Restarting the low carb thing

[Minerva]

Hi, I am new to Atkins but not to low-carbing. I lost 24 lbs several years ago on a low-carb plan, and kept it off for over a year, but then I had some "life issues", fell off the wagon, and regained most of it.


I recently saw some photos of myself and my face looks fat .
About the same time I saw the original Atkins book at a yard sale, and bought it. So now I'm trying the Atkins thing. I have some keto strips on order but they haven't arrived yet. This is only my third day on the plan. I've lost half a pound but I don't feel very good. Last night I was so hungry I couldn't fall asleep. I had to get up and eat some cheese. Normally I never eat after dinner. It's difficult for me to go under 20 grams of carbs and not be hungry. Meat and salad greens don't really do it for me. Cheese is the most filling, but the book limits it to 4 oz per day. (When I low-carbed before, I was probably taking in around 40 to 60 grams of carb on a typical day.)

Anyway, hopefully I'll start to feel better soon when the fat-burning gets underway. Meanwhile, I am here to get motivation and support.
I want to lose about 15 pounds; perhaps a bit more.

min

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Restarting the low carb thing

Welcome to ADBB!

You shouldn't be hungry on Atkins ... so eat!

>>It's difficult for me to go under 20 grams of carbs and not be hungry. >>

It's 20 NET carbs.

>>Meat and salad greens don't really do it for me. >>

Then have some of the other Induction vegetables. You don't have to limit yourself to "salad greens".

[liv]

Re: Restarting the low carb thing

Welcome. It is normal to be a bit hungry in the beginning. Hang in there. Have some more meat snacks or eggs - they are good (with mayo then they are extra good)

[Minerva]

Re: Restarting the low carb thing

Hi, and thanks for the welcome!

Welcome to ADBB!

You shouldn't be hungry on Atkins ... so eat!

Well, the problem I have is that it's hard for me to eat enough meat,eggs, etc. to keep from being hungry. I get to a point where it seems just "yucky" and I don't want to eat anymore of that stuff, even if I'm not full. My body is looking for carbs, it seems.

>>It's difficult for me to go under 20 grams of carbs and not be hungry. >>

It's 20 NET carbs.

I know. That was what I meant. A little while ago I was hungry and headachy even though I'd eaten a good-sized chunk of cheese and some lettuce. I didn't feel better until I got a low-carb tortilla (5 g. net carbs) and put some butter on it and ate it. I still don't feel very good, but at least now I'm functional. That put me up to 10 grams carbs for the day, so far.

>>Meat and salad greens don't really do it for me. >>

Then have some of the other Induction vegetables. You don't have to limit yourself to "salad greens".

You're right--- I should have said "green vegetables" since most (not all) of the allowed vegs are green. I like vegetables but I still feel like I need something more-- like those evil carbs! I am hoping this feeling will pass soon. Do you think it will?
When I was eating low-carb before, I never went this low on the carbs.

[liv]

Re: Restarting the low carb thing

If you want to do it right you should follow the rules. It is normal to have a bit of a transition in the beginning. The body is not yet fat burning effectively and you crave easy energy (in the form of carbs) but once the body does not get that it will fat burn and you will feel great. Feeling a bit yucky is what we call induction flu - it will pass quickly. And there is no harm in this phase to eat plenty of protein/fat food.

[sham]

Re: Restarting the low carb thing

Welcome.All the best to you!

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Restarting the low carb thing

>>I didn't feel better until I got a low-carb tortilla (5 g. net carbs)>>

These aren't acceptable on Induction.

>>I still feel like I need something more-- like those evil carbs! I am hoping this feeling will pass soon. Do you think it will?>>

I think it will ... but you have to believe that it's possible.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Restarting the low carb thing

>>That put me up to 10 grams carbs for the day, so far.>>

It's not just about the net carb count ... it's about the quality. The low carb tortilla, since it's still a grain, isn't likely to keep you feeling as satisfied or full as well as some other choices you could have made.

[Minerva]

Re: Restarting the low carb thing

I think maybe my problem is I need to eat more fat to tide me over. Yesterday, I finally had some tuna on romaine lettuce with a couple teaspoons of olive oil and a dash of salt. That took care of the hunger and I was fine.