How do I start with maintenance?

[ladyhairg]

Okay, I am making the decision to begin with the maintenance phase because I am still nursing my 9 month old. But . . . doesn't maintenance involve discovering your own level of carbs and all that after doing OWL? So, without OWL and the ladder and yadda yadda, how do I figure out a starting point? How many carbs per day and all that? Any suggestions?

Another thought . . . when I'm done nursing and want to go to Induction, will I most likely NOT see a big weight drop because I've been doing Maintenance for a while? Just curious.

[clogger]

Have you read the thread on (Pregnancy, Nursing, Trying to Conceive, and Atkins)Pregnancy, Nursing, Trying to Conceive, and Atkins?

Perhaps that will point you in the right direction. A sticky in the Pregnacy Forum points to chapter 17 of the book. Have you checked that out yet?

[ladyhairg]

Thanks, I'll try reading the book again. I guess I was looking for some quick, easy advice from people to help interpret the book or explain.

I guess I'm not very smart at figuring things out for myself. I need numbers, steps and how-to's. Concrete information. You know -- Induction is 20 carbs or less, OWL goes up in increments of 5, etc. Vague info about Lifetime Maintenance w/out numbers just doesn't help me right now.

I'm fat, frustrated, suffering from Post-partum depression, and I was hoping someone could help me with a "Step 1, Step 2" approach.

I guess maybe I'll just wait and do Atkins after I wean him. Cause I just don't get it.

[clogger]

ladyhairg, I can definitely understand being fat and frustrated and depressed .

I'm not on Maintenance yet so I'm not exactly sure what to tell you about the level of carb intake you should go by. It looks like you originally joined back in 2003. Did you do Induction then? Did you climb any of the OWL rungs? Do you remember if your metabolic resistance was low, average, or high? Maybe you could post in the Maintenance forum to see what level of carbs people are taking in.

If I were in your shoes I would probably eat between 90 and 100 carbs per day. That is probably A LOT less than you or I would eat if were weren't watching our carbs. To get most of my carbs I would focus on eating lots of low glycemic vegetables (the ones on the Induction list of veggies), low glycemic fruit like berries and melons, one or two ounces of nuts per day, and three to four ounces of cheese. Then I would get a smaller number of carbs from starchy vegetables (carrots and peas), beans (black, pinto, chickpeas), and whole grains (brown rice, oatmeal, corn).

Eating this way will be more healthy for you and the baby. It will get you started in the right direction. From personal experience I believe it will have a positive effect on your mood, too. Once I get junk carbs out of my system ~ sugar and white flour ~ I feel better.

As states make sure to consult to your doctor about your eating plan.

Best of luck to you...

[ladyhairg]

Thanks, I appreciate the info. I'm really not always so negative -- I'm just a person who needs specifics. And maybe anti-depressants.

[Chynna]

I'm basically in the same boat as you ladyhairg. My baby girl is 10 months old and I just started 2 weeks ago. I decided to wean her at that point because I really need to work on getting myself healthy. It was easy to wean her and I don't feel guilty for wanting to take the time to work on myself.

As far as any advice on how to do OWL, sorry I can't help you there since I've never done that part of this WOE. It was just easier for me to wean rather than to calculate what I would be able to eat.

I'm sure that reading that portion of DANDR will help you more on this subject. And I'm sure that you will also find the help you need from someone who has either been down the same road as you or who knows more on the OWL rung.

Good Luck and stay positive!