Starting Atkins for 2, but the goal is all mine!

[HoneyB]

Hi all,

Nice to meet you, my name is Bree. I'm an American expat in Dublin, 27, heavy and ready to change. In fact, so is my OH! We're embarking on Atkins together for the first time having had great success separately in the past.
I have about 40 lbs (or 2.5 stone ) to loose overall to get back to my "normal" weight –*last seen just after getting married over three years ago.
He has much more–*80 lbs or about 6 stone.

After rationalising the weight gain for over a year with "We're just big people" and "We love our food", last weekend we decided to make the change.

Monday was Day 1 of Induction and that was hard! I re-read Diet Revolution, made menu plans, food lists and spread sheets to prepare –*but still got the cranky lows of carb withdrawal. Around 6pm yesterday things started looking up and this morning I woke from the first deep sleep I've had in months.

Today I feel great, ready for anything! Can't wait for Friday's measurements!

[sham]

Re: Starting Atkins for 2, but the goal is all mine!

Its so much better for support when a couple do the diet together.You can encorouge eachother and weigh in together and celebrate your sucess as a couple.Welcome to both of you I wish you well on the diet and good luck for your friday weigh in .YOU WILL DO WELL!

[chinadoll]

Re: Starting Atkins for 2, but the goal is all mine!

Hi Bree, I have a Canadian friend in Dublin who is just now repatriating to Toronto. I, too am an expat. It can be tough to find things overseas. And I expect with all the good beer, Dublin presents challenges. LOL

Welcome to ADBB and look forward to getting to know you. You are in lovely walking and biking country in Ireland so make the most of it!

[HoneyB]

Re: Starting Atkins for 2, but the goal is all mine!

Thanks Jill!
I live very close to the Phoenix Park, so there's no excuse anymore to stay still And yes, Ireland is the EU capitol of well-crafted carbs... the beers, the potatoes, the bread... it's what got me into these giant jeans in the first place!

Thanks again for your warm welcome, good to see another expat doing well!

[imagood1]

Re: Starting Atkins for 2, but the goal is all mine!

Hi Bree -- I saw another post you made about your slip-ups. Here is some information that will help you. Good luck to you and your friend.

We follow the 2002 edition of Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution (DANDR) - reading the book will give you all the information you need plus will explain the science and reasoning behind each step of the plan. Starting this plan without reading the book would be like taking a test without ever reading the material – it doesn’t make sense to not give yourself the best possible chance of succeeding. If you can't find a copy locally www.half.com and www.Amazon.com have them pretty inexpensively – mine was under $5.00 with shipping.

Exercise is not an option – it is mandatory ….. don’t say you can’t - start today! Most of us aren’t active before Atkins – but once you get going you’ll find it’s so easy to carve out some time each day to walk, run, swim find something you like and just do it!

Atkins bars and shakes are NOT acceptable during induction – they are made with non-induction ingredients and cause stalling in many people – you can use them further up the Rungs but not to begin with. Also remember - if it’s not on the acceptable food list – it doesn’t go in your mouth!

Here is a thread that will give you loads of information to be able to follow the plan correctly. http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...-approach.html (BEFORE you begin the Atkins Nutritional Approach...)

Here is a little more information you'll need:
Recipe Sites
http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/menus.html
(Never ending induction recipes)http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/58513-never-ending-induction-recipes.html
(Induction Recipe Basics--More recipes added)http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/6807-induction-recipe-basics-more-recipes-added.html
http://www.sugarfreesheila.com/RecipesPage.html

www.fitday.com get a free membership and track your daily food intake. Track NET CARBS daily … and also use the journal, for your daily moods, etc….it’s a great tool to help you.

Drink a minimum of 64 ounces of water each day, including:
Filtered water
Mineral water
Spring water
Tap water

Crystal Lite, sugar free drinks of any kind are not acceptable – PURE water is the only thing that count toward your daily water intake.

After your 64 ounces you can have the following:
Clear broth/bouillon (not all brands; read the label)
Club soda
Cream, heavy or light (limit to two to three Tablespoons a day; note carb content)
Decaffeinated coffee or tea*
Diet soda made with sucralose (Splenda); be sure to count the carbs (causes weight stall in many people)
Essence-flavored seltzer (must say "no calories" and should not contain aspartame)
Herb tea (without barley or any fruit sugar added)
Lemon juice or lime juice (note that each contains 2.8 grams carbohydrate per ounce); limit to two to three Tablespoons
*Excessive caffeine may cause unstable blood sugar and should be avoided by those who suspect they are caffeine dependent. Everyone should try to avoid caffeine.
Grain beverages (coffee substitutes) are not allowed. Alcoholic beverages are also not permitted during Induction; those low in carbohydrates are an option, in moderation, in later phases

[HoneyB]

Re: Starting Atkins for 2, but the goal is all mine!

Hi Carole, thanks so much for the reply! I think I see where the differences are coming in...
I have a copy of the 2002 Diet Revolution, however I also purchased The Atkins Essentials (2004) marketed here as Atkins Made Easy to see if there's been any updates.

This book states that Advantage bars are acceptable during induction, and the Atkins website suggests Induction phase daily menus that include Atkins Advantage bars and other Atkins supplements! However, since reading further I've now seen that the Atkins Health & Medical Info Services is changing some language and guidelines...

So, the lesson here is that the first iteration is best, and I'll be following the 2002 book now. Am a bit burnt from paying 10 euro for a paperback that's useless now, but better to be out of pocket that still stuffed into too-tight clothes!

Will be having a word with the hubby about doing as he's told and sticking to the plan

I really appreciate the feedback and tips, this is a GREAT message board!

[liv]

Re: Starting Atkins for 2, but the goal is all mine!

Hi Carole, thanks so much for the reply! I think I see where the differences are coming in...
I have a copy of the 2002 Diet Revolution, however I also purchased The Atkins Essentials (2004) marketed here as Atkins Made Easy to see if there's been any updates.

The reason we use 2002 New Diet Revolution is that is is the last book written while Atkins was still around. He had a tragic fall in 2003 and passed away. There is a company the Atkins Nutritional. It has the rigt to the name Atkins but it has chosen to modify aspects of the diet. Here at ADBB we are sticking with the original.

This book states that Advantage bars are acceptable during induction, and the Atkins website suggests Induction phase daily menus that include Atkins Advantage bars and other Atkins supplements! However, since reading further I've now seen that the Atkins Health & Medical Info Services is changing some language and guidelines...

Yes the company has been pushing bars and shakes and products. That is how they make their living. But as we have pointed out here, on induction these products are not really legal as they contain ingredients Atkins told us to avoid

So, the lesson here is that the first iteration is best, and I'll be following the 2002 book now. Am a bit burnt from paying 10 euro for a paperback that's useless now, but better to be out of pocket that still stuffed into too-tight clothes! .

Yes you got it.

Welcome to ADBB HoneyB. Hope to see you around lots.