*AHEM* Check check 1 2 3

[Asclepius]

Suppose I'll step up to the mic and say hello.... HELLO!

I'm here because I just don't feel like I'm myself anymore - like I'm wearing someone else's body. I'm not UNhealthy, but I am overweight ( BMI = 25.8 ) and certainly not fit and am tired of not feeling comfortable in this body. People say I "look fine," but it's not about how I look - it's about my own health both physical and emotional.

I've never been on a diet before (Atkin's seems more like a luxury food getaway than a diet!) as my body always seemed to magically stay at an acceptable BMI regardless of activity or intake. However, a few years ago I went on a method of contraception that seemed to make my waistline swell beyond belief! I ballooned from 142 to 174 in 8 months. No amount of exercise or food restriction prevented it. (Although who knows what it would have skyrocketed to had I not been walking and bike riding?!) I dumped the hormone and immediately 18lbs vanished along with it. Unfortunately, the trend didn't continue and with medical school beginning shortly thereafter, the pounds slowly started to sneak back into my body. Getting an MD is like trying to drink from a fire hydrant while not getting wet - plain CRAZY! It makes your undergraduate years feel like a cake (mmmm caaaaake) walk. You snarf whatever food is available because you don't know when you'll get to eat again and you steal sleep whenever possible, pounding back Mt. Dew (I lovingly refer to it as the Golden Nectar of the Gods) all the while.

These last 4 years I've continued to elude myself with pseudo-commitments to shape up by purchasing workout equipment that never gets used or new running shoes that stay in their boxes. I'm done with pseudo. I want my body back. Both my mother and sister are obese (my sister morbidly so) and I refuse to give genetics an upper hand anymore. I tell my patients preventative medicine is the best medicine and it's true.

I've watched a great many patients choose the Atkin's way of life and achieve amazing success on this meal plan. I've been elated as their labs and other diagnostics come back to my hands significantly improved. More thrilling, however, has been watching their physical ailments fade, their predisposing disease risks vanish, and their emotional health improve by leaps and bounds. I have loved watching patients go from tears of fear and defeat, seeing their bodies as prisons, to tears of joy in realizing they are the master of their house. To this point, however, I had never actually sat down and read the book. After so doing I decided to be a passive observer no longer. Dr. Atkin's methods are sound with biochemical and metabolic explanations right on the money... and being a science snob, I'm a hard sell!

So here I am. Induction day 3. My goal is to reach a BMI of 21. So far I feel just fine aside from a slight headache at the end of the first day. I'm not having any trouble with the carb count at all (in fact I've been WAY under - not by plan, simply the way it works out) and so far haven't had any killer cravings, although I DO miss milk a lot. So far I'm most proud of myself for my water intake. I am constantly dehydrated and usually only have a cup of water per day, deriving my other fluid from the 4 cans of Mt. Dew I guzzle... which of course contains caffeine which in turn dehydrates the body. Vicious cycle. However, on day 1 I got down all 64oz and yesterday I had 96oz! Keeping a Nalgene bottle with me really helps. My only concern right now is the knowledge that there is no way in **** for me to eat this much food. My omelette in the morning has me feeling full to the brim well past lunch. It's all I can do to have a snack between lunch and dinner. As I learn to like more vegetables perhaps I'll do a little better with this.

On the up side, I have certainly found creating and cooking tasty meals (as opposed to something frozen or in a cardboard box) to be rewarding. It's a nice stress relief and a real grin when I come up with something new and delish!

So there ya have it. I look forward to striving toward our goals together. I am astounded by the positivity and mutual support that abounds in this forum. What a wonderful group of which to count myself a part.

Good luck and good health!

[FLdoodette]

Outstanding post! Welcome ... I've only been here a month myself but this board provides a wealth of info and support. Good luck and good health to you, also!

[Asclepius]

Thanks, Doodette!! The more I read the more I like this little haven.

[Sherri]

Hello and WELCOME!
Welcome to ADBB and to Atkins
Post often, join some challenges. A great way to meet people and make new friends. Here's a Sticky from the Induction Thread I like to share with all those I welcome. Some great info there to help guide you through your Atkins Journey.
Again, WELCOME!
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]

Welcome Doc!
Thanks for your post and support.
What are your exercise plans?

[Adena]

Welcome. I really like your post. You clearly have your head on striaght about this. And, we always like it when someone in the medical community comes on board -- there are so many uninformed Atkins haters out there, you know.

Check out this website, if you haven't already: Linda's Low Carb Menus & Recipes - Home. Linda has many great recipes -- lots of ways to learn to like your veggies.

Best of luck to you!

[liv]

Welcome Asclepius. Enjoyed your post. I hope you have a good Atkins day.

[Asclepius]

Originally Posted by gman

Welcome Doc!
Thanks for your post and support.
What are your exercise plans?

Thanks, Gman! As for exercise, I plan to do the Couch to 5k program. It seems very feasible since I can handle 30mins every other day and do it just about anywhere - even better! We put on a yearly 5k run to benefit a homeless clinic in town. Maybe this year I'll be able to run in it instead of just volunteering my time to support it.

[Asclepius]

Originally Posted by Adena

Welcome. I really like your post. You clearly have your head on striaght about this. And, we always like it when someone in the medical community comes on board -- there are so many uninformed Atkins haters out there, you know.

Check out this website, if you haven't already: Linda's Low Carb Menus & Recipes - Home. Linda has many great recipes -- lots of ways to learn to like your veggies.

Best of luck to you!

Thanks, Adena. Your transformation is absolutely breathtaking! I commend your clear dedication and striking success!

You are right about the Atkin's haters. I find "haters" in life typically all suffer from the disease of misinformation no matter their focus of ire. They run off half cocked and and big mouthed. (Now THERE'S a mental picture LOL!)

Certainly, this meal plan isn't the best idea for people with severely impaired renal function or certain other diseases but that's why Dr. Atkin's CLEARLY STATES in his book that a trip to the doctor's office BEFORE embarking is in order. Nowhere does he advocate physiologic abuse if your body is not currently capable of tolerating these dietary changes. It comes down to what each of us is comfortable embracing along our independent roads to healthy happiness. In my opinion, the health and lifestyle threats married to obesity far outweigh any potential risks associated with diet modification. As far as I'm concerned, the "haters" can just keep walking.

Some people just feel born to squawk. They never figured out that having 2 ears and 1 mouth means they should talk half as much as they listen.

[Adena]

I like the way you write and think. Have you considered starting a journal? You can do so in the Journal Chats forum. If you do, post here and let us know.

Best of luck!


Edited to add: Oh my -- I just realized something: I didn't mean I like "the way you think" about the nice things you said about me -- though I do appreciate them of course. I meant all the other stuff. Thanks for your kind words, though I don't deserve them at the moment. I've actually somewhere between the 2nd and 3rd picture now... it's been an interesting year... trying hard to get fully back to it!