I'm Scared

[basketballbelly]

Re: I'm Scared

Listen, this is not a challenge, I'm not here to prove anything to anybody. I know what I've consumed, I don't eat red meat, I only eat chicken and fish, sometimes I will have pork and I've been told that eggs are not where I should be getting the majority of my fat from (I don't really like eggs that much either) so my calories as well as my carbs are very low. Because you guys go by net carbs and I have been going by total carbs when going back over the week before last my carbs (and actully for most of last week also) are far far less than the 20 prescribed. If I eat 1-2 boiled eggs a day, 3oz of celery with 1 oz of cream cheese, 2 cups of iceberg lettuce and usually a few ounces of fish or chicken daily it does not add up to much, I've been afraid of 'cooking' with recipies because I have not yet figured out how to measure the 3 cups of salad veggies along with the 1 cup of other veggies, how do you really know how much of any one thing you are eating when you follow recipies. So I've not done any 'cooking' for the past two weeks...pretty much what I've posted is what I've eaten. I've also had my sugar free drinks along the way (which I simply can not give up) but I've had far fewer of those than I have in the past and I'm exercising at least 4 days a week (I plan on looking at the time spent exercising forward and not only how many days a week) because I can exercise more than one time a day.

I did add cucumbers last week (one cucumber measured about 4 ounces each time, maybe it was 5) but in any case I've had several days under 1,000 calories. I get to the point that I've reached my daily percentages and just stop eating...other than the fat but if I increase the cream cheese the carbs get out of wack, so I try to keep it as close as possible.

I've been very good with the percentages, not so good on the # of carbs (much lower if I figure net carbs) and not so good in the fat area, I just can't figure out what I can eat (I've asked) that is low in carbs but high in fat. The original book was so much easier. 2000 calories is far too much to lose on for most people.

bbb

[mitzimarie]

Re: I'm Scared

I've been very good with the percentages, not so good on the # of carbs (much lower if I figure net carbs) and not so good in the fat area, I just can't figure out what I can eat (I've asked) that is low in carbs but high in fat.

Well, if your carbs are off, and your fat is off, that automatically makes your protein off... I'm not sure what percentages you've been very good with. (by the way... olive oil is excellent for raising calories and fat, without the carbs)

And no one ever said this was a challenge... we're just trying to understand and help you.

No fear, though... I'm done.

[basketballbelly]

Re: I'm Scared

Ok, see this board can be very confusing, first I'm told to stop worrying about the percentages because I was stressing over getting them right and that is NOT ATKINS, then I stop stressing and start eating until I am full and THAT'S NOT ATKINS, then I'm asked to give an example of my menus and that ticks off members...how odd. There are no two people here who have the very same menu, there are no two people here who have gotten the percentages perfect, there does not even seem to be two people who agrees what Atkins is...there is no reason for you to be angry because I can't seem to get the numbers right, I was told that trying IS NOT ATKINS...lol. I guess I just can't win...lol.

bbb

[liv]

Re: I'm Scared

We want you do win. We want you to succeed. We're all cheering for you and hope all goes well. Sometimes things are confusing but it sounds like you have made your mind up at what to do right now. And we all want you to be healthy and see progress.

[basketballbelly]

Re: I'm Scared

Thank you liv, the problem I am having is that I do what is suggested then someone comes on and tells me not to do it (watch percentages for example) then I stop and then someone else states that I should be watching them, it is confusing, I was just asked to post my menu, I do and it gets mitzimarie ticked off. I'm at a loss as to what to say here...I'm not sure if it is me that is being bashed or my doctor? Confusing. I'm committed to this. I will get this weight off and I will do it through Atkins. I find this form of Atkins very confusing, but I will figure it out.

bbb

[Peej]

Re: I'm Scared

Thank you liv, the problem I am having is that I do what is suggested then someone comes on and tells me not to do it (watch percentages for example) then I stop and then someone else states that I should be watching them, it is confusing, I was just asked to post my menu, I do and it gets mitzimarie ticked off. I'm at a loss as to what to say here...I'm not sure if it is me that is being bashed or my doctor? Confusing. I'm committed to this. I will get this weight off and I will do it through Atkins. I find this form of Atkins very confusing, but I will figure it out.

bbb

I think there's a middle ground. You should keep an eye on your percentages and according to the book, you should probably be eating more fat. That doesn't mean you have to obsess about getting everything exactly right. Your doctor doesn't seem very pro-atkins. That's fine, but I don't think Atkins is intended to be a low calorie diet and certainly not a restricted fat diet.

