Back on induction after two years...

[equestrian63]

Hi, everybody! Two years ago, I lost 160 lbs doing Atkins, and I am surprised at my success, because I didn't really do induction perfectly, but at age 40, the pounds flew off. I had to have surgery to remove a ton of skin off of my poor, deflated body... Anyway, I gained @ 22lbs this winter due to the weather, being lazy and getting back into those comfort foods & am back to do damage control.
have learned so much perusing this forum in the last day or so and am making a concerted effort toward doing a "clean" induction and doing OK so far on day 2. It would have been really cool to have a group like this to confer with when I originally did this. All I know is this is not easy, but I stick with it because I know IT WORKS!
My biggest struggles are with my 5-yr-old son, who wants pizza and McDonald's, not to mention lucky charms, pop tarts- okay, I'll shut up now...). I don't give him much of these foods, but I don't wany him to pay the price because I have food issues, so I sit and have the iced tea and try to resist just having one french fry or just one bite of pizza. This can be very frustrating. However, a payoff of this lifestyle is my son has begun to love steak, shrimp and green veggies (he has thrown tantrums to get me to buy brussels sprouts). Since my husband travels a lot and I have a busy schedule, I often live like a single parent and want to lean more toward convenience where food prep is concerned. I would love to hear some ideas from other moms on atkins!

[Desertthorn]

Re: Back on induction after two years...

Try the Bikergoddess Pizza recipe on the board. Its easy to make. Also drag out the crock pot, cause there are lots of recipes you can just start in the morning.
You have done an amazing job and this board is going to be very glad to have you help out. Thanks for joining

[Austlyn]

Re: Back on induction after two years...

You are amzing!! What an inspiration Welcome to

[sunflowergrl]

Re: Back on induction after two years...

I love cooking chicken in the crock pot!! I just take chicken breasts and a can of broth (I found a brand that only has one carb per cup and no sugar, but I can't remember the name). I put herbs in, and just let her cook!! I then use the broth the next day for soup. Its yummy, and easy. You can throw veggies in too, my son loves cauliflower and mushrooms thrown in. You could do the same thing with a roast, or pork loin, etc....
Just start it before you leave for work, and when you come home it will be waiting for you.
Oh, and welcome to ADBB and outstanding job losing all that weight!! You will do great and I look forward to reading your posts.

[Sheshy]

Re: Back on induction after two years...

Hi equestrian63 and welcome to ADBB!

WOW, 160 pounds is amazing, congrats!!!

I don't have any suggestions to replace poptarts or the sugary cereal for your son, maybe a trip to McDonalds once a month or so (for him ) would help the transition to healthier choices.

I'm with you on the single life and need for quick meals, I have 2 teenagers and work full time, DH works a different shift, so it would be so easy to make bad choices. So, instead they get one 'out' night a week and we work together on deciding the menu for the week, and I'll just adjust it a bit to fit my needs. The planning and as much preparation as possible helps me the most.

Anyway, glad you're here and hope to see you around the board!

[Diva217.5]

Re: Back on induction after two years...

All I do when the little ones get mcdonalds, is order the double cheeseburger and ask for no condiments and I throw out the bun.I find after being on Atkins for 3 weeks, that I dont really have any temptation for that french fry.Most carb food turns me off.They also have a protein menu too, so you can pick from there.It may not be 100% induction friendly , but you can always order a salad instead of the fresh fruit.Works for me.Also, just pick the toppings off on the pizza.Cheese is ok, and most veggies that go on and pepperoni.Just dont eat the crust.
You'll learn ways around situations like that pretty quickly.
Congrats on the major weight loss thou.......thats awesome.
Perhaps you can list your starting weight and your goal in your signature.Good luck.

[Below 30]

Re: Back on induction after two years...

Welcome and good luck!

[Isabeau]

Re: Back on induction after two years...

Hi and welcome! We also need to set healthy eating examples for our kids so they don't end up in the same situation as we did. There's nothing wrong as a parent saying no to Lucky Charms and Pop Tarts!!!

[sadie@136]

Re: Back on induction after two years...

welcome to adbb..160lbs???wow..we need to see pics girl..i am so proud of u!

[BizBee]

Re: Back on induction after two years...

I soooo know where you are coming from with giving your son a healthy, quick, diet. He is lucky you are smart enough to be concerned with what he is eating!

I have three kids-youngest is 10-and the food issue is a constant struggle because of peer pressure and tv advertising. Mine are old enough so I can explain how the tv ads are trying to get you to eat foods that are not really good for you and now they are beginning to see the light as so many of their friends really have severe weight problems. It is really sad. McDonalds is a special treat for us-maybe once a month-and I found that they really liked the playground better than the food. This is probably the only place where I don't make them "finish their meal" before they play because the exercise is really better for them.
My daughter realizes that the kids in her class that go to McDonalds all the time are the ones that have weight problems.

I finally stopped buying cereal altogether because whenever it was in the house, my kids would climb the cupboards to get into it and eat it until it was gone. Then of course, they wouldn't eat anything at mealtimes. When I had babysitters, they would let them have it for dinner. Same thing with poptarts. I think we would have a much healthier and thinner nation if they removed the cereal aisle from the grocery stores. I think there is more nutrition in the cardboard boxes that most of that stuff comes in than what is inside the boxes. I don't go down that aisle if my kids are with me. It is hard enough to get through the candy at the check out. However, I think it is better to get a single small candy bar for a special treat or reward than a big box of cereal anyday.

