Back to the Atkins Wagon...

[Dimple_Flirt]

Hi ,we'll call me Dimple.I fell off the wagon last yr and started to eat bread,crackers and such again.My weight went from 250 up to 286 and I'm feeling the strain.I have a bad heart so proper exercise is difficult for me because I get dizzy and out of breath easily.I'm starting over to day and will HAVE to make it stick because I found out my mother is a full blown diabetic now an I don't want to end up in the same shape.
I know I have a slow metabolism,and I'm wondering how many calories do I have to cut down to to loose weight? I'm eating @1500 currently and gaining a pound per month.Do I have to cut out beef an stick to fish,chicken,and pork?Any Suggestions?

[Elizellen]

Hi Dimple
Welcome back to your ADBB family
I would suggest not worrying about calories at all to start with but concentrating on eating only food from the allowed list and up to 20 net carbs.
Eat whatever meats you like on induction too!

As for exercise, take it slowly Maybe try the 'parking further away' trick or try to walk round the supermarket one extra time while choosing your groceries to add to the amount of exercise you are getting in.
There are lots of ways of moving more than usual.
Edited to add
Here is what Dr Atkins suggested in Chapter 22

Transforming Your Inner Couch Potato
Here are ten great tips to make being active an ever-present part of your life:

1. Park far from the entrance to the mall, grocery store, your office or friend's house.

2. Don't leave your shopping cart in the parking lot; return it to the store.

3. Contract and relax all your muscles when you sit down.

4. Use music to pep you up during exercise and household chores so you'll pick up the pace and get your blood pumping.

5. Lay out the next day's workout clothes every night before going to bed.

6. Keep a log of all your activity-including household chores and walking.

7. Have an exercise plan for rainy days and when traveling.

8. For the first few months, do less than you think you can. It will keep you coming back for more while also helping you avoid injury.

9. Get in the habit of taking the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.

10. Dance with your spouse, with your kids, with a friend-or even by yourself when you're alone in the house.

[zencyn]

1500 calories is not enough! I'm around your weight and there's no way I would be satisfied on that. I agree with Elizellen, count carbs, don't worry about calories for now. I use www.fitday.com to keep track of my food and when I first started there were days I was eating around 3000 calories a day. Now that my body is getting use to lowcarb, I eat much lower than that, but still normally get at least 2200-2500 calories a day, on a couple days I have dipped down to 1800.