Changing My Life

[Seshena36]

Wow, I must say this is a very informative and supportive board. I found this site yesterday while poking around for Atkins related items and after reading a few posts I felt it was the perfect place for me to pick up some pointers, tips, advice and moral support.

I have never tried the Atkins Diet before but I know a few people who have changed their lifestyle (in regards to food consumption) and they not only lost weight but they seem more active and energetic.

A little background about me......I'm a single, divorced mother of a 4 year old girl. She is my life and I want to make my life a better one so that I can be the best I can be for her. I'm 36 years old and I work full time. I've been seperated since July 03 and divorced since December 04. Yes, I'm one of those women who didnt deal well with divorce and gained weight.

I've been "casually" dating someone for about five months now (first one since the divorce) and even though he doesn't want to commit to more than what it is, just being with him has helped me realize that I am a good person but I can definately be better. I dont want to lose weight for a man, but rather, to be a healthier, happier me.......so that I can enjoy life more with my daughter and perhaps with a man if that should come along. Anyway, after one of our casual conversations, we both agreed to try the Atkins way. Our first day was Monday, May 22nd.

I dont have any of the Atkin books yet, but I have gotten a lot of my information about the induction phase from the Atkins.com website and a few various articles, boards, forums, etc on the net.

Anyway, I guess that's enough about me. Now you all know a little about me and I have officially introduced myself.

[jimmie 48]

Re: Changing My Life

WELCOME TO OUR WORLD, SESHENA! GLAD YOU FOUND US!

it's good you have found some info since you don't have the book yet. there are loads of facts and lots and lots of help here on the board.

make sure you check out the exercise forums! there are so many challenges to choose from!
we have a journal forum too. chats, which is a chattier type of journaling and stats, which is by yourself, only you posting those stats and thoughts.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU AROUND!

[Courtney]

Re: Changing My Life

seshena, congratulations on building a new YOU! you seem so motivated. I, myself, am new here and like you, i noticed how informational and supportive this board was - it drew me right in! Welcome. and i wish you the best!

[Seshena36]

Re: Changing My Life

WELCOME TO OUR WORLD, SESHENA! GLAD YOU FOUND US!

it's good you have found some info since you don't have the book yet. there are loads of facts and lots and lots of help here on the board.

make sure you check out the exercise forums! there are so many challenges to choose from!
we have a journal forum too. chats, which is a chattier type of journaling and stats, which is by yourself, only you posting those stats and thoughts.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU AROUND!

Thanks Jimmie! I'm glad I found this place too. It really does seem like a good place for people to motivate each other and to help folks feel like they arent alone out there struggling with weight issues.
I'm definately taking my time to poke around all the spots on here....so thank you for the tips *smile*.

Have a great evening.

[Seshena36]

Re: Changing My Life

seshena, congratulations on building a new YOU! you seem so motivated. I, myself, am new here and like you, i noticed how informational and supportive this board was - it drew me right in! Welcome. and i wish you the best!

Hey Courtney! Thanks for the welcome...same to you. I read your thread earlier *before my account was active...I couldnt post while I was reading* But I really hope that you make your goal for the wedding *grin*!! I'm sure you'll be able to do just fine....just dont give up.

[Seshena36]

Re: Changing My Life

Darn those black olives *sigh*...I really like black olives...they have an almosty buttery texture to them. I don't know that's how I describe it.....maybe it's a flavor?

So anyway...why are you only supposed to eat like five a day during induction? I ate my dinner WAYYYYY to early today and I was really hungry a minute ago. I just drank a glass of water and ate 16 large black olives. That's bad huh? But my total net carbs today only hit 9.....think I'll be okay so long as I dont make it a habit?

Darn those black olives and darn my hispanic heritage...who made them so delicious anyway.....

[ValidRouge]

Re: Changing My Life

Hey Seshena...welcome aboard! next time you have those large black olives....don't have 16 of them, but have the 5 and stuff them with cream cheese or something else yummy that will give you some more 'volume' for your snack. During induction, you want to make sure that you eat if you are hungry. You should NEVER have to go hungry on this WOL. High fat snacks will usually curb your appetite very quickly, and they are good when sugar cravings start.

Check out the recipes forum, there's some GREAT stuff on there. This is my 2nd go round with Atkins, and the first time my biggest mistake was not making my food interesting, satisfying, luxurious even. This time it's different...and I'm Far more successful.

When you get your book, read it through and keep it handy for reference. I find I like to read through it every now and then for inspiration too. Read ALL the stickies in the induction forum and you should do okay. Keep in mind, too, that the induction is for two weeks. You can do it longer if you like, but you don't have to. I'm moving through the Ongoing Weight LOSS (OWL) part of the plan now, and am enjoying even more variety of food and LOSING weight steadily.

In just a couple weeks, you are going to be SOOOOO glad that you found Atkins and this board!

[Seshena36]

Re: Changing My Life

Hey Seshena...welcome aboard! next time you have those large black olives....don't have 16 of them, but have the 5 and stuff them with cream cheese or something else yummy that will give you some more 'volume' for your snack. During induction, you want to make sure that you eat if you are hungry. You should NEVER have to go hungry on this WOL. High fat snacks will usually curb your appetite very quickly, and they are good when sugar cravings start.

