Hi

[bellafortuna]

Hi everyone,
My name is Nicole. I am on day 2 of Atkins. I am so happy to have found these boards. I am truly inspired by all of the success stories on here.

I am 35 years old, single, and have had a weight issue my entire life. My family is Italian American. Look at a family photo and there is not a single skinny one amoungst us. We love pastas and sweets. I realized that these things were contributing to my ever increasing waistline and making me feel bad. I hope Atkins is the remedy.

I am a high school science teacher (Biology/Chemistry). I am currently on summer vacation. This is the perfect opportunity to concentrate on my health and make a big difference before returning back to school in the fall. At the end of the year I was so out of shape and lacked energy to stand up and teach. I don't want that next year!!

Well, I guess that's it for now. I look forward to losing with you!
Cheers

[Evansmom49]

Welcome Nicole!

This board is really a very special place for any kind of question or support you might need.

Good luck on your journey.

Suzanne

[liv]

Welcome bella,
Great that you are taking time to work on yourself this summer. How is going?

[sham]

hi Nicole its good you want to change your eating habits and life and get healthy again this diet is your answer and if followed correctly you will lose those stubborn lbs.All the best!

[imagood1]

Nicole - start today, follow the plan as written 100% and you'll have wonderful results by the time school starts again. Good luck.

One of the best things you can do is purchase the 2002 Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution book (DANDR) – if you can’t find one locally www.half.com and www.Amazon.com have them pretty inexpensively. As a teacher you know the value of studying - so read the book so you know the science behind the plan, how it works and why.

Good luck on your journey. Here are links that will help get you started. Make sure you are eating induction recipes only until you are ready to move onto OWL.
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. Track NET CARBS daily … and also use the 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

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.

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

[bellafortuna]

Thanks for all the encouragement and tips!