Any difference: 0+0+15+5g vs 5+5+5+5g?

[NaturalHorseman]

I'm entering my second month of Atkins. Lost 12 pounds in the first two weeks. And 3 more in the next three weeks. I'm wondering if
a. I need to make SURE that I'm getting 20 net and
b. If it's any different to get my big chunk of carbs with dinner vs. trying to pump up breakfast, lunch and snacks.

thks.

[SunnySmile501]

Dr. Atkins says to spread them out during the day. There is a difference when you take in 15 grams all at one time as opposed to smaller amounts. You should especially try to have some with breakfast. This is when your body gets going and you will burn those carbs quicker.

You can get them at breakfast by adding veggies to scrambled eggs and omelets. Sliced tomato with my bacon and eggs is one of my favorites. I also make homemade guacamole and love to have a fried egg topped with warmed sliced chicken or turkey topped with spicy guacamole.

[Chicklady]

If I'm going to have a "carbier" meal, I plan it for when I am going to be the most active afterwards, usually before work..... although most of the time it's pretty evenly spread out.
But, the fact that you didn't lose as much during the last 3 weeks as you did during induction us normal enough. Your body is readjusting.

[Desertthorn]

Yeah, what they said.

[NaturalHorseman]

Folks - Thanks. Part of my problem is that to lose weight I'm finding that I am still close to 20 g of carbs a day and if I want to have a meat/veggie salad dinner I have to scrimp and save on carbs the rest of the day.

But I'll start some additional carbs with breakfast. I have four with 2 cups of coffee. I LIKE the avocado idea. And the tomato idea. maybe an English breakfast on the weekends would be fun.

Thanks for all the advice. I appreciate it.

[Elizellen]

Why not move to OWL rung one? Then you will have 5 net grams of more veggies to 'play with' rather than having to drop some from your dinner.

[NaturalHorseman]

Elizellen -
That makes perfect sense. I wish I could diagnose what is the reason from my plateau:
1. I re-starting drinking wine (2.5 oz) with dinner and my weight loss went negative, and it restarted when I stopped again Feb 1 (I give it up for a month once a year and why not February!)
2. I'm bunching carbs and that's the explanatory variable or
3. I've been focusing on 20 gross carbs which is, in fact, too low in terms of net carbs or
4. I'm really really carb sensitive and if I dont stay at 20 I ain't ever gonna lose the weight.

#1 is my biggest explanatory variable.
And #4 is what I'm feeling is the current problem, and is why I was reaching out for additional insights from more experienced folks...

I'm already loving my 1/4 of avocado with my eggs in the morning.
I need to have to have a "5 grams of carbs" lunch suggestion for a guy who works in high tech.

thks for all the support!

[Elizellen]

Just a few more thoughts

1. Your body is utilising the alcohol as a preferred fuel and thus delaying any weightlosses would be my first guess Why not wait till you are at the 'correct' OWL rung?

2. How much weight did you need to lose at first and how much have you lost already?
A loss in the first 14 days on induction of 5-10% of the total loss needed is 'normal' - what % did you lose? If 'normal' there is no need to stay on induction levels.

3. You might be eating something that is affecting your losing.

We have a 'review my menu' forum where you can list all you ate over several days with quantities and get some ideas from our members as whether you need to 'tweak' anything.

4. Are you getting 'most' of your carbs from your veggies? Overdoing the cheese and/or cream can cause problems with some people.

[SunnySmile501]

Your more "salad" type veggies like lettuce, cucumbers, radishes, celery and peppers have almost no net carbs. You would have to eat a really big salad at dinner to come up with 15 net carbs.

I think if you look at your "other veggie" list for breakfast and lunch carbs, you can still have a big salad for dinner. There's broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, pumpkin and a big assortment of carbier veggies for lunch.

When my weight loss slowed down and then plateaued, I got fed up because I love veggies, so I went semi-wild with veggies for a couple of weeks and the weight started coming off at a fast clip again.

[NaturalHorseman]

Elizellen - re your thoughts
1. I will not be drinking any alcohol for the month of Feb so I think that will be a good test. I've already lost 3 pounds in Feb, so that's a positive change
2. I started out at 200 dropped 12 pounds in the first two weeks against a goal of 37 so lost about 33%.
3. My diet is pretty basic
Breakfast :
* two cups of coffee each with 2T milk, 1 T half and half
* two eggs some way
* once in a while bacon or sausage or smoked salmon. and now 1/4 avocado
* and 10 fiber pills from Walgreens

Lunch:
* 1/4 of bologna or something that's easy to buy/eat with zero carbs OR
go to the local sushi bar and have a bunch of sashimi and occasionally some sunomono (sliced cucumber). No sake!
* and 10 fiber pills from Walgreens

Dinner
* meat or fish or poultry with about 100 grams of veggies either steamed with garlic and olive oil or stir fried or grilled plus a salad with oil and vinegar
* dessert is either 1/2 cup of cottage cheese or a higher carb value veggie e.g. savoy cabbage with a little onion and a lot of pancetta
* 10 fiber pills before dinner

Snacks
* 1oz Roaring 40's blue cheese or Cabot's Extra Sharp Cheddar or smoked gouda before dinner
* I am now ADDICTED to pistachio nuts and probably snack on 30 after dinner till bed
* 10 more fiber pills before bedtime.

4. Of the 20 I get about 4 from milk for the coffee, recently 3 (less 2) from avocado, the biggest chunk from veggie sides or lettuce, a little cheese to take the edge off before dinner, and a growing chunk from my pistachio addiction!

I find that I'm not hungry any time during the day or night. I miss cooking a great meal for friends and family and not having any darn wine!

Hope that I've provided the info you needed to give me additional insights.
Again, thanks.