My journey on Induction-may help a newbie.

[tulsanurse1]

My name is Laurie and Im new here. My 6th day of Induction. This is my second time on Atkins. The first time, I half *** read the part in the book about Induction, enough to do it. But I ended up staying in Induction for 5 months because I was too lazy to read and learn how to move to OWL. Soon one sneak snack led to completely iniolation of everything I had worked for. I eventually ended up a full fledged carb junkie and gained all the weight back. Read the book, and understand the book. You will succeed on this low carb way of life. Its very doable, just take the time to learn it. Right now you are probably looking at this like its a diet but it isnt. While your going through the days on Induction, pay attention to how much energy you develop and how much more clear your thinking becomes. I promise it will amaze you. If and when you cheat, there will be a trade off. Your gonna feel tired and the cravings may be really strong again. No one is perfect and no one here expects you to be, thats a promise.

My first day on induction i craved any carb but the worst was for sweets. Its okay and its very normal. Day two was awesome, no craving, alot of energy. Day 3-quite possibly the worst headache I have ever had, slept alot. Day 4, more focus, clearer thinking, no carb crashes, one period of intense craving for something sweet lasted about an hour. The trick ive learned here is that when your having the craving, grab something high in fat, it works. For me, its spicy pork rinds. Day 5, no cravings but appetite way down, had trouble getting in my carbs for the day. I decided to do an itty bitty 20 minute walk on day 4. It was hard for me, I ended up taking a 5 minute break half way through, but then I finished. Guess what, day 5, yesterday, I wanted to do it again. This time my oldest daughter kept me trudging, no break. If you dont exercise already, do baby steps. 10 or 20 minutes when you think about it. Try and plan for it. Ive never exercised but people always say anthing done for 21 days becomes habit. Everyone moves through Induction differently, but the improvements you are going to feel are guaranteed.

Here are a few website's that are a must for me

http://mybodycomp.com/ get ur measurements in today. I know your gonna say but I dont have a tape measure. Go get one-get your measurements in. Sometimes you might not lose pounds, but u will lose inches, and you need this encouragement. Do measurements every two weeks.

http://www.fitday.com/
This is where I enter my daily menu's. Trust me, planning may seem tedious but once you start working the planner, you will make changes to get the right of amount of fats, carbs and proteins. This tool is invaluable, I promise. Note, I also log in my walking at this website. I want to be able to look in a month and see how Ive done. Kind of a motivator.

http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/
This is the website for Linda's Low carb recipe's. There is a section that is Induction Friendly. Pay attention, dont go over your carbs. Remember, only eat foods that are acceptable for Induction.

P.S. Work very hard, every day, to drink the amount of water you need. The rule is 64 oz daily plus 8 oz for every 25 pounds you are overweight. For me, I need 96 ounces of water. This is only your water count, not other beverages, including coffee. Always have water with you, this is key.

For some people, Induction is super hard. Post here frequently, tell them what your feeling, they have great advice and they really do want you to succeed. This is just my opinion. For most people, week two isnt really hard. Its more about learning your food groups and adjusting that old way of thinking. Its that old way of thinking that got us in this mess.

Hope this helps-check out the websites, I think you'll like them.

[Discolemonade]

I think this is a great post! It touches on so many right and true things you'll experieince on induction.

Also during or after induction, you will notice you don't have an appetite. That's a major part of this woe. Appetite suppressing is a good thing, but you have to continue to get your foods in. The suppression will help you with portion intake which will become important once you have done the rungs of OWL and head on to premaintenance.

[SandyL2002]

Welcome Tulsa Nurse to the board.. I tried sending you an email and your box is full... If you pay money to be a ADBB supporter you get more space in your mailbox

[TIME2SHINE4-08]

Great post! I need to check out the body comp site (umm as soon as I find my tape measure!)

[Elizellen]

Great insightful post with some good advice and useful links!
Thanks for giving new Atkineers a glimpse of what induction might have in store for them

[tulsanurse1]

Today is day 10 of Induction. Ive lost 17 pounds and feel completely different than before starting Induction. The thing that amazes me most is my energy level. I actually feel so good, my thoughts are clear, my joints are not hurting. I dont feel like the same person at all. I used to think I was so depressed, now Im starting to wonder. Could my symptoms of fatigue, perceived sadness, mental fogginess have truely been due to the Insulin level yo yo-ing my body was going thru before Induction. Yep. Totally. I know this without a doubt just because of the changes that have occurred since beginning Induction.

In the beginning I was craving sweets alot. On day five, I made the sugar free jello/cream cheese fluff dessert. What I noticed is that from day six up to present I havent truely craved anything "sweet". I keep a bowl Jello Fluff in the refrigerator but I think just knowing that its there somehow "free's" me. I havent touched it since day 5.

Constipation-Have had no problems with it (lucky me). Im not sure but I think it may be that I try and keep my percentages of Fat, Carbs, and Protein at 65%-5%-30%. I am never able to eat the entire 5% of my alloted Carbs, usually its around 3-4%, with the rest going to Fats. Also, most of my days "2 Cup of Vegatables" have been Raw Spinach. I like eating it, because its pretty and very healthy. I know this sounds silly but trust me, before I didnt care what a food looked like as long as it was filling my mouth and stomach. With spinach, the color is vibrant. I can pick up one leaf with my fork, dip it in the tiniest about of Ranch, just enough to taste, and enjoy the healthy feeling. Before Atkins, I would have chosen a big glob of mashed potatoes with homemade gravy on it. I would have gobbled it down, went back for seconds, and 30 minutes later been so lethargic, I would take a nap. This doesnt happen now.

