Deciding to try Atkins

[MECMR]

Hello all:

My name is Emmie, and I am seriously considering Atkins. I'm currently trying to come to grips with low carb as a way of life, and so I am doing my research and really trying to figure out if I can and should do this. This board is wonderful, and I'm learning a lot from reading it. This is my first post after several months of "lurking"; I think this is the first step in making my decision.

I'm 39 years old, 5' 8.5" and 190 pounds. From childhood on, I was the "skinny" kid who could eat ANYTHING and not show a pound. Freshman year in college I put on 20 pounds and freaked my family out; I had hips! After that, I shed the weight and was about 115 to 120. At age 22, I had 2 years of grad school and then went to work at a very sedentary job. My weight crept up and I went from a size 10-12 to a size 16 now. And the 16s are getting snug. I've been told for the most part that I look fine, and that I "carry the weight well". I'm tall and small in frame, so the pounds spread out. However, I've been unhappy in how thick I am in the waist, and I know I am tired and out of shape. I'm also worried about how this could affect my overall health as I get older. My mother is 5'10", and was a perfect model size 12 as a young woman...she is now 295 and at age 79 has scares about her heart and gets pneumonia scares every winter.

I've never been an athlete; I took great pains in high school to avoid gym class! I do have scoliosis, and I have some lower back and hip pain. (Extra weight does not help this!) About 4 years ago, I had a boss who became one of my best friends. She dragged me to the gym with her, took me to yoga classes, and when she went on Weight Watchers, well...she and I ate lunch together every day, how could I get a steak and cheese when she got salad? I also had a work location where I could walk 1.5 miles every day after work. My weight dropped to 145, and I felt really good. Then, she moved, my job changed, the gym got harder and harder to go to...and poof, here comes the belly again. I've come to realize I eat a TON of carbs, mostly pasta and bread. I love veggies, but I am pulled to the deli counter and right past the salad bar. I love a Guinness after work with my friends, and that does not help. I love cheese, and butter, and olive oil...but I love it best when accompanied by pasta, oy!

My biggest concern right now about a WOL change is that I am a baker in my off time; I love baking bread and cookies, and I am the "go-to girl" for family birthday cakes. The thought of never being able to dredge a cutlet in flour again, or trying to get my extended in-law family to accept my low-carb choice is so mind-boggling that I cannot explain it. I'm 100% Irish decent, and my in-laws are Irish as well; a meal without potatoes is not a meal to them, and it's a fight to get greens on the table. They also love my lasagna, ugh! What will I do?

My other concern is about taking meds while on Atkins. I will post more in another forum, but I have, after years of struggle, been diagnosed with ADD and started taking medication for it. I've been very pleased with the results, but I am concerned about how Atkins may effect the way my meds act.

I'm sorry if this post is very long for an intro, but I am hoping to get as much info and feedback as possible, and will be asking a lot of questions! I am a big fan of forums like this, and I really think this is a great community. TIA for any advice, and I look forward to hearing from you!

Take care,
Emmie

[clogger]

Originally Posted by MECMR

My biggest concern right now about a WOL change is that I am a baker in my off time; I love baking bread and cookies, and I am the "go-to girl" for family birthday cakes. The thought of never being able to dredge a cutlet in flour again, or trying to get my extended in-law family to accept my low-carb choice is so mind-boggling that I cannot explain it. I'm 100% Irish decent, and my in-laws are Irish as well; a meal without potatoes is not a meal to them, and it's a fight to get greens on the table. They also love my lasagna, ugh! What will I do?

Emmie, I'm glad you're taking the time to read a lot on the board ! Great questions and thoughts, too! I also love to bake and do not feel like I'm missing out by not eating something I bake. The reason is because I know how I feel when I eat flour/sugar-laden foods and it's not worth it to me. Part of me feels guilty for baking things I know aren't healthy for others though ! A cutlet is very tasty dredged in an egg bath and parmesan. There's a yummy lasagna recipe on Linda's site. If you make potatoes for your family you could make some fauxtatoes for yourself. You may be surprised by how much those who don't eat low-carb LOVE low-carb dishes.

I hope you make a decision that works best for you and your health. Others will be able to speak to the other portions of your post.

Best of luck to you !!!!

[MECMR]

HI Kristine, and thanks for the encouragement! It's great to find support.

[Chicklady]

Hi Emmie! Wow, what an introduction! I wish I could give you grand words of wisdom, but over the years, I've found that people will do what they will, hopefully what's best for them. I just wanted to let you know that initially, living with and cooking for someone who wasn't low carbing was difficult. As I've developed my low carb cooking skills, it's no longer an issue. i even sneak extra veggies into my husband's diet through mockafoni and fauxpotato salads Don't let what other people consume or think keep you from doing what you feel is right for YOU.
Welcome aboard!

[dreamof145]

Hi Emmie. Glad to have you join us. I know the difficulties of trying to change the way you eat and develop new habits. I am part Italian and my whole life was pasta, bread and goodies. Take baby steps, read the book, write out a plan to use substituions for the meals you enjoy the most and incorporate exercise into your life. The exercise will keep you motivated, encouraged and focused. You can do it, we all understand and are here for you. Congratulations on getting committed and best wishes to you! Keep us posted!!

[MECMR]

Thanks, Chicklady! I'm anticipating that the whole cooking thing is going to be a 50/50 split...my DH is a meat lover, so that part will be fine, but he eats about 6 veggies total, and only one (lettuce) is induction-friendly.

Dreamof145, thank you also for your kind words. It's nice to be welcomed so warmly.

I did order a copy of the book today from Amazon. Thanks to the boards here, I found the correct edition, which I know will be a big help!

[ttdriver]

Welcome! You are so wise to be EDUCATED on Atkins and how and why it works prior to starting this WOE. Its important to understand that this plan is a LIFESTYLE and not just a means to shed a few pounds.

Good luck to you and please post often. This is a great place for support and encouragement.

Betty

[Chicklady]

LOL. My hubby's idea of vegetables was corn, potatoes, peas, butternut squash and occassionally, cole slaw. With a bit of effort, and tactical disguise, he now eats brussel sprouts, cauliflower, asparagus, artichoke hearts, pumpkin and (shhhh, don't tell!!) broccoli stalks (I can't disguise the florets well enough )

[MECMR]

Originally Posted by Chicklady

LOL. My hubby's idea of vegetables was corn, potatoes, peas, butternut squash and occassionally, cole slaw. With a bit of effort, and tactical disguise, he now eats brussel sprouts, cauliflower, asparagus, artichoke hearts, pumpkin and (shhhh, don't tell!!) broccoli stalks (I can't disguise the florets well enough )

AHA! He's a cousin to my DH, I can tell! My dear one eats peas, carrots, corn, string beans, lettuce, and potatoes. I can occassionally slip raw spinach into a salad, but that's about it. I'll have to get some of your "tactical disguise" ideas at some point.

[MECMR]

Originally Posted by ttdriver

Welcome! You are so wise to be EDUCATED on Atkins and how and why it works prior to starting this WOE. Its important to understand that this plan is a LIFESTYLE and not just a means to shed a few pounds.

Good luck to you and please post often. This is a great place for support and encouragement.

Betty

Thanks, Betty!

I'm sure I could do induction for a while and drop a few pounds, but that's really not what I want. I do want to take off pounds and inches, but i also realize that I have built up too many habits over my lifetime that are only going to get harder and harder to break. I'm still a little wary about some things ("No ice cream? EVER?"), but I think the more I learn the more comfortable I will be.