On day 19 and doing sort of okay

[mondavis]

Hi! I started Atkins on June 1, 2007 on my doctor's insistance. I am 34 years old and at my weigh-in at the appointment, I was 236 pounds (at 5'8"). I've been heavy since college and when I got pregnant in 2003, I was about 226 pounds.

I went to the doctor in April with a bp of 136/90. He put me on Diovan and ordered me to lose weight. He made me cry - really wail - in his office because he laid out the danger I was in with being so heavy and sedentary. He said that Atkins would do the trick and I was very skeptical but I trust him and went to buy the book on the way home.

I started it on June 1 and have stuck to it since. I'm now 222 but I'm not really enthusiastic. I love losing weight and feeling better but I'm suffering an extraordinary amount of stress about what I put in my mouth. I have nightmares about "accidentally" drinking a cup of juice! I just read some comments on this board about how the Atkins bars and shakes can stall your weight loss and actually are loaded with carbs. Now I'm all freaked out because I bought a fresh pack just last night and had one of the "morning bars" for breakfast this morning. I have to get a 3 year old and myself out of the house by 7:15 in the morning. I rely on super-quick and easy for breakfast since I don't have a lot of time to cook extra stuff to eat in the morning. The idea of some corned beef or chicken that early in the morning makes my stomach queasy. It's discouraging me seriously because I feel like I have to stay on this diet to get smaller fast and be able to get off the bp meds; but the stress of trying to figure out what to eat (particularly for breakfast) is seriously depressing me.

I guess I'm trying to figure out how folks have found it in them to feel - I don't know - enthusiastic and excited while on this diet. I try to hold on to the fact that I'll look and feel better and be healthier in the long term but the short term is really starting to break me down.

[ValidRouge]

For a quick grab and go breakfast--keep a dozen boiled eggs in your fridge. They are awesome for quick!

The key to this "diet" is to plan, plan, plan. On the weekends, do a lot of prep work for the upcoming week. Cut up veggies ahead of time, cook meats and cut them up ahead of time, boil the eggs and have them ready to go. Always have something in the fridge ready to just grab and go.

We ALL have busy lives. It really depends on how bad you want this. If you want it, you'll find a way to make it work. Coming here and asking for help is the first step toward that!! Good for you.

[Sherri]

Hey Mondavis, it's o.k to feel a bit overwhelmed when starting something new. If I may suggest something. You said you have to get up and out of the house early. You might want to prepare something the night before for breakfast so you can just reheat it. Try going over to food and recipe forum for ideas it may help you. One thing I know that works for this woe is plan, plan ,plan. Congradulations on your weightloss thus far. Great job! I'm sure others will be here to share with you and have more suggestions. Just hang in there. You'll get a routine down with this woe. We all started with baby steps and worked our way to leaps and bounds. Some trips and falls in between, but manage to get up and brush ourselves off and start again. It's gonna be all right. Everyone here is so supportive, you'll make it. Sincerely Sherri

[Fuschia]

What bars did you get? I admit I also broke down and bought a pack of the breakfast bars. The flavour I picked said that there were no sugar alchohols/carbs. They probably aren't that good for me, but I just needed a break from the eggs.

However, I would guess that regardless of what we all eat in the morning, everyone here on the board, and indeed, dieters everywhere, get frustrated and disappointed numerous times. You just have to remember why you are on this diet- for your health, and for your child. In the meantime, focus on mini goals-maybe just losing 5-10 pounds or be able to walk father then you used to. When you beat those small goals, reward yourself with a something you would like. ...er, not food though!

Have you looked though the recipes section for breakfast ideas? Maybe this woudn't work for you, but can you eat a small something or other to take the edge off your hunger and then eat a regular breakfast at work later?

[Scooterjam]

Those breadfast bars are soooooo bad for you!! Frankenfood is how we lovingly refer to the around these parts!! Always keep a snack handy, whether it be at work, home or play. Planning (thank you Joy) is the key to success. Even though those bars say, induction friendly, or low carb, the sugar alcohols and the nuts etc can cause very adverse effects! Be very careful!

Here are some other threads and links you may find help to get the wheel in motion. The intial step of moving that wheel is all you need, these links will keep to keep building up the momentum!

Rules of induction:
What are the Rules of Induction?

Acceptable foods:
What foods can be eaten on Induction?

Awesome Recipes:
http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/index.html

Caloric Counter/Carbs/Protein/Etc/Reports:
www.fitday.com (Free on-line, this is awesome!!) or some members use this one http://www.thedailyplate.com

Anyway, congrats on going low carb, make sure you jump around the forums and make your presence known, we are very happy to have you with us!!

Best of wishes! Life is good!

[mondavis]

Originally Posted by ValidRouge

We ALL have busy lives. It really depends on how bad you want this. If you want it, you'll find a way to make it work. Coming here and asking for help is the first step toward that!! Good for you.

