NEWBIE HERE - I have 2 Questions for you experienced folks

[Designbabe]

Hello,

Today is Day 1 for me. I had a Cheese Omelette at breakfast, Salmon w/ Sauerkraut at lunch, and a Lamb-burger patty at dinner. I' planning for my work-week meals and I have 2 questions:

1. When ordering a Caesar Salad at a restaurant, should I worry about the dressing? Should I ask for it on the side?

2. Six years ago i attempted Atkins for 2 weeks and I found I could NOT exercise no matter how much I tried. Here's how I felt when I started to even walk at a moderate pace: I felt like I could not breathe, like my lungs were not getting enough oxygen. Has anyone ever experienced this? Is it due to some kind of mineral/salt imbalance? What can i do if I experience this again?

Thanks, I appreciate your answers.

[BonnieL]

Looking at your meals today, you are not getting enough veggies. Supposed to have 2 cups salad veggies and 1 cup of the other as stated in the book. Caesar dressing is okay, but count the carbs. Be sure to tell them to hold the croutons. Have you signed up for www.fitday.com ? You can enter your food and see a lot of info - carb count, percentages of fat, etc. This sticky (BEFORE you begin the Atkins Nutritional Approach...)should help.
In terms of the exercise, just try walking to start, and add the minutes and pace as you are able. It will get easier as you do more and drop the pounds. Let us know if you have more questions!

[IrishIrish]

If you have had a long period of inactivity, it is always a good idea to check with a physician to make sure you can exercise. When You start, don't worry about breaking any records. Start slowly. Yes, it may be uncomfortable at first, but do 2 minutes, then four then six ... and so on .... it gets better.

[Bettestress]

Originally Posted by Designbabe

Hello,

1. When ordering a Caesar Salad at a restaurant, should I worry about the dressing? Should I ask for it on the side?

2. Six years ago i attempted Atkins for 2 weeks and I found I could NOT exercise no matter how much I tried. Here's how I felt when I started to even walk at a moderate pace: I felt like I could not breathe, like my lungs were not getting enough oxygen. Has anyone ever experienced this? Is it due to some kind of mineral/salt imbalance? What can i do if I experience this again?

Thanks, I appreciate your answers.

Ordering at a resturant is just really tricky. They all make their dressings differently and love to add sugar. I try to quiz the waiter about any dressing.

Make sure you are taking your vitamin supplements, drinking your water and have a green light from your doc on the excercise. You should never be so winded that you couldn't carry on a conversation while excercising.

[Designbabe]

Thanks guys! I'll definitely be quizzing the waiters.

As for the exercise, I do go to the gym 3x a week on a normal basis, i've found that it's just on the ATkins when I cant seem to exercise. Not that I get winded or lack stamina. I literally feel like I cannot breathe because my muscles and lungs are not getting oqygen. That's the only way I know how t descibe the strange sensation.

Anyway, this time around on the Atkins, I hope things will be better. Better go boil my eggs!

[philliha]

When I tried to work out the first day or two, I did find it difficult, but more because I lacked energy. By the end of the first week, I was working out like normal.