Newbie...

[ipdinurpul]

Hello all.

New here, obv.

I'm a 26 y/o male from the Northeast US. I found this site on a random google search for advice on the atkins diet. I started this (forgive the cliche) journey last week Wednesday (11/05). I have been (in my opinion) slightly overweight since sophomore year of high school. I was always smaller than the rest of my family, both in height and in weight. Once high school rolled around I was still shorter than my classmates. Mother being who she was decided feeding me would help me grow.

Unfortunately I didn't have positive guidance when it came to eating habits and basically ate what I wanted and ten years later I took a look at myself and said "I need to make a change here. I'm not happy with my weight."

Last week I decided no more fast food joints (I ate at Wendys EVERY SINGLE day, sometimes twice). I couldn't just get a "single", I had to get the "triple" and have it "large sized". I was only eating the one (or VERY rarely two) meals from Wendys and then would snack on candy here and there (twizzlers or m&ms). By the time I got home from work, I didn't have the energy to cook for myself and do the normal housework AND care for two VERY active puppies who were destroying my home left and right.

After cleaning up messes in their many forms, I'd cram the Wendys down my throat and passout around midnight, just to get up and start the whole process over again. I started (what I thought was) Atkins last Wednesday. I was eating only meats, cheese, carb free sodas, and fruits. OOPS!!!!!


I was eating watermelon, apples, bananas, honeydew melon, etc. I DID notice a difference in my energy level. BUT, after three days I had only lost one pound. I researched (as best I could) what I was doing wrong and made the adjustments Sunday 11/09. I COMPLETELY cut off ALL fruits, am drinking Coke Zero and Diet Coke w/Lime (I *need* caffeine and can't have coffee and No-Doz messes me up pretty bad) instead of regular coke. I am drinking at least 4 16.9 oz bottles of water a day, but still don't have the time for three meals.

My total intake for today was as follows:
1,650 calories, 112 grams of fat (total), 8 or 9 carbs , and 126 grams of protein. To be quite honest, I don't know if what I'm eating is okay for this diet plan. I had a couple of the Atkins Choc Chip Granola Bars to replace my breakfast and lunch (listed as 3 net carbs each), and then ate a "normal" dinner tonight.

I'm not starving by any means, but I am VERY hungry come morning. I'm being picky, but eggs are NOT for me. The meal bars seem to help get me by. I have NOT cheated once since last Wednesday, no slip-ups at all. I'm very proud of myself for that. BUT, I need to make sure I'm on track and would really appreciate if someone could take the time to review what I eat (I eat the SAME exact thing for every meal, every day. This is NOT a problem for me - I did the same thing before trying to lose weight - creature of habit I guess.)

Blah- okay. I didn't mean for this to be a college thesis, but there it is. Anyone wanna lend some advice?

[nursemistyford]

You need to purchase the atkins way of life book that explains how this way of eating works for weight loss. You must first complete at least 14 days of what is called induction. I am pretty sure those atkins approved granola bars are not appoved for the induction period. If you want to lose weight, you MUST read how to do this correctly. This way of eating works tremendously "IF YOU EDUCATE YOURSELF FIRST" hence the reason you probably ate the fruits. No fruit is allowed during induction. Please get the book and it will tell you specifically what foods are approved for all levels of atkins. Don't sabotage yourself before you get a good start. Educate yourself! Also, try this until you can purchase the book. Atkins Diet: Phase One: Induction this will help you with phase 1 induction. Once you do this correctly... watch the weight melt off!! Good Luck! Oh and drink drink drink.... Water is your best friend. Only 1 cola a day if you have to have one.

[ipdinurpul]

Grrrr....I'm a bit disappointed about the Atkins-labeled granola bars. They SPECIFICALLY state "all phases". I'm familiar with the basics (I think) of induction. I have followed what information I could find religiously.


Also, is coke zero/diet coke still limited to ONE a day???? Seriously, this could be the breaking point for me and this diet. :P


TIA.

[nursemistyford]

Honestly your better off not consuming any cola's, but truly one is it, should be your Treat for the day if you absolutely have to have one. Seriously read the book. It isn't like a huge novel. You will be educated and come out thinner! Your carbs should be coming from Veg's. And fats are the key here, not just protein. Water Water Water. and of course the dreaded exercise. Don't give up! Read what true atkins is. You will be suprised. Stay away from processed food. No processed chesses. Canned food has sodium... also so does your soda... that will bloat you and make you feel like your gaining.

[ipdinurpul]

I've been adding Crystal Light packets to my bottled waters (listed as zero carbs and 5 cals). Drinking that much water without taste makes me gag. I kinda feel lost (and don't have the time to read the book right this moment - I work 70 hours a week and usually spend my one day off a week cleaning my house and exercising the puppies). I'll try to go to one a day on the coke zero (I'm at two or three right now) and see if that helps any. It's a hard thing to go from drinking and eating whatever I want to one carb-free soda a day. I give everyone before me a HUGE amount of respect for being able to do this.

Thanks for the advice thus far.