Today is the day!!

[jencrane63]

My name is Jenny. I am 45 years old and weigh 265#. The reason I started on the Atkins lifestyle is because my blood sugar was 245 yesterday. Diabetes is prominent in my family on both sides and I know I have to make some changes and fast. I joined this forum for support and knowledge from others that will understand what I am going through. I know I can do this.

[Evansmom49]

Re: Today is the day!!

Welcome Jenny.

I'm so glad you're already referring to Atkins as a lifestyle and not a diet - great mindset! Good luck on your journey. We look forward to hearing from you.

Suzanne

[JulieB]

Re: Today is the day!!

Welcome to the boards!

[imagood1]

Re: Today is the day!!

hi and welcome Jenny -- I was diagnosed Type 2 last June with an A1C of 10.3 -- last month (after 5 months on Atkins) my A1C was 5 -- HUGE difference!!! You are right, this IS a lifestyle, not a diet.

Stay away from processed foods (like shakes and bars) - eat a variety of foods, get your fats, carbs and protein in daily, drink plenty of pure water (nothing added), take your supplements and exercise...it's really that easy.

A copy of the 2002 edition of Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution (DANDR) is invaluable to 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.

Here is a thread that will give you loads of information to be able to follow the plan correctly. http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/77558-atkins-diet-induction-faqs.html

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. If it’s not on the acceptable food list – it doesn’t go in your mouth!

Crystal Lite, sugar free teas, sodas, latte’s, smoothies – don’t count – PURE water is the only thing that counts toward your daily water intake. Now is the time to make changes – stop using these products. If you need a “flavor” in your water float a lemon or lime slice on top of your water.

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

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

Exercise is mandatory ….. no excuses - start today! Many of us weren’t active before Atkins – once you get going you’ll find it’s so easy to carve out time each day to walk, run, swim or whatever you choose to do! Take a walk one day, do some light weight training the next day…shake up your routine so your body doesn’t get use to the same thing.


Look at all the delicious foods you can make while you’re eating this way – vary your meals so you don’t get bored with the same thing over and over.

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

[jencrane63]

Re: Today is the day!!

Thanks, Carole. All information is appreciated.

I had a good first day... have a bit of a headache but I figure it is because I have had no sugar. Just gonna take it day by day.

I have a membership to the YMCA. I was up to 2 miles on the treadmill and doing all the machine. I am going to have to get back into the routine. I have found that summer is challenging.

I was going 3 times a week and now I am lucky if I get there 1 day a week so have to try harder!!

[imagood1]

Re: Today is the day!!

Thanks, Carole. All information is appreciated.

I had a good first day... have a bit of a headache but I figure it is because I have had no sugar. Just gonna take it day by day.

I have a membership to the YMCA. I was up to 2 miles on the treadmill and doing all the machine. I am going to have to get back into the routine. I have found that summer is challenging.

I was going 3 times a week and now I am lucky if I get there 1 day a week so have to try harder!!

good for you getting back at it at the Y -- I started a few months ago riding a stationary bike .... I ride 25 miles daily now. I also have a pretty good selection of exercise videos and handweights I use.....I mix it up so my body doesn't get use to the same thing over and over (except for the bike -- I do that everyday). It's my time and I relish it!!!

Good luck to you...if you ever need anything all you have to do is ask!! That's what we're here for.

[blueberrylady]

Re: Today is the day!!

Welcome to the board, Jenny. Atkins is the best way there is to control diabetes without having to take all those drugs.

Keep us posted on how you're doing!

[pinkfusion]

Re: Today is the day!!

Hi Jenny, you CAN do it! I think you will find that this was a great decision. Keep us posted on your progress

[sham]

Re: Today is the day!!

Welcome and good on you for making this decision to get healthier.Good luck!

[jencrane63]

Re: Today is the day!!

I forgot to change my weight. I used my start weight as my weight about a month ago but I re-weighed that night of the day I started induction and it was sadly more. So... I fixed my error. I have done really good so far except that I am not drinking as much as I should. I just can't seem to get in as much fluids as I should. Today I have had 40 oz. water. 2 glasses of tea. I know I should drink more but I just can't seem to get it done!!

[JulieB]

Re: Today is the day!!

I keep a bottle of water with me almost all the time - at work, at home, etc. I sip it all day long - I find that easier than stopping to chug a whole glass at once

[jencrane63]

Re: Today is the day!!

Well.... doing a little better on the water drinking. My blood sugar is slowly going down. It was 245 in the morning the day before I started induction and this morning it was 186. I have lost a bit over 5 pounds and I am starting to feel better. We stayed home on the 4th and I am glad we did... that way I could stick to Atkins and not worry about the stress of all that holiday food. I have been out to eat since starting and I chose Applebees. I had naked chicken wings with no sauce and shrimp salad with very little dressing. You can go out to eat but you have to really check out the menu or plan ahead and use the internet to find low carb meals. That is what I did. So now I am starting my 5th day. Gotta go get that glass of water.

[chinadoll]

Re: Today is the day!!

Jenny, work on things like the water and exercise in stages. Raqdical change is hard. But each day try to drink a couple ounces more, and do it in sips all day rather than downing a whole glass at once. Same with exercise. Maybe this week you make it there 2x. Next week shoot for 3x or maybe a few more minutes. Don't feel guilty because you aren't perfect in all areas. You'll get there. Give yourself a bit of time and adjust at a level you can handle.

[Size9in2009]

Re: Today is the day!!

Good Luck!