27 male saying hi!

[agent0014]

Hello, I'm Mark. I'm a 27 (almost 2 year old male and when I weighed in almost five weeks ago now I weighted 299.6 lbs. I started induction on april 24th 2006 using the rules on atkins.com as a guide and also with some advice from a friend who was doing it under his doctor's guidance.

Near the end of my two weeks I found this message board, and almost wish I hadn't at first. Even though I lost 11 lbs on induction, apparently I was breaking the rules even though I didn't realize it. I was drinking coffee every day, alcohol on the weekends (party animals here, haha) and replacing one meal at least every other day with an atkins shake. Also was drinking and eating artifically sweetened stuff like sugar free jello and a bit of diet pop. I was even eating "low carb" power bars... was even eating fast food burgers from mcdonalds and bk without the bun, prolly not such a good idea.

Ive decided to restart induction, so I started again on last sunday (may 14th) and have done much better. Last monday I weighed in at 286 even, tomorrow is the next weigh in (there's a weight loss contest going on at work so we all weigh in on monday mornings at 9am). Hopefully I'll see more improvement, considering how good I've done... the only slip up Ive had was a cup of coffee last monday (I can go days without caffiene, but monday mornings are rough). I even went to the bar to watch the sabers game yesterday and managed to only drink water (I'd like to think I was rewarded with our win, lol). Tomorrow morning is going to be rough without coffee, even though I haven't had any for a week, Ive got to say thats the biggest challenge because I just work better with caffiene, my ADD isn't so bad with a stimulant. I guess I'd like to know, how much can a cup of regular hurt if I only have one every day or so? My migrane meds also have caffiene, and I've been lucky not to have a migrane since maybe the second week of my first induction, but they can be easily triggered sometimes.

I think my other big challenge is my social life in general... first my favorite social activity to do is go out for a meal with one of my friends. I've found it a bit of a challenge to locate things on the menu I can definately eat, even the things that should definately be in the rules (sizziling chicken and shrimp at Friday's for example) im a bit worried about having hidden carbs in a maranade or whatnot. Second, its really hard on the weekends for me not to drink lol... I don't think I have a drinking problem, but I hate being the guy at the bar drinking water with all my friends. What are the impacts of alcohol if I keep it carb free, and keep it to a drink or two?

My goal is to be 200 lbs by the end of the year, which seems reasonable from what ive seen of atkins as long as I stick with it. I have to say ive really suprised myself with my willpower. I had no problem just going cold turkey on carbs after a weekend carb binge, and now I really don't have any cravings at all (although I had an incident this weekend with a rouge crouton at friday's that I missed when I picked them out... but it wasn't cheating, it was an accident lol... at least it was only the one, right?) Im going back to the gym (yay!) and im feeling a lot better than I have in a long time. Ive even been good this weekend after ending a relationship friday night that we were in for two and a half years (at least its not a messy breakup, we're still best friends for sure). Any advice that anyone might have for me would be greatly appreciated though, thanks!

(sig and pics to come)

27 year old male, 6'1"
SW:299.6
CW:286
GW:200

[dotsamantha]

Welcome to the board Mark. DOn't feel bad about the way you started out, just take it as a learning experience and go on about the right way from this point. There are plenty of people here who used the website first, and unfortunately, the "Atkins" name is a far cry from what Dr. Atkins himself advised people to do before his death. If you read the "Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution" dated 2002 and follow those guidelines you'll be fine. Welcome again!

[sarah.N.C]

Hi Agent,

Welcome to the ADBB!! I am a newbie, too...i'm at 2 1/2 weeks right now. Its nice to see your so enthusiastic. Dont have any answers to your questions (I am struggling right now with sugar free jello myself...(seems almost cruel to take away my ONE "luxury!") But i digress.... A note on migraines...I am, too, a fellow migraine sufferer. I have been on several different types of migraine preventatives, and have had, at times, had to resort to expensive migraine medication (1 maxalt=$22!!) Anyway, since i have been on atkins, i have not taken any migraine preventatives, and NO MORE MIGRAINES!! Its like a miracle, as I have suffered with them for years. So...the moral of my story is...maybe Atkins is what you need to get rid of (or at least reduce the occurrence of) your migraines.

[agent0014]

Well I had that one migrane about a week in... although I think that was from some "plain" chicken and beef from a chinese place, it was likely loaded with MSG... which I think is a trigger... so no more chineese for me, atkins safe or not. I did get a copy of DANDR 2002 which ive read... and it looks like the occasional caffiene isn't really a big deal... im not worried about anything increasing a craving, I've got more willpower than that!

[sombersusie]

yeah i'd have to agree that chinese food wood be tricky, i think that's just a risk you take when you go out anywhere. Had some steak at a restraunt this weekend and i'll be darned if the thing didn't taste sweet. i personally don't see anything wrong with the bunless burgers from the fast food places, probably not for everyday but once in awhile is ok.
good luck to you agent!

[dreamof145]

Hi Mark. Welcome to the ADBB. This is the best place to receive encouragement and answers to any questions that you may have about doing the Atkins WOE. I'd suggest that you do read the book. That way, you'll understand how the WOE works and exactly what Dr. Atkins advised. My recommendation to you would be to sit down and write out a plan. Plan your meals for the week, prepare snacks and ways that you can have fun with your friends and still not jeopardize your woe. Make sure you include exercise into your plan and take your measurements. Once you see the results, you'll be more motivated to stay with the program and not cheat.

I know it is hard when you are young to be around your friends and live a different healthier life-style. Thats why devising a plan on how to stay serious and lose the weight is essential for success. I wish you the best of luck and if you have questions, just holler. Everyone here wants to see you succeed. Keep us posted.