Starting TODAY

[lilblackdress]

I am "officially" starting my low carb lifestyle today. I have on it a bit for the last couple of days of but haven't truly committed. I started Atkins back in 2003 or 2004 - i can't remember. I did it faithfully for about a half a year then somewhat for the next three years. I have a 1 year stall, then we moved and I haven't done low carb since. However I have been on every diet imaginable. Nothing has worked and then I realized that hey Atkins worked when I did it right and it was the easiest and I felt the best. Back then I started it on the Wednesday so here I am again starting on a Wenesday.

Background on me, I am 39 - will be 40 in January and would like to get to goal or close to it by then. I have been struggling with my weight for almost 13 years. My heaviest starting out was 297, i have gotten as low at 169 (I think for a day) and now am up to 189 and it is depressing. In that time I have tried lots of diets all contributing a bit. The most weight 30 or so if I remember right was atkins. When I went "off" low carb i didn't start gaining back until about a year ago and it is slowly creeping up and up. So instead of being depressed I am going to do something about it.

So I am looking for advice and support and love all the info I get on the forums. From doing it before I see where some of my downfalls are and am trying to not fall for those again. I admit that I HATE tracking and that is a big downfall I know. I just keep a running log in my head and I know it would be best if I wrote down so I would actually know. Lately also is the drink or beer with dh while supper is cooking..will have to stop that.

My biggest concerns right now are:
Eating too much cheese
Eating too many veggies
Courage to say no to alcohol during social events.

Anyhoosit.. I am happy I found this forum! I have been lurking for awhile and really love all the info.

TTFN
Carla

[imagood1]

welcome back to Atkins......you know how the plan works so that's the biggest part of starting. The easiest way to not overeat is by weighing your food. Cut cheese into 1 ounce portions and wrap them in cling wrap or put them in a baggie -- if it's not a block of cheese there's no reason to eat more. Same with your veggies....measure them before you go to the table. When I first started I filled my plate before I went to the talbe then put any extra veggies away in the fridge before we ate so they aren't sitting on the cupboard when we finished...that way I wouldn't reach in and get more cauliflower, broccoli, green beans....whatever I had eaten during my meal.

Plan your meals the night before so you know you have the food you're going to eat and if you don't you can stop at the store to get it. Make sure you get enough fat with your meals and snacks to begin with to curb hunger and cravings. I put everything into FitDay to see what my meals will look like and the fat/protein/carb ratios.

Here are a few links with good info to refresh your memory...Good luck!!

We follow the 2002 edition of Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution (DANDR) - reading the book will give you all the information you need plus will explain the science and reasoning behind each step of the plan. If you can't find a copy locally www.half.com and www.Amazon.com have them pretty inexpensively – mine was under $5.00 with shipping.

Exercise is not an option – it is mandatory ….. don’t say you can’t - start today! Most of us aren’t active before Atkins – but once you get going you’ll find it’s so easy to carve out some time each day to walk, run, swim find something you like and just do it!

Atkins bars and shakes are NOT acceptable during induction – they are made with non-induction ingredients and cause stalling in many people – you can use them further up the Rungs but not to begin with. Also remember - if it’s not on the acceptable food list – it doesn’t go in your mouth!

Here is a thread that will give you loads of information to be able to follow the plan correctly. (BEFORE you begin the Atkins Nutritional Approach...)http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...-approach.html (BEFORE you begin the Atkins Nutritional Approach...)

Here is a little more information you'll need:
Recipe Sites
http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/menus.html
(Never ending induction recipes)(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)(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.

Drink a minimum of 64 ounces of water each day, including:
Filtered water
Mineral water
Spring water
Tap water

Crystal Lite, sugar free drinks of any kind are not acceptable – PURE water is the only thing that count toward your daily water intake.

After your 64 ounces 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 (causes weight stall in many people)
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



Drink

[lilblackdress]

Thank you so much for all the info - and what a great idea about putting the cheese and veggies into portions. I do have a fitday account so I just have to use it. I love Linda Sue's recipes and also Sugar Free Shiela so these other sites will be fun to look at. Will have to do that when I get home from work.. for some reason they want me to do my work when I am here..lol

You have done wonderful Carole and again thanks I look forward to looking into these sites tonight.

[chinadoll]

Welcome Carla. Regarding the alcohol question-- I used to order a sparkling water with a twist of lime or lemon. Looks like a gin and tonic and I can sip it since I am so so on sparkling water. No one knows the difference so no questions about why you are off alcohol.

[imagood1]

You can also volunteer as the designated driver -- I love Jill's idea -- I bartended a long time and can tell you there are a lot of people who go into bars and don't drink a drop of alcohol. Ask for Sparkling Water in a martini glass with olives ---- or Sparkling Water with a twist in a rocks glass like Jill said. You will appreciate how you feel the next morning this way!!

[lilblackdress]

Thanks for the ideas - I am going to try that! I know I will appreciate how I feel in the morning compared to those who indulge so much. I have also found with myself if I have alcohol I can't sleep so sleep does sound better also.

I was not perfect yesterday in my plan but better than the day before and today will be better than yesterday.