Need some help!

Thanks Big Rob and chick lady.

Is seltzer ok to drink on the diet.

what are some goodies that I can munch on in between meals , I'm not that crazy on pork grinds, and also is salad such as a ceasar salad ok with grilled chicken?

[deb79fl]

Re: Need some help!

I ate every few hours, deviled eggs, some roasted chicken / mayo, a few slices of lunch meat or cheese (when in a pinch), yup, did the pepperoni slices too (way too good!).

I never completely gave up my caffeine though. I did and still so have one cup each morning. I make a homemade protein shake using one scoop of protein powder, 1/2 to 1 cup of cold brewed espresso (or strong coffee), heavy cream or 1/2 and 1/2 (to taste, usually 1/4 c) add either a raw egg or some egg beaters, a handful of ice and blend. This "meal" has been a daily staple since I started in May 2007. It keeps me full for hours. One thing about homemade protein shakes is that you can make any flavor you like! You can add fruits (when you get to that level). They have saved me from going off plan more times than I can count!!

My only other suggestion is to keep your menu simple when starting out. I stayed far, far away from the recipe section as I tend to overeat and have major issues with portion control!! My favorite dinner meal was a large burger, add a slice of cheese, some mayo, some mustard, a drop of ketchup (low carb if you can find it), diced tomatoes (watch portion of this while on induction),a few slices of pickles, sliced romaine lettuce (lots) and you have a homemade bunless Whopper. I had this at least once a week as I originally missed my fast food meals. If you can get Angus (I find the premade burgers- not the frozen ones, just premade in the meat case, at Super Walmart), they are delicious!

Congrats on your weight loss to date, BTW!

[Chef Kevin]

Re: Need some help!

I had a grilled chicken ceasar yesterday. They are fine without croutons and as long as the dressing is sugar free.

snacks are tricky. I have all kinds of meats on hand. I even do the lunch meat thing, but I get as much as I can nitrate free (cancer causing), but I don't particularly worry about sodium. Maybe I should, but the recent studies are showing salt isn't nearly as bad for you as was thought.

Anyhoo, pork rinds get boring, so I make guacamole to eat with them. But recently, my appetite has diminished so much that I have to remember to eat meals let alone snacks.

The less you eat, the less you feel like eating after a couple weeks. Plus caffeine stimulates the appetite by messing with blood sugar, so less caffeine=less hunger.

Selter is ok, but not a replacement for plain water. Carbonated beverages are not absorbed as welll as plain water. Our caveman bodies are made to run on water, not fizzie drinks.
Remember, Dr. Atkins talks several times about how this WOE is about eating the way our bodies were meant to eat. Caveman didn't have twinkies laying around. All that junk food is what has made us fat. When you think that way, it makes choosing foods and drinks easier.