Check out the recipes forum, there's some GREAT stuff on there. This is my 2nd go round with Atkins, and the first time my biggest mistake was not making my food interesting, satisfying, luxurious even. This time it's different...and I'm Far more successful.

When you get your book, read it through and keep it handy for reference. I find I like to read through it every now and then for inspiration too. Read ALL the stickies in the induction forum and you should do okay. Keep in mind, too, that the induction is for two weeks. You can do it longer if you like, but you don't have to. I'm moving through the Ongoing Weight LOSS (OWL) part of the plan now, and am enjoying even more variety of food and LOSING weight steadily.

In just a couple weeks, you are going to be SOOOOO glad that you found Atkins and this board!

Hey Valid - Thanks for the welcome! So umm okay, I get that I went overboard on the black olives....BUT....does it say in the book or someplace what is WRONG with black olives? Like obviously corn is a yellow, starchy veggie so that is a no go...but what is the deal with the olives? I'm just curious.....not saying I wont follow the no more than 5 rule.
I have thought about how limited my choices are for induction and yes I was thinking that I might get bored but I have poked around and found some recipes that look and/or sound SO good. I dont think that anyone eating them would feel as if they are missing out on anything. So I'm thankful to see so many great ideas and recipes out there! It's definately going to help me be "not bored".
I think that since I have a LOT of weight to loose that I'll stay on the induction for a little longer than two weeks. It wont hurt me any and it'll only help me get healthier.

Oh yeah I have a question...what does WOL stand for? My guess is "way of life"....am I right?

[meena-beena]

Re: Changing My Life

Hey Seshena,

I just joined in here too. I found this site the same way you did actually--lol. I'm pretty sure WOL = way of life. Also, I have no clue why the olives are limited so I'm not much help there. I am currently staying away from them because I love olives and can't stop at a few. I already know that they are a problem food for me and may cause me to eat and not stop. ^.^

You should definately try to get yourself a copy of the Atkins book. There is so much more in the book than there is on the website. The nice thing about this forum is that this is a place to figure out how to use that info in the everyday world by talking to other people who really know what they are doing. lol

My doctor recommended the Atkins diet to me and I ran to my local library to find out what it was all about. (The library probably has a bunch of other Atkins related stuff there you might wanna check out--and it's all free, can't beat that) ;-)

In the book there are recipies that you might find helpful in the beginning stages of induction.

[ValidRouge]

Re: Changing My Life

. Also, I have no clue why the olives are limited so I'm not much help there. I am currently staying away from them because I love olives and can't stop at a few. I already know that they are a problem food for me and may cause me to eat and not stop. ^.^

That's the reason right there. One of the things you'll learn during induction is Portion Control. Only eating to satisfy hunger. By the end of the two weeks, it'll be a piece of cake (low carb cheesecake of course! ) LOL

Both of you check out this site for some FANTASTIC induction menus and recipes!!!

http://users3.ev1.net/~fontlady/indu...ion_menus.html

[Seshena36]

Re: Changing My Life

That's the reason right there. One of the things you'll learn during induction is Portion Control. Only eating to satisfy hunger. By the end of the two weeks, it'll be a piece of cake (low carb cheesecake of course! ) LOL

Both of you check out this site for some FANTASTIC induction menus and recipes!!!

http://users3.ev1.net/~fontlady/indu...ion_menus.html

Awesome! Thanks for the link Valid. I really do appreciate it...and any tip or hint that you give me that works...well...I'll clean a horse stall for you when I move back to Tampa for each one that works for me....LOL. Have a GREAT day!

[MistyDawn1973]

Re: Changing My Life

Welcome Seshena!!
Glad you found us. You will find wonderful support here! Everyone is so nice, and we all have the same understanding......changing our ways to a more healthier lifestyle! Once again, welcome!

[ValidRouge]

Re: Changing My Life

No problem! That site and the Food and Cooking Chat forum on this site has REALLY helped me. If you are eating foods that are decadent...how could you ever feel deprived???

[Seshena36]

Re: Changing My Life

Welcome Seshena!!
Glad you found us. You will find wonderful support here! Everyone is so nice, and we all have the same understanding......changing our ways to a more healthier lifestyle! Once again, welcome!

Thank you! I'm glad I found this board too. So far I have learned a lot and the extra "you can do it" attitude from everyone on here really helps too. Like I said, my main reason for wanting to slim down is so I can be a better mom to my four year old...so that I will be around long enough to see her graduate from college and get married, etc.......

[Seshena36]

Re: Changing My Life

No problem! That site and the Food and Cooking Chat forum on this site has REALLY helped me. If you are eating foods that are decadent...how could you ever feel deprived???

I agree, I think that is something most people dont realize (including myself)...you think *eat lots of meat* but then you think...god that is so boring....well not if you use good cuts or meat or combine it with veggies in a way that would make any four star restaurant proud....i definately have seen that with some of the recipes I have found on here.