Have questions, completely new to Atkins

[Natasha81]

I am a 27 year old female, 250 lbs at 5'10" (large frame) so my goal weight is around 175. I've lost nearly 80 pounds in the past 6 months from a low calorie diet, however it feels like I'm starving myself and I am soooo tired of that. I would like to reach my goal weight within the next 5-6 months and I was wondering if that was possible on Atkins? I do a lot of exercise (2 hour walks every day) and I was thinking of going slightly lower calorie also while on the induction phase. I love breads and sweets but I've heard cravings for those go away, how long does that take? Also are there any good websites for what is good to eat during the induction phase? Thanks a lot for reading and double thanks if you answer my questions

Peace

[momtomany1]

Ix-nay to the lower calories on induction.

If you can lose that much weight eating low calorie, if you do correctly Atkins, you will lose like a house on fire. But it will take a big mental adjustment because you simply must eat completely differently. You have to change your metabolic workings, you must shift from a glucose-burning machine to a fat-burning machine. You will only do that by having a high ratio of fat to carbs in your body, quite high fat, very low carbs. But your calories won't be low. Once you get into ketosis, some days you calories won't be all that high because your appetite goes down, but you must not restrict them.

You need to purchase a copy of DR. Atkins New Diet Revolution and completely understand how it works. In the meantime, our forums, esp. the stickies in the specific and the FAQ forums, will give you enough to get started. But you need to be ready to drizzle olive oil on things, eat eggs with butter, high fat cheese on your broccoli!

Atkins Low Carb Dieting - FAQ's - Atkins Diet

Many threads here will help, and look for the induction forum etc. We are happy to answer questions, it is a good way to eat and live and you will do so well since you are already exercising.

[momtomany1]

Oh you asked is it possible. It has taken me 9 to lose 65, but my loss has slowed considerably as I approach goal. You are much younger, and I have seen plenty of folks lose well over 10 pounds a month. I would say yes, quite possible, esp. with the exercise. I think you can do quite well.

[OzLover]

Excellent advice from momtomany. Explore ADBB & read the sticky notes. There is a wealth of knowledge & support here. Also get yourself a copy of Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution~~2002 version.

Good luck on your journey!

[liv]

Welcome Natasha. Have you checked out the book and know how to go about jumping over to Atkins?

[babychingling]

I agree, don't worry about lowering calories, it will just go against you. I was doing a low cal diet too, but was always hungry and tired of not being able to eat much of anything. That's why I started doing Atkins, because even if I couldn't eat bread, I could still have all the meat I wanted.

Also, you start losing carb cravings after a few days, and your appetite gets suppressed so I suppose that keeps your calories in check anyway. With how you exercise, I have no doubt you will reach goal =)

[blueberrylady]

Welcome to the board, Natashia!

I think you will do fine and after a few days, you'll be glad you decided to do Atkins! Keep us posted on your progress!

[imagood1]

Hi Natasha -- pretty much everything has been said about the book and eating...make sure you get plenty of fat into your daily eating the first couple weeks -- it will help with cravings and keep you feeling full much longer.

Also, drink at least 64 ounces of pure water everyday -- tea, soda, kool-aid don't count toward the 64 ounces....only pure water. Check out the supplement section of the book to see if you are getting all the vitamins & minerals you need. Make sure you eat a variety of foods - don't fall into the trap of eating tiny amount of food because that's the way you are use to eating.....EAT -- stop when you are full but remember to get meat, cheese, eggs, veggies and fats into your daily meals.

Here are a couple links that might help -- make sure you are using induction friendly recipes to begin with. If you follow the rules you should do fine.

Rules of Induction:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ead.php?t=6782 (What are the Rules of Induction?)
Induction Acceptable Foods:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ead.php?t=6781 (What foods can be eaten on Induction?)

Linda's Low Carb Menus & Recipes - Daily Menus
Sheila's Low Carb, Atkins & Induction Friendly *ORIGINAL* Recipes Page!
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...n-recipes.html (Never ending induction recipes)
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...pes-added.html (Induction Recipe Basics--More recipes added)

[Hiker]

Hi,

For me the cravings went away after two days already, and also I am never hungry ?? Its amazing. I am only on my 7th day of inductions and are still figuring out the recepies, and still have to buy the book. In know I lost weight, and am not worried how fast it will go. This is a lifestyle I can manage for a long time !
Good luck !! I also found the board to be super helpfull and suporting...