Hello!

[Crabtree]

Hi, I'm Crabtree. I'm on day 3 of the diet. Yesterday was full of headaches but today I'm feeling great! It's very nice to see that number go down on the scale.
A bit about me:
I'm a first semester law student. I'm a friendly guy and I love to help.

Why I started Atkins:
I needed to lose about 75 lbs. There are a variety of reasons. First, I'm tired of being tired, I miss the energy I used to have. Second, I'm sick of being alone. Third, because even though its a grave injustice, no matter how smart or good at your job you are, your weight overshadows everything else. Since I'm starting on this new career I figured its a good time to get in shape.

I'd love to hear any advice you can give me or answer any questions you may have!

[Georgiana]

Re: Hello!

Welcome to ADBB!

Headaches can be caused by sugar withdrawal or, if you gave up coffee or sodas, by caffeine withdrawal.

Make sure you are eating nutritious vegetables. Keeping your vegetable net carbs too low does not help with headaches.

Water can help. A minimum is 64 oz, but most people do best drinking more.

Eat regular, balanced meals that combine fat, protein and some carbs (preferably from vegetables). Headaches are a common symptom of low blood sugar.

Loss of electrolytes can make you feel "sluggish" in the first week or so. Don't follow a low-sodium Atkins, and try to choose foods rich in minerals. Avocado is a good source of potassium, for example.

[Crabtree]

Re: Hello!

Thanks for the advice! One of the strategies I've been using to prevent snacking is that I'm drinking water almost constantly, so I've got that angle covered!

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Hello!

Make sure you're reading the book, Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution (2002).

[blueberrylady]

Re: Hello!

Welcome to the ADBB, Crabtree!

I'm glad that you're feeling better today.

Georgiana gave you some great adivce and the only thing I would add is to try to get some exercise everyday because it speeds up your metabolism and make you feel better both physically and mentally. I know it's hard when you have to study and go to classes but it can be done. Georgiana did it so she knows!

Feel free to ask any questions you still have.

[Crabtree]

Re: Hello!

Yup, read the book, trying to follow the rules!

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Hello!

>>trying to follow the rules!>>

What rules are you having trouble with?

[Crabtree]

Re: Hello!

No caffeine! In preparation for this diet I detoxed from chips and sweets, but caffeine is the tough one. That's actually a question I wanted to ask. Would drinking caffeinated tea such as earl grey or even McDonald's unsweetened ice tea be OK on Atkins? I understand that they may increase my desire for sweets, but I think I could put up with that for a bit of caffeine while studying. Essentially, what I want to know is this; will caffeinated beverages without milk or sweeteners reduce the effectiveness of the program or reduce the weight loss?

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Hello!

>>hat's actually a question I wanted to ask. Would drinking caffeinated tea such as earl grey or even McDonald's unsweetened ice tea be OK on Atkins?>>

Many people never give up their caffeine.

>>what I want to know is this; will caffeinated beverages without milk or sweeteners reduce the effectiveness of the program or reduce the weight loss?>>

There's no single answer for everyone ... there's only the answer for your body.

[fireantlady]

Re: Hello!

I believe the whole idea of abstaining from caffeine is that it lowers blood sugar, therefore making you feel hungry. (but I must have my one cup of black java in the morning)...

[imagood1]

Re: Hello!

I'm glad you have read the book and are drinking water daily (remember the 64 ounce minimum is nothing added), don't forget to exercise and take a non-iron multivitamin - these are mandatory with Atkins so start now and get off on the right foot. Also, start a journal, it's a great place to get everything out in the open, be accountable to yourself - you'll also meet some great people there! http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...journal-chats/.

I drink 1 cup of decaf coffee in the morning (had to change to decaf 3 years ago thanks to my husband's pesky triple bypass surgery).....then I start drinking water - once in awhile I have another cup of decaf before or after dinner but I make sure it's always black. It took me a long time to break my sugar addiction and I'm not going back!


Recipe Sites

make sure you don't eat the same thing over and over -- we have such great choices for menu ideas....

http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/menus.html (Linda’s)
(Never ending induction recipes)(Never ending induction recipes)(Never ending induction recipes)http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/58513-never-ending-induction-recipes.html (induction recipes)
(Never ending induction recipes)(Never ending induction recipes)(Never ending induction recipes)http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/58513-never-ending-induction-recipes.html# (additional induction recipes)


Good luck to you!