Hello and hello again

[Focus]

Hi,

I'm a 34 year-old guy, and this is more or less my second time around. I tried Atkins before, in 2003/2004, and gradually slid back into a full-carb eating lifestyle. I'm back to my starting weight, more or less. When I weighed myself last Sunday, I was 342 lbs. I'm 6'3", and broadly built, so I carry the weight fairly well, but I hate being heavy and fat, I'm concerned about diabetes, and my knees are starting to hurt occasionally.

I actually started induction a week ago, but I almost gave up today, and I figure that I could use the help. I've worked as an addictions counselor in the past, so I've seen how helpful a little bit of social support can be.

I almost gave up because I was having major cravings for fruit, and was feeling very apprehensive about having to restrict my fruit eating for months on end. I was considering moving on to a much less restrictive lower-carb plan, basically not eating sugar or white flour or rice but otherwise not restricting carbs, even though I knew that that would not help me lose weight nearly as well as Atkins. What finally helped me make up my mind to stay on Atkins was, first, getting on the scale and seeing that I had lost 11 pounds in my first week of Atkins.

I think that (part) of what I did wrong last time was to try to do full-on induction for months on end. Rather than go through the structured steps and additions of OWL, my carb-counting and food-selecting discipline gradually eroded as I got sick of the restrictions. Eventually I stopped counting carbs altogether. This time around I'm definitely going to go into structured OWL. I might not increase the number of carbs I can eat by 5 grams every week, but I'm definitely going to allow myself to eat more types of food, at least for the first 4 or 5 steps.

I'm also doing a lot more exercise this time. I find that I get more exercise if I build it into my daily routine, rather than making it an event in itself. So I've started always taking the stairs down from my apartment (12th floor), and take the stairs up and down from my parking garage (5th floor) when I need to drive. I've also started working out in my building's gym at least twice a week, using weight machines mostly, and find that I actually enjoy it.

I'm hoping to lose over a hundred pounds. I don't know what my final goal is exactly, since I've been overweight my entire life, but I'm guessing that it's around 200 pounds.

Anyway, I didn't mean to write a whole essay, but I hope to be at this for a while!

[Sunny_0ne]

Focus, welcome back. For some wonderful encouragement from a guy who has diabetes and has made a great start, check out Papalicious' journal. It looks like the two of you have a lot in common.

I thought the lack of fruit was going to make it almost impossible to stay on Atkins, but after two weeks, I don't even think of it anymore.... although I do look forward to the OWL rung that will allow me to re-introduce some.

Your approach to exercise--making it part of your daily routine instead of an event in itself--looks very sound to me. You're much less likely to not work out because you don't feel like it.

I look forward to watching your progress!

[Desertthorn]

I love fruit also and once over induction, fruit is going to be what I ad next. Local berry and melon will be out soon and I'm going to be there.

[Focus]

Originally Posted by Sunny_0ne

Focus, welcome back. For some wonderful encouragement from a guy who has diabetes and has made a great start, check out Papalicious' journal. It looks like the two of you have a lot in common.

I'll take a look for it.

I thought the lack of fruit was going to make it almost impossible to stay on Atkins, but after two weeks, I don't even think of it anymore.... although I do look forward to the OWL rung that will allow me to re-introduce some.

I'm a little over a week in, and my desire for fruit has diminished a lot. Part of it was probably a craving for sugar, and part was probably dehydration; I find that I crave fruits and other "refreshing" foods when what I actually need is water.

I've also discovered that when I feel the need for fruit, just having a few slices of cucumber satisfies me. I think it's the crisp, refreshing texture of cucumber that does it.

Your approach to exercise--making it part of your daily routine instead of an event in itself--looks very sound to me. You're much less likely to not work out because you don't feel like it.

Exactly! I've also been working out in the gym in my building. I'm actually enjoying it, and it's great for blowing off stress. I really like that it's in my building, so it's not a bother to get there, and I can go at any time. A couple nights ago I went after 11 PM, just because I felt like it.

I look forward to watching your progress!

Thanks!

[tfek70]

Welcome back Focus. You should really check out the STAC group. We have a pretty hearty group and we check in at roll call every day. Those folks have kept me going for over a month. Really great people. At least drop by and say hello.

T. J.