I don't think anyone is angry or mad at you at all! Everyone is just trying to help you to be satisfied with your results. Your losses have been pretty good. Its not uncommon to gain a pound (its usually water) every now and again and then lose it again. Honestly, for me I end up gaining 3 pounds and then losing 5. It is different for everyone. If you're not satisfied with your losses, maybe Atkins just isn't the right plan for you?

[msanjelpie]

Re: I'm Scared

I wanted you to post your menu because when I eat 20 carbs a day (I don't count net carbs on induction) and see my percentages on fitday.com (65% fat, 30% protein, 5% carbs) I can not get my calories to go lower than 1600-2000 per day. And, I only lose when my carbs are between 15-20 and my percentages are within less than 5 points of the above numbers.

But of course my body is different than everyone else on here, and everyone here does Atkins different, eating different things, counting cups or ounces, sharing their opinions on what works for them and hoping it will work for you etc... Most agree that counting percentages is important, that following the induction food list is crucial etc... but of course there will always be a few that don't agree...

I'm getting the feeling that you are a sensitive soul... worried about the doctor and perhaps feeling like we are picking on you etc... It's hard not to be sensitive when you are, but please know that very rarely does someone actually get upset on a support forum. Other types of forums sure, but not this one...

We come here and read the posts and reply in hopes that our opinions will help not only you but the hundreds of other people who come and read the posts... So even if something doesn't apply directly to you, hopefully it will help someone, somewhere out there...

Keep us updated...

[basketballbelly]

Re: I'm Scared

I am the only one to decide if Atkins is or is not for me. I have eaten nothing off the approved induction list in the last two weeks. The main thing I have not done is eat the veggies in the evening...that extra 1 cup...does not seem worth it to open a can of veggies just for a cup, or cook an entire head of broccoli for 1 cup, that is quite a bit of work for such a small amount so I usually don't bother.

I've been told not to measure, then told I must measure, I've been told the precentages came later so they are not important, but every other post is telling me to get my percentages correct. I post a menu and one of the members tells me she is done...I'm still trying to figure that one out. I will continue to post, I will continue to do Atkins and I will continue to lose. I'm not sure what to do with the olive oil that was suggested, what would I use it on? How much of it can I have in a day? can I get my fat from olive oil and nothing else? I could douse my salad with it...yuck but it would get in my fat and I would not have to eat the meat or I could eat less of it...which works for me.

I'll figure this out, my girlfriend has the book and is brining it in to work tomorrow. I will read when I get a chance.

bbb

[mitzimarie]

Re: I'm Scared

I was just asked to post my menu, I do and it gets mitzimarie ticked off. I'm at a loss as to what to say here...I'm not sure if it is me that is being bashed or my doctor?
bbb

1) I am not ticked off... just frustrated.

2) You, nor your doctor, is being bashed.

3) I have tried to help you before (Fitday and net carbs). I thought you had all of that straight. And I've never seen a detailed menu with exact amounts of what you eat and drink, so I cannot comment on that.

4) You and your doc have a plan in place. That is why I bowed out.

