Remind me please...

[Hopin2Lose]

I've been doing Atkins for 2 months and I think somewhere along the way I have made it way more complicated than it was intended. I know we don't count calories, but calories count. I know we should aim for 65% fat, 30% protein, and 5% carbs in induction and that those percentages will shift as we move up the OWL rung and add carbs. I know that too much protein can be converted to glucose. I'm worried I'm overthinking things and often worried I am eating too much. Some days I am not that hungry, but other days I'm more hungry. I often find myself not eating even when I'm hungry because I think I "shouldn't" be hungry. When I enter things into Fitday, I tend to obsess and worry about the calorie amount.

I've read Sugar Free Sheila's site and see that she had no luck on 1000-1800 calorie "diets" before Atkins. Although she doesn't count cals now, she knows that she eats over 2000 cals a day now and works out 3 days a week (I think I remember that). She doesn't obsess about fat percentages though does eat full fat mayo, butter, etc. She's much shorter than I am.

So my take from that is that I need to chill and eat legal foods when hungry even if I seem to be hungry more often than the last time I did Atkins. I did no exercise last time (illness) and do heavy exercise now (The Firm 4x week and walking daily 30-60min).

I want to just chill out and follow the rules, do my exercise, and drink my water...and know I'm doing exactly what I need to be doing. I don't want to worry about counting calories or if my percentages are exactly right. I keep trying to find the lowest calorie things to eat volume wise and it's driving me nuts. Yesterday I had an all natural hot dog (no nitrites or sugar) and I wanted another one but I didn't let myself because I knew they were 170 cals a piece.

Can someone reassure me that I don't need to overthink things to get results?

Thanks so much.

Bree

[sallyseachange]

Sounds to me like you know what you're doing. Just relax and try to follow your hunger cues, while sticking to the plan. You'll be fine. You're probably more hungry because you've upped your exercise.
Don't stress the calories too much... just go for a balanced diet, within the guidelines and your phase of the programme.

What results are you getting?

[chinadoll]

Bree, the percentages help some folks in the first couple of weeks until they get a feel for how much fat it takes to make 65%. Your carb percentage will take care of itself if you are counting your grams. Once you have been on plan the first couple of weeks then relax and eat what you know you can. If you have a day where you are eating out or out of your normal routine you may want to check on it but otherwise i wouldnt worry. Sounds like you are right on track.

[Hopin2Lose]

Thanks ladies. I actually e-mailed Sheila too and she was VERY helpful. Over thinking is generally part of my personality so I just got a little carried away. I am getting results. I just want to eat more because I'm hungry A LOT and was worried that would be bad. If this is a WOL which I truly believe it is, then I can't count cals and try to keep them to an arbitrary lower number. I am very active and eating whole foods so I need to just chill.

As far as results, I am losing inches, look better naked, and my clothes are starting to get a little looser. I don't weigh myself hardly ever because it affects my day, but I do measure with the tape measure. Don't get me wrong, it's really slow and I sort of expected more by now, but it's better than nothing. Maybe eating more will actually help. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks again.

Bree