Finally, I thought I was alone!

[BuxominBeverly]

30 years ago in high school was the first time I started the AD. I loved how I could lose 10 pounds in days. Then I went to college, got married, had children, and every few years or so I went back on the diet. When I was 46 I had been on the diet for a few years, my weight was stable, and I was doing well... until I got sick. I suddenly developed autoimmune diseases including thyroiditis, RA, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis etc. I thought it was the diet! So I got fat again. Well I'm back. I have been on the diet for the past 9months and I feel great! I had stopped weighing myself after the scale hit two hundred and at 5'1 I was a real ball of fat. I know I am still fat but I am no longer obese.

My main problem right now is finding the Atkins products I used to love and trusting the labels of the products I can find. I found a great hign protein candy bar form Pro source Supreme Protein (but I can't believe it is for real) and I love the new flax wraps for my chicken salad. I drink slimfast high protein low carb chocolate when I am in a hurry and on the run nothing satisfies me like EAS low carb bars.

My other problem is that no body (except my mom) seems to notice that I have lost weight, and I have lost maybe forty pounds! I don't know if I hid the fat so well or I just have so much further to go. But I am motivated, especially now that I found this bulletin board, I'm not alone anymore.

Thank you!

[joee5]

Re: Finally, I thought I was alone!

Your welcome and no you are not alone. Questions, dont hesitate. Lotsa knowledge here for whatever you need to know. Hang in there. God Bless, Joe

[mitzimarie]

Re: Finally, I thought I was alone!

Hi, Buxom

Welcome to ADBB!

LOL... since I will be attending my 30 year high school reunion on Saturday, I'm guessing that we're the same age. You're right - as we get older, it takes a bit more effort to lose weight. But it CAN be done!

Looks like we're both "vertically challenged" (aka short), too. I am just a shade over 5' 2", and also tipped the scales in excess of 215 pounds. And, like you, I had some success with Atkins previously and let some life incidents re-rail me. Not to worry - as long as you commit to this time being the real deal, you can and will be successful.

After losing 60 pounds on Atkins, I strayed from plan and re-gained 32 of those pounds. This past year, I renewed my commitment and have managed to reach goal and have been maintaining for 7 months. I am convinced that the difference between that first time, and this time, is that this time I am following the 2002 version of Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution (DANDR for short) to the letter. I didn't progress up the rungs properly the first time, which prevented me from learning exactly how many, and what kind of carbs that I can tolerate. I stalled out at 155, and wasn't able to maintain the loss that I did have, because I never learned the skills required to make this a lifetime commitment.

Which brings me to this point - I would not get into the habit of relying upon artificial foods like packaged low carb items and bars. While a bar may save you in a extremely occasional capacity, they spell trouble for the overwhelming majority of us (myself included). And the Slimfast High Protein shakes have sugar in them - a definite no-no. It is best to avoid shakes, but if you must have them (AFTER induction), I would chose the Atkins shake or the Slimfast low-carb shake. I'm sure that the Slimfast High Protein ones taste better, but there's the sugar issue.

Also, it looks like you are still in Induction? Then the lowcarb wraps are a no-no as well. Those are not allowed until the 9th rung (which is the last one). It is best to focus on whole, unprocessed foods... fresh meats/fowl/fish/pork and veggies. Good stuff!

Here are some links for places around the board that may be of help. The last one is to a website that a lot of us use for recipes.


Atkins Low Carb Dieting - FAQ's - Atkins Diet

Review My Menu: http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...eview-my-menu/

Exercise Challenges: http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...se-challenges/

Second Time Around Club (STAC): http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...e-around-club/

Journal Chats: http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...journal-chats/

Journal Stats: http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...journal-stats/

Atkins Foods and Recipes: http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...-food-recipes/

Linda's website for recipes: Linda's Low Carb Menus & Recipes - Home


Make sure to stick close to the board, and post often. Good luck!

[BuxominBeverly]

Re: Finally, I thought I was alone!

Thanx so much! I have some work to do, I didn't even know about the rungs, I ate straight protein for a while and then started adding stuff. Lost a lot of weight in the fall but since Christmas only a couple pounds. And I know I have the book on the bookshelf so I will have to pull that down too. And I plan to study from the websites you sent me. Thanx so much! And I don't know why I just called you Linda?

[mitzimarie]

Re: Finally, I thought I was alone!

Hi, again

You're welcome!

Please, please read the book. It is very important! Atkins is NOT a high protein way of eating. It is a high fat, moderate protein, low carb way of eating. While in Induction, the general guideline for percentages are 65% Fat, 30% protein, and 5% carbs. As you add back carbs in OWL, your fat percentage will decrease as your carb percentage increases... your protein is the constant at 30%. Excess protein is converted into glucose, and you don't want that!

The rungs in OWL are probably THE most important concept to learn in order to do Atkins correctly. This is where we learn about our individual food intolerances and how many carbs we can eat and still lose weight.

One thing I wanted to clarify - in my previous post I mentioned that wraps were not allowed until Rung 9. That is true with wheat wraps... upon re-reading your post, I saw that yours are flax. Flax in amounts greater than a tablespoon or 2 for constipation issues is allowed in Rung 3 (nuts and seeds).

I will be the first one to admit that doing Atkins correctly takes attention and effort. There is a very specific process involved, and it is important to introduce foods individually and in a structured order. Read the book, and don't hesitate to ask any questions that you may have.

One more thing! How about you add some info to your siggie, so we can know you a little better. You can include things like age, height, starting weight, current weight, goal weight, and the day you started. That will help us, help you, if the need arises. You do that by going to the blue bar at the top and clicking on "Quick Links". Then click on "Edit Signature", and add your stuff.

Good luck!

[IrishMom82]

Re: Finally, I thought I was alone!

Mitzi you are just an endless well of information and support! Love ya girl!

Welcome Beverly! Good luck on your journey and as Mitzi says don't hesitate to ask questions! Keep us posted!

[BuxominBeverly]

Re: Finally, I thought I was alone!

Mitzi, My kids are teasing me that I found my own "myspace" group. It is going to take me a while just to get through all of the info, forums, lists, etc. What is really funny is that I picked my screen name, thinking that this was completely anonymous and really (at first) was just planning on lurking. Made me realize that maybe I have not been honest with myself. I didn't weigh myself before I started, although I'm pretty sure I know how much I weighed and I don't weigh myself now. In fact my husband wanted to know what happened to the scale when I removed it from the bathroom. I know that I went from a tight 2X to a 14, tight 14s for the moment, a solid 14, hope fully this year I will be able to get out of my beach chair without crawling on the sand.
So honesty I guess would start with posting my real name and some real pix and numbers?
I'll try that, even my drivers license photo you can see the weight.
Here's something interesting: Before I started... my cholesterol was high, my BP was high, things weren't good, I was obviously obese just from looking at me... since I am constantly monitored by two different Drs. for my RA and thyroid... do you think one of them would have suggested I lose weight... I thought I was operating the biggest scam... was I the only one who noticed I was fat? my clothes were as wide as they were long? I guess I just live in a very polite world!
Even now I basically just tell people I am allergic to sugar, I don't want to tell them I am on a diet, they might think I'm fat, tee hee,