[Sherri]

Re: I'm Scared

I'll figure this out, my girlfriend has the book and is brining it in to work tomorrow. I will read when I get a chance.

bbb

Well, the good thing is that you're not scared anymore. (Title of thread). That hurdle is behind you.
I believe you will figure this all out as well, once you get DANDR 2002 and read it. It's all I had to go by when I lost all my weight. I didn't have this board then. I went by the book and owe my weightloss success because of it.
Alot of the confusion you're having will be cleared up once you read the book and find the answers that pertain to you. Since we are all individuals and respond to this wol and woe differently.
You have had excellent advice and support here. I believe once you read the book, you can maybe reflect on some of the answers and support you were recieving and see where the posters were coming from. Alot of the answers and support you were getting here, you will find in the book and that Dr. Atkins supports it as well. This site goes by DANDR 2002, so it make perfect sence to me why you were getting the answers and support you were given here.
I'm really, really happy that you will have the book in your hands tomorrow. Things will make alot of sense to you and become more clearer for you.
Wishing you the best of health and lite.
Sincerely, Sherri

[Kathi22]

Re: I'm Scared

BBB - with all do respect, I don't think you know what you are doing here or what you want really. You have such a strong loyalty to your Dr. and you trust your Dr. to the point you are telling us that this person knows best. I still have a very strong sense that you never read the book and that you are doing this by acceptable foods list and all the posts. To do this right, you must read. I am really confused by your weight; it seems to be all over the place; I don't know what you really weighed and what you weigh now. For me, I only go by my scale at home. My Dr.'s office scale is about 8 pounds more, so I just figure my start weight was 8 pounds more then my home scale had me at. The same issue with my spouse who is not dieting. He weighs about 8 pounds more at the Dr. then at home. Pick one scale, use that, and throw the rest of the numbers away. Good luck no matter what.

[basketballbelly]

Re: I'm Scared

BBB - with all do respect, I don't think you know what you are doing here or what you want really. You have such a strong loyalty to your Dr. and you trust your Dr. to the point you are telling us that this person knows best. I still have a very strong sense that you never read the book and that you are doing this by acceptable foods list and all the posts. To do this right, you must read. I am really confused by your weight; it seems to be all over the place; I don't know what you really weighed and what you weigh now. For me, I only go by my scale at home. My Dr.'s office scale is about 8 pounds more, so I just figure my start weight was 8 pounds more then my home scale had me at. The same issue with my spouse who is not dieting. He weighs about 8 pounds more at the Dr. then at home. Pick one scale, use that, and throw the rest of the numbers away. Good luck no matter what.

It has already been established that I do not have, nor have I read the newer version of Atkins, I have the original book and really have no intention of going out and purchasing another one. I do trust my doctor, if I didn't trust her I would not go to her. I'm not really sure what your comment about trusting my doctor has to do with anything...of course I trust her.

We are also confused about my weight, she just ordered a complete panel of blood test to see if everything is ok, but the bottom line with my weight is that I did WW and gained all the original weight I lost (about 4 months ago), I then came here and this is where things get strange, I weigh on three different scales with three different readings. I have no idea at this point which one is right but I do know the one that matters is the one in my doctors office.

I hope that clears up your confusion. Oh, by the way, I'm here probably for the same reason you are...to lose weight WITH support.

bbb

[ratucker5]

Re: I'm Scared

your weight can change through out the day too. i can be 4lbs heavier at times or even lower then my first reading. I usually have drs appt in the afternoon so i tell my dr what i weighed on my scale that morning and thats what we go by. If i stepped on her scale which we have, i can be 5-7lbs heavier easy. So since i have my scale that is what i go by. i never move it, make sure it stays in one spot.. go figure i moved it to the kitchen one day and was 2lbs heavier.
As for atkins and your dr. I understand trusting your dr and doing what they say. But sometimes you have to trust your own body. I havent lost weight in years lowfat this no sugar that blah.... I havent lost alot on atkins but several things happend. I got more energy, i am not foggy brained and my senior moments are much less i can even remeber what i had for dinner the night before. I do not have a carb unless its natural. You really have to trust your body and what its telling you. Atkins isnt a over night fix, its for a lifetime. I am not sure how you can diet and understand it with out reading the book. I am sure when you were on ww they told you what to do and how to do it. I think if you read the book you would trust the program more and it might make more sense. Best of luck to you in what ever you choose to do.

