Another go at Induction (Proper)

[crash]

Originally Posted by Georgiana

Here's my take on bars. Since they all have non-Induction ingredients (Rung 3 and higher), just because it is written on the package that they are allowed on Induction does not make them Induction-friendly.

That's deep stuff


I have personally never tried them, but i can only imagine them as a kind of "cheat" food, ie if you get the shakes from your candy bar addiction or something. It's something that's not really necessary and i prefer organic, fresh food.

[dxbfatguy]

No no no.. look, I'm a lazy guy. A super lazy guy. I want a diet that works for me and that means it has to be easy and convenient. For example, I have not done ANY exercise up until last night. I didn't want to. I lost 10lbs in my first 2 weeks without any exercise. Again, I know it's water, but still. Point is, I want something that works for me, as lazy as I am.

And don't think that because I am a self-professed lazy person, I lack the determination and commitment. I am proud to say that I have quit smoking since April 2008. With that, came a lot of pounds too. I tried to exercise and diet and all that jazz together.. and I failed miserably at it. So, I broke it down to steps that work for me.

So, I understand that reluctance to accept snack bars as a viable alternative to healthy food. Fair enough. As I had said before, I will stay away from it unless it becomes far more inconvenient to eat something else.

As for fulfillment. It's simple. I eat nuts, I feel like I want more. I eat the snack bar, I feel full. This is just how I feel about it. I tried both. Ideally, I would rather not have to eat either. 3 regular meals is good for me.

So, allow me to quote DANDR 2002

p. 97

Remember: If you have a tendency to become hungry between meals, pop a few olives, an ounce of cheese, a scoop of tuna salad, a slice of pot roast or a convenient controlled carbohydrate bar or shake.

p. 140

A controlled carb chocolate bar may have only 2 grams of carbohydrates that impact on your blood sugar compared to 17 to 20 carb grams in the sugar- filled variety of comparable size. But eat five of them and you could well be back to the same kind of destructive behavior that got you in trouble in the first place.

Sorry for the long post, but I thought I should point out that it appears to me that from what I am reading, I can deduce the following:

* Snack bars are okay during induction (both quotes reference induction phase)
* Use common sense when eating them

[Georgiana]

Originally Posted by dxbfatguy

No no no.. look, I'm a lazy guy. A super lazy guy.

I realized that already.

I want a diet that works for me and that means it has to be easy and convenient. For example, I have not done ANY exercise up until last night. I didn't want to. I lost 10lbs in my first 2 weeks without any exercise. Again, I know it's water, but still. Point is, I want something that works for me, as lazy as I am.

Exercise is mandatory on Atkins. Whether you want to do it or not... that's your problem.

So, I understand that reluctance to accept snack bars as a viable alternative to healthy food. Fair enough. As I had said before, I will stay away from it unless it becomes far more inconvenient to eat something else.

In my opinion, bars are acceptable as an emergency food if absolutely nothing else is available. True emergencies rarely happen. Using the bars just because eating something else is "far more inconvenient" (yet, possible!) is, as you already admitted, laziness.

As for fulfillment. It's simple. I eat nuts, I feel like I want more. I eat the snack bar, I feel full.

It is true that some people have portion control issues with nuts or find nuts a trigger food.

Sorry for the long post, but I thought I should point out that it appears to me that from what I am reading, I can deduce the following:

* Snack bars are okay during induction (both quotes reference induction phase)

One of the DANDR paradoxes. Dr. Atkins wrote in Ch. 11:

4. Eat absolutely no fruit, bread, pasta, grains, starchy vegetables or dairy products other than cheese, cream or butter. Do not eat nuts or seeds in the first two weeks. Foods that combine protein and carbohydrates, such as chickpeas, kidney beans and other legumes, are not permitted at this time.

Yet, the bars have diary (other than cheese, cream or butter), nuts, legumes (soy) or grains (oats). So what do we do?

* Use common sense when eating them

Lately, I've been all for common sense... but on the issue of bars (or nuts) eaten just because something else is "more inconvenient" (read, "I'm lazy")... you're not going to convince me. But what you eat is your choice and your responsibility.

[Georgiana]

Originally Posted by dxbfatguy

p. 140

both quotes reference induction phase

You might want to check that again. The quote you posted is from Chapter 17, "Lifetime Maintenance", and it definitely does not "reference induction phase".

Actually, if you read a bit further, you will find this (Ch. 19):

There are also controlled carb chocolate bars (appropriate only after Induction) that serve when only chocolate will satisfy your cravings.

[dxbfatguy]

Heh.. so, in short: Dr. Atkins is not sure what his stance is on the subject

Your interpretation is: err on the side of caution. Gotcha!

