Greetings and Salutations

[johnnyo]

Greetings,

My name is John and I just started the low carb diet three days ago. I am 73" tall and weigh, well right now, about 258 pounds. That's actually two pounds down from a week ago. Anyhow, I trying to meet US Army weight standards, which is 205 lbs for my height and age, so I can enlist in the National Guard. I am prior service and they hold a higher standard as far as shape and weight goes before you can re-enlist.

I joined this message board because I saw that everyone here is trying to do the same thing that I am (I guess the URL name should have given it away). I don't know too much about the Atkins Diet, so I decided to come and get some professional advice, suggestions, help and/or support, as my wife doesn't need to go on a diet and I am going at this alone. I know in my mind that I am strong enough to make this journey on my own, but it doesn't hurt to have people to talk to...plus, I need some help on this diet, as I have many questions.

What I've been doing lately is eating eggs, cooked with EVOO (extra virgin olive oil), cheese and hot sauce for breakfast. For the mid-morning and mid-day snack I eat chicken and broccoli, and for dinner, I have chicken and broccoli. I know, it gets boring, but I know that I can stay on this menu as long as it takes...once I get my mind to it, of course. Well, I am in that mind frame and it has been working thus far. Plus, I exercise daily, about 30-45 minutes worth of a vigorous workout. Oh, and plenty of water.

My first thing is, is the menu stated in the previous paragraph alright for the Atkins Diet? Two, what sort of multivitamin/multimineral would I take with this? I am not sure if the chicken contains too much iron to take Centrum Multivitamin/Multimineral Supplement with iron in it. I have a bottle of that, but I've been a bit hesitant to take one because I don't know if it contains anything that would cause a stall. Finally, can I just eat chicken on this diet, or do I have to mix it up with other meat?

I will search through the forum for answers, but I thought I'd ask here and if anyone can point me in the right direction for them, well I'd surely appreciate it.

Sorry for the long post and thanks go to all that made it to this point. :^)
I would appreciate all that you have to offer and your help/advice/suggestions and patience is greatly appreciate.

Thanks,
John

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Greetings and Salutations

Welcome!

>>I don't know too much about the Atkins Diet,>>

You really do need to read the book, Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution.

>>trying to meet US Army weight standards, >>

Atkins isn't a quick fix ...

>>is the menu stated in the previous paragraph alright for the Atkins Diet?>>

Maybe. You didn't really list quantities or net carbs, so it's really hard to tell.

>>can I just eat chicken on this diet, or do I have to mix it up with other meat?>>

Yes, you can. Me ... I would be nuts without variety, but Your Mileage May Vary.

Dr. Atkins recommends a multi without iron.

Chicken has almost no iron.

Since you don't really know too much about Atkins at this point, please check out:

https://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-low-carb-dieting-faqs/6782-what-rules-induction.html

https://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-low-carb-dieting-faqs/6781-what-foods-can-eaten-induction.html

[johnnyo]

Re: Greetings and Salutations

@atkinsgal08:

Thanks for the quick reply!

I know that the Atkins diet isn't a quick fix, this is a lifestyle change that I need to make regardless if the National Guard works out or not.

As for the portions, I have a 3 egg omelet in the morning, usually with a thin slice of low sodium Swiss that I get from the deli. For the mid-morning and mid-day snack, it is 1/2 of a medium size chicken breast with a serving of broccoli. For dinner, it's a whole chicken breast with a serving of broccoli...well maybe two servings sometimes. I drink about 8 1 pint 9 oz bottles of water a day.

I will check out those links. Again, thanks for the speedy reply and some directions. This is great place for support and advice and I am glad I found it.

John

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Greetings and Salutations

What's "a serving" of broccoli, exactly?

Is there a reason you have to drink 8 bottles of water? Think of the environment!

It doesn't seem as if you're eating enough food. I'm a short woman, and I would starve on what you're eating!

[blueberrylady]

Re: Greetings and Salutations

Welcome to the ADBB, John!

There are so many good things you can eat on Atkins so don't limit yourself to just chicken. You need to read the book and and the Atkins Diet forum to get you started off right. Veggies are very important on the diet and you should be getting at least 14 grams of carbohydrate from them every day on Induction. What you are eating now is fine but will get boring so mixing in other foods will help keep you from craving things you shouldn't have.

