Determined

[yenes85]

Hi Everyone!
My name is Yenes85 and I am 1 week into induction. This is my 3rd try with the Atkins Approach to weight management. I seem to get through Induction alright but lose my way with OWL. I think its because by the time I get through Induction, I am worried that I am abusing my kidneys with so much protein. The first couple of trys, I ate lots of meats that were basically fatty, this time I am sticking to lean meats and veggies. I am also trying new recipes to add variety to my meals. I really miss fruit and hope to learn how to eat it moderately in OWL. Has anyone in any of the forums ever maintained their weight loss for more than a single year? Can Atkins really become a lifestyle change?

[chinadoll]

I have lost half the weight I need to but have maintained that loss for four years plus now with a few bobbles. Lean meats and veggies are fine, just make sure you are adding in sufficient fat from avocado, olive oil, butter, etc. to keep your percentages where they should be.

The way to keep things going is to know you can't ever have all of it in one day and in large enough quantities to send a sugar rush to your bloodstream. So in maintenance you can have carby things, but have a small pr half serving along with a protein to buffer it. And don't have it every day.

[yenes85]

Thank you Chinadoll, your post is really encouraging. Have you gotten any check ups in the last 4 years? if so how is your cholestral and how are your kidneys? I will pay attention to my percentages of Fat, protein and Carbs. Sometimes I feel like I am never ever going to enjoy food again, I think I am mourning about losing the freedom to eat like I want to. I just hope the trade off is a healthy weight and a healthy check up!

[blueberrylady]

Welcome to the board, yenes85!

It's normal to miss the things you can't eat right now but remember that that's what made you fat to begin with and that you can have most of those things again in moderation later on.

The nicest thing about Atkins is that once you get the carbage out of your system, you feel so good that you don't want to go back to feeling sluggish, achy and tired again. So just give it a chance and you will be fine. Good luck!

[chinadoll]

My kidneys are fine. My cholesterol has dropped (after an initial rise) to 149 with an HDL of 70 and an LDL (the bad one) of 35. My triglycerides are 40!!! I credit lack of sugar a real effort at vigorous daily exercise with most of my cholesterol improvement. For those of you in the UK, my numbers are in the optimal range in all categories. I cannot remember how you chart them there, but my Dr (who is from the UK) said I couldn't get much better numbers than these. That's after 5 years of bacon and eggs.

[imagood1]

You seem to have a lot of questions and worries about the Atkins plan. It would be wise for you to read the 2002 Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution book - we call it DANDR here....it is the edition we follow here on the board. The questions on if this plan really works and has anyone kept the weight off for a period of time...two people I can think of right off hand who have lost and maintained their large weight loses are Elizellen and Sherri -- look them up they aren't hard to find, they are both moderators on this board -- they are only 2 of the many weight loss success stories. If this wasn't a healthy way to eat none of us would be here - but it does work and we have many new members daily. You have to know how the plan works, believe in it 100% and commit to it from day 1.

I have Type 2 diabetes, my blood sugar numbers were around 180 - 200 daily when I first started, I tested my blood 3 times a day --- I was told last week to test 3 times a WEEK - my average blood sugar reading for 90 days was 90!!! My A1C was 10.3 last June -- last week it was 5.0 ... I am considered "controlled" diabetes now. Just waiting for new blood test results to see what my Cholesterol & Trigliceride numbers are now because they were horribly high when I had the last tests done (before I started Atkins).

You have to believe in the plan, read the book - school yourself on the science behind this eating plan. Personally I would rather eat fried chicken instead of boiled chicken with no skin any day of the week.....and bacon, NY Strip Steak, cheddar cheese....all the good things in life. BUT along with the meat and cheee I really enjoy the variety of vegetables we eat. I eat more vegetables in 1 day than I use to eat in 2 or 3 days and enjoy the way they taste.

There are plenty of challenges you can join to meet people and get support. Since you've been on plan before you qualify for STAC (second time around club) - they have a morning roll call and help each other stay successful - check them out.

Eat a variety of foods, the worst thing you can do is eat the same thing over and over -- NO ONE can eat that way....there is a saying "variety is the spice of life" -- with Atkins it is true!

Here are some links & information that may help you -- good luck

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!

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

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

www.fitday.com get a free membership and track your daily food intake. Also use this site as a journal, for your daily moods, etc….it’s a great tool to help you.


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

[yenes85]

Imagood1, I am today reading DANDR and taking your other advice. I do believe in this eating lifestyle and your right, I have got to Know and believe in the science behind it. I feel like this is my first go round because I am very committed where as before, I quickly returned to old habits. I am very thankful for this board and support because the rest of the world still subscribes to the very beliefs about food that has gotten nearly all of us out of shape. My SW is 165, CW 160 GW 145, it doesn't seem like alot but its the same extra 20 pounds that I have been carrying around for 15 years. Thanks for your insight and support.