Hello Everyone!!!

[daisy8869]

Hello Everyone,

I would like to say hi and get to know everyone better. I am on day four of induction and I'm very glad that I have found this site to share our journey together for health. This is my first time on Atkins and I am really looking forward to making a lifestyle change.

I am 6'2 and I weighed 293lbs on my start day, April 11th. I am very tall for a woman and I have a heavy bone structure...I come from a family of athletes so it is kinda hard always being the chubby, non-active one. I currently wear a size 18/20 (hopefully not for long) and my goal weight according to the doctor is 180 but I'm thinking around 200 because of my bone structure but I will wait and see.

I have two Atkins books, both the new diet revolution and Atkins for life. I have read both of them and I feel comfortable so far on induction. I have noticed that since last night I have developed bad breath, so I think the induction is working. I have looked around some on this site and I am very inspired by all the hard work and success around with other members. I hope to be adding my name to the list of success stories.

I do have some questions about the lifestyle so far:

1. Since I have a lot of weight to lose, I plan on staying on induction for a month, does anyone know of a problem with that or do you think I should stay on it even longer?

2. What types of vitamins does everyone take? I just went to the drugstore and purchased a one-a-day active multivitamin and I already take two calcium supplements everyday, do you think that is enough?

3. I also have IBS, and my doctor cleared the Atkins but she advised me to eat leaner sources of proteins. Does anyone have any experience with IBS and Atkins? I would love to know if Atkins will help my stomach and any tips for high protein low-fat things to eat. I'm also a college student so any cost-saving tips would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks and I look forward to "meeting" everyone!

-Daisy

[ValidRouge]

Hi Daisy! Welcome to ADBB! I'm 5'10, tall for a woman with a heavy bone structure as well, though not as tall as you I started my journey January 2006 and have lost 80ish pounds give or take a couple depending on the day. I started at 268 lbs wearing a 20/22. I'm 188-191 (once again depending on the day0 now and wear a size 12 and am starting to squeeze into 10's.

Originally Posted by daisy8869

I do have some questions about the lifestyle so far:

1. Since I have a lot of weight to lose, I plan on staying on induction for a month, does anyone know of a problem with that or do you think I should stay on it even longer?

I would *NOT* stay on induction longer than four weeks. In fact that is how long I stayed on it (this time around). Then go ahead and move into OWL rung 1 which is just more veggies. Honestly, I think there are some people who say they are on extended induction, but in reality, they are on OWL rung 1 because their salads are the restauraunt gargantuan size etc. I'm not sure where the fear of the Ongoing Weight Loss phase comes from. I've lost about 70 lbs on it.

Originally Posted by daisy8869

2. What types of vitamins does everyone take? I just went to the drugstore and purchased a one-a-day active multivitamin and I already take two calcium supplements everyday, do you think that is enough?

I think that's a good start. Check out the vita-nutrients forum here on ADBB. Biogeek has done some really cool articles and I've learned some neat stuff. I take the multi vitamin, a b-complex, flax oil, calcium-magnesium-zinc, potassium, biotin and evening primrose oil for various things in my diet.

Originally Posted by daisy8869

3. I also have IBS, and my doctor cleared the Atkins but she advised me to eat leaner sources of proteins. Does anyone have any experience with IBS and Atkins? I would love to know if Atkins will help my stomach and any tips for high protein low-fat things to eat. I'm also a college student so any cost-saving tips would be greatly appreciated!

I think the IBS will go away with Atkins without bothering to try to eat lean cuts of meat. In order for Atkins to work, you'll have to replace the fat somehow. So, either eat the animal fat or add it back in via dressings or butter, or cream....OR add it back via vegetable fat (olives, olive oil, avacado, etc.) Dr. Atkins said trying to do a low fat version of his plan will derail your weight loss. AND it's just not necessary. I was never diagnosed with IBS, but I had a lot of the symptoms on a daily basis. Let me tell you all the stomach gurgling, cramping, trips to the bathroom are gone with the carbohydrates for me. And so is the acid reflux, headaches, body aches, sinus infections, etc.!!!

[sensfan1960]

Hi Daisy and welcome to this wonderful ADDB!!
I have started my 5th week of induction and if it weren't for me going on a business trip tomorrow for 4 days I would have moved to Rung 1...so yeah...I think you should take the advice Joy gave you and move on after four weeks.
As for vitamins I take a natural vitamin for women over the age of 45 plus I take essential oils.
I don't have IBS however...like Joy said...all that rumbling...gas...trips to the toilet have vanished since starting this WOL sooooooooo...

[daisy8869]

Thanks Joy and Sensfan for your advice...I have noticed that so far, my IBS has dissapeared and hopefully it will remain that way!!!! I am on day five and so far, so good. I think I ate too many veggies yesterday so I will be more careful of my veggie portions in the future. My kesosis stick went from deep purple yesterday to a lighter purple today, so that let me know that I need to trim the veggies down some. I love this forum...such great people!

[sensfan1960]

You're very welcome...it is a GREAT place huh

[sillygirl]

Hi Daisy! Welcome to the board. You will certainly get to know us all if you come around the baord very often! you might want to start a Journal for yourself in Journal Chats. That's a great place for daily gab, friendship and support!

[mish711]

Good luck girl! we'll get it done!! congrats on the upcoming wedding too!!!

[sallyseachange]

Warm welcome to you! Glad you found us here at ADBB!
Happy low carbing!

[daisy8869]

Thanks for all the warm welcomes...Sally you look beautiful...such good inspiration for all of us just starting.

[DAWNIMMEL]

Hi Daisy, I do have IBS and I went symptom free for a couple of years on Atkins, now I am having problems again, but the atkins does help a lot. Just be careful of eating too much lettuce if that ever caused you problems. Welcome aboard....Dawn