Peeking in!

[Maerow]

So I have been reading a ton of the threads in here, and been doing some thinking. I've climbed the carb ladder a bit with more veggies, but I haven't officially gone through all the rungs. I read here and in some articles that people who don't follow the book and learn which foods are safe to eat have a greater chance of gaining the weight back.

SO I decided starting today I am going to officially follow the guildlines for pre-maintenance and start adding foods back in one at a time, one week at a time, a total of 5 extra carbs a day, and see what happens! So I thought about what I missed, and I miss dairy alot, so I made a list of foods to try first starting with dairy. I pretty much already tested most of the veggies I am interested in eating. I know I will avoid corn and potatoes except for special occasions because I no longer want them as much as I used to. And carrots..well they are safe as a garnish or on a salad. So I feel it's safe to dive into the dairy rung.

I added a cup of cottage cheese this morning to my breakfast, with cinnimon and splenda. It was lovely! I am going to add the extra food in the morning, I like big breakfasts and it gives me more of the day to burn them off. Now to see how I do...

Here's my menu for the next couple of weeks while I experement on myself...I am sticking with what works for me for weight loss and adding to that. I usually have been eating the same things for b/l/d, just easier for me this way.

Breakfast: 2 eggs, 2 bacon, (my test food) and black coffee.

Lunch: 3 cups romaine and spring mix lettuce, 5 cherry tomatoes, 5 slice cucumbers, 1/2 cup raw broccoli, 2 oz shredded chicken and two tablespoons ranch. One cup of hot tea.

Snack: 1/2 cup raw broccoli, two tablespoons ranch for dip

Dinner: 4.5 oz skinless chicken strips, one cup of green beans.

[sallyseachange]

Welcome Maerow! So nice to see you in here.

It's great that you're going to start a "great food experiment" to see how different foods affect you. Better late than never! (mean that in a good way, not being sarkie!)

Maintenance is not the easiest phase of Atkins in the beginning, but you soon get used to it and vigilance is the key. The food choices are awesome!

[sadie147]

I did go thru all the rungs, but did not keep the foods that i'd tried out in my diet, and i ended up regretting that. I've added yogurt, other fruits and grains into my diet in moderation almost every day now and Im' loving it! I hadn't realized how much i missed grapefruit.

I love having the variety now.

[sillygirl]

Hey Maerow! Woo hoo on reaching goal and coming to this forum! I'm very proud of you for moving up the rungs appropriately now. If you don't, you will certainly get bored with your food intake. You will see all the varieties that you really can eat and not gain weight back! You may even lose a little more by moving up the rungs, our bodies need these foods!

[Maerow]

Hehe, thanks guys!

So far so good! Other then a perpetual upset stomach due to starting birth control (BOO! HISS!) My weight is staying steady and I haven't had any bad reactions to the cup of cottage cheese in the morning. I am going to have another tomorrow and saturday, and if nothing bad happens, I am calling it a success!

Then on to greek yogurt! WOOT!!

[sillygirl]

Greek yogurt rocks! Also I get real, fresh ricotta and mix it with splenda and unsweetened cocoa powder, it makes a lovely dessert!

[sallyseachange]

Here is one Greek yogurt addict!! Takes me willpower not to overeat this. It's great with a little ginger grated in and splenda (one of Heidi's tips).

[Elizellen]

Another Greek yoghurt fan here too - though not yet at goal, still working on premaintenance. Lately I have been having it with fresh grapefruit pieces added, delish!!

[Maerow]

Still holding steady!

Cottage cheese with splenda and cinnimon...where have you been all my life?!?!

[sallyseachange]

Gotta love maintenance! (and pre-maintenance Elizellen!)