Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program 2006

[jimmie 48]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

ANyone here have problems with aspartame?

i do not. at one time about 25 pounds ago i had come to a point of no loss and that was the thing i got rid of. weight loss started again and later on i was able to have it again with no problem. i don't know the hows and whys, i just know that is what happened.

i have to admit i really didn't check my numbers so much. bad bad jimmiejo. i did expect, from doing atkins before, that i would be able to eat upwards of 70 or 80 net a day. i can do that now but i don't do it every day. yesterdays count was high for me.

[cristylp]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

I didn't used to think it bothered me, but when I was a Diet Pepsi addict my weight loss was slooooow. I couldn't imagine it being that because it was diet, for heaven's sakes. But when I cut out the diet drinks, my weight loss picked back up. Go figure.

[2big4mysize]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

the stalling with aspartame is a tricky subject cause face it if your Atkins is working great you aren't going to long distance call ( there wasn't an 800 number to talk to the med staff back them) and say i'm drinking diet soda or using aspartame and not stalling. you just go about your business.

Of the folk who called or were patients and were stalled ( note that sample group has no control group not stalled, nor stalled not using the stuff) about 25% of the folk were using aspartame sweetened soda ( note also no one checked to see what does of the stuff they were using either. I mean some fellow who joined here posted last yr asbout actually meeting Dr Atkins and Dr Atkisns discovered he was stalled cause he was chewing too many sticks of sugar free gum. obviously the fellow was violating the 3 sweetener rule but it became it was the gum that stalled him).

there was a study done and it concluded that aspartame sweetened sodas were a weight loss stalling agent for low carbers doing Atkins. Thwn in 2003 a university tried to duplicate the testing and discovered there was both citric acid and aspartame in the soda used and nothing was done to determine if it was one or the other or both so no valid conclusion could be drawn from that study set up about waht caused the stalling. this is why peer review is so critical for any study results.

At the time that study was done all the internet rumors about it were circulating as FACT like like the infamous Nancy Markle report on FDA info that never occured and nobody ever dicovered ewho the reporter was or where "facts" came from or the fellow claiming it caused MS saying he was a doc with the MS society. folk just took it as a fact until Equal started defending its product and investigated. nobody at the MS society had even heard of the fellow but even to day new to ADBB folk will get that email or web page about it and post about the evils of Aspartame. Many of the medical illnesses and the folk with the blinding headaches etc can't be documented no study exists that it causes any illness yet the rumors still fire up the internet every few months.yes you can find folk very vocal who get a headache from consuming it but I go into kidney failure and respitory failure if I get exposed to soy cause I'm highly allergic to it but I don't run around trying to get soy banned for others.

[sallyseachange]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

For those who have determind their critical levels ~ have his estimations been close to your numbers? WHat are your numbers like & how was that part of the journey for you?

Yes, Dr. A's estimations worked for me. The induction loss/CCLM estimates were about right, though I find it hard to pin it down to an exact number... just an 'area'. I maintain between 40 - 60ish grams of carbs... and that's eating higher fat (so more calories) than most seem to do, on this board. I wonder if my CCLM would rise if I were to cut the fats some...? I think the fat's a little higher because of living in Italy, and cooking Italian style, which is very heavy on olive oil. Also... producing our own doesn't help. Glad it's good for you though!

Sorry... kinda wandered off subject and into fats/cals!

[not2late]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

Estimated CCLLs in book and real CCLLs

Yes, the ranges listed in the book are accurate, that's why I make a big deal about knowing how much you lost in the first 14 days and doing the 14 days as cleanly as possible.

It's also very true that if you are a regular exerciser your carb tolerance might increase.

As much as I'm missing the fruit, I don't want to rush getting off of induction. In fact, I'll probably stay on extended for as long as I can. I'm afraid to eat the stuff that got me in this shape to begin with.

cristylp, don't be afraid of moving on. OWL is very controlled and very systematic. You just don't start throwing 5 net carbs of this or 5 net carbs of that into your diet. One of the mistakes made in OWL is that people have a tendency to either not drop a problem food or they run back to Induction when they do find a problem food.

[2big4mysize]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

my CCLL was actually a lot higher but Dr Atkins defines vigourous exercise as 45 min and I was doing about 2 hours worth a day. when I get injured or life in convenounces me my CCLL dropped back to that listed range.

[kjspea]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

Great info on aspartame! When looking at all the 'diet' sodas I have in my home, citric acid is included in the ingredients so I guess that would answer the questions regarding those drinks....

What I find strange is that phenylalanine is also in all of the drinks -- it's a supplement that Dr. A suggested to reduce cravings not suppressed during ketosis.... Anybody know about that one?

Sallyseachange~ Ciao Ciao! I *love* olive oil and I am getting in trouble w/ the amount I use b/c it's pushing my cal count way up there. I would really be in trouble if I produced my own, as I am sure yours is delish. My current favorite is Cour D'ulivo from Frantoi Cutrera in Sicily. Italians are generally trimmer than Americans and I was wondering if it's the olive oil, b/c it can't be the pasta!!! Or is it the vino rosso?

SOrry, I am getting off track, thanks for all those who share with the group regarding critical levels, the info is very useful. It's good to know Dr. A's estimates were pretty on point.

[Kate113]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

Sorry I don't the time to check in each day anymore so I'm going to respond to the many things I've read here in this one post.

It is great info on aspertame. Thank you. I've found that it doesn't seem to affect me at all. I had a few weeks where I didn't lost anything so I cut out all sweeteners and I still didn't lose. When I added them back in, including aspertame laden drinks, my weight remained the same. I do include those drinks in my allowances.

