My induction menus

[SarahUK]

Hi,

This Day 1 of Induction for me. I followed Atkins a few years ago but it's been a while and I would really appreciate it if someone could check what I've eaten today and plan to eat over the next few days. I know my carb count was a little low today because I overlooked cooking one of my veggies until it was too late.

Although my fat/protein/carb ratio is pretty much 65/30/5 I want to check that I'm not having too much protein or food in general. I weigh rather than use cup as I'm not really sure how to measure with a cup.

I've been drinking loads of water
The food listed as Cathedral City is a brand of cheddar cheese. Most of the foods I have as custom foods rather than the generic ones and I've taken the nutritional info from the labels.

http://fitday.com/fitness/PublicJournals.html?Owner=sarah265&Year=2009&Month =3&Day=27

FitDay Free Calorie Counter and Diet Journal:*Public Journal

FitDay Free Calorie Counter and Diet Journal:*Public Journal

FitDay Free Calorie Counter and Diet Journal:*Public Journal

FitDay Free Calorie Counter and Diet Journal:*Public Journal

FitDay Free Calorie Counter and Diet Journal:*Public Journal

Thank you

Sarah

[liv]

You have made it to May already. Good for you
Anyways I thought it was very good for menu - nice on veggies
What are fine beans on today's menu?

Was there anything in particular you worried about?
Welcome to the Board

[SarahUK]

Thank you for looking at my menus.

I just wanted reassurance that my menus were OK. I do struggle to keep the protein down to 30% as I love meat. I've done Atkins before but I lent my book to someone (can't remember who) and although I'm waiting for a new one to be delivered I'm going from memory for a few days and reading the stickies here until it arrives. I know I should have waited and re-read the book before starting but I really wanted to get going.

I do plan my eating ahead, sometimes as much as 2 weeks and I only buy in the food that I'm allowed to eat. Obviously things happen and meals get switched around but for me planning is very important. Always having food that is Atkins friendly around means that there is no excuse to eat the wrong thing if I'm running late. If I'm going to be out for a few hours I eat before I leave and pop some individually wrapped cheese in my bag for emergencies that way I'm not tempted to grab a burger or sandwich.

I successfully lost 5 stone (in 6 months) a few years ago on Atkins so I know it does works but after 20 years of the low fat, low calorie brainwashing it takes a leap of faith to trust the book and believe that eating fat which we've been told is the thing that makes us fat will actually make us thin.

Apart from the weight loss what I love about Atkins is that I don't feel hungry and I don't crave. After only 2 days I can already feel that my sugar level is stabilising. Although to be fair for the last 6 months or so I've only been eating fresh meat, fish, veg, rice and fruit so I haven't had the processed foods to get out of my system.

Off to have a nice steak now!

[liv]

Hope you had a really good steak. I have to say that is my preferred food too. It is true that it is an adjustment to eat Atkins because we are so used to hearing that fat is bad for us. But there is interestingly not a lot so scientific proof that it is bad to eat fat as long as we reduce carbs. Is is strange how certain "truths" get established.

[C P]

Hi Sarah and welcome (back) to Atkins. I am in the UK too - ummmmm - Cathedral City Cheddar - one of our favourite cheddars. Have you tried the 'Seriously Strong Cheddar' - I think it's made by 'Mcllellands' - the 200g size is on offer at Tesco at the moment - you can buy 2 x 200g for something like 93p each, or pay nearly £4 for a 400g size - no contest really! It really is good and well, seriously strong! Hope you enjoyed your steak - we had steak today as well.

CP

[SarahUK]

Hi CP,

I shall give the seriously strong cheddar a try. Oh I do love this WOE, cheese, steak, fry ups and of course green veggies. After 7 months of Slimming World low fat this and that I'm in heaven with all this wonderful Atkins friendly food!

