So here goes nothing or hopefully 50lbs.....

[Sassy_Soccer_Mom]

Hello out there. I am new to Atkins and learning all about the forums and stuff. While in a desperate moment I was researching some diets online and came across the forums here. I saw the pics and comments and they were so inspirational, I thought I would give Atkins a try. But I came up with my own version of only following it M-Sat and then pigging out on Sunday cause it was better than nothing..right......wrong. Pigging out Sunday led to sweets on Monday, Tuesday, pasta and sweets on Wednesday.
So, I decided I needed to start over, do it right and hold myself a little more accountable by posting something out here. I could also really use the support. I had such a hard time doing it the wrong way I'm not sure how I will survive the induction doing it the right way.
But I am going to give it my everything for my family.

SW -178 ---------------------> 7/31/08
feeling good -165 ------------->
going shopping -150 ---------->
looking good - 140 ------------>
I AM HOT - 130 --------------->

[Sherri]

Hello Sassy,
Welcome to Atkins and ADBB Gosh, do I know what a slippery slope it can be to allow the CARBAGE back into my woe (way of eating). It's best to just stay away and enjoy all the wonderful benifits to Atkins following it the correct way.
Here's some info I like to share with everyone I welcome. It's a Sticky from the Induction thread with lots of great info to help you along your way.
Post often and join some challenges. A great way to meet people and make new friends.
Again, Welcome!
You can do this!
Sincerely, Sherri
Before you begin:

1. Read Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution, 2002 edition.
At the very least, read chapters 10 through 14. These chapters tell you how to do the diet, what to expect, and why the first 14 days are so important.

ADBB uses DANDR 2002 as its reference. Granted there are other publications by Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. but we like to do the diet as it was written by Dr. Robert C. Atkins because in our collective experience Dr. Atkins' diet is more effective than Atkins Nutritionals, Inc's version.

2. See your physician.
Dr. Atkins recommended this himself. See your physician for a complete physical exam, including blood tests before beginning this or any other diet and exercise program.

Also take the Blood Sugar Symptom Test found in the book.

3. Make a commitment.
Commit yourself to giving the 14 day Induction a fair shot. If you can't commit yourself to 14 days of following rules and eating the foods listed in the acceptable foods list, this diet might not be for you.

4. Prepare your kitchen
If it's not on the list, remove it from your home. If you live with people who aren't on a low carb diet, then put your food(s) in areas separate from theirs. Also make sure you have low carb snacks available to you at all times, in case you get hungry.

5. Recruit your family and friends.
You are about to embark on a completely new lifestyle. Getting the support of your family and friends will help you through this. Be frank with them and tell them your intentions and that this is very important to you. If they have any doubts about this diet, ask them to read the book because knowledge is power.

6. Keep the Induction Rules and Foods List handy.
Make two copies of these documents: keep one on your refrigerator at home and keep the other one on your person at all times. This will save you a lot of guesswork and worry when eating out or grocery shopping.

The Rules of Induction can be found here:
What are the Rules of Induction?

The Induction Acceptable Foods List can be found here:
What foods can be eaten on Induction?

7. Read the entire label, including the ingredients.
Some foods have little carbs, but contain things like hydrogenated oils (trans fats) and sugar, which makes them unacceptable for Induction.

8. Keep a food diary
It is of utmost importance to keep track of your daily carbohydrate intake to make sure you are not exceeding 20 net carbohydrates daily.

Some people keep a notebook journal. Others like to track their progress online.

Here are some resources:
An Atkins spreadsheet:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ead.php?t=4570

http://www.fitday.com ---This is a free online service (registration required) that allows you to input your foods, track your exercise, etc.

Carbohydrate Counters:
http://www.atkins.com ---The Atkins site has a downloadable Carb Counter.
http://www.calorieking.com ---This site has nutritional information for most foods and beverages.
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/ ---This is the United States Department of Agriculture Nutrition Database.

9. Exercise
According to Dr. Atkins "exercise is non-negotiable"! So get moving. Begin according to your level of fitness. Visit the Exercise Forum.

10. Vitamin Supplements
These are also recommended by Dr. Atkins because many of us have poor nutrition and we need extra nutrients. Visit the Vita-Nutrient Forum.

11. Weigh AND Measure Yourself on Day 1

Make sure you weigh and measure yourself before you begin this diet. Contrary to what we are lead to believe, the scale isn't the best tool for measuring weight loss (fat loss). It doesn't tell you how much muscle you gained. It doesn't tell you how much water weight you gained or lost. It doesn't tell you that you will fit into that pair of jeans.

Tips for weighing:
a. Weigh yourself at the same time of day under the same conditions. You can weigh "more" after a meal or after you drink water or you can weigh "less" after you exercise or have a bowel movement. So pick a time and stick to it. Likewise, clothing can also add on "pounds". So if you choose to weigh yourself wearing clothes, make sure you are wearing the same clothing or nearly the same clothing.

b. Use the same scale. Scales differ slightly. So the scale in your doctor's office or at the gym might have you weighing more or less than the scale in your bathroom.

Tips for measuring:
a. You can measure whatever body areas you want: chest, waist, hips, thighs, upper arm, wrists and ankles. To make the measuring easier, you body landmarks like your belly button or a mole or scar, to guide your tape measure placement. For chest measurement, women can either measure under their armpits and/or under their breasts.

b. Don't "pull" on the measuring tape because that will give you a false reading (and stretch the tape). The tape should be snug, but not tight.

c. Don't suck in to make yourself smaller. Again, that will give you a false measurement.

Measuring tapes can be purchased at craft stores (the sewing section) for under $5.00. If you can't find one, you can use a piece of string. Just mark that string with a marker pen to indicate your "start" points". Or if you have an old belt, you can use that too.

Another good "measuring tool" is your clothing. Non-stretchy clothing like a dress shirt, jeans, or dress is the best thing to use. Stretchy fabric (like t-shirts or anything with spandex) will conform to your body as you shrink so you might not see the results. Try on this article of clothing periodically to see how you are losing inches.

Good luck to you on your 14 day Induction journey.

[gman]

Sassy- I hear you. A while back like you I was "mixing" Atkins with snacking ... it's worse than just being strict on the snacking way of life by itself, if there is such a phrase (we've all lived it no-lol), because you are eating all the fat and then all the loads of carbs. Your body is like a calorie storage sponge at that point. You'd need to be a pro athlete to burn it all ... even if it were good for you.

Sherri - kudos for those information-rich posts - they are extremely helpful.

[liv]

Hi Sassy,
Taking one day at the time helps. And the good thing is that once you enter into ketosis appetitive decrease and it becomes so much easier to stick to the plan. Induction also works to detox out some of those bad habits. Good luck

[HappyHeFoundMe]

Hi Sassy,
Welcome to ; it's nice to have you. I'm new to Atkins myself and I'm on day 19 of induction. There are so many things to learn but this forum is the BEST at helping you with any qusetions you may have. I have learned a LOT from reading the posts as well as the encourgaing stories. You CAN make it through induction; you just have to make up your mind to do it. I looked at it like this: Before Atkins, I took no thought for the garbage I was dumping into my body so why can I not change for the better, knowing that in the end I am going to be healthier? Why is it that when we try to do something good for our health all of the sudden we think of a million reasons why we can't/won't do it but when we're constatnly abusing it we take no thought of the consequences? And there are consequences! Trust me, as I get older I feel them more and more each day.

Anyway, welcome and let us know how things go with you!