Last ditch, not getting any younger...

[sarbirus]

So I am 37, 5'11" and about 280lbs or 127kgs or 20 stone!

Enough is enough.

Here is some serious honesty.. Because I think I need to be honest in public to own up to my history and all the reasons I need to make this work this time.

All my life I have been yoyo dieting..

When I was 12 I was overweight, as I was my whole life really.. Back then the doctor put me under a diet specialist..

Around then they tried putting me on a liquid diet... Soups... mostly dried just add water ones.... I dont remember it working, I just remember not eating for about 2 months.. They also gave me something which looked like red plastic granuals to eat... seriously.. a spoon full of plastic chippings 3 times a day and soup!

Ever since then I have hated how I look.

I grew up hating sports... mostly because of the changing rooms..

I did not enjoy swimming as a kid because of people seeing me half naked..

I have never sunbathed without a top on.. in fact, I have not ever been without a top in public..

Although currently seperated, I never intentionally allowed my wife to see me without my top on, and no partner, girlfriend or anything has ever seen me without my top.

Now I have 3 kids... They have never seen me without a top on..

About 2 years ago I decided to get serious..

I signed up with a personal trainer... not the type you get cheap or free as part of a membership at a gym, nooo... this was a one to one personal trainer with a private gym where its just the two of us in there... It wasnt cheap, which I was happy with because it made it more important not to fail..

For a year, I was with the personal trainer for two sessions a week, each one for an hour... He was damn hard on me... I was also going to the gym 3 nights a week... it improved my fitness no end.. I went from being unfit and in poor physical condition, to being above average fitness, cardio, blood pressure, etc... But after 1 year and loosing about a stone, I came to the conclusion that it had all stalled... I was going through some serious pain the weight and fat loss had stopped... I was really quite fit, but still with a high body mass index, high fat content, I could not keep it up anymore and gave up!

That was a year ago.. I have now put back all the weight I lost, probably lost most of the fitness improvements I made.

So.. here I am.. a failure.. I now need to make this work.

for the last few weeks I have been looking into atkins.. I have seen some of you guys "before and after pictures" and guys.. you all rock!!! You have all inspired me to give this my best shot.

I have recently bought the following books..

Atkins new diet revolution
Atkins new carbohydrate counter
Atkins made easy - the first two weeks
Atkins new diet cook book

I am giving myself until the end of the month to read these books, become involved asking questions in here and do all the groundwork i need to do to prepare for the 1st of august, when I am planning on begining the new me.

I have also lined up a gym buddy who also wants to loose weight..

Lastly, I will be getting in touch with my old personal trainer to get him on board too.. I failed with him last time.. but last time (and I think I knew it) my diet wasnt working.. it was healthy.. but I am now convinced that carbs may be my evil undoing last time.

I have also bought just about every brand of sweatener going.. the reason being that some sweeteners make me sick... so I will be trying them all out over the next week or so, and then comparing the brands with what ones are atkins friendly..

Well.. here goes nothing.. wish me luck!

[chinadoll]

Re: Last ditch, not getting any younger...

Welcome Sarbirus, I commend you on your owning up to this. I do have a suggestion though. If sweets are part of your problem, then you need to really break yourself of the desire to eat sweet things--that includes artificial sweeteners. Sweeteners are severely limited in the first two weeks anyway and many people find that they impede their weight loss. Good for you for getting the books and reading them. Feel free to post any questions you have as they arise.

[sarbirus]

Re: Last ditch, not getting any younger...

No, sweets have never been a problem.. even when I was a kid!

When I was young.. most kids would run down to the shop to buy some sweets, chocolate etc with their pocket money... I ran down to the shop to buy a savoury pastry!

My problem is clear to me now.. its carbs carbs carbs..

All my life.. its been bread bread bread..

Give me spagetti bolognaise, I turn it into 3 or 4 sandwiches!

You name it.. I turn a large portion of it into a sandwich!

The sweeteners is for my other craving.. I have never been a soda drinker.. but coffee coffee coffee..

So my plan, is to ditch the coffee for decaf.. and change the sugar in it to sweeteners.. I think if I ditched coffee all together I would dehydrate as its all I drink.. I just need to work on also drinking loads of water too..

I think my biggest problem with my weight has always been bread and potatoes.. I cant think of a meal I have had in the last 20 years which did not include both of these evils.

[imagood1]

Re: Last ditch, not getting any younger...

Hi and welcome to ADBB.

I'm happy you have the book - the 2002 Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution (DANDR) the book we use for reference on this site. http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/77558-atkins-diet-induction-faqs.html – is a condensed version of everything you’ll need to know.

Before you start get your head in the right place -- you are not a failure but you will be a looser (a weight looser that is), you are here and we are willing to help get you back on the path you need to be on.

I've been drinking decaf for a few years, after my husband had triple bypass and we were told that's all we could drink. Have a cup in the morning with Splenda & cream (if you use them) then get a large glass and start filling it with water to drink. The more water you drink the better you'll start feeling, it will help flush the nasties and fat from your system and will keep your metabolism up.

You will find things to eat in place of potatoes and bread - look at the recipe sites below for different ways to eat. Cauliflower is a very versatile vegetable that can be dressed up to taste just like a potato! Fried radishes and onion taste like fried potatoes. There is a recipe for a bread substitute called Revolution Rolls.

