First Timer....

[itsbabs]

Hello,
I'd like to introduce myself. I'm almost 47 and have tried many diets before, but never Atkins. I've been a little heavy, but always managed to still look good. I am now living in Texas and gained 30 lbs when I moved here. I think eating out on the company credit card for 90 days during relocation may have had something to do with it. Now, whenever I see pictures, I get upset that I allowed myself to gain the extra weight. I weighed 168 before starting and this morning, I weighed 167.

My boyfriend lost 25 lbs on Atkins so he is trying to guide me, but I need some "real" help. I've completed what he called the 'Induction Phase' for 14 days and have lost 1 pound, so I'm getting very discouraged. I was so very proud of myself for not cheating but maybe I am and don't know it. I did experience headaches, but they are gone now. I don't have any desire for carb-heavy foods so I think I'm on the right track, but the lack of weight loss feels defeating.

I'm going to order the book today and read chapters 10 through 14. There are so many different types of Atkins books, so I hope I'm ordering the right one.

I have been checking all labels and looking at carb counts, so I'm confused about what type of bacon I can have. The label says it has sugar in it, but the carbs are zero. I have Atkins shakes and the bars and count the carbs, but I read on the site that those are not allowed on the Induction Phase. My typical meals are:
B - bacon and eggs
L - Caesar salad - no croutons - Boston Market chicken and green beans.
D - Atkins shake - (last night was turkey pepperroni and hot wings)

I try to drink my water - using flavored water with splenda. What can I do to see some real changes?

[fat4now]

Re: First Timer....

DANDR DR. Atkins New Diet Revolution 2002 edition is the book used on this board. It can be had on Ebay for less than $10.

[itsbabs]

Re: First Timer....

Hello - Thanks. I checked out Ebay and found one with a red cover. Is that it? I went to Amazon.com and found these too so now I'm wondering. Are these the same?

Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution - Robert C. Atkins
Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution, Revised Edition - Robert C. Atkins

[joee5]

Re: First Timer....

Welcome aboard, I too am a first timer and one day I expect to be a former. Good luck. God Bless,Joe

[Greeneggs&ham]

Re: First Timer....

This forum bases their answers on the red cover. I believe you want a book that was revised in 2002 -- no earlier, no later.

I think for best results and to give the diet a fair chance, you need to:
(1) Use a site like Fitday.com to make sure you are eating a fair number of calories based on your BMR and eating them in the right proportions (roughly 65% fat, 30% protein and 5% carbs).
(2) You should get rid of the "frankenfoods" (bars and shakes), and
(3) Get most of your water from non-flavored, standard water.
(4) You should be limiting yourself to no more than 3 servings of artificial sugar per day (each bottle of Splenda-sweetened water likely counts as two!).
(5) You should be getting as close to 20 grams of veggies (not including fiber) per day and spreading them out over all your meals to lessen the impact of carbs on your insulin level.

Any or all of these changes may be required for you as an individual to see a positive change. Down the road, you may be able to add some frankenfoods or sweetener to your diet, but removing them early on should give your body the best chance of seeing results. Best of luck!

[Siccaluvn]

Re: First Timer....

Read the whole book- there is so much information in it!! You'll be amazed at how fast the reading goes. If Fitday isn't your thing (I had trouble keeping up with it) then get yourself a notebook and write everything down at night that you ate and drank all day!!! Count the carbs, keep track!!!

Drink water all day long- yeah you'll make a lot of bathroom trips but it also helps suppress appetite if you ask me! Plus it has so many other benefits!!! I swear by it- get your 60 oz in!!! Take the vitamins too!!!

I started at exactly 167 lbs, right now I am 135. I don't know what your goal is but I assume you're looking to lose about the same as I?

I've been doing Atkins since April 2007....check out my journal for some of my daily eating plans, maybe they will help (be sure to check early entries, the ones now I don't count carbs and of course since I in the ongoing weight loss stage I am allowed a lot more at this point).

Best of Luck to you, I know you can do it!! It really works!!

[itsbabs]

Re: First Timer....

Hello Joe! Good luck to you too and God bless!
Jessica - You look fantastic!!!! Yes, I would love to be back at 134. I don't ever remember being at that weight!
Eric, - Thank you for the information. I will order the Red book tonight from Ebay. I decided to quit drinking the flavored water because it appeared that my weight loss went in the opposite direction when I started drinking it. Tonight will be my last shake, too. Thanks so very much!!!

One question - what happens if you eat less than 20 carbs?

Babs

[Greeneggs&ham]

Re: First Timer....

One question - what happens if you eat less than 20 carbs?

Fleas infest your bedsheets, the sky turns dark purple and the IRS audits your federal tax return.

OK, actually nothing happens. Atkins is just making the point that this is a LOW carb rather than a NO carb diet. The fact remains that there are many nutrient-dense foods in the carbohydrate group. Learning how to separate the good carbs from the bad carbs is what this WOE is all about.

[itsbabs]

Re: First Timer....

Great! Now, 2 of the 3 issues have already happened! Thanks. As long as I don't have to eat exactly 20 carbs per day, I think I can do this!

[Siccaluvn]

Re: First Timer....

Oh from the start I varied a lot, some days I may only get to about 18 carbs, other days it could be about 25....just try to use 20 as a guideline and drink a ton of water!! The water will help keep you hydrated and prevent you from drinking anything else that may stall you or add to your carb count. I highly recommend JUST drinking water, tea, and coffee during induction with no sweeteners.....see if you can do it!

How is it going so far this week?

[itsbabs]

Re: First Timer....

Hello - Well, I quit drinking flavored water and I quit drinking the Atkins shakes and eating the Atkins bars and I'm now down a total of 5 lbs! I think I'm on the right track. It's amazing how fast your body can change.

[Siccaluvn]

Re: First Timer....

Good for you!!! Give it a couple weeks, that's all you need and you'll be convinced that this way of eating will work. Just stick to it, you deserve it.

Have a great weekend, pound that water!!!