I'm a Newbie!

[jersygrl1969]

Hi, I'm a 40 year old woman living in SC, born and raised in NJ, married with 4 kids-16, 6, 5, and 1. I've went on Atkins twice before in my life, and both times lost between 30-40 lbs, most of it during the Induction phase. However shortly after losing the weight I became pregnant, (both times!) so there went the diet! I was all the way down to a size 11/ 155 lbs., which for me is very skinny. I have a large frame, and I'm 5'3 1/2" tall. I recently weighed myself and I passed the 200+ mark, and I will be in two weddings this coming Fall where I have to wear sleeveless gowns. Well, when the pictures of me trying on the dresses came out, needless to say I wasn't pleased with how I looked! So a week ago, I started back on the Induction phase, and so far lost 10 lbs.! Ideally, I should lose 60 lbs., (and weigh 140) but I'll be happy to just get back down to 165. Just to have definition back in my upper arms and collarbone again would be great. I wasn't happy with losing inches off my bust, though. I wish there was a way to 'spot reduce'! I like my D-cups! Right now I'm pretty much drinking Atkins shakes, eating Atkins bars (even though I'm not crazy about the fake chocolate), eggs, sausage, bacon, string cheese, salads, diet soda, pepperoni and cheese, and when I want something sweet, Tic Tacs(no carbs), or CarbSmart ice cream. I'm really surprised at my lack of hunger all day. I test my pee several times a day with Ketostix, and so far they're reading "Ketosis", which is good. I am a diehard carb lover, so it's tough giving up bread and especially pasta. But I'm tired of being this heavy. Plus diabetes runs in my family, and I definitely don't want that. Wish me luck!

[liv]

Re: I'm a Newbie!

Well hi there. Nice to see you. Great intro.

You are not exactly doing it by the book. We really recommend doing it by the book. It cleans up bad habits and set you into a new frame of mind.
I would really recommend watching all the sweetener you are eating. It is like loads. The frankenfoods (bars and shakes) stall a lot of people. I would not do them on induction. Tic Tacs just keep your bloodsugar going when you should not be doing that. And Carb smart ice cream (again fake sugar heavy) is not an induction item.

You need to get in some nutrients in the form of veggies. Atkins tells us to eat three cups of veggies on induction.
Continue to work it lady. Sounds like you are already having some success (get those contraceptives ready too )

[Desertthorn]

Re: I'm a Newbie!

Ohhh, please dump the shakes and bars, they are either good for you or part of the good Dr's plan. (Not listed in the book_) Instead focus on real food. Get a copy of the book, Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution (2002) Eat only the food listed in the acceptable list and enjoy the weight loss

We can do this.

[imagood1]

Re: I'm a Newbie!

Welcome -- besides what the ladies have already suggested you should be dinking a minimum of 64 ounces of pure water daily. Please know that the sticks aren' a real reliable marker of being in keotsis...I've lost 35 pounds and have never once shown any color on the sticks but I know I'm in because of a metal taste in my mouth, change in urine, more energy and less hunger. If you follow the book the way it's written you'll have the results you're looking for and will have cleaned up the bad habits that got you to the weight you are today.

Good luck to you.

[thin4summer]

Re: I'm a Newbie!

you can do it and agree with the others I wouldn't bother with the shakes or bars..just eat clean fresh food that you are allowed on the induction..it will take no time for you to enjoy or become creative with your own recipes...good luck

[jersygrl1969]

Re: I'm a Newbie!

I drink the shakes because I don't always have time to cook breakfast, I don't have much of an appetite in the AM, and frankly I get tired of eggs every day. If I drink a shake in the morning, I'm not hungry again until mid-afternoon. At that time I'll usually snack on string cheese. A lot of times dinner is a salad with lettuce, broccoli, Bac-O's, blue cheese dressing, and cherry tomatoes, or 3 or 4 hard cooked eggs. I'm not a big meat-eater, either. I usually snack on cheese, pepperoni slices or beef jerky. My one big thing is diet soda(Diet Rite). I love it! I'm not a plain-water-drinker. I drink Crystal Light instead. I think I'm going to stop eating the CarbSmart ice cream because it gives me gastric distress. Same with the Atkins bars..the fake chocolate is really rather nasty and I'd rather have a tiny bite of the real thing than a whole bar of the imitation stuff. Plus they're expensive. I guess I'll be passing them off onto my kids, IF they'll eat them!

[poobears1972]

Re: I'm a Newbie!

You can be of plan and get initial weightloss results. But for maximum, long term results you need to look at the links or/and read the book and learn what is ok and what isn't and stick to it. If you keep your sweet tooth active you are more likely to have cravings and go off plan. Better to rough it out a few days and kill it.

Take some time to learn the induction rules, make a few chances and watch the results. Good luck