Help please. desperate for expert opinion

[rimaha]

Re: Help please. desperate for expert opinion

sallyann,

Oh wow....8 kgs in 4 weeks, that's pretty impressive! Well done Girl !
What does your daily diet consist of? Do share!!

I'm glad you posted, because it is really hard to explain to people that while i am in the 'healthy weight range', for me, this still means carrying excessive weight, because my normal weight is around 50-52 kg. When I am at 50-52 kg, I do not look waif-thin, I still have curves and still have enough energy to 'want' to work out 3-4 times a week. When I go above that weight, that's when it all goes pear-shaped and I start to feel quite sluggish, but that's usually due to the diet of chocolate and biscuits that had caused the weight gain.

While I am gagging to go back to eating fruits and lots of veggies (which I will do as soon as I have reached my goal weight), Atkins is teaching me how better off I am without the other carbs. After less than 2 weeks on atkins, I am not as hungry as before, my skin is glowing and I'm sleeping a lot better.

[rimaha]

Re: Help please. desperate for expert opinion

SunnySmile, Good idea. I have taken out a pair of jeans that i could not button up 2 weeks ago. Today, they sit on my waist quite comfortably. I will use them as a measure of my progress.
Kaper, that's exactly what my trainer said. He said that he can definitely see a loss in body fat, and that the protein combined with the resistance training that we're doing is building up muscles, which weigh more than fat, hence the moderate shift in the scales.

Not2Late, I have ordered the 'Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution' book. Is that the right one for this forum?

[sallyann]

Re: Help please. desperate for expert opinion

Hi rimaha

It’s a fine balance, the balance of a comfortable weight vs. the under weight/gaunt look. Low carb really does work for me energy wise, as soon as I get on to refined sugars/fruits, peanut butter, caffeine and vodka my entire energy levels change. Total plummet, struggle to focus, work out and I feel disappointed in myself.

I never buy pre made food, always from organic produce, i.e. fresh chicken, eggs, salads and fresh fish daily. I use Hellman’s mayo and no sweeteners or diet soda/coffee at all. I drink only sparkling water, often with a squeezed half slice or lemon or lime; have this in the mornings when I wake up or hot water with a squeeze of lemon.

I do not need to eat as much as others as I have quite a low start weight, I find this does need to be taken into account in terms of calories. I work out 5 days a week, either a power walk or jog. I do no like to build muscle so keep to endurance. I have a few friends who lift weights and I do not like the muscle bulk at all. It is just personal choice; also I am just not built for strength but can run a marathon no problem (with training of course).

A sample of my Induction menu is as follows;

Breakfast

1 organic scrambled egg, whisked with 1 teaspoon cream, 0.5 oz grated cheese fried in 1 teaspoon butter

Or

Hard boiled egg with a scrap of butter in it

Lunch

3 oz Tuna in brine, mixed with 2 tsp of Hellman’s mayo

OR

3 oz fried chicken breast fried in butter
1 cup salad
Celery – half med stick
Cucumber – 6 normal sized slices


Evening Meal

Fresh Lemon sole (or plaice, natural died haddock) with asparagus and/or water cress salad

OR

4 oz lean steak fried in butter with pepper and chilli peppers with celeriac, asparagus or a watercress salad

Slice of fried hallomi (1oz)

Or

X3 Scallops with 1 slice of bacon cut to wrap around scallops, fried in a dob of butter with one of the above veg or salad

Snacks

I try to keep snacking to a minimum, usually after my daily workout and mid afternoon, as too much fat and protein can creep in. I monitor the ratio on fitday.

Max of 1 oz of cheese
Hard boiled eggs, I like to fry these in sliced chilli peppers and butter (crazy I know…), often I do not eat the yolks depending on how many I have eaten vs. intensity of workout.

Chicken pieces – dipped in mayo or tabasco/chilli sauce if needed (I love hot peppers)

Cucumber or celery


This works out well for me, I am never hungry and have smallish portions, I tend to drink 4 litres of sparkling water a day, it depends on my proximity to the toilet and if I am in meeting etc…I need to wee all the time it seems! Like you, my skin is fabulous as a result.

I have suffered from constipation from time to time, I won’t touch any of the fibres or husks but slice a glycerine in half and use that…works a treat. I don’t want or need to use a full size bullet (sorry if TMI but these are my experiences and we are all in the same boat)!

I have typed this quickly, so hope not too many typos!
S
xx