Input please

[Lindz]

I started Atkins a week ago. My sons first birthday is July 22nd which is a month from today....so that will start week 5. Would it hurt my progress to have a small piece of b-day cake?

[niko772]

Having recently cheated for the first and ONLY time, I'd have to say yes. It's not about the lbs or the sugar...it's about how you FEEL. Think of Atkins flu x 10. It stays with you for a few days and it will take you several days just to get back to where you were before. It's really not worth it.

[ShiningStarr]

I'd say don't do it! In my experience the food you want to cheat with never taste as good as you remember it! Plus for me, i have a real hard time having just one piece. And even if I did manage to have just one piece then I'd find myself really craving more later in the day....and then i'd be more likely to just binge on anything and everything in sight...now of course this is just my experience so you just have to make that decision yourself.....i hope it helps!

[msanjelpie]

You don't need the cake... you want the cake... and the whole point of this diet is to retrain our brains to get away from eating the types of foods that made us obese in the first place... cheating defeats that purpose entirely... 'just one' doesn't seem like much, but it really undermines the whole purpose of the diet...

[Evansmom49]

Maybe by week 5 you won't even want the cake! Take it 1 day at a time and you'll be amazed at how your appetite changes.

[imagood1]

answer your own question -- you must have an answer if you came here and ask for permission to cheat. You'll do what you want to do. If you want us to say "sure go ahead and have cake" you're in the wrong place - if you can't get through induction without wanting to cheat how long will it be after induction until you find another reason?

How many pieces of cake and other sweets, breads, wrong foods of all kinds got you here to this point to begin with? Find something to replace the cake with if you must -- or just pass it out to the guests and keep yourself busy while they eat. Don't think I'm just being mean - I did just that yesterday - my family had pie while I took things off the table - it didn't tempt me because I didn't want it -- MIND OVER MATTER.....hope YOU make the right choice.

[chinadoll]

Bravo to Carole. It may sound tough but she is absolutely right. I mean how many times have you had cake before? Is it that wonderful that you really want to risk the "flu" and a possible carb bender and weight gain just for a lousy piece of cake? The fact that you are asking about it so early tells me that you have this piece of cake built up to be much more than it should be in your mind. And truthfully, your child won't care of you don't have any. In fact my kids would prefer I leave more for them.

[JulieB]

I make a 'legal' desert for my husband & myself (& my diabetic Step-father) for birthdays. While everyone else eats cake, I have crustless pumpkin pie or something else yummy but legal. I never make legal deserts otherwise, so this really is a 'treat' for us.

I have tried these:
Pumpkin treat
1/2 Cup Libby's Pure Pumpkin (NOT pie filling which has sugar)
1 Tablespoon butter
1 Tablespoon heavy whipping cream
1/4 Teaspoon pumpkin spice
1 Packet of Splenda
1 Tablespoon cream cheese if desired
Heat in the microwave for 15 seconds. Stir. Heat another 15 seconds. Yummy.
(Note - heating times may vary slightly depending on microwave)

CRUSTLESS KEY LIME PIE
1 small package sugar free lime jello (0)
1/2 cup boiling water (0)
8 ounces cream cheese, softened (6.7)
1 tablespoon lime juice, one small lime (2)
Lime peel, finely grated, one small lime (2)
1/2 cup heavy cream (3.3)
Dissolve the jello in the boiling water, stirring for 3 minutes. Beat the cream cheese in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually beat the jello into the cream cheese (this will make a mess and splatter all over the place). Add the lime juice and rind. Mix the cream separately on high till stiff, then fold the lime mixture into it. Pour into a pie plate that has been sprayed with nonstick spray. Chill until set. Makes 4 servings 3.5gr carb/serving
Do not freeze
-note if you use sf jello for this, it isn't stricly legal since it contains aspertame

I haven't tried this one yet:
Linda’s VANILLA PUDDING Do not freeze
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup water
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup granulated Splenda or equivalent liquid Splenda
1 drop yellow food color, optional
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

In a medium microwaveable bowl, whisk together the cream, water, salt, sweetener and yellow coloring. Gradually dust the xanthan gum over the surface and briskly whisk in; repeat until all of the xanthan gum is blended in. Whisk in the egg yolk. Microwave on HIGH 2-3 minutes, until thick, stirring every minute. Whisk in the butter and vanilla. Divide between 2 dessert dishes; chill.

Makes 2 servings

With granular Splenda:
Per Serving: 268 Calories; 26g Fat; 3g Protein; 6g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 5g Net Carbs
Per Batch: 537 Calories; 53g Fat; 5g Protein; 13g Carbohydrate; 3g Dietary Fiber; 10g Net Carbs

[neutronnorman]

You will gain 5-10 lb. overnight. Most of it will be water and glycogen storage in your liver and muscles. By the first day back on induction you'll drop ~5 lb. of water weight. By the second day your glycogen levels will begin to fall, depending how hard you workout. With one piece of cake, you will probably not start to lay down fat. The problem is that you will feel guilty and the sugar rush might trigger you to return to your old eating habits.

I would not chance it if I were you, unless your are an athlete purposely carb loading to reach whatever gain you require. Suffice to say, I have never let an obstacle derail my personal goals.

Personally, I'd do what JuliaB suggests.

[Lindz]

I do realize that it's mind over matter. That is something I have been and will continue to work on.....it's easier said than done though. It's not even really about eating the cake because I want it or it tastes good. When I posted this thread I was in the mindset that I HAD to eat the cake just because its his first b-day. I later then realized that he isn't even going to remember!!!! So it's all good.