Noob Alert!!!

[frankenspine]

Hi, all. New to the lifestyle, but pleased with the results so far. In October 2003, I was involved in a auto accident that left me with a herniated disc and severe sciatica. My activity level dropped to nothing and I turned to comfort foods, especially fast food. Before I knew it I was 40lbs pounds heavier.

I underwent lumbar spinal fusion 11/04/2007 and have been restricted to no bending, twisting, lifting, or strenuous activity for twelve months. I quit a three pack a day smoking habit per my doctor's orders and packed on another 20lbs in the process. Now my Orthopedic Surgeon tells me "You have to get skinny if you want a positive surgical result".

Okay wow. So I ask, "How do I loose over 80lbs when all I can do is walk?". Of course, he offered no answer. Just do it. Geez, Doctors!

After three weeks of restricting my calories to 1,200 a day and walking 2.5 miles a day on the treadmill for three weeks, I dropped an incredible 4 lbs. I was furious! Then, I remembered Atkins as the 'no exercise diet' from the 1990s.

So I kept up my exercise routine and started Induction July 29th. Within three days I had lost 7.5lbs! Whoa! BA'MM! I am now confident I can at least reach 200lbs before my next Doctor's appointment in January 09.

Hope this post isn't too long. But that's my story.

[Debie]

Welcome to

I am sure you will reach your goal in to time. I am starting out also (15 day induction), it does work.

Sorry to hear about your accident.

[FLdoodette]

Hello, fellow N00b! Great avatar ... sorry about the injury and surgery; glad you're on the mend. Welcome to the party

[OzLover]

Good luck on your journey!!

[Sherri]

Hello Franken,
Welcome to ADBB and to Atkins. The healthiest Lifestyle there is.
Post often, join some challenges. A great way to meet people and make new friends. Here's a Sticky I like to share with everyone I welcome. Some great info there.
Again, WELCOME!
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.

[Razzle39]

Hey Frankenspine!
We have something in common. I was in an accident that left me with herniated tonsils of the cerebellum. ( my family jokes that they always knew I had brain damamge)I am dizzy and have loss of balance issues. I may need to go for a decompression surgery in 2009 and I am aslo trying to lose weight to reduce any risks or complications. You will find lots of encouragement here. This is an awesome site. I look forward to tracking your progress. Welcome!

[sugarsack]

welcome aboard ! this is an awesome website... come here often, read everything, ask questions.. you will find amazing support and encoragement... YOU CAN DO IT

[Trisha001]

Welcome to the board
T~

[theamazingunderdog]

Welcome! Thanks for sharing, and I love that avatar. It's true, you can lose on Atkins without much effort, but when you exercise it really zings off! I don't have anything wrong with my back, but I just had major surgery (now recovered) and don't have any more complaints to use as excuses. Thanks for the reminder I best get moving! Enjoy the board.

[frankenspine]

Thanks for all the support