I now buy fruit only jam and let them smear it on toast (whole wheat) with butter for a healthier "poptart" It really doesn't take that much longer if you can remember to get certain "staples" when you do go to the grocery store.

We used to play a game where they ran and told me when the tv was trying to get them to eat something that wasn't really good for them. That might help with your son and it is kind of fun.

I always carry a couple of hardboiled eggs in my purse so that when I get them something to eat that I shouldn't I can stay on track and not get hungry. Also one ziplock bag for the eggs and one for the shells as I slowly peel them off. I have a Nordic Ware microwave egg boiler shaped like an egg which is wonderful. You fill it with water, put in the tray with 4 eggs and microwave on high for 8 minutes. You can finish getting dressed while they are cooking. A real timesaver!

I have gone to birthday parties for their friends where I get a fork and eat only the cheese and pepperoni off the top of a slice of pizza.

As far a quick meals, look in your grocery store. They have a lot of pre-cooked or prepared items in the deli section and the produce section that are really quick and lowcarb friendly!
I often buy a pre-roasted chicken for a quick meal when I don't want to cook. For snacks they now have pre-cut apples (get the ones without the carmel dip!). I let my daughter dip them in natural peanut butter (you do have to stir to get the oil mixed in but they are used to it by now) If you want you can add a little splenda or even sugar as you can control the amount of sugar and you know there is no hydrogenated oil in it.

My daughter also likes the pre-cut celery and carrots dipped in peanut butter or ranch dressing (bottled). They love bananas so I get a lot of them. If some of them start to go brown, I skin them and put them in a plastic freezer bag. Then I make smoothies when they want a snack. I just add either full fat yogurt or milk, MRM whey protein powder, frozen berries, splenda (you could add sugar as you can control the amount that goes in) The kids think it is a lot of fun to make. It really takes no time at all if you already have the frozen stuff in the freezer and cleanup takes less time than driving through a fast food restaurant.

You can also take popsicle sticks, cut a banana in 2, stick in the popsicle stick, dip the banana in milk or yogurt and roll it in coconut, nuts, sprinkles, or whatever. You can even melt chocolate morsels (or a few leftover holiday chocolate bunnies or pumpkins, etc) for a quick chocolate covered banana.

Raisins and nuts are also quick snacks if your son will eat them. I know this sounds weird but frozen peas and frozen grapes are also quick and fun finger foods. Making faces on peanut buttered toast with raisins or pieces of banana is fun for kids also.

If you check out brands, there are some healthier (and low carb)hot dogs that can cook up in a minute in the microwave. You can get your son a healthier bun and eat some veggies or whatever with yours.

I usually make a side dish like microwaved baked potato that I might not be able to eat, but that I can add to a meat dish so the kids are getting healthy carbs to go along with their meal, while i add a carb friendly side to mine.

I didn't mean to ramble on so long but do hope it gets easier. Congratulations both on your fabulous weight loss and getting back on track--Best of luck to you!

[KARENVAN]

Re: Back on induction after two years...

You did good by deciding to start again. I"m returning again too this is day two for me. The 1st time I lost more inches then weight went from a size 24 to a size 14/16. I hope to do good again and stick with it. I could use so motivation for starting an exersice routine. Any ideas?

[kkat55]

Re: Back on induction after two years...

Congratulations on 160 pounds lost and maintaining!! You've done fabulous!!

If you want some other menu ideas, click here: http://users3.ev1.net/~fontlady/induction_menus/induction_menus.html

I go there often and everything has tasted great so far.

Oh, and there are plenty of exercise challenges here...just go to the exercise forum and pick from there.

I'm part of the Vidiot's challenge and you do an exercise video of your choice.

Best wishes on your journey!

Kat

[equestrian63]

Re: Back on induction after two years...

Thanks so much for the advice & encouragement! I turned my son's McDonald's habit into a rare occasion by letting him watch "Supersize Me". No kid I know that sees that film looks at fast food the same way again! Also, the microwave egg boiler sounds cool- I gotta look for one of those- I'm still boiling them the night before... Pork rinds & deviled eggs are my lifesavers! I also do the pizza topping thing, but because I'm allergic to wheat. However that hasn't stopped me in the past- check out my will power - I just eat the birthday cake bloat all up, take benadryl and feel like crap for a couple of days and everything's fine. The one thing I have learned about food addictions is that we most often crave the very foods we are sensitive to. It is something I have to continually learn to live with. Thanks, guys!

[equestrian63]

Re: Back on induction after two years...

As far as exercise, I'm on the "stall shoveling resistance training workout"...
My rules are, unless it's a special occasion, I do not eat after 6pm, Try to walk at least two miles three to five times a week, plus I ride the nags (keeping the youngster underneath me is a workout in itself, especially since at my age, I don't have any desire to take the "turf-taste-test"). At my age I know some small free weights because it helps prevent bone loss, plus building lean muscle mass helps increase the ability to burn fat. I've done some videos- I like Winsor pilates, but went off last year after my surgey because I wasn't supposed to pull on my Abs. Yep, I found the undesirable part of losing all that weight- all that skin. After four kids I wasn't bouncing back, so I had a total circumference abdominoplasty. They basically pulled my ab muscles back together & sewed them together. Then they cut a 14 inch wide section of skin off all the way around. It was very painful, I'll be in debt 'till I'm 50, but I'm glad to be rid of all that hanging skin! It has given me a reason to look long and hard at my eating and excercise- how can I go back & gain a bunch of weight after going through all that?