I've always been a big water drinker. My hubby can't stand it. He drinks sugar laden ice tea, soda and coffee. He says that water just doesn't quench his thirst. I, on the other hand, think that water is the ONLY thing that quenches my thirst. I always have my water bottle with me wherever I go. I always did. BUT until I started doing Atkins, I didn't realize how important it was to drink more water and less of the sugar drinks. The best part is...the warmer it gets, the more water I drink.

I don't really miss fruit in general (I'm on extended induction right now or modified OWL, however you'd like to classify it). I DO, however, miss SPECIFIC fruit...bananas. They've always been my favorite and just the smell of them is a trigger. Now that I have read the book and understand a lot more than I used to when I first started, I am more determined than ever to stay away from those things that are not on my approved list.

The appeal for other foods that I used to eat all the time are no longer appealing to me. It doesn't both me fixing dinner for my apparently high carb family (who won't listen to me that it's bad for them). I was a huge pasta and bread eater (my favorites). Now I am not even tempted anymore. Thank you, Dr. Atkins, for explaining to me the whys, whatnots and wherefors.

Big thanks to all of you here at ADBB. So many times when I was feeling weak, I would come here and just read, read, read and it really does help.

[sallyseachange]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

Sallyseachange~ Ciao Ciao! I *love* olive oil and I am getting in trouble w/ the amount I use b/c it's pushing my cal count way up there. I would really be in trouble if I produced my own, as I am sure yours is delish. My current favorite is Cour D'ulivo from Frantoi Cutrera in Sicily. Italians are generally trimmer than Americans and I was wondering if it's the olive oil, b/c it can't be the pasta!!! Or is it the vino rosso?

Mmmmm... I love Sicilian oil too. Stronger than ours here in Umbria, which is truly wonderful for about three months after pressing, then loses a bit of its aroma. I think Italians must be slimmer because they hardly eat fast food at all and stick to non processed foods. They're heavy on pasta and rice with rich sauces. Also heavy on fresh fruit and veggies. Fish and meat they eat plenty of, but generally in smaller portions than in the US I think. They do eat too many 'insaccati' in my opinion (salamis, hams, mortadellas etc.) So... it's gotta be a quantity and 'real' food thing keeping them that bit trimmer.

[not2late]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

Phenylalanine and aspartame.

Phenylalanine is an amino acid. Aspartame is made up of phenylalanine and aspartic acid (another amino acid). So while they are the same, they are also different.

It's sort of like the difference between pork rinds and a pigs skin wallet. Pork rinds are food and the wallet, technically, isn't. Eventhough they are made from the same thing, they are processed differently so their function is different.

[jimmie 48]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

i just got done biking 7 miles and reading chapter 14 and wanted to make a note of 2 things before biking on towards virtual ontario and ch. 15.

i don't have allergies so the point of nuts having mold jumped out at me. i of course, know that many people have allergies to nuts but i guess it just didn't register so much as it pertains to this woe. i am glad i don't have allergies such as this. anybody that watches my stat journal knows i like my peanut butter and dry roasted unsalted nuts.

i also wanted to give a suggetion for those that are or will be eating nuts. it's sooo easy to overeat them. instead of eating from the jar or can, find a little bowl that the serving amount will fit in. close the lid and put the product away, out of sight. i have some little pyrex cups that will hold exacty one serving of the dry roasted nuts. perfect. it keeps me from overindulging.

i would also recommend getting a small food scale. i picked one up at a local 5 and dime place. they are very inexpensive. i use mine quite often especially when eating something new or i see stats i don't like.

i also notice this:
want to eat more carbs? EXERCISE! tip one on page 181: To raise your CCLL, increase your activity level.

on this board, there is no excuse for not doing something. there are so many challenges going on that you would have to have your eyes closed not to see them.

on to virtual ontario and chapter 15.

[Saty111]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

I use a little bowl whenever I have peanuts too. It only fits one serving. I also notice that sometimes I will leave the can on the counter and that is BAD BAD BAD. I always end up walking by and grabbing a few. So now I make an effort to put it in a very awkward place to get to in the cupboard! I'm definitely going to invest in a food scale, I can see how it would be necessary.

I'm only on Chapter 5, but I'm going to try to get caught up with all of you! I've really enjoyed reading these posts.

[Elizellen]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

Good tip on the nuts portions once you reach OWL. I did a similar thing with my cheese 'allowance' when I started on induction, so I could easily track how many ounces I was eating. I cut the block of cheese into one-ounce chunks and wrapped them individually. It made it so much easier to stick to portion-control. I could easily have overdosed on cheese at the start of my induction!!

[jimmie 48]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

another good idea, eli!

i got done with ch. 15 while riding towards ontario.

the stall chapter............ lol
i am glad we can chat a little about that because i see so many times that someone will not lose a pound in 2 weeks and think they have stalled out. this is telling us a stall is not considered a stall unless it happens for at least 4 weeks. then he goes into so many varibales that could cause the stall. most of them are things that can be dealt with easily like, cutting back 5 carbs, upping your exercise, or simply by rechecking the food you have consumed.

he suggests the food diary. i was not a fan of fit day and didn't really use it until i got stats going. what i did do though, especially at the start, i logged every morsel that went into my mouth. i did that for about a week before i actually started low carbing. i wanted to get a feel for what i was actually eating. keeping tabs on my daily intake was essential for my start.

[dotsamantha]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

Iim very heavy handed when it comes to eye-balling measurements, and reading about the significance of measuring and logging made me buy a scale the first or second day. I use it regularly, esp. for cheese. Mmmm, cheese. I like fitday alot, i wouldn't be as inclined to write it down.

If i could tell everyone one thing about rate of loss I think it would be stay off the scale, lol.