35 yr old SAHM of 9, recently diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome

[missesd]

I am sure I am not the only one on here. Basically it started with undiagnosed Glucose Intolerance, and now I am Insulin Resistant. I have the other markers too with the triglycerides, HDL and and LDL. I also have abdominal obesity. I am not really sure how it all started. I've always been "curvy", not fat, just not a pixie. And I stand 5'2". After my first son, I lost weight. My second, I lost almost all. But to be fair I never gain weight with my boys. Then I had my first daughter, and gained 30lbs. I struggled to get it off. My next was a son, and I quickly got back down to my prepregnant figure. But then I had 2 girls last. The first I was "ok" after. Not horrible, but ok. I craved ice cream terribly when I was nursing her though. Then I had my last and got over 200 lbs I was so sad. She was a 9lb baby though, and after birth I was back under 200. However, it was also heavier then I've ever been. I craved sweets while nursing here too. And slowly, without even really trying cause I never eat, I have creeped up to 236. I guess I kind of understand how the whole glucose and insulin resistance has helped that along. But now I just want to be focused on getting it under control and getting healthy. I have 9 amazing children, I homeschool 4 of them, and I have too much life yet to live to be in this precarious of a situation. I asked my Dr about Atkins, because a friend of mine had done it- and when she had stayed on it she was successful. He seemed a little off-put, though stating it was very strict, and offered up both South Beach and Mediterranean. I have looked at all of them since my diagnosis, just before the holidays. But I always seem more comfortable with Atkins. I know more about it, and it seems like it uses more of the foods I am familiar with. Plus, it bugs me that all the other sites was $20 a month. I mean I'd pay it, but I always believe truly caring and helping people should be free. Anyway, I was just planning my menu off of the Atkins site, and I am just overwhelmed with all the new recipes So I went Googling in search of message boards hoping I could find an easier way to plan my menu. Perhaps by taking things I already know how to make and then knowing what to cut out, what simple easy things I can have. I also don't know if the kids should be on this, as they have no weight issues at all. So if I am making my stuff separately then theirs, it needs to be ingredients I can use from what they are having to make it cheaper and easier for me.

Anyway, I guess that was one helluva introduction, huh? LOL I am sure this was a little more then Tom had in mind.... sorry

[imagood1]

Re: 35 yr old SAHM of 9, recently diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome

Welcome to the Atkins Board.

To get started, 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 locally of the 2002 Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution (DANDR) check online at www.half.com or www.amazon.com – I got a “used” copy recently for less than $5.00 including shipping not long ago.

Eat only foods listed on the acceptable food list http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...induction.html (What foods can be eaten on Induction?) make sure you eat a variety of foods and vegetables and count all “net carbs”. The list on the Atkins site has some differences with the plan listed above - we follow the 2002 edition, that's why. Plan your meals for a few days so you have everything in your home and you won’t be tempted to eat something not allowed. Check Linda's recipe site it will help keep you from eating the same thing over and over -- http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/menus.html.

Exercise, take a non-iron multivitamin and drink a minimum 64 ounces of pure water (nothing added), 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’s something for everyone here!

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

[Skeptika23]

Re: 35 yr old SAHM of 9, recently diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome

Welcome and good luck!

NINE kids? And you have time to turn on a computer?!?

[Georgiana]

Re: 35 yr old SAHM of 9, recently diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome

Welcome!

I was just planning my menu off of the Atkins site

Their Meal Planner is not correct. Some recipes there are not acceptable for Induction.

Their Acceptable Foods List for Induction is incorrect, too.

an easier way to plan my menu

What were you eating pre-Atkins?

I also don't know if the kids should be on this, as they have no weight issues at all.

They can follow the Maintenance phase of Atkins. A "no junk" diet is good for everybody.

[Shrew2u]

Re: 35 yr old SAHM of 9, recently diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome

Menu planning with children in mind is perhaps the easiest thing about this way of life. Since the focus of the Atkins diet is on eating whole or minimally-processed food, feeding a child is actually a simple as them eating what you eat in your phase, plus whole grains, dairy, fruit, legumes, nuts and starchy vegetables as appropriate for their diet.

Example: you can make grilled chicken and steamed broccoli for everyone, adding a glass of milk and a whole-wheat dinner roll, some brown rice, pinto beans, baked potato or other starchy side for the kids. One meal to plan and cook, you're just opting out of the starch until you reach that particular OWL Rung.

[missesd]

Re: 35 yr old SAHM of 9, recently diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome

Welcome!

Their Meal Planner is not correct. Some recipes there are not acceptable for Induction.

Their Acceptable Foods List for Induction is incorrect, too.

What were you eating pre-Atkins?

They can follow the Maintenance phase of Atkins. A "no junk" diet is good for everybody.

Well I'm glad someone told me... I already wrote up my weeks menu- breakfast, lunch dinner and my two snacks and was 1/2 way through my shopping list.

Pre-Atkins, we did alot of different things. I am a BIG chicken fan, and I love Pioneer Woman's website, so we did some of her recipes too. And example of a menu would be: fried chicken, homemade tacos/burritos, beef n broccoli, penne pasta w/ chicken, mac n cheese, roast, french dip with left overs, etc... Those are all mainly dinners. Breakfast and lunch are usually set off of what ever the my kids in public school are having. We try to match up so the kids here have similiar stuff.