[basketballbelly]

Re: I'm Scared

your weight can change through out the day too. i can be 4lbs heavier at times or even lower then my first reading. I usually have drs appt in the afternoon so i tell my dr what i weighed on my scale that morning and thats what we go by. If i stepped on her scale which we have, i can be 5-7lbs heavier easy. So since i have my scale that is what i go by. i never move it, make sure it stays in one spot.. go figure i moved it to the kitchen one day and was 2lbs heavier.
As for atkins and your dr. I understand trusting your dr and doing what they say. But sometimes you have to trust your own body. I havent lost weight in years lowfat this no sugar that blah.... I havent lost alot on atkins but several things happend. I got more energy, i am not foggy brained and my senior moments are much less i can even remeber what i had for dinner the night before. I do not have a carb unless its natural. You really have to trust your body and what its telling you. Atkins isnt a over night fix, its for a lifetime. I am not sure how you can diet and understand it with out reading the book. I am sure when you were on ww they told you what to do and how to do it. I think if you read the book you would trust the program more and it might make more sense. Best of luck to you in what ever you choose to do.

First of all I've been on and off of Atkins for 8 or so years, I did lose quite a bit in the very beginning (well over 30lbs) I can't imagine that much has changed between the first and last book. WW did not 'tell' me what to do, they gave me the tools necessary to make their diet work, my body and carbs do not go together so I lost that battle, I also do not have the necessary control when it comes to portions needed. I'm not doing lowfat, I'm not sure where that came from. I am doing low carb, my doctor suggested that I do the diabetic diet which adds startches (which I will not do) and she strongly suggested I not go over 1,000 calories daily which is easy enough to do. She gave me a script for weightloss pills which I will not use. So yes, I trust my doctor, but I am taking her suggestions and applying what will work for me to me...if I was going blindly into the night I would be doing the diabetic diet and popping pills...

If you are saying lowfat because I don't eat red meat and do not like eggs, well, I will find ways around that, someone suggested olive oil which I went out and purchased yesterday. So when there is a will there is a way.

bbb

[Ryan.Stoeppel]

Re: I'm Scared

If you haven't read DANDR then you aren't on the Atkins that is practiced on this board. That may have something to do with the troubles you are perceiving on this board.

Please PLEASE understand that nobody here is out to get you bbb. We all want you to succeed. The problem a lot of us see is that we keep getting mixed signs and signals from you.

For example, you are using three different scales and using all three numbers. It would be a lot more helpful to us if you used only one of those numbers for us. If you feel comfort from using all three of those scales and as long as you have all the facts about each scale in your mind that is fine, but speaking personally it confuses the **** outta me seeing all those different numbers.

As for percentages and weighing food and such, the reason you might be getting mixed signals is that those are just general guidelines we strive to aim for on Atkins. 60% fat, 35% protein and 5% carbs is the general formula when starting Atkins. That doesn't mean your percentages can't vary a bit from that, but you generally want to stay within a few percentage points of those numbers.

Weighing food can be difficult, I know! You already are weighing yourself, why on earth should you have to weigh your food too? Can I make the suggestion that you take a measuring cup out of your pantry and just look at it. Get a general idea of what a cup looks like. This will hopefully make it easier for you to grasp a cup without having to measure it. Every day I eyeball my veggies. Sometimes do I get maybe a cup and a half when I wanted a cup? Or wanted two cups? I'm sure I have. That isn't what is important though. All of these numbers are meant to be used as guidelines. There is no reason to worry about being so strict on the things you know you can eat! I'm on extended induction but I am sure there have been days where I have had 4 cups of veggies instead of 3...my eyeballing had to be off! But that is okay!

Please, if you take anything away from this post, or any of the others in this thread, know that we are all here and want to see you succeed...that is why this thread is 5+ pages long! We care for you. We don't want to hurt you. We want you to succeed.