Newbie

[psychnurse]

Hi,
Im Tira and I am a psych nurse that works nights. I have 82 pounds that I would like to lose although I practically have been trying to lose weight since the 5th grade. I am nervous about this way of eating mainly due to I feel I am a real carb addict. I just spent the last 9 weeks on a low fat diet that yielded 2.8 pound loss. I could use all the support I can get. Please help! I just started 16 minutes ago and feel I prepared as the induction phase has required.

[blueberrylady]

Welcome to the board, Tira!

It sounds like you have a plan in place and that's half the battle! Working nights can be hard on a diet but if you prepare ahead and take legal snacks to work with you, it will keep you from getting hungry and munching on the carbs that always seem to be around at work. Check out the Recipe and Food Forum for simple and easy ideas.

Once you're on Atkins for a few days, the cravings go away and you will feel so much better, so just stick with it and you will find that it's gets easier and is worth it.

Good luck! You can do it!

[sallyseachange]

Warm welcome aboard!
Keep legal and high fat snacks with you at all times, in case the cravings hit.
If you are a big carb addict, you'll probably find that after a day or two you have a few days of feeling horrid. We call this induction flu, and it is normal... just your body weaning itself off high amounts of carbs. When it passes, you'll begin to feel terrific!

Keep us posted. We're all in this together!

[imagood1]

Hi and welcome Tira!! Good luck to you -- believe me this plan is so much easier than the "diet" you just came off...and along the way you will enjoy delicious meals!! So much different that low fat/low carb...no cardboard tasting meals here!!

Here are the recipe links a lot of us use-- make sure you are using induction meals until you are ready to step up to OWL (ongoing weight loss). We have plenty of forums for must about anything you can think of -- check them out! Keep track of your daily food intake with the free program at www.Fitday.com. Good luck -- let us know if you need anything!!

Grain beverages (coffee substitutes) are not allowed. Alcoholic beverages are also not permitted during Induction; those low in carbohydrates are an option, in moderation, in later phases.

Rules of Induction:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ead.php?t=6782
Induction Acceptable Foods List:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ead.php?t=6781

Recipe Sites
http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/menus.html
(Never ending induction recipes)http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/58513-never-ending-induction-recipes.html
(Induction Recipe Basics--More recipes added)http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/6807-induction-recipe-basics-more-recipes-added.html
http://www.sugarfreesheila.com/RecipesPage.html

Exercise is not an option – it is mandatory ….. don’t say you can’t find a way and start today!

Atkins bars and shakes are NOT acceptable during induction – they are made with non-induction ingredients and cause stalling in many people. Just remember - if it’s not on the acceptable food list – it doesn’t go in your mouth!

This is from the "Read before you start" thread in the 14 day Induction area:
Drink a minimum of 64 ounces of water each day, including:
Filtered water
Mineral water
Spring water
Tap water

After your 64 ounces daily you can have the following:
Clear broth/bouillon (not all brands; read the label)
Club soda
Cream, heavy or light (limit to two to three Tablespoons a day; note carb content)
Decaffeinated coffee or tea*
Diet soda made with sucralose (Splenda); be sure to count the carbs (may cause a stall in weight loss)
Essence-flavored seltzer (must say "no calories" and should not contain aspartame)
Herb tea (without barley or any fruit sugar added)
Lemon juice or lime juice (note that each contains 2.8 grams carbohydrate per ounce); limit to two to three Tablespoons

*Excessive caffeine may cause unstable blood sugar and should be avoided by those who suspect they are caffeine dependent. Everyone should try to avoid caffeine.

[chinadoll]

Hi T, remember fat and water are your two best friends. The next couple of days may be rough (hopefully not) but it will pass and you will start feeling better and more energetic once ketosis kicks in and your carb withdrawal passes. Working nights can be tough but extra laps up and down the hall when you are tempted or a small pair of dumbbells to use at the desk when its quiet are great ways to make use of an otherwise quiet time.

[balletlover]

Welcome, Tira! You're definitely not alone. Am a total carb addict who just stopped cold turkey 5/30/09 as well. We can do it, we can do it! Look forward to getting to know you better! balletlover ;0)

[psychnurse]

Thanks for all the support, it helped alot last night at work. I had my moments but am ok, ready for bed. i look forward to getting to know you all
Tira

[chinadoll]

One down and thirteen to go.

[somethings gotta give]

I am also a carb addict, but I am 5 weeks into it and I feel great, have hubby and kids to feed so it is still here in plain sight, after a while you will not miss it I promise, especially once those scales start a-movin!! Head up (ps. I work some overnights as well) If you want to keep track of your carbs/weight and goals go to FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal it has really helped me alot