On day 8, I had bacon. It was regular bacon with no carbs. I couldnt find the nitrate/sugar free bacon. Up to this point, all of my meats have been non processed, and I could tell a difference. I had to drink alot of water that day to get "that" pre bacon feeling again. I probably wont eat the cured bacon for a while just because I have so many other choices about what I can eat.

Sleep-On the days I have to work, I get up at 430-445 am. Prior to doing Induction, I would watch the clock and usually be in bed at 830-900. Now, Im usually in bed at 1030 and sometimes 1100. Im not tired at all, in fact, I feel better. Again, my energy level has increased dramatically!! I used to live to sleep. I napped all the time on the days I didnt work. Not anymore. I love this feeling.

Headace-I think I posted a horrible headache on Day 2. I thought I was gonna die, lol. Since then, I have had 2 short term headaches, but Ive also realized it comes when Ive not been drinking my water. Both times, Ive drank at last 12 oz. of water and within an hour, the headache is gone.

Pre-occupation with "can't wait till Im out of Induction". Last time I did Induction a couple of years ago, I seemed to always be thinking about when the Induction period would be over. Funny thing is, I never made it out of Induction because I didnt take the time to read on how to go into OWL, lol. I spent 4-5 months in the Induction Phase. This time, I rarely think about the actual phase Im in. I think one difference is that my menu's are completely different this time. Last time, it didnt matter what I ate. I would open a can of potted meat and a bag of pork rinds just to fill my stomach. Or fry a chicken breast in butter and eat it. The only seasonings I used were salt and pepper. I had never even tried half of the herbs and spices Im using now. Im really enjoying the variety. The only vegatables I ate were the simplest/cheapest lettuce in the bag. This time, my diet is way more enjoyable and healthy. Who would have ever believed I would pick up a slice of Red Pepper and enjoy eating it, lol. Other than your staple, so called vegetables (corn, processed canned green beans), I never got into eating any vegetables. I think the rule was, if u can put gravy on it, its a vegatable lol.

Boredom with Induction-This time around, its not happening and Im gonna guess and say it wont happen. I know Im only day 10, but trust me, last time I was focused on "getting out of Induction" by day 2. One thing thats different this time is, I look and actually make the recipe's that are Induction friendly. I remember on Day 1 when I made my first Tuna Muffins and batch of Cauliflower Bisque. Talk about a sense of pride, I was beaming. This time around is not about simply throwing a piece of meat in a pan and eating it because its Atkins friendly. I look at recipe's and see so many that call for "regular ingredients". I actually have a notebook that has the recipes Ive made so I can easily access them. This doesnt mean I spend half my life cooking. I still throw a chicken breast in a pan and fry it. But on days that Im off work, I might spend an hour or two making a few recipe's to enjoy. I usually double the recipe. I have the ziplock snack bags that I divide the portions into, and freeze for use throughout the week when I dont have time to cook.

Oh, on day 8, I did go to a coffee place and order a large coffee with a non sugar caramel flavoring. They thought I was crazy Im sure because I made them show me the bottle so that I could make sure it was sweetened with Splenda and not another sweetner, lol. I drank about half of it and it truely felt like a little treat, but enough to tickle my taste buds lol. Im also going easy on the Splenda right now. Last time I always used my allotted portion of Spenda, everyday. It, itself became something I depended on daily. This time, Im noticing that since Im not focusing on it, Im not needing it. A little treat here and there is okay, but lets face it, part of my problem has been with my addiction/desire for things that taste sweet. Im very focused on getting to the point where I have control. When I feel that I could make an Atkins friendly cheesecake and not sit down and eat the whole thing, I will know I have control over sweets.

So far my journey through Induction has taught me more than I would have ever thought. This isnt just about fat. Its about actually realizing that I dont have to feel continuous fatigue and hopelessness. Im looking outside, and the sun is bright, and for the first time in a long time, I actually feel energetic and alive. I swear this is true......Before Induction, the blinds would have been shut. Other than going to work, I was very isolated and spent my free time in my home, in the dark, and sleeping alot. I dont nap anymore because Im not crashing on carbs. Instead, Im not wanting to sit in my house, I want to see and do things now. Its just different for me now, I actually feel like Im really alive.

[quotidianlight]

Your post is such an insperation! 17 pounds, wow. I am sitting here thinking, "If I hadn't cheated and drank my darn water that could be me." but what is... is. I will get my 14 cheat free days. What you said about variety makes so much sense.

[Sweet Strudel]

Excellent post!

This will no doubt help a lot of people...new and old!

I tried to rep you but it said I had to share the love. So consider yourself Fepped....Fake Repped...LOL...Hugs!

[Elizellen]

Originally Posted by Sweet Strudel

So consider yourself Fepped....Fake Repped

I've been puzzling over what FEP meant!!

[tulsanurse1]

Woooohooooo Ive been Fepped, lol. Thanks Kathy.