Hello! New member, and new to Atkins

[djay]

Hi everyone! It is nice to meet you.


This is the first time I've tried Atkins.

I just started a "clean" induction yesterday, after reading the sections of the message board on the advantages of the clean induction.

Before that, for three days I was doing something like induction, but eating a lot more cheese and cabbage than allowed, and green tea. Though this probably didn't help my diet, doing this helped me deal with really unpleasant withdrawl symptoms that kicked in on the first day (both from carbs and caffiene) without straying *too* far from basics of the diet. Those withdrawl symptoms started fading on the last of the three days. Information on your website about blood sugar and caffiene convinced me to give up even the tea.

So, I'm either on day 2 or day 5, depending. I'm planning on sticking through a "clean" induction on the assumption that today is day 2. (Unless anyone knows of a problem with doing so?)


More: I am a vegetarian, but I eat milk products, eggs, and I'm starting to eat more fish for this diet. Before, I would eat fish only rarely, if ever. I'm also eating a lot of "fake" meat products (made mainly from soy and wheat proteins), and counting the effective carbs on them carefully. Ditto for things like cheese, olives, (some) nuts, tofu, and avocado: I'm using this site to count the carbs when they aren't on the label: http://www.nutritiondata.com/
I'm not interested in stopping being a vegetarian, in part because at this point, I've been one for so long that most real meat seems really unappetizing for me. Fish being the main exception. I'm hoping I can still do Atkins, and from what I've read, it looks like I can.


About my history with dieting:

I'm doing the Atkins diet because being moderately careful about carbs (since Atkins began getting talked about in the mainstream) is the only think that has helped me maintain weight. I was overweight as a kid, and from the time I was 13 until my early 20s, I yo-yo-ed constantly.

This was at the peak of "low-fat" dogma, and I'd go on a very strict diet, which would work OK, and then upping the calories in an attempt to maintain a goal weight would trigger intense carb cravings.

When I was in my early 20s, Atkins' understanding of hunger and nutrition started getting popular air time (this would be about 2002ish), and I heard about it while I was on a weight upswing. I figured it was worth trying as the low-fat dogma didn't seem to work out in real life. I cut refined carbs and significantly upped fat and protein intake (still ate lots of carbs in whole grains, beans, and sugars from fruit). By doing this, I was able to maintain an 'overweight' but happily not 'obese' weight for over 4 years (I also continued an exercise routine that worked well for me).

Increasing the fat was hard at first, because after so many years I had had a fear of fat. However, Atkins' reasoning fit with what I had experienced, so I did it. It wasn't the Atkins diet, but it used some principles of his. I was so glad to not be yo-yo-ing anymore, I didn't worry about losing.

But. Last Holiday season through this February, I was very stressed, not thinking about weight, and started back on the refined carbs. I gained about 8-10 lbs. in those few months, more than I had in years.

Now, I want to lose weight, not just maintain. From my experience, and comparing my hunger reactions to my husband's (who is and has always been around normal weight, and doesn't seem to get as hungry as I do from carbs) I think I'm highly sensitive to carbs. This seems to be confirmed by the fact that the withdrawl symptoms I got in the first few days of the "dirty" induction last week were, at times, almost like my husband's from quitting cigs. So, I really think Atkins is the way for me to go.


I'm really motivated now. In fall, I'll start a graduate progam I was really hoping to get into. I'll move to a new city. Also, most of the clothes I've had for the past 4 years or so are tight, because of the recent weight gain.. and I don't like this! And I don't want to buy larger clothes.


Hope that wasn't too long! I look forward to talking to you all, sharing recipes and so on, on this site as time goes by. Best wishes!

[sallyseachange]

Hiya Djay... welcome to ADBB. Thanks for posting your story...it's always nice to read something about new members.

It's cool that you've gotten over your fear of fat to the extent that you've decided to go the Atkins route. I'm positive you won't regret it.
Doing Atkins as a vegetarian is very possible, particularly if you eat eggs and fish.

Keep us posted and ask any questions you might have. There's always someone around to lend a helping hand!

[djay]

Originally Posted by sallyseachange

Hiya Djay... welcome to ADBB. Thanks for posting your story...it's always nice to read something about new members.

It's cool that you've gotten over your fear of fat to the extent that you've decided to go the Atkins route. I'm positive you won't regret it.
Doing Atkins as a vegetarian is very possible, particularly if you eat eggs and fish.

Keep us posted and ask any questions you might have. There's always someone around to lend a helping hand!

Thanks!

The fear of fat wasn't rational, it didn't fit with my experience. Cutting out fat made me hungrier, which caused me to eat more, unless I was really carefully on a really strict diet. I stuck with the fear for years because it was what all the "experts" said was true... and gained weight as a result. I imagine this is what happens with yo-yo dieters a LOT.

My experience since about 2001/2002 was that fat helped me feel full, and helped me eat less. I started by using more olive oil, so it was a gradual thing at first. Once I realized--and experience--that it helped me feel full and eat less, the fear started going away.


I have a question - I'm not used to this kind of message board. How do you insert a sig file with information and pictures, like you have at the bottom of your messages?

