New here, not so new to Atkins

[stevef]

Hi Everyone !

Steve from central NJ here. This is my first time on the ADBB. I’ve been looking over some of the threads and it seems this is a really great forum with lots of nice people. I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you - and of course get some help with the Atkins diet too. Actually, I’ve already have gotten some help. I had a little trouble registering and Sillygirl via private messaging was very kind and helpful and gave me lots of great information to look at. I plan to look at it all this weekend. (Thanks Sillygirl !)



Anyway, here’s where I’m at…..



I first went “on the Atkins” about 10 years ago using the original book as a guide. It worked great !! I lost 26 pounds in 5 weeks. That was all I wanted to lose. I felt great while dieting and had that wonderful energetic feeling. I went off the diet and slowly but surely gained it all back.

A few years later I went on the diet again using the later book and counting “net” carbs. I kept to the net-carbs allowed and ate many of the atkins bars. It didn’t work too well. I gave up and just lived with the extra weight for awhile. Since then I have gained a few more pounds.

I became disgusted with myself. I started the original diet again by just counting carbs- not “net” carbs. I’ve been on it in the induction phase for 2 ½ weeks now. I have been keeping faithfully to 22 carbs a day. I’ve been taking all the supplements Dr. Atkins recommended in the original book. I’ve only lost 5 pounds. I guess that’s not too bad but the first time I did the diet I think I was down by at least 10 pounds after two weeks. However I don’t have that energetic feeling at all. I feel tired and weak most of the time. I had to be alert today. I had some major stuff going on at work and I’m working on my master’s degree. So I gave in and bumped up to 30 carbs and had a little sugar just to get some energy. I’m looking for help to see what’s going on.

I have a friend who lost over 60 pounds on the diet and gained some back. He had the same experience. He says the diet doesn’t work for him anymore. We’re both wondering why. Perhaps 10 years of aging slowing down the metabolism??



From Sillygirls’ private messages I can see that I may have to update my thinking on how to do this diet. I still have the mentality: “eat tons of bacon & eggs, take the vitamins, eat 20 carbs of Ritz crackers a day and the weight will come off.” Well, that worked really great the first time but not now. Any insight you can give me would be greatly appreciated.



Thanks in advance !



And this Thanksgiving let’s remember to be thankful there was a guy named Atkins who had the courage to stand up to the medical establishment and set the world right on one of the most important facets of our health and well being- our nutrition.



Happy Turkey Day !

[2big4mysize]

welcome to ADBB.

you are not the same person you were last time either. you may have less muscle mass and nore fat mass giving you a slower metabolism too.

so what yyou doing for the mandatory exercise part of your Atkins? we got lots of challenges to fit every kind of exercise.

[ValidRouge]

hey steve, welcome to ADBB! I'm on my second attempt at Atkins too. This time I lost less in my first two weeks than I did the first time...HOWEVER...this time I've read the book, reread the book and come here for support and guidance on how to do it right.

I've lost 50 lbs more this time around than I did last time. I'm getting very close to goal, and I've added LOTS of lean body mass fitting into clothes that the last time I wore them I weighed 20 lbs less than I do today.

What did I do different, you might ask?

1) No more Joy's version of Atkins. It's Dr. Atkins version....it's the only thing that works for me for the long haul.
2) No trying to stay on 20 net carbs. Move up the ladder of OWL and add foods back in the order Dr. A outlined.
3) No dwelling on what I can't have. Focus on the wonderful foods I CAN have and seek out recipes to make my food satisfying to all of my senses.

I'm looking forward to seeing you around on the boards.

[jimmie 48]

steve! i hope you got the bugs worked out as per the pm's. i heard back from kent and i am guessing you are good to go!

glad to see you here!

[Brook]

Welcome to ADBB, Steve

[Miss World]

Hi Steve ^_^ welcome to ADBB! enjoy your weightloss journy

[goingtogetreal]

That's very encouraging. I'm new here too but I don't know much about Atkins so I have a lot of learning.

[sillygirl]

Yay Steve! You're here! You will get lots of advice from people who know the ins and outs of this WOE. I'm glad to see your new thoughts on eating this way. You can totally do it, and do it right this time!

[sallyseachange]

Welcome Steve! This is the place for good low carb advice and help!
Happy low carbing

[imgonnagethin]

Hi Steve and welcome to the board!

The second time around may be a little harder to start off with, however the plan works as long as you do it right - hows your activity level? You've got to get that excercise in (I never believed this the first time round, this time, i'm working out and I can FEEL the benefits as well as see them) and lastly water, water, water - chug it down the first few days and it will turn into a habit!

Good luck and see you on the boards!

Kay