Enjoying the Atkins flu

[hcruzer]

Despite feeling tired, having hot flashes and headaches, I actually feel so much better eating low carb. I'm doing a modified induction because I'm a nursing mom and I wanted to ease into Atkins. I'm eating lots of meat and veggies. Also, a little peanut butter and a few strawberries are helping me get through this "flu" phase. I know I'm not doing things to the letter, but since I'm going through some withdrawal, I figure good metabolic things must be happening. It's good to be here and I look forward to posting in the future.

[Rick]

Re: Enjoying the Atkins flu

Just a suggestion here... but I would for sure drop the strawberries for now. At some point in OWL you will be able to eat them and still stick with the rules. The first 2 week of Atkins are really important in establishing your base and breaking food addictions. It will become the foundation of your Atkins journey and you'll be really happy that you did it. The peanut butter, if it's kept to a minimum is probably ok, though you'd still do better if you could drop if for now and add it back in after the initial 2 weeks.

Congrats to you for starting this while having a little one! It will help you get rid of those extra lbs really fast (not speaking from experience on that one, but from what I've read).

We're all glad that you're here and hope that you'll post your experiences and questions as you continue your Atkins journey. It really is a great WOE, and we get to eat so many tasty things that other "diets" say that you can't have.

Stick with the plan and you'll obtain your goals. Again, welcome!

Rick

[hcruzer]

Re: Enjoying the Atkins flu

Thanks for writing that Rick. It's funny what you said about food addiction; I was just noticing today that, instead of feeling fuller longer like I should be, I was feeling hungrier and looking for "safe" carbs to eat. Needless to say, I overdid the berries, peanut butter and whipped cream. I didn't cheat per se, but I noticed the beginning of a potentially ugly pattern there. I'm feeling better physically now (flu wise), so I'm going to cut out the triggering foods and do induction right.
Thank you again!

[mitzimarie]

Re: Enjoying the Atkins flu

Hi, hcruzer

Welcome to ADBB!

Berries, peanut butter, whipped cream... these are a few of my favorite things.

Alas, they are sooooo easy for me to get into trouble with. Nuts, too... this board is riddled with posts by me at various times, lamenting my nut "incidences". And peanut butter is banned from my house FOREVER!

It's great that you have been able to recognize the signs of a trigger food for you... instead of feeling fuller longer, you were getting hungrier and looking for safe carbs to eat. Classic! I'm very proud of you for being so aware. I have been able to work berries in again, but I have to stay on my toes with them.

Since you are a nursing mom, I definitely see how you would need some extra carbs. There is a world of veggies out there, waiting to be experienced. They are a pretty safe bet with regard to tolerance, and so very good for you and the baby.

Good luck to you!

[Rick]

Re: Enjoying the Atkins flu

Thanks for writing that Rick. It's funny what you said about food addiction; I was just noticing today that, instead of feeling fuller longer like I should be, I was feeling hungrier and looking for "safe" carbs to eat. Needless to say, I overdid the berries, peanut butter and whipped cream. I didn't cheat per se, but I noticed the beginning of a potentially ugly pattern there. I'm feeling better physically now (flu wise), so I'm going to cut out the triggering foods and do induction right.
Thank you again!

Good for you for realizing that!!! And getting induction right is the best start that you can get. It will get you past those initial cravings, and after you break those it is simply up to you and your willpower to take it to the next level. I have no doubt that you'll do it!!!

mitzimarie just made some great comments to your post as well, and just look at the success that she's had... I think she knows what she's saying.

And, just a thought here... but if you are feeling hungry between meals, try to pick something high in fat instead of a "safe carb". Again, I don't know the female thing... but for me, if I think I need something before my next meal, I try to up my water intake or add in a fat portion. Carbs (up to a point) are not my friends.

Again, I know you'll do great here. You're off to a good start.

Rick

[hcruzer]

Mitzi and Rick

Thank you so much for your replies. Mitzi, your pictures are so inspirational! I am also 5'2" and looking to be about the size you are (need to make one of those weight tracker thingies like you have too, haha).
I just have one more question for you both. I know that Dr. A says that carbs is all we have to count and that calories aren't the concern. However, I put in all I've been eating into Fitday and it's averaging like 2500 caleries per day. My carbs are ok, but I just want assurance that weight loss really can occur with calorie consumption like that!!

Thank you again

[minatieno]

Re: Enjoying the Atkins flu

Quick question here, is it okay to have lentils on the induction phase? for a quarter a cup you get 11grams of fiber with a total of 20 grams of carbs. So that is 9 net carbs. I could not find it listed in any of the first two phases.
Two days down on induction and counting...