im a new atkins lover! :)

[want2bethin]

Hey everyone! My name is Rachel, I'm 24 and live in North Carolina. I must start off by saying that I like to talk a lot, so sometimes my posts may be a bit lengthy. I apologize in advance.

Like 99% of you, I have tried several different "diets" that have left my metabolism worse off than before I started. Vegetarian, Very Low Calorie, Low Fat, etc, etc, etc...

My last diet attempt was the HCG diet, in which you inject yourself daily in your tummy with the hormone HCG, and you only eat 500 calories per day and you can only eat food from a VERY VERY short "approved foods" list. I did lose 25 lbs in one month on this diet, even with cheating towards the last week of it, but its a hard diet to do for several reasons, and the clinic I went to where I purchased the injections was very expensive! It would have cost me $300/month. I could have found a place for it in my budget, but I chose to quit that diet because I was constantly starving (who wouldnt be on a mere 500 cals a day? They should of called it the anorexic diet!). There are some people who have had amazing success with the HCG diet, and kudos to them, but I'm just not one of those people. If I had the willpower to eat only 500 calories a day, I wouldnt need the $300/month injections to lose weight. The strange thing is that you are only allowed to do the diet for one month at a time and take a one month break in between. Talk about screwing up your metabolism! Anyway, after I quit that diet, within a month (of eating normal, not even gorging myself) I gained back 15 of the 25 lbs I lost! I felt like a failure and an idiot to once again have been duped by the diet industry!!!

I have a friend who tried Atkins back in the 90's and she said she lost a lot of weight really quickly on it. She did, however, tell me horror stories of constipation, ketosis-breath, fatigue, and getting sick and tired of eating meat all the time. I've never tried the Atkins approach because of her stories, but I recently got the book and I read it completely in 2 days!!! I just couldn't put it down because it made sooo much sense!!! I see now that she struggled with those issues because she was doing Atkins all wrong! If only she had taken a fiber supplement, she wouldnt have suffered so much constipation (sometimes it is unavoidable, im sure), and if she had taken vitamin supplements she wouldnt have had fatigue, and if she had only had the wonderful array of recipes and low carb products we are so blessed to have today, she wouldnt have gotten sick of "eating meat all the time". And as far as ketosis-breath, well, honestly from what I've experienced so far, its not that bad, and honestly, I take it as a blessing because its an indicator that I'm burning fat!!!!!

This is my fourth induction day and I haven't had any signs of the induction flu so far, except my very first two days I was extremely lethargic and tired, but now my energy is back and I'm doing great! My boyfriend told me last night that my breath "smells funny". He didnt read the book, so he has no idea of what ketosis-breath is (i had to inform him), but he said its not that it smells bad, just different. I know that in the book it said you can start the ketosis phase as quickly as after the first 48 hours, so I guess I'm there!

I'm so very excited about this way of life! I dont use that term lightly. This is a way of life that I plan to implement for the rest of my life to one degree or another. Ive always noticed something odd happens when I eat carbs or starches. Its like my body has been telling me all along to stop forcing this food down my throat, but I had no idea why it was so bad for me. I have noticed in the last 6 months that anytime I have a really heavy-carb meal, I break out in a rash of hives all over my chest and on my neck. It goes away after about 30 minutes to an hour. I had an allergy test done, and the only thing it showed I was allergic to is grass and dust. No foods. But this wasn't necessarily an allergic reaction, it was my body's normal reaction to realizing "oh crap, here we go again! get prepared to have the blood sugar spike tremendously! all hands on deck!!!"

And I have always been a heavy girl, ever since I was 6 years old. Looking back now I realize how carb-laden my childhood was. Ramen noodles and white bread sandwiches were my main meals growing up. And, sadly enough, one of my fondest childhood memories was that every time my mom and I would go to the grocery store, she would be my a huge cupcake covered in pure-sugar-icing from the deli section and I would eat right then and there while walking through the grocery store! Other kids would glare at me in envy, and I would lick the icing gingerly in front of them to tease them with my glorious carb-overloaded treat. And even in my high school, my daily lunch was Papa Johns pizza, which by the way, I think has NO BUSINESS being in a school!!! And after school I would come home and eat two hot pockets and a little debbie fudge round cookie. Then two big helpings of dinner later. No wonder I got in this shape.