Sarah

[C P]

Yep - I've done Slimming World (I think my rejoin fees are what kept them in business!) To be fair, apart from Atkins, it was the most successful plan I have been on, but nothing can compare to Atkins for me when it comes to sheer enjoyment of the food I'm eating, and to feeling satisfied with what I'm eating as well.

I enjoy cooking, and always have done, but whereas with other slimming plans I would literally think about food and plan my eating in my head all day, now I can go through from one meal to the next without food dominating my mind! I still enjoy planning a meal, and cooking it (oh, and eating it of course!) but now food is in its place as an enjoyable fuel to keep me alive and healthy, instead of an obsession!

Visit the board often, and ask questions - there is a load of knowledge, info and support here.

CP

[SarahUK]

Hi CP,

I have found SW very easy to stick to but when I'm told I can eat unlimited amounts of certain foods I do! Even though I'm now doing Atkins I'm still attending the SW meetings as (unlike any slimming club before) I have made some really good, supportive friends and I'd really miss them if I stopped going. Until a month ago we had an absolutely brilliant leader who has left to set-up on her own but she has to wait 6 months. We're all counting the days.

I'm still in the obsessional stage of meal planning and constantly thinking about food. Partly because I'm trying so hard to get my 65/30/5 right. When I did Atkins before I concentrated mainly on keeping to 20g carbs and didn't worry about the 65/30/5 but I'm desperate to see some decent weight losses so I'm being very strict. I've had really slow losses lately at SW and I'm getting worried my body is fighting back after years of dieting. Once I can see it shifting I'm sure I'll relax a bit and not be so obsessed.

Sarah

[C P]

Hi Sarah,

Give it a few days - as you get further into induction the food cravings/obsession improve - well they did for me, and it seems to be a pretty general rule that if you stick to a clean induction, then the hunger/cravings etc., lessen. Anyway, planning your meals is a good thing, as it keeps you right in control during this crucial two weeks. When your new book arrives you'll be able to swot up on the details. I'll admit that when I did my two weeks induction this time (third and final time around for me on Atkins) I didn't worry about my percentages too much until the end of the day when I entered them into Fitday just to see how they came out. I stuck to the induction rules with plenty of variety in my veggies and my protein, and found that most days they came out in/near the correct ratios, just from doing that. I have read on here that the percentages were not a Dr Atkins 'thing,' but figures that were arrived at by analysing the eating plan to see how it divides up on a typical properly followed, induction day.

Now I'm on OWL I have to be more vigilant, by checking the carb content of new foods, and gradually increasing my carb count, but even so, I have found that if I can't get onto Fitday before the evening, that when I put in my details, the ratios are generally in line with what they should be. Yes, keep an eye on the protein, definitely, so that doesn't go too high, but I'd say don't get too hung up if one day your figures are 63/32/5 and the next day they are 70/25/5, as long as you are following the induction rules. (If I'm wrong then I'm sure someone will be along to tell us, and I'll happily stand corrected, LOL)

I've still got a stack of Slimming World mags - I'm planning to go through them and keep some of the recipes, as I think a lot of them will be pretty good if adapted to use full fat products instead of low fat. After years of buying the mag I now have to consciously walk past it on the news stands - it's almost like a physical pull towards it when I see it! Weird how eating habits and the things associated with eating can so dominate your life when you are battling with weight, isn't it?

I'm guessing you haven't told your SW leader that you are following Atkins instead?

CP

[SarahUK]

Hi CP,

No I haven't told them at SW that I'm doing Atkins. I don't like to speak too soon but the weight is already dropping off, just hope it continues. Although I'm only on my 3rd clean induction day, since last week I had already cut down on the carbs and my scales say I'm 6-7lbs lighter. Off this evening to SW for my weigh in. Wouldn't it be great if I was slimmer of the week while doing Atkins! When I'm asked how I managed to lose so much I think I just say I've been doing red/original days, increasing my green veggies and cutting back on my fruit and keeping a strict eye on my B choices.

Sarah