New to the site and only a few days into Atkins

[CarrieSmattick]

Hi everyone,


I thought I'd introduce myself. I'm from England, UK. I'm 30 years old and started the Atkins plan 5 days ago. I have lost 2lb so far but my weight does that sometimes anyway so I'm unsure yet as to whether it's down the Atkins.

My weight history is that as a child I was always slightly underweight, during my teenage years I was ideal weight and as I reached 18 I was fighting bulemia. I suffered with bulemia for 10 years and contrary to what people generally think, a bulemic is usually slightly overweight, not underweight.

After gradually increasing in weight during those 10 years I know find myself at 160lb. My ideal weight, for me, would be about 135lb.

After enduring counselling for a year I finally realised I was killing myself and I have not intentionally vomitted for two and a half years now. However I am desperate to lose these unwanted pounds.

I have read and re-read the Dr. Atkins Revolution book - Its amazing!

I am hoping there is someone else on here who can give me support and advice on this plan. Firstly I have no idea how to know whether I am in the ketosis stage. I don't have those testing strips. Are there any tell-tale signs of letting me know?

Good luck to everyone !!

[Jasmain]

First off, welcome! This place is full of great people who will love encouraging you and answering questions. As for ketosis, bad breath and strong smelling urine are two of the signs you can look for, but they aren't the be all and end all for telling. A slightly metallic, or even just funny taste in your mouth is another. Also, a decrease in your appetite, or a flu'ish feeling (achy, headache etc) are good signs that you are on your way. I'm glad you've gotten control of your bulemic tendencies, and I hope you enjoy this WOE (way of eating) very much in the days to come. Don't forget to measure too! You will sometimes see inches dropping even though the weight may not go down at times. I hope you are exercising, the natural rush and the added fat burning will increase your chances of dropping the pounds faster! Good luck!

[sunflowergrl]

Welcome, and good luck!!! You came to the right place, I started Atkins on Feb. 13th, and I have lost 10 pounds so far!!! Good for you for overcomming your problem, you should be very proud of yourself for that. This is a healthy, wonderful WOL!!! I love your pic, you are so pretty!! I can't wait to see how you feel after your two weeks!

[CarrieSmattick]

Thank you both so much for your replies, they are much appreciated.

I have certainly noticed the bad breath! I thought it was just me! lol and also the strong-smelling urine ( i was considering booking an appointment with my GP) hehe

As for exercise, I'm pretty limited at the moment as I had surgery on my knee last year and developed a blood clot afterwards which has slowed down the recovery (I can't take weight on it bent yet). But I am drinking plenty of water and I do some exercise - enough to get me out of breath anyway. I am just hoping I am so impressed after the 14 days that there is no turning back. I hate disappointing myself.

[CarrieSmattick]

I stopped smoking on January 1st of this year and have done surprisingly great! I was smoking 20-25 per day and I have stopped cold turkey. I think if I can do that after 12 years of smoking then I should be able to do this...

[Jasmain]

You are a beautiful girl, enjoy it and stop worrying so much about a few pounds, they'll come off! You don't have an incredible amount to lose, so it may move slowly! You usually lose about 10% of your total wieght you need to lose in the first two weeks, so it may not end up being much for you. Just stick to it, and you'll lose it. It's not going to fall off you the first two weeks, and you have to be in this for the long haul (Way of Life) change and not just the two week induction rush. Be patient with yourself and this diet and be committed to yourself, and it will happen!

[CarrieSmattick]

Thanks, you are EXACTLY what I need - you're like a breath of fresh air.

I must say I am already viewing this plan as my new way of life, I think the only way to stick to anything is to see it as a lifetime goal rather than a quick fix.

I'm just naturally impatient (only with myself) and logic tells me not to expect too much too soon.

I'm going to get the tape measure out now!

[Jasmain]

I love measuring! I've had weeks where I lost nothing and still lost inches, it makes you feel so much better on those weeks. It really may come off slow, the ones who have a lot to lose are the ones to see a bunch of weight come off the first two weeks. If you lose at least 10% (or about) of the weight you want to lose, you're on track. Just give it some time. You'll get there, and the great feeling you'll have energy wise and just plain health wise will be incentive enough. Your body is going to love you for not feeding it junk.

You may feel not so great at some point during induction for a few days, flu'ish, can't remember if I said that before. That's the induction flu, some people get it while their body is making the adjustment to burn more fat than carbs.

[sunflowergrl]

Don't let the Induction Flu get you down, I had it pretty bad. Its gone now, and I feel fantastic! Good for you on quitting smoking!! You will do fantastic on the WOL!

[BeccaResRN]

Congratulations on getting started on Atkins!!! I think you will find like me that it is the best way to feel great and side effect lose weight!!

Wow great job on quitting cigarettes that is soo hard...what a great thing to do for yourself.

I'm not losing much weight right now but I can tell my body is changing I can feel my ribs more...probably losing fat, adding muscle...I need to get a measuring tape really.

Keep up the good work