I guess that might be my problem. At heart, I feel like this was thrust upon me. I didn't choose to start Atkins or any "diet" or woe; I was told to do this and I suppose haven't been able to make the attitude adjustment to accept it and everything that it entails, even with the health implications. Right now, I've got so much pressure (full-time work, husband 3000 miles away for 5 weeks, a 3 year old in a brand new preschool, aging mother, mentally ill mother-in-law), all of this production and planning what I eat is becoming the thing that will put me over the edge. I'm seriously about to crack and my main coping mechanism, food (not meat and salad, things like fruits and potatoes) is no longer possible.

It's not even my intention to come here to spill out all of this but I'm struggling and desperate because I feel that something has to give soon. I guess it helps a little to even write it out and thanks to everyone who has replied. I'm going to continue to try for as long as I can. I figure I'll either get to the point when I can cope or I'll have to try something else.

Regardless the support is much appreciated.

[ValidRouge]

I can understand that.

Here's the beauty of Atkins. A lot of the feeling of being 'deprived' is because of the ADDICTION to sugar/starch/flour (the white stuff). That addiction caused us to consume more and more and more of those types of food. That in turn causes the high cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes thats going to kill us.

I am an addict. My drug of choice is carbohydrate.

Anyway...back to the beauty of Atkins....the first two weeks is the induction phase where we break that addiction to carbohydrate and switch our bodies to using our STORED fat for fuel instead of those pesky carbs. Once you switch over, then the cravings for sweet stuff goes away. AND you get an additional benefit of a really deep appetite suppression. Most people find themselves having to FORCE themselves to eat. How'd you like that to happen to you too?? You'll also get a really big boost in energy all of a sudden too.

My advice to you would be to do your two week induction, don't use any bars or shakes or sweets (even if artificially sweetened with Splenda or Saccharine and ESPECIALLY not aspartame) and break that addiction. Then, after the first two weeks, immediately start the Ongoing Weight Loss phase and start adding the foods back to your diet in the appropriate order (more veggies, dairy, nuts, berries, alcohol, legumes, fruits, starchy vegetables, and then whole grains).

We'll be here to support you and guide you every step of the way.

[mondavis]

Thanks. I do need the support and the inspiration because this is one of the hardest things I've ever done. Lame but true.

With the exception of the stupid entrapment bars, I have followed the rules of induction and for about a week, I had no cravings, no temptation. I did have to eat on a schedule because I wasn't hungry. Then the stress ramped up and for the past 4 or 5 days, I've been struggling. Cravings are back but it's probably stress induced, because, as I said: when things get tough, I reach for the cookies. I'm also feeling hungry again but I'm wondering if that's because I added exercise to my routine (just walking for now). Or have I completely screwed up?

Is there a way to "correct" your induction? Or do you just make sure you strictly follow the rules ... ?

Anyway, I do look at all of your pictures and feel so much awe because you've all accomplished so much and look so happy and healthy. I want that for me, too. I guess I just need the guidance. It looks like I might have come to the right place.

Edited to add:

Fuschia, I forgot to answer your question.

Originally Posted by Fuschia

What bars did you get? I admit I also broke down and bought a pack of the breakfast bars. The flavour I picked said that there were no sugar alchohols/carbs. They probably aren't that good for me, but I just needed a break from the eggs.

I got the Chocolate Chip Crisp Atkins Morning bars. I totally got fooled by the "2" in the blue circle and the "ok for induction". I also needed a break from the eggs. I usually grab and go for breakfast. Pre-Atkins, it was a bagel or some fruit and coffee. I tried eating the eggs for about 3 days and just got sick of them. I'm going to have to find something else to have in the morning equally as quick and portable (I eat in the car on my way to work).

[SandyL2002]

Hello.. Welcome to the board.. Instead of saying.. I am doing Atkins.. Start thinking of yourself as eating healthier and more pure.. Meat and veggies..and no yucky stuff. I know you are under a lot of stress...but at least the food and your health is something you can control.. Please don't wait until your little one is 14 or 17 like my kids and start taking care of yourself.. I have missed out on a lot because of my size... Hang in there and post we will help cheer you on

[rolaidir]

Hi there,
You really sound as though you could give yourself a great big pat on the back and congratulate yourself on not only managing your weight loss magnificently but also on being able to juggle a hectic and stressful life......
If you can remember that as the weight comes off your stress levels will decrease and your energy levels will multiply.....
i have a four year old daughter and am a single working parent and for me its hectic but i GET SUCH A BUZZ from making this work. i see it as a huge challenge and I'm gonna win.

My favourite reakfast is fried mushrooms stuffed into sliced bacon and cheese and rolled and nuked.......delicious comfort food and all legal.

good luck.