If you need help at any time we never close and there is always someone here who is willing to help you. Post often, ask all the questions you need to, expect some tough love when you need it and pats on the back when you need them also.

Before you start:
*take your measurements and get on the scale so you have accurate numbers to start with - don't weigh again until the end of your 2 week induction.
*Eat a variety of meats, cheeses and vegetables. Also make sure you get your fats, carbs and protein in daily – www.fitday.com will help you keep track of this.
*Drink 64 ounces of pure water -nothing added daily (Legal water is considered Filtered water, Mineral water, Spring water and Tap water).
*Take your supplements and start an exercise routine today.

The Atkins shakes and bars are not legal on induction – there are non-induction ingredients in them and they are not listed on the acceptable food list. If a food isn’t listed on the acceptable food list it doesn’t belong in your mouth – no exceptions!

The recipe sites are a helpful meal planning tool – just make sure you use Induction Recipes to begin with.
Recipe Sites
http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/menus.html (Linda’s)
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/58513-never-ending-induction-recipes.html (Induction recipes)
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/6807-induction-recipe-basics-more-recipes-added.html (Induction Recipe Basics)

If you need anything we’re here to help you!! Good luck.

[JulieB]

Re: Last ditch, not getting any younger...

Welcome! It sounds like you are putting together a solid plan - that's great! Planning and following the rules to a "T" are your best tools to making this work for you,

Best wishes,

[sarbirus]

Re: Last ditch, not getting any younger...

Thanks for the tips carole..

So califlower is induction friendly? So I guess that means its possible to make an induction friendly califlower cheese?

I will try the fried radish idea.. that sounds like something that will work also.

Thanks for the encoragement JulieB!

[imagood1]

Re: Last ditch, not getting any younger...

Thanks for the tips carole..

So califlower is induction friendly? So I guess that means its possible to make an induction friendly califlower cheese?

Yep cauliflower is on the accaptable list...and cauli-cheese is a staple on my table. If you like macaroni & cheese try the mock-a-foni and cheese (cauliflower in place of macaroni). That's another staple here....cauliflower as a pizza crust, etc.

Here are the veggie recipes on Linda's site: Linda's Low Carb Menus & Recipes - Side Dish Recipes

Here is the list of foods you can eat:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...on Induction?)

Green beans are listed as string beans on the "other veggie" list ... so don't forget to eat them also. Canned spinach is wonderful with anything in the pork family.....I could go on but we don't have time...LOL!!!

Keep eating a variety of food.

[sarbirus]

Re: Last ditch, not getting any younger...

Ok.. so today was the 1st of august.

Today I weighed myself, took numerous measurements, joined fitday and recieved a delivery from an online Atkins food products store.

From Atkins I bought some shakes and bar's to keep as treats to keep the evil foods away.

Last night I went shopping and spent a fortune and about 3 hours in the supermarket buying food and looking at the nutrition part of hundreds of food labels..

I have also read nearly all the atkins book.. plan on reading the rest in the morning

As of tonight.. I am now on Atkins induction!

[imagood1]

Re: Last ditch, not getting any younger...

watch the shakes and bars -- they stall some people and the ingredients aren't induction friendly (regardless of what the box says!!). Good luck to you!!

[chinadoll]

Re: Last ditch, not getting any younger...

Carole is right about the Atkins products.

[Mick2360]

Re: Last ditch, not getting any younger...

Sarbirus, It takes a lot of courage to fight the demon that has been dogging us most of our lives. Know that you are not alone. And you can take to the bank the advice you have been given above.

Please check in and let us know how you have been doing. I'm always interested in a fellow traveler. And you might consider signing up for the men's forum if you are so inclined.

Regards,
Mick

[sarbirus]

Re: Last ditch, not getting any younger...

$#@&!!!!!

So Atkins lie... GrrrRRRrrrr!!!!!

Cream cheese is Atkins friendly isnt it? Its the only other thing I had in reserve as a treat..

[sarbirus]

Re: Last ditch, not getting any younger...

Thanks for all the advice, this place is going to be valuable!

Just done my colesteral test to get another stat to record at the start, and did a keto strip test to make sure I know what I am doing...

Have put in a request to join the Mens forum mick, I will be active in the forums to keep me sane!

Cheers everyone

[Mick2360]

Re: Last ditch, not getting any younger...

LOL! Man have I been there: "What! I can't have this....#*&!"

You are dealing with cravings, that is an early trial that will pass. Check the board for information. And you may want to look at some of the induction videos for treats. They do exist.

You are 284. I have been there and recently! We are men on a mission and benefit from others who have been there. Stay on top of the request and send an additional one to Georgiana if you don't get an answer in a couple of days. The lady gets it done!

PM me any time. I am a newbie, far from an expert but expertise is not your problem; there is plenty of that here. Lets talk about exercise and mindset. No jar of peanut butter (one of my serious addictions) is going to knock me off the path to my goal!

[sarbirus]

Re: Last ditch, not getting any younger...

This Atkins diet just does not seem right..

I just ate a juicy steak, fried in butter, with mushrooms and onions and a couple of fried eggs on top and a little bit of shredded pepper as a tiny side salad....

Is this right? or have I got the wrong end of the stick...again!?!?!?!?

Oh.. and I had a decaff coffee with cream instead of milk and a sweatener tablet in it..

This all seems so very very wrong.