Hey peoples

[Frank Fontaine]

Hi fellow Dieteers.

My name is Frank, I'm 29, and I'm from the south of England. I'm here because I need to lose weight, and quickly. I work in the construction industry as a data communications engineer, that's a fancy title for a job that's really not. In any case it is fairly active work, so I'm hoping that the weight will fall off me with the help of this forum and the people here.

As it stands I weigh around 288lbs now (I'll take some recent photos soon), the least I've ever weighed, as a full grown adult is 196lbs. I know that's still quite a lot, but I am a very heavy set person: http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...s/DSCF3503.jpg

Here's the problem. I have a girlfriend that lives in America, we've been talking for quite a while, time has come that she wants to meet me, and plans on flying over for her birthday in December. I need to shed that extra weight between now and then - I'm not even sure it's possible. It wouldn't be an issue, but what makes me feel bad is that I don't easily put weight on around the face, and I look, well, at least half decent, even when I'm heavier: http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...9072008150.jpg

(had the silly hair lopped off )
All she really sees of me is the head, and torso. when on web cam. I haven't lied to her or anything like that, just the topic of body mass has never cropped up really.

When I was at my least heavy I was a very athletic person and I think that if I start seeing results with a low-carb diet I will get that old zeal back.

I look forward to trying this, I've never felt the need to diet like I do now.

Nice to meet you all, and I look forward to my time here.

Ciao!

[Sherri]

Hello Frank,
Welcome to ADBB and to Atkins, the healthiest lifestyle there is.
You certainly will get your "zeal back" with Atkins.
Atkins saved my life! Before Atkins, four years ago, I HAD Type-2 Diabetes, high blood pressure and an unhealthy blood chemistry.
After 48 days into Atkins my Diabetes disappeared and has never returned. My blood pressure stablized after 10 months and my blood chemistry is the healthiest now than it ever has been. The weightloss of 145 pounds is just one of the great benifits i've had with Atkins.
Post often, join some challenges. A great community here where you'll meet people and make new friends. Stick with us and follow the plan 100% and you'll get 100% results.
One of the things I did, and still do ,is to choose foods lower on the glycemic index (GI) on each rung. Dr. Atkins discusses the GI on page 78-97, 92 DANDR. Dr. Atkins describes it as being " a beautiful tool". It certainly is for me. I found that it accellerated my weight loss with steady losses. I lost 100 pounds in ten months. But of course everyones journey is different.
Wishing you the best of health and lite.
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.

[Frank Fontaine]

Hi Sheri, thanks for the kind words and advice. This place seems really friendly which makes a change for an internet message board. I've had nothing but support since I got here, and usually newbies are targeted for annihilation.

I can't believe the difference it's made for you, looking at the pictures in your signature, I wouldn't even know that it was the same person if you held them up seperately. And for this diet to have rid you of your Diabetes is quite astounding. My cousin has the very same type, so maybe it will work for him too. I'll be sure to mention it.

First thing's first, I need to pick up a copy of Dr. Atkins' book and read it. I literally just did a google search and this place came up in the pile, so I signed up.

Right now I must read through the list of acceptable food and drink, I'm thirsting for a cup of coffee, and I'm not even sure if I'm allowed that.

Kind regards.