[Scooterjam]

Open door, insert Scooter here.......................

Helloooo Djay!!! What a wonderful post. My name is Scooter and I would love to share that information with you...

Click on User CP ( http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ums/usercp.php? ) over to the left of the screen you'll see edit signature, profile and all that cool stuff. Go www.tickerfactory.com for the little cool icon most people have showing starting weight, goals and etc.

It sounds as if you have really done your homework! We love that here. This board is a fantastic medium to get information and determination.

I'm going to run home from work right now, when I get back in a bout an hour, I'll post some other links and info for you.....just wanted to say Hi.

See you in just a bit!!! My rides here. hehe!

[Scooterjam]

Okay - that was a quick hour. More like 12 but, I still made it here. Okay, where were we.....ah yes....links....

Recipes....here an awesome link... http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/index.html
You'll find 100's of induction friendly recipes, ideas, etc as this site.

by the way...thanks for the http://www.nutritiondata.com/ link. I really studied that last night, pretty nice.

Have you decided upon an exercise regime?? Check out this link.. http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ad.php?t=41903 (Sign up for 6WEC#34 here) it's a good way to get the ball rolling.

So....drink lots of water, and push ever forward!!! Lovely to meet you, and we look forward to hearing about your success!!

Best of wishes. Life is good.

[sillygirl]

Hi djay! Welcome to the board. See that little doggie next to my picture? His name is DJ because he spins around like a DJ playing a record when he gets his food! He loves to eat too, and is actually on Atkins because the food I serve him has no wheat in it, only meat product!

Enough about my dog, WOW about your long introduction! You know how this way of eating (WOE) works, and you know that it works well! Post often so we can watch your progress and weight loss!

[julirama723]

Thanks for sharing your story! It sounds like you have the tools and the determination to be a success! It's amazing that fat is our friend, but indeed it is. People look at me in horror when I tell them I eat full-fat everything, but when I explain that my body is using FAT for fuel, not storing it, they seem relieved. I have never felt better than I do now, and it's thanks to Atkins.

I have a feeling your tight clothes won't be tight for much longer! Best of success.

[djay]

I noticed the dog, he is cute!

I'm pretty sure our cat is on a similar diet. We buy Innova Evo, which doesn't have grains. I think it has blueberries or some things like that in it, in trace amounts.

More expensive than things like Iams, but it seems worth it in terms of her health. She's also no longer interested in our food, even in things like tuna. I guess she gets her fill of meat from her own, and is satisfied with that.

And yep - I will try to post often. This looks like a great resource.

Best,
DJ

Originally Posted by sillygirl

Hi djay! Welcome to the board. See that little doggie next to my picture? His name is DJ because he spins around like a DJ playing a record when he gets his food! He loves to eat too, and is actually on Atkins because the food I serve him has no wheat in it, only meat product!

Enough about my dog, WOW about your long introduction! You know how this way of eating (WOE) works, and you know that it works well! Post often so we can watch your progress and weight loss!

[djay]

Thanks so much for all the links.

About the recipes, I'm especially interested in trying the flax muffins, but waiting until after induction. I stocked up on cranberries last fall when they were in season (they're in the freezer) , and am glad of having a way to use them.

I'll check out the exercise link - I walk a lot (at least 3 miles a day, usually more), but want to join a gym and start doing more heart-pumping exercise and some weight training. I could use tips in getting started in that.

And the water - Wow, I've been surprised at how much water I can drink. I seem to be thirstier on this way of eating (maybe there's an adjustment period?), but it is useful for getting in the habit of grabbing something other than tea or coffee. And useful for going for a drink first in the morning, instead of for food.

Originally Posted by Scooterjam

Okay - that was a quick hour. More like 12 but, I still made it here. Okay, where were we.....ah yes....links....

Recipes....here an awesome link... http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/index.html
You'll find 100's of induction friendly recipes, ideas, etc as this site.

by the way...thanks for the http://www.nutritiondata.com/ link. I really studied that last night, pretty nice.

Have you decided upon an exercise regime?? Check out this link.. http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ad.php?t=41903 (Sign up for 6WEC#34 here) it's a good way to get the ball rolling.

So....drink lots of water, and push ever forward!!! Lovely to meet you, and we look forward to hearing about your success!!

Best of wishes. Life is good.

[sillygirl]

Originally Posted by djay

I noticed the dog, he is cute!

I'm pretty sure our cat is on a similar diet. We buy Innova Evo, which doesn't have grains. I think it has blueberries or some things like that in it, in trace amounts.

More expensive than things like Iams, but it seems worth it in terms of her health. She's also no longer interested in our food, even in things like tuna. I guess she gets her fill of meat from her own, and is satisfied with that.

And yep - I will try to post often. This looks like a great resource.

Best,
DJ

We use Innova EVO as well, but they tell me he's portly so we're giving him the reduced fat kind and he gets canned green beans for extra fiber! At least Innova wasn't on the list of pet foods that have been killing pets. Have you heard that this past week on the news?

Cruise all around the board, there's so much information here!