Newbie in New York

[prfctlildvl]

Hi,

This is my second attempt at Atkins. I tried once before a few years back and had a really hard time getting through induction. Yesterday I was on the Atkins site and saw all the success stories and pics and they got me motivated to try it again so I started induction first thing this morning.

If anyone has any tips for getting through the induction phase, please pass them on. I find not snacking at night to be really hard and that's when I usually break down so if you have some snacky ideas or words of wisdon, I'd be more than in debted.

I guess I should tell you a bit about myself. I'm 41 years old and have three children. An almost 20 year old son, an 11 year old son and an almost 5 year old daughter. I also have a very supportive husband who could care less about my weight but I want to loose the weight to feel better about myself.

I was always a very thin person until I got married and pregnant with my first son. It wasn't a happy marriage and I packed on the pounds sitting home. I've tried several times to loose the weight but they've all been unsuccessful. My doctor told me that I've had such terrible eating habits (going without food for long periods of time, etc.) that my metabolism has all but shut down. He suggested I try eating several little meals to give it a boost so I joined weight watchers. I lost 10 pounds the first week but found that it was way too much food and gave up.

I tried Atkins a few years back and after the first initial sugar withdrawals, I found that I felt so much better but I had a very hard time with induction and gave up as I didn't see the weight coming off.

I finally made myself realize that it took many years to put it on and it isn't going to come off overnight so I have to stick to things this time.

Can't wait to get to know everyone!!

[dotsamantha]

Hi and welcome to the board! To address your night snacking concern, what I found to be useful was to keep atkins friendly foods around. It's okay to snack if you're hungry. Have a piece of cheese or some pepperonis or an egg, etc. Anything on the list within the limits, and only if you really are hungry.

[angelstar]

Hi there

Welcome to the board. This is a FANTASTIC place for advice and support, you will feel right at home in a few days! You asked for a few tips and here they are:

* Induction can be hard to get through, headaches, feeling sick and other side effects will make you feel like pants. BUT stick with it, it will only last a week or so. You're body is just getting rid of all the cr*p in ur body from the carbs you were eating previously.
* As Dot said, keep plenty of legal snacks around so if you are hungry then you can grab something that you're allowed to eat. There are loads of recipe ideas on the Food forum, check it out!
*Drink plenty of water, esp in the first 2 weeks. This will help your body flush out the nasty toxins. Aim for at least 2 litres a day, more if the weather is warmer.
*Exercise. At least 3 hours a week. Split it up into how ever you want to. But find something that you enjoy doing, dont pick something that you wont like or you wont do it and feel bad about it. Try walking or cycling or swimming, whatever floats ur boat! You said about snacking in the evenings so maybe it is best for you to use this time for exercise so your mind is focused on something else, not eating. Plus you will feel alot better for exercising instead of snacking.
*Weigh urself once a week and only once! Try not to get upset you find urself not losing weight, post a typical days menu and people on the boards may be able to pin point something that could be stalling you. Do your best to give up caffiene and fizzy drinks with sweetners as they are the common weight loss stallers
*Set goals, realistic ones and treat yourself to something when you reach them, a beauty treatment or a new item of clothing

Ermmm thats it for now! I'm sure someone else can add on a few more!

[prfctlildvl]

Thank you both for such great support!
Angelstar - you look awesome!! How long did it take? I see that you're planning a trip to Florida in September - what a wonderful journey that will be and what a great reward for all your hard work!

I will definitely take everyone's advice. I've been trying to fill up on water. I drink a full glass before each meal so that I'm feeling a bit full even before I start eating.

Thanks again - such nice people on the message boards.

[boonie stomper]

Welcome, prfctlildvl. You've gotten good info so far; here's a little more...Sipping warm salty broths through a straw can make it easier on you the first few days of induction than chugging only plain water. That way you won't become dehydrated due to lost electrolytes. During the transition period between when your body is operating on carbs (including reserve glycogen in the liver last of all), you system can become out of balance with all the changes going on. This can occur by the end of the 2nd - 3rd day depending on your metabolism and what you've eaten. That's when many people give in to cravings, and feel weak and flu-like.

The good news is, you can get through this phase in less than a day (if you don't cheat!) and suddenly your body unleashes fat for energy, and begins to establish systemic equilibrium again. Your energy level will probably soar, and appetite diminsh. Hang in there! I wish you success!!

[dreamof145]

Welcome. Congratulations on making the decision to stick it out this time. Withdrawls are hard, but not impossible to overcome. Drink lots of water, exercise to ease your mind and make you feel stronger (and burn more fat).

Your doing the right thing by using the inspirational stories in the forums to motivate yourself. There are so many people who have made it happen and are gracious enough to share their successes with us.

Hang in there, you are not alone. Together we will all change our life-styles and become healthier thinner people. Keep us posted on your progress.

[prfctlildvl]

Dreamof145: Thank you so much for the words of encouragement. Last time I tried Atkins, I didn't know anyone else on it and had no one to talk to. I'm so glad I found ADBB and all the wealth of knowledge everyone here has.

The one question I had was regarding cholesterol levels. I know being over weight (let's face it, obese) has it's own medical problems but what happens to your cholesterol on Atkins? I mean, with all the egss and meat and butter........does everyone have good counts? I haven't found any studies of the long term effects of Atkins and I'm really interested so if anyone knows of any articles I'd love to read them.

Thanks again for the kind words, encouragement and support!

[dreamof145]

http://www.emaxhealth.com/11/3897.html

Here is a study on the effects of low-carb eating and how it affects cholesterol. As for me, I never had high cholesterol before the weight loss. But my doctor is amazed at how good my numbers are now. I was borderline diabetic which has completely disappeared since starting this WOE.

The best thing to do is to go have your cholesterol checked now, then go back in 2-3 months and have it re-done. The results will speak for themselves.

[Outback Jess]

prfctlildvl,
Welcome! Boy have you gotten awesome advice! No kidding on the withdrawl detox period. I had bad headaches and terrible fatigue, but having been here before, I was patient just getting over the hump and now it's day 15 and I feel great, better than I have in yrs...so, they aren't kidding....
Keep posting over and over and reading...

[angelstar]

Aww thank you! I've been on this WOE since 22nd May. I did Atkins last year and lost 3 stone (42lbs) in 4 months, but things happened in my life and I gained 2 stone back. I cant wait for Florida, so excited!!

Keep at it tho, the first week can be pants for the headaches and stuff but stick with it and you will be reaping the rewards!

Originally Posted by prfctlildvl

Thank you both for such great support!
Angelstar - you look awesome!! How long did it take? I see that you're planning a trip to Florida in September - what a wonderful journey that will be and what a great reward for all your hard work!

I will definitely take everyone's advice. I've been trying to fill up on water. I drink a full glass before each meal so that I'm feeling a bit full even before I start eating.

Thanks again - such nice people on the message boards.

EDIT:
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