Also, I've been hypoglycemic since I was 15. My doctor never actually prescribed me as being hypoglycemic because every fasting blood sugar I had was normal (they never thought to do an hourly glycemic check like Dr Atkins talks about in his book), but the last time I went to have a physical they did tell me that if I didnt lose weight I would be pre-diabetic very soon. And I know I had hypoglycemia because when my blood sugar would get low I could tell and I knew exactly how it felt (uncontrollable shaking, faint feeling, sweating, light-headed, dizzy), and what was causing it and I knew that by eating something with sugar and protein it would ease off in 20 minutes.

This past year has been a NIGHTMARE as far as my eating habits. Even prior to doing the HCG diet, I've had such an overeating problem this year. Its been a gluttonous self-hating nightmare all year (with the one month exception of the HCG diet, of course.) I've been so weak to food and I didn't know why. I thought it was just that I had no control over food. I'm embarrassed to say this, but its been so bad that When my blood sugar gets low in the afternoon at work and I take lunch (which normally isnt until 3 or 4pm, with no breakfast eaten), over the past few months I've been going and eating so much food its ridiculous! I'd sit in my car eating half of it so noone at work knew just how much I'd eaten. I'd eat a hot dog, a cheeseburger, french fries, hush puppies, a huge sweet tea, and a double chocolate milkshake. All in one sitting. Plus a huge dinner a few hours later. Now I know why I've been this way and it is soooooo liberating to know its not because I'm bad, evil, broken, or defective. It's because my blood sugar and insulin levels have been on a roller coaster ride for my entire life!

And for the record, my blood sugar has been more stable during the last 4 days than it has since I was a child! I have so much energy and I have so much mental clarity and I'm not forgetful or foggy headed like I normally am. It's truly amazing. This isnt just about weightloss, its about my overall health and this is the cure.

If youre wondering how much I currently weigh, I couldnt tell ya. I know this is a dumb thing and I will regret it like crap later, but I know how I am and I do NOT want to get myself discouraged because I know that once I weigh myself I will do it religiously every morning and get discouraged at the first little stall or gain. What I am monitoring is the way I feel, how my clothes fit, and how my body looks in the mirror. I imagine I should notice some dramatic changes in about 2 weeks or a month. I will probably end up weighing myself in two weeks just to see where I'm at, but I dunno. I'm in no rush to see those numbers. All I know is that before I started the HCG diet, I was 257 lbs (and I'm 5'3", its really bad. My BMI is around 42!). After losing the 25 lbs on HCG I got down to 232 lbs. Then when I gained back the 15 lbs that put me at 247. The last time I remember weighing myself and seeing that was sometime in the middle of May, so that was about a month ago. We'll see where I'm at in a couple of weeks. By the way, my goal is 120 lbs. (It is ideal with my height, weight, and age).

Well, I told you I like to talk a lot! LOL! Sorry! I will end by saying that each of you here is such an inspiration to me. I see your before and after pics on here and I just gawk in awe and I know that one day I will be placing MY before and after photos on here! And even those of you who dont yet have "after" photos, you are STILL an inspiration because you have the same drive and determination that I do and I know that together we will reach our goals!

[chinadoll]

Well Rachel, I will keep my reply short. LOL Welcome ro ADBB and I am hoping you choose to make this change permanent because it is truly a great lifestyle.

[imagood1]

welcome -- I hope you have realized this is not a "meat diet" -- we eat more vegetables than anything once you are out of induction. The fact that people still have the misconception is sad and is what keeps many people from going on this WOE.

Here is some information I like to send newbies -- I hope you read it and follow it.

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

Good luck on your journey.

[want2bethin]

Thank you Jill and Carole for your responses. I congratulate you both on your current and continued success.

And thank you, Carole, for so much wonderful information and resources. I really thank you. I've read several of your responses to other peoples' posts and I must say that God has blessed you with being a great supporter to those in need of support. Thank you.

[liv]

You did the HCG diet? Wow? I just find that a bit weird. I am sort of following it because I wonder what the effects of dong that would be.

Anyways welcome here to ADBB. So glad to have you.

[imagood1]

Rachel this is a much healthier way to eat and easier way to live rather than the HCG diet. We had a family member who was on that years ago that ended up sick and in the hospital because of it. I don't like the idea of shots daily and only having a few things to eat....yes you loose weight but at what cost? It's definately not something you can sustain over long periods of time and once you go off the plan you obviously will gain weight back. I'm glad you aren't doing that anymore....and you'll be so much happier here on Atkins with such a variety of foods to eat.

Enjoy your journey!!