Hi there! It's nice to meet all of you :)

[tarrochka]

I began Atkins about 3 weeks ago. My best friend and I are doing it together. The support we have from having lunch together when we work together..and helping each other avoid temptation, really helps. I need to lose about 50 lbs.

My clothes are fitting a lot more loosely now. When I put my hands in the pocket of one pair of pants, they almost fell off. That was great. However, I know those are the ones that had a little "give" to them anyway. The real test was when I put on my sweat jacket, and I noticed people who see me everyday, noticing my chest, instead of my tummy.

It makes me feel so much better, to know that chubby tummy of mine isn't "out there" anymore, because it's rapidly disappearing. I still haven't weighed myself yet. I'm going to wait another couple of weeks. My goal is to be down by 50, by August. When I started, I was at 193. I know...I let myself go, but I'm here to make thing right, and treat my body the way it deserves for once. I hope I can make it to my desired weight loss by August. At least most of the way. Does anyone have any tips for me to speed it up? Like...maybe an extra good or fun exercise routine?

My only thing is, sometimes I really need chocolate. I mean...it's bad. Is there an Atkins hot chocolate or some type of cold chocolate snack I'm allowed to make? What about whipped up cream with cocoa..that's frozen? Is that acceptable? Does anyone know? I saw that when you cook vegetables, they gain carbs. That's weird. I was eating a lot of cooked, mixed veggies dipped in cesar dressing, but after hearing that, I began eating a lot of salads, with carb-free Cesar dressing and hard boiled eggs. I'm a serious iced tea addict, but I know that caffeine must be extremely limited, so I'm drinking decaf homeade iced tea, with a little bit of raspberry syrup. The kind that's sweetened with splenda. That's okay, right? Sometimes I add some vanilla syrup (the splenda kind) to my water, to make it go down quicker.

It's nice to meet all of you. I've read some really inspiring stories, and I've looked at some really successful photos. Do any of you have an exercise routine that really clicks for you? I'm constantly moving all day at work, but besides that and walking to and from the bus, I'm not actually exercising. I think I need a few tips. Can anyone offer their favorite exercise tip? I'm so thankful that I have some type of support network now. I just now stumbled upon it. Before, I felt like I was on my own. I mean, when I'm not w/ my friend.

Thank you, everyone

[liv]

Nice to meet you too. A friend to do it with - that is great.
Sounds like you are doing just fine there.

About your questions
Chocolate - (the number one reason I put on weight ) is cocoa which is a nut and we can add nuts on rung three on OWL (after induction - on going weight loss) Some people feel that a tiny bit of unsweetened cocoa on some whipped cream is OK on induction. I am not one of them For me personally it was important to "liberate" myself from chocolate - it has (still has to some extent) a lot of power over me. I am now trying to gain power over it.

Vegetables do not gain carbs when you cook them. Sometimes it may look like that because the volume cooks down - but one cooked zucchini has the same carbs as an uncooked one. (Thank god - I really love my sauteed vegetables )

The splenda syrups are OK - maybe. You can only have three servings of sweetener a day. And some people will stall with sweeteners so you have to feel it out.

I hope that helps some.

[tarrochka]

Thank you for your helpful advice
I'm happy to hear the truth about the carbs in vegetables.

Now, on to chocolate- I've steered clear of my normal temptations, because I don't want to mess up. However, I like to be prepared. So in the event that I might wake up one day and not be able to function without chocolate, I'd like to have an appropriate game plan. Maybe since cocoa has carbs, I could use immitation chocolate extract, or something like that?

Does it matter what types of exersice I do?


Thank you so much

[liv]

I would not do any imitation stuff. Real stuff is best. Cocoa really do not have that many carbs. So if you feel you can handle it a tea spoon of the real stuff may be the way to go.

Exercise - now that is a BIG topic. You really have to try things out and see what works for you and what you like. It really does not matter what you do as long as you do something. I think walking is a great place to start for most people. I also rented tons of exercise videos from the library to try stuff out and have found things I like there.

Some people like to join gyms and do some weights. I have also got into a bit of strength training - because it helps me get it shape and tone up a bit. I started out with some cans of pears and lifted those

I joined a community gym now and do some yoga classes. I love those

Push-up, squats and abs work are great. We have challenges for those in the challenge forum. I find the challenges a great place to be accountable. So I love those.

What do you think you would like to try?

[Chicklady]

Hi Welcome aboard!
As Liv said, a zuke raw or cooked has the same carbs....the only catch m,ay be that some vegetables lose fiber when cooked (like Jicama) so you would end up with a higher net carb.
The best exercise in the world would be for you to come clean my house

[imagood1]

The best thing you can do is get chocolate out of your head....as long as you have it in your mind you "may need it" you will eat it. The reason for induction is to break the chains of addiction. You will be able to add it back soon enough -- give yourself enough credit that you can wait.

Make sure you eat only induction friendly foods until you are ready to go up the rungs. Drink at least 64 ounces of plain water a day (not tea, coffee, kool-aid --
W A T E R). Exercise is mandatory so find something you like to do, dance, run, walk, bike, swim but do something.

Good luck

[liv]

Like water for chocolate ??? is that what you mean Carole???

Hope you are doing fine Tar. We could always do with an update