Help to restart Atkins

[fluffystuff]

I hope someone can give me some help in getting back on Atkins. I was on Atkins and after recovering from food poisoning (not related to diet) I became lactose intolerant. I would like to do Atkins again however I used cream cheese as my snack item to get through. I can take Lactaid but more than once or twice a week I get terrible stomach cramps. Is anyone doing this while dealing with lactose problems?
Also, some encouragement to get going again would be helpful. I am up to 295 lbs and I need to do something. :sadblinky
Thanks

[Heather150]

Hi Fluffy

I used to be lactose intolerant, and thanks to Atkins, I no longer have problems...but during Induction, I didn't want to chance it and didn't eat lot of cheese, cream or the likes. Mayo didn't bother me so I ate alot of egg salad, deviled eggs, things to fill me up that were low carb.

I think if you give the dairy a rest for awhile, then slowly introduce it back in, you can see if you're still intolerant to it. That's what I did. I slowly added a slice of cheese here and there....tried a little cream cheese on some celery or started using cream in my coffee slowly and now I have no problems whatsoever.

I went 16 years without milk, cheese, ice cream etc...so now its a real treat to have cheese and dairy once in awhile.

Plus think of it this way...you'll be able to add more good carbs in the way of veggies and eggs and such because you're not using up the carbs in the dairy.

[maribelle]

hi, I started earlier this week. This morning I had some cream cheese and sour cream with my eggs....needless to say I am DYING of very painful cramps this afternoon. I'm thinking about cutting dairy out for my induction and restarting tomorrow. If you want we can diet buddy together for the induction and see if we can't get each other through this. According to DANDR lactose intollerance might get better later on in the Atkins journey...wouldn't that be nice?! The first time I did Atkins last year, I didn't have this problem at all, and stayed in induction for 5 months. This year, I haven't been able to get started because of this problem. Let me know if you want to partner up for these next 14 days.

[supertramp]

Sorry to hear that you have had a setback. My best advice would be to just start now, with your next meal, and stick to your induction phase for 2 weeks, more if you feel is necessary. Sometimes, no matter how much we have to lose, just getting up and dusting ourselves off becomes a huge task in and of itself. It can be daunting - speaking from personal experience. But once you get one day under your belt, and then another and another, pretty soon you build up your success and find that you are losing again and feeling better about yourself.

Try not to worry too much about the dairy either. Even though it was enjoyable, see if there is something else that you really like, and have that as a snack. What about 1/2 an avacado with mayo to make a nice dip for some veggies? Or whatever you think you can make up to be a decadent but healthy treat. Surf the recipe boards below to find some great ideas. What about some clouds made with egg whites and splenda?

Either way, start by taking baby steps and pretty soon you'll be offering encouragement to others here too, and you'll be motivating not only yourself but lots of others who are in your very situation.

:hug

[hulagrl1120]

I had lactose problems too but if I avoid most cheeses and only have a small amount of cream cheese I do fine. I would try only a small amount first to see how it affects you and gradually add more if there are no problems.

[fluffystuff]

Thanks to everyone for the advice and encouragement. I am going to start in the morning. Thanks also for letting me know that lactose problems can get better.
Maribelle, I would like a diet buddy.

[maribelle]

No prob...I would like one too. You can pm me anytime. Do you have a journal in the journal section? I'll pm you in the morning, and we can go from there. OK? YOU CAN DO THIS!!! We'll beat the lactose monster!