New: Need Advice

[llangham]

Hi,

I am new here and today is day one for me. I am a mother of 3 and would like to be at the weight before my kids came along. I would love if you guys can pass along some advice to me, mostly I need exercise advice, what do you guys do and what do you find most effective, what is your way of staying on track without craving foods that are not in out diet. hope to hear form you.

[shug]

Welcome aboard llangham!

Although I have not been doing this long, and by no means am I an expert, I too am a mom on Atkins. I have four children and desire to be my pre-pregnancy weight.

Buy the 2002 DANDR book and follow it exactly. ( I spent around $5.oo on Amazon) I did the 14 day induction and lost 10 lbs during that time. I did not cheat at all. However, I did not move to OWL like I should have and fell into old habits and never went back on until today. It has been three weeks since my induction ended and I have kept the weight off, but I have to start all over again. My best advice is...when you pick up something that you aren't supposed to eat....put it down. Walk out of the room. Find something to do. It's one craving at a time. If you are like me and have developed a true love of sugar and all sweet things, I recommend not having the allowed Splenda or mock cheesecakes and such. I found that it was really hard not to continue to crave the sweets if I had splenda in my coffee...and I actually like black coffee so it wasn't an issue. Also, a huge helper is get on www.fitday.com It is easy and free. It is the best way to track your daily net carb intake because it does it all for you. Stay in touch with this site. Plan your meals. Feed your family what you normally would and eat only what you are allowed to. Explain to them that you are eating different for awhile so that you can get back into better health. Take the book to the grocery store and stock up on allowed options. There is nothing worse than not having choices on this strict program. You can do it.

[JulieB]

I agree - the only way to break the addiction to sweets, and stop the cravings, is to give up sweets altogether. In a few weeks, you'll be surprised at how sweet peppers and cucumber and other veggies taste!

I like to ride my stationary bike - that is my main form of exercise. I also do yoga, pilates and weights. I walk my dog and a girlfriend and I walk about 1/2hour on our lunch break almost every weekday. I'm looking forward to kayaking and swimming now that the lake is *finally* warming up.

[imagood1]

do whatever exercise interests you -- if you like to dance around the room with your kids for a half hour do that, put them in the stroller and go for a walk, play in the yard (don't just stand, run - walk fast, run in place etc). If you have a bike that's great exercise - I ride 25 miles on a stationary bike most days of the week plus I have different DVD's that I exercise to...variety is the key - don't let your body get use to the same thing over and over. I'm starting to add in some light weight training - I have a bad roter cuff so heavy weights or actual weight training isn't something I can do.

If you need to modify exercises to begin with that's fine - instead of push ups on the floor stand away from the wall, arms shoulder width apart against the wall and push into the way and away from the wall. You don't need gym equipment, you can use things in your home - large cans of food can be your weights to begin with (peaches or spaghetti sauce make great weights). Leg lifts, crunches - it's all free!

Make sure you follow the acceptable food list (if it's not on the list you don't eat it - not even a taste!). Have your family eat the foods you eat - make them healthy along with you. Check the recipe sites for great ideas for meals. (Mockafoni & Cheese - bet they won't know it's not macaroni!) Good luck.

Recipe Sites
http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/menus.html
(Never ending induction recipes)(Never ending induction recipes)http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/58513-never-ending-induction-recipes.html
(Induction Recipe Basics--More recipes added)(Induction Recipe Basics--More recipes added)http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/6807-induction-recipe-basics-more-recipes-added.html
http://www.sugarfreesheila.com/RecipesPage.html

[Say_it_like_G]

Go to your local pharmacy and buy ketone strips. When you go adopt a low carb lifestyle your body goes into a mode called ketosis where your body primarily burns fat rather than carbs. These strips measure the amount of ketones (by product of fat burning) that is in your urine. It's a great visual reward to see that having the willpower to resist eating that donut or pizza IS paying off and your body is making changes even if you can't see it in the mirror yet. I think its a good way to give yourself reassurance on tough days when children, work and/ or family can make working out and dieting more complicated and difficult.

Today is my day 2:
Before my diet I tested myself and it read as negative on the ketone strip.
Late last night (of day one) I tested trace amounts of ketones and by mid today I am already testing moderate! I of course haven't lost weight yet... but it gives a reassurance that I AM STILL doing something right... and heading on the fast track to MAJOR weight loss!!!

Good luck!

[jsj0305]

I agree with all the posts. Also, when using fitday, make sure your ratios are as follows on Induction: 65% fat, 30% protein, and 5% carbs.

I did want to note while the ketone strips are a fantastic tool, there is a possibility you might not show on them. You could be burning fat but not have enough to have them spill over into your urine. I lost 40 pounds on Atkins before and lost FAST, and my ketone were the lightest pink on a good day. LOL This go round they are veryyyy dark and I'm losing slow as a snail. LOL

Take your measurements. The scale does not reflect if you've been working out and gaining a little muscle mass. Muscle weighs more than fat but it takes up less space and looks MUCH better. The scale will show a possible gain, and that's not an accurate measure of your health. I just got done with week one and lost 4 pounds (which I was bummed about) but I lost 10 inches. If I had only been following the scale I might have given up or been reallyyyy dicouraged.

I totally agree with Carole, do what works for you. I find that since I joined a gym, I hold myself accountable b/c I dont want to waste my money. I enjoy being surrounded by people who are trying as hard as I am to either lose the weight or stay fit. Oh and I find the heavier folks exercise at night...that was a huge deal for me. hahaha!!! I love working out at night with others who are similar to me.

I hope this helps! Best of luck to you!!!