Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program 2006

[cristylp]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

I just want to say how happy I am that I came back to this board and am paying attention this time. I was one of those people who tried to do Atkins my own way, all the soda and cheese and whatever that I wanted, thinking I was "legal". I've only been here a few days and have already learned so much. And I'm doing it exactly like I should... even double checking to make sure green beans and string beans were the same.

Thank you all so much for the support and being such an inspiration to me. I finally feel like I can really make it.

[jimmie 48]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

thanks for that 2big! i know it wil be helful to those who haven't read many of your posts...........yet. lol

hey i would win the bet... i was so into water even pre-atkins. i've been doing water for a very long time. girlfriends would try to push other drinks but i always just stuck with water. for me the sodas were never an issue. i've had to watch my morning coffee sometimes. decaf was what i had at the very beginning and as i lost more weight i was able to do half caf. i have since dropped that though and i am on decaf once more.

[Atkid]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

Thankfully soda was not hard for me to give up, thought after years of it, that it would cause me a problem. My husband has always drank water, iced tea, or coffee as his choice of beverage, now we drink it together. Both ways of figuring the water quota basically come out the same for me, so my minimum for the day is 80 oz. but I always try to get in a little more than that.

[not2late]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

Jimmie, when I started OWL, I decided I was going to skip the starchy veggie rung and that the only grain I was going to try was oats. I was a big potato/rice/pasta eater. I mean, I could eat those starchy carbs morning, noon, night and never get tired of them. I liked them anyway they were cooked. I even used to boil penne or those spirals, drain them, toss them with spices and eat that as a low-fat alternative to potato chips or Doritos! During family get-togethers and potlucks, I was the one who would bring home the leftover potato gratins, potato or pasta salads, the rice dishes, etc. If I had a choice between another helping of pasta or a piece of chocolate cake, I'd take the pasta. So I was really scared that trying those foods on OWL would be no good for me.

When I got to the starchy rung, I decided that I wanted to add carrots. So I gave them a shot. Then I decided to try potato. I bought 2 fingerling potatoes. I used one of them in a chicken and bell pepper stew. I was really scared that it would throw me into a binge, but you know what? I tasted the potato and thought "Whatever." It didn't taste as good as I had remembered it. The other potato I diced and made into a serving of hashbrowns. Again, the potato didn't taste as good. Since that time, I've had spoonfuls of mashed potatoes, garlic mashed potatoes, french fries, fried rice, rice and beans, all kinds of pasta, and while they taste good, they don't taste as good as I remember them. So I don't bother with them on a regular basis.

[jimmie 48]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

same same for me. well, i would have taken the cake but that's a whole new discussion. lol

the only time i eat potatoes now is if i make stew or veggie soup. i could leave them out but i do have jack in the house would likes his potatoes.

to bring this back around to the induction phase of things i guess we could say that some of the things you think you will miss as you start this woe, you will most likely be able to add back in as you get further along...........chances are, you might not care when you get there! i think i am seeing that happen with many of the members.

[cristylp]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

I'm missing fruit.

[Atkid]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

I'm missing fruit.

Had me 4 cherries off the stem last night. First time I have ever had cherries that didn't come from a jar. 1/4 cup which I figure is the 4 cherries is a net carb of 4.2 according to the book. But they were so worth it.

[2big4mysize]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

hey you can have that fruit later as Atkid did. and there is fruit in induction tomatoes, and avacados are fruit as are olives. you can make "fruit from jicama with Brooks mock baked apples recipe. you can make pumpkin pie like stuff without the crust. you can do rhubarb yum yum and after week 2 of induction when you move to OWl and add more veggies back you will be surporized how sweet and tasty they now are. Red bell peppers are like candy to me and I would eat a strip of them as a treat dueing my long extended induction. I was eatting jicam just like an apple it was sweet, crispy and juice just like apples texture.

just give yourself some time.

[not2late]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

Induction is not the entire Atkins diet. It's only 14 days long. Some people elect to stay on it longer, but by no means is that mandatory!

If you follow the Atkins plan Dr. Atkins wrote about, you'll be eating non-Induction foods like fruit, grains, starchy veggies while you lose weight.

[dotsamantha]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

There's a chayote "apple sauce" recipe here also that's great.

I had a few strawberries the other night, they were so sweet, lol. Part two is my constant reference.

[Atkid]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

While we are talking about fruit, son brought home a watermelon. What do you all think an acceptable amount would be to eat?

[not2late]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

While we are talking about fruit, son brought home a watermelon. What do you all think an acceptable amount would be to eat?

Depends on your phase of Atkins.

For Induction: no amount is acceptable.
For OWL: 5 net carbs is acceptable.
For Pre-Maintenance: 10 net carbs is acceptable.
For Maintenance: whatever your body can tolerate within your CCML.

[Atkid]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

So basically at 2.6 net carbs per 1/4 cup that is 1/2 cup acceptable to eat. 1/2 cup of watermelon isn't very much.

[cristylp]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

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.

The mock baked apples and pumpkin pie stuff sounds like it will satisfy my fruit craving - I'll check them out. Thanks!

[kjspea]

Re: Dandr ~ Our Summer Reading Program

If you do it for a week you will be surprized how weird your soda tasates. It is like the veggies as your tastebuds resensitize to small amounts of sweetness and you notice the veggies traste better you will see the water tastes better too.

This is so true, my palate has adjusted! I don't really remember reading that in the book, does anyone know? Dr. A gives examples of reduced cravings of bad foods but does he actually talk about how taste buds change? I am sorry, I don't have the book w/me today, so someone can correct me. I just think he would want to stress/repeat this positive change. It could have been one of the many valuable nuggets that he throws in there once (or a small handful of times ) and expects you to remember, as 2Big has mentioned.

I really enjoyed reading about determining critical carb levels. He continues his scientific illustrations but expands the application to real life foods & examples. I look forward to this journey and understanding my biochemistry a bit better.

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?

ANd speaking of valuable nuggets, I would be interested to find out more about the aspartame study (from 2BIg). ALtough it couldn't be entirely isolated, it was interesting to note. ANyone here have problems with aspartame?