Advice for newcomers

[Adena]

Someone sent me an IM asking for advice. This was my response to her, and I thought it might also be helpful to others:

Welcome! I was in your shoes, and I NEVER would have thought I could give up carbs and sugar. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE pasta (yes, that is present tense.) But, I've never felt better and had such control over my eating and my hunger. And that feels better than ANYTHING tastes. My advice is pretty simple:

1) read the book -- make sure it's the 2002 version. Understanding WHY this way of eating works is critical to making sure you stick to the rules.

2) STICK TO THE RULES -- don't make up your own version of Atkins. This method is tried and true... you've picked it, so follow it -- it works. Commit to a clean induction -- period!

3) If you slip, don't consider it a liscense to pig out. Try your best to do everything to the letter. Occasionally, however, you may slip. If you do, don't use that fall off the wagon as an excuse to make a diving leap. Drink lots of water, and hop right back on.

4) Which brings me to, DRINK LOTS OF WATER. Water flushes out the fat -- it's how this fat-burning diet works. I see a difference in my weight losses when I drink my water and when I don't. It makes a difference -- DO IT!

5) Don't get into a food rut. There are a lot of different things you can eat and ways you can prepare them, even on induction. Check out this recipe site: http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/index.html. It's like the recipe bible around here. There are plenty of induction-friendly dishes -- things you can eat and hardy believe you are on a "diet."

6) Move up the rungs. It's tempting to stay on induction if you're losing, but I'd strongly recommend moving up the rungs -- slowly, as prescribed. In fact, I lost MORE weight as I started adding in more carbs and food variety.

7) Visit ADBB often, and lean on the folks here for help. You can get any question answered, vent, share your successess -- both big and small, and if you feel like cheating, come here and post that you need HELP -- I promise people will respond and do their darndest to talk you out of it. Get involved -- introduce yourself in the "introduce yourself" forum (if you haven't already), join a challenge, start a journal, read and respond to comments by others. This community of supportive people has made a tremendous difference in my ability to stick with Atkins for as long as I have.

Oh, and read the stickies above!!

Oh, and I just realized I did her a terrible disservice by not stressing exercise. As another post I recently made in this forum indicates, if I could do something over, it would be committing to exercise from DAY 1. It's makes a tremendous difference -- not necessarily in pounds loss, but in your how your body changes.

Newbies, good luck to you. Other Atkins old timers, feel free to add your own input -- or correct me, if necessary!

[Alexa]

Wow Adena,

What a great post - it should be a sticky too! Also, you reminded me I need to try different types of meat and seafood - I'm in a rut (I could shop with my eyes closed).

Thanks,

Baarb

[schellie]

This is a wonderful post! Thank you for sharing that with us!

[sadie147]

Wonder Advice Adena!!!

I'll add:

Try to set realistic goals and remember that this is a way of eating FOR LIFE, not just the short term. Another reason that it is so important to move up the rungs and add new foods.

Eat your veggies! I was the worlds biggest veggie hater...I couldn't believe how many i loved when i tried being creative when I cooked them!

Stick to whole foods as often as possiblestay away from anything pre-packaged, including bars and shakes.

COOK! visit our food and cooking chat forum for wonderful ideas to avoid boredom. One of our members, Lindasue also has an amazing recipe site: http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/recipes.html

Don't get discouraged! You didn't gain weight overnight...don't expect to lose it overnight.

[Lisa M]

Stellar post, Adena!

I second that part what Sadie said about this is a way of eating for life and not a quick fix that so many of us wish could happen. It's all about learning and taking baby steps!

Thanks for paying it forward, Adena!

[Stella]

Thank you Adena - Well Said!! STICKY For Sure!!

[Adena]

Thanks, guys. Hopefully it will help some folks.

Great additions, Sadie and Lisa!

[ttdriver]

Adena, you're THE BOMB!!!


Betty