Hello all

[Redmen62]

This is day 21 of what will be an extended induction for me, and I've been reading the boards religiously. So it seemed like the time to go ahead and introduce myself!

I have been overweight (but athletic) as far back as I can remember. I've put 265 as my goal weight for now because that would equal what I weighed when I was 15 or 16 years old and wrestling 20+ hours per week. I have a difficult time even imagining what I'd look like at my healthy-BMI weight, but that's a problem I'd be fortunate to have anytime soon.

My weight has hovered in the low to mid 300's since I graduated high school at 315 10 years ago. I've lost medium amounts of weight several times in the last couple years, going as low as 298 (for one day!) but slowly gaining all the weight back. I've been as high as 355 pounds.

I've been lifting weights and learning about nutrition for years, but have realized over the years that the stuff in the nutrition texts doesn't work for me, for whatever reason. I've never been a huge sweets fan, but I LOVE bread and most bread-related products. I did an Atkins-like plan a couple of years ago and lost weight quickly, but hated the food choices and lasted only several weeks. This time around I've read the book, plus my cooking skills are a lot sharper and I can make food I like (even during induction).

I have a spouse and a couple of beagles, and they're all on board with me. The beagles like the extra exercise they've been getting recently, in particular. I have plenty of non-numeric goals I'd like to accomplish: My law school student body goes on an annual trip to Cuba, and I'd like to be able to enjoy the flight without being overly uncomfortable or worried about the people whose seats I'm spilling into. I'd like to see if eating real foods can help me manage my depression, which has wreaked havoc on law school this year and has me wondering if I can even be a lawyer. I'd love to be able to get off the depression meds. And I'd like to be able to buy jeans at a real store instead of big and tall places.

So on my 21st day of induction I've lost right around 21 pounds, and have learned an awful lot. I'm not sure how much longer I can handle induction, but ideally I'd like to keep going until school starts in September. I'm also part of a team-based weight-loss competition that ends around the same time. Hello to all, and I hope I can be a contributing member of this great board!

[blueberrylady]

Welcome to the board, Redmen, and congrats on your 21 lb. loss! That's a great start!

You sound really motivated and your exercise plan will really help too, so just keep doing what your doing! Just don't be afraid to move up to rung 1 if you get bored because the extra veggies sometimes help to lose more. Good luck to you!

[imagood1]

hi and welcome Redman -- glad you finally came forward and introduced yourself! You are going great so far -- whoo hooo too you!!! As far as extended induction why don't you go to OWL Rung 1 and add an addtional 5 net carbs of veggies daily -- it may not seem like much but it is wonderful. The first week add an additional 5 net carbs everyother day -- if you don't gain any weight you know those are good veggies for you and you can add them to your daily routine the next week. You can stay on each Rung as long as you like -- so if you want to try out 20 new veggies stay on Rung 1 until all 20 have been tried....this is the way we customize the plan to each of us. There is nothing in stone that just because it's Monday you have to move to the next Rung....

My Black Lab mix loves the walks she's getting since I've been on Atkins - she looks forward to going everynight. I'm sure there are times I wouldn't go if she didn't go get her harness and bring it to me. Glad to hear everyone is on plan with you - that is so helpful!

Try some of the recipes - vary your food so you don't get tired of eating the same thing over and over. Check out the Century Club -- they may be able to give you extra help!! You sound like you're doing so well -- if you need anything just ask!

Relevant reading below:

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

[Redmen62]

Thanks for the support and the advice, folks! I'm actually thinking more and more about moving on to OWL Rung 1- I could really use the extra veggie allowance. While my spouse came around fairly quickly when it came to the increased fat intake, it's hard to explain to anyone why VEGGIES of all things are a no-no in some cases. I'd love to be able to eat a big 'ol salad every day for lunch, which I find it hard to do on the 2 cup/1 cup limitation. I think I'd stay on OWL rung one for a while, though, and I really don't see anything above rung four that I "need" to get to anytime soon.

My weight's been bouncing up and down the last couple of days (324.7 today), but I was pleasantly surprised to realize I still lost five pounds this week. Fitday has been an invaluable resource for me during induction, for sure.

[chinadoll]

Hi Redmen,
don't be afraid to move up the Rungs. You will have more variety and will learn the individual foods that cause problems for you. It is the rungs that teach you all you need to know to eventually maintain. Like you, I am happy with things from rungs one to four, with an occasional foray into rung five for a glass of wine. I find anything above that is likely to be an occasional treat anyway since legumes and grains tend to complicate my staying on target. Welcome to the board.

[OzLover]

Welcome to ADBB Redmen62! This place has a wealth of knowledge & support so use it to your advantage. Great intorduction by the way. Seems like you are on the way to success. I totally get the airplane goal. I can tell you it is wonderul to fit in the seat & being able to cinch the belt & have extra room. Great advice from the other members~~Rung 1 more veggies is a wonderful thing!

Good luck on your journey.