In other news, I have started exercising now -- I am feeling up to it. I actually feel pretty good today. It's my first day of the Induction Round 2, and I think I'll do it perfectly this time.

On the whole, I feel that I'm getting a better grip on this induction thing. I'm happier with myself and despite the pain in the underworked muscles who have just realized they exist last night.. I'm good

[Georgiana]

Originally Posted by dxbfatguy

In other news, I have started exercising now -- I am feeling up to it. I actually feel pretty good today. It's my first day of the Induction Round 2, and I think I'll do it perfectly this time.

On the whole, I feel that I'm getting a better grip on this induction thing. I'm happier with myself and despite the pain in the underworked muscles who have just realized they exist last night.. I'm good

Good for you! Yes, it's funny how many things people discover on Atkins: collar bones, hip bones, muscles they never knew were there...

[Elizellen]

Originally Posted by dxbfatguy

Heh.. so, in short: Dr. Atkins is not sure what his stance is on the subject

From what 'oldtimer Atkineers' who followed the woe when Dr Atkins was contactable at his centre have written around the internet, the bars for one have changed a lot since his days. So the present day bars contain ingredients different to those he was referring to.
I would save the bars for the OWL phase where all the ingredients are allowed rather than use them on induction.

In other news, I have started exercising now -- I am feeling up to it. I actually feel pretty good today. It's my first day of the Induction Round 2, and I think I'll do it perfectly this time.

On the whole, I feel that I'm getting a better grip on this induction thing. I'm happier with myself and despite the pain in the underworked muscles who have just realized they exist last night.. I'm good

Good news

[dxbfatguy]

Originally Posted by Elizellen

From what 'oldtimer Atkineers' who followed the woe when Dr Atkins was contactable at his centre have written around the internet, the bars for one have changed a lot since his days. So the present day bars contain ingredients different to those he was referring to.
I would save the bars for the OWL phase where all the ingredients are allowed rather than use them on induction.

Yeah, some of the folks here seem to be very hardcore about following the word of Atkins -- which is fine, but it's a bit intimidating.

I kept the bars in my office drawer and I don't see myself eating any of them. I tend to agree with the general sentiment of: why eat processed food in the first place?

I'm not as thirsty as I used to be and so drinking water is becoming a real chore. I have a small bladder (very embarrassing for a man), and I already make too many visits to the restroom.. especially that I'm drinking coffee all day (brewed, black, no cream, no sweetener, etc.). Now I'm going to the restroom every 5 minutes, literally!

But, nevertheless, the water does a LOT for those hunger pangs, should they come. Lunch was kind of forced today cause I just felt so full from all the fluids in my body.

My weight has gone up a pound, but I can feel the muscles in my body now and I'm not too bothered by the small weight gain. I know I'm following the Atkins Induction plan as religiously as possible

From the looks of things though, I don't see reaching my goal as a possibility with my timeline, but I'll just follow the rules and see where it leads.

[Georgiana]

Originally Posted by dxbfatguy

Yeah, some of the folks here seem to be very hardcore about following the word of Atkins -- which is fine, but it's a bit intimidating.

I'm sure you're not talking about me!

Seriously, the only reason why some mods and experienced members are "very hardcore" is because doing things "right" makes it a whole lot easier to succeed on Atkins. We've seen it again and again how people tweak the plan here... tweak it a bit there... and before they know it, they are 100 miles away from Atkins, wondering why they stopped losing weight or, worse, why they are gaining. And you might think it won't happen to you; you're committed; you're determined to make this work. Unfortunately, I've heard all this more often than I would like to admit.

I'm not as thirsty as I used to be and so drinking water is becoming a real chore. I have a small bladder (very embarrassing for a man), and I already make too many visits to the restroom.. especially that I'm drinking coffee all day (brewed, black, no cream, no sweetener, etc.). Now I'm going to the restroom every 5 minutes, literally!

I don't know if this holds for everybody, but for me, this "problem" disappeared a few weeks after I started drinking enough water. Pre-Atkins, I was probably drinking around 40 oz per day... if that. Now I drink about 100. And no, I am not typing my posts from the bathroom.

[dxbfatguy]

It's day 5 o the second go at Induction proper, and I'm finally starting to lose some weight again. I've gained a pound.. and then another (I think compulsive water drinking may have something to do with it

I kept at it and it's finally starting to come off again.. so at least I know whatever I'm shedding couldn't possibly be water. I managed to squeeze myself into a suit that I have been wanting to wear for a long time. Major muffin top, but I just wanted to wear it anyway!

Thank you guys for being supportive.. the journey is still at its very beginning, but I'll soldier on.