One of my favorite things is a pepperoni omelette. Just dice some pepperoni, mix with eggs and when almost done, top with Mozzarella cheese just until melted. You'll think your are eating pizza!

Keep us posted on your progress!

[johnnyo]

Re: Greetings and Salutations

@atkinsgal08:

A serving of broccoli is about a cup. A bag of the "Steamer" type broccoli has approximately 3.5 servings, each serving with 4 carbs. So, I split up the bags and put the chicken and broccoli into individual servings to eat throughout the day. The bottle water is convenient right now, but I do plan on other methods of water consumption.

Yeah, I should probably count the calories and find out exactly how much I am taking in.

@blueberrylady:

Thanks for your reply! I don't really mind what I eat right now. I guess I am back in "military mode" and really only eat for sustenance, so it can be chicken and broccoli everyday...for now. I am sure I'll get sick of it soon enough. I will definitely try out the "pizza omelet", it does sound quite tasty!

I am going to try to make up a menu because my wife said she just may do the diet with me. She definitely can't handle my current menu.

Thanks again, and I'll certainly be back and post my progress.

John

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Greetings and Salutations

>> I should probably count the calories and find out exactly how much I am taking in.>>

We don't count calories ... we count NET carbs.

>>The bottle water is convenient right now,>>

You might consider buying a bottle that you can reuse.

[imagood1]

Re: Greetings and Salutations

Welcome to the Atkins Board.

Make sure you read the book - it will give you the knowledge you need to get to your goal. If you can’t find a copy of the 2002 Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution (DANDR) locally check online at www.half.com or www.amazon.com. Eat only foods listed on the acceptable food list and eat a variety of foods and vegetables. (Atkins Diet Induction FAQs) http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/77558-atkins-diet-induction-faqs.html. Broccoli is on the "other" vegetable list - a limit of 1 cup per day. You can have 2 cups of salad vegetables and 1 cup vegetables from the "other" list daily.

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/ There are several other men who are following Atkins - look around for them and make friends, pick their brains on how they are doing things.

Seriously I doubt you'll make it long if you only eat chicken, cheese, eggs and broccoli. To make sure you don’t become bored by eating the same thing over and over look at these wonderful recipe sites – we have such great choices for menu ideas, eat a variety of things:

Recipe Sites

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)

[johnnyo]

Re: Greetings and Salutations

Thanks for the response. I will certainly check out those links that you've posted. I think I can make it for a while with what I am doing now. Not to sound full of myself or anything, but I know if I set my mind to one thing, it's pretty much the only thing I will focus on. However, like I stated in a previous post, I probably will eventually get bored or tired so I will definitely check out the menu links, especially if my wife is in on this with my.

Thanks again for the response and the helpful tips.

John

[sallyseachange]

Re: Greetings and Salutations

Warm welcome aboard. Good to have you with us.
Look forward to seeing you reach your goal, both in weight and in the military!

[johnnyo]

Re: Greetings and Salutations

Thanks for the welcome, sallyseachange! I will indeed update, this helps with the effort.

John

[johnnyo]

Re: Greetings and Salutations

Hello,

Hey guys, I was just wondering if it is alright to take Centrum MultiVitamin/MultiMineral Supplement while on Atkins. I've checked everywhere and I can't find any carbs in it and I've look all over the web. I know that some supplements have carbs, so I just want to be sure. Thanks in advance for your responses.

John

[liv]

Re: Greetings and Salutations

I think that is what I am doing.
Atkins want you to take a vit without iron - there are some vits that do have very low or non iron so those are the ones you should be taking.

[liv]

Re: Greetings and Salutations

I think that is what I am doing.
Atkins want you to take a vit without iron - there are some vits that do have very low or non iron so those are the ones you should be taking.

[johnnyo]

Re: Greetings and Salutations

Thanks for the response. I looked into the iron thing as well, but all I really eat is poultry and I don't think that has much iron in it. I just wanted to make sure that I was cool for the carbs. Should I be taking the Centrum Supplement with iron if I am only consuming chicken and eggs? Here is a link to the supplement I am taking: Centrum MulitVitaman/MultiMineral Supplement.

Thanks again!

John