Another Portland OR Newbie

[chris4633]

Hello All,

I'm looking forward to this new journey in my life. I'm 44, 6'3, 288# and wanting to get down to around 200#. I have a friend that I bowl with that has had great success with Atikins so I thought I would give it a shot.

I just got back from the store and meat market with lots of good Atkins stuff so Im jumpin in head first. I do have a couple concerns though....

1. My job. I am a bus operator for our transit district here and I work nights, which means I have to pack a dinner (not a lunch) every day. I do have a microwave available most days but I'm concerned that I am going to get burnt out on packing new and interesting meals every day.

2. I am single and live alone. The Atkins recipe book that I have is good but all the recipes are geared for 6 to 8 servings. Any suggestions for the single guy that doesn't want to eat 6 to 8 of the same thing for a week?

I posted my pic that I just took yesterday. I know.. gross... but keep watching for that gut to shrink!!

Chris in Portland

[mitzimarie]

Hi, Chris

Welcome to ADBB!

If you haven't read this "sticky" yet, please do: If you are NEW, READ THIS!

It's got lots of useful information there, including some links to some popular spots on the board. Also included is a link to a website that a lot of us use for recipes. Linda's website is just AWESOME! I'm sure that you would be able to find some ideas for things that can be heated in that microwave.

About making meals new and interesting everyday - well, I have to admit that is something that I'm not very good at. I'm one of those people who has to make my food kind of routine and boring in order to stay focused. But then you run the risk of burning out on that food... something that's happened to me a few times. BUT, I am trying to expand my cooking horizons.

Make sure to visit the different forums here, and ask questions. There are lots of members here who are very creative with ideas for portable meals.

Good Luck!

[frankenspine]

Welcome to ADBB!

I too have a sedentary job as a Call Quality Specialist for a cutomer service call center. Have you conisdered investing in some gladware, ice packs, and an insulated lunch bag?

Because I'm unused to eating three large meals daily, I've been doing an extended induction by cooking all my meals on Sunday and breaking them up into five or six equal portions. I throw them in a luch bag with an ice pack and eat them cold. I especially love hard boiled eggs; they're easy to make and eat (just peel and eat). Some other favorites are cooked shrimp in a 3 oz ziplock snack bag. I save my hot meals for my microwave at home.

You should really check out Linda's webiste for some tremendous recepies.

Nice to see another male on the boards. Let's be buddies. Oh by the way, have you thought about jazzing up your signature?

Good Luck!

[jarvist]

Hi Chris! Welcome!

[blueberrylady]

I especially like egg salad and tuna salad in little rigid containers. Don't forget the fork!

[DLS]

Chris,
Welcome. Glad you saw the change in your friend and decided to try Atkins. My family is starting to see a change in me. Unfortunately I can't get hubby to join me.
About the meals, one thing you could do is get some really good freezerware and precook larger recipes and that will help you just grab and go. You could do two or three recipes in one weekend while watching a great movie or something and before ya know it you have a whole week or two in the freezer. Put some fresh veggies in small ziplocks and a LARGE water bottle and you are all set for work.
I know it sounds like a big task but once you get used to it you'll be glad to have all those handy packages ready in the freezer so you don't have to worry about fixing something in the middle of the week.

[sugarsack]

hi chris.. hillsboro here

i agree -- you can buy some of those cheap reusable / however disposable containers.. (dishwasher safe/ freezer safe and last a long time however)

make something you like and freeze the rest --

h/b eggs are good
pre cooked chicken is good cold
even whoopsie roll pizza can be stored for later

check out the recipe sites and you wont get bored

[chris4633]

Thanks everyone for your great ideas and suggestions....

I have a couple more questions...

1. If I am under my 20 grams of carbs for the day, is it ok to add something like a bit of sweet pickle relish to my tuna salad even though there is sugar in it - provided I still don't exceed my net daily carb allowance?

2. Not being the best shopper - I have a question about cream (for my coffee). I find either "half-and-half" or "heavy whipping cream" in the dairy case? But can't seem to find simply "cream" Is it the heavy whipping cream that Atkins wants me to use? - also, on the subject of coffee. Can't I just have regular (ie caffinated) coffee? I live in Portland!! It's mandatory!

Thanks for your continued support

[DLS]

Chris. I add dill relish to my tuna salad. Heavy whipping cream is the kind I use. I use the 2 tbsp per cup with no splenda. Sometimes I have a good cup in the evening and use the flavored splenda packets! YUM. I think the caffeine is suppose to cause cravings and maybe dehydration in some. I don't have caffeine during the week but on the weekends I will have one or two cups of Lite coffee which is half the caffeine.
Maybe that would work for you to help you step down to decaf.

[frankenspine]

I wouldn't add ANY SUGAR!!! If you want a little pickle relish, look for the Dill Relish without any sugar. If you measure out your vegetables it should be very easy to hit 20 grams. During induction you are NOT ALLOWED ANY SUGAR.