New and determined

[tinkerbell85]

Hi guys, my name is Lauren, aged 24 from Wales UK.

I had my first baby (a little boy called Manny) 10 weeks ago. I am happily married to a lovely guy called Marc and before I went on Maternity leave I qualified as a Religious Studies Teacher for ages 11-19.

Many years ago I was around 168 pounds, I joined Weight Watchers and got down to my goal weight of 140 pounds after 18 months. I found this weight manageable until I fell pregnant...

I didn't over-consume during pregnancy, my baby was a healthy 8lb9oz born and I was healthy too. I breastfed until he was 8 weeks old and now I'm tackilng my weight loss (no comments about the breastfeeding please).

I am currently at 161 pounds, my goal weight is 140 pounds (pre-pregnancy weight). This is my fourth day on Atkins and I still haven't lost a pound Weight watchers is too time consuming when you've got a newborn!

I'm not a big meat-eater so looking for ways to eat other low carb foods.
I love exercise and go to the gym 3-4 times a week. I haven't got the time to do alot of big meal prep, and our shopping budget is fairly limited on account of our new arrival. Any support/guidance/tips/easy recipes would be gratefully received...especially if any of you have good soup recipes.

A few questions...

1.) How many eggs is it safe to consume in one day?
2.) Should I limit to one daybreak choc chip bar per day? The website says they're safe to eat during induction.
3.) What would you eat if you felt starving in the middle of the night? Hunger pains kick in about 4am, when I'm giving my son his second night feed.
4.) I know that sweetners get a bad press, but I have a real sweet tooth. Other than sugar free jelly and atkins products, are there any other cheat-sweets available to atkins dieters during induction?

Hope you're all well....thanks for reading!!

[Georgiana]

Originally Posted by tinkerbell85

1.) How many eggs is it safe to consume in one day?

Any. However you should keep in mind that over half of your net carbs should come from vegetables and eggs do have some carbs in them.

2.) Should I limit to one daybreak choc chip bar per day? The website says they're safe to eat during induction.

I've just replied to this in your other thread.

3.) What would you eat if you felt starving in the middle of the night? Hunger pains kick in about 4am, when I'm giving my son his second night feed.

A small snack that combines fat and protein would be best. Maybe a boiled egg or some cheese or a few pieces of meat left from dinner...

4.) I know that sweetners get a bad press, but I have a real sweet tooth. Other than sugar free jelly and atkins products, are there any other cheat-sweets available to atkins dieters during induction?

Sweeteners and sweetened foods are limited to 3 servings or packets of sweetener per day. So if you have some jelly, one serving of that counts as one serving of sweetener.

Also, I believe the jelly you find in supermarkets is sweetened with aspartame. Dr. Atkins wrote we should avoid aspartame whenever possible as it may stall or slow down weight loss. You can make your own jelly using unflavored gelatin and a sweetener of your choice, like Splenda or saccharine, for example.

[sham]

I have upto 3 eggs a day.
You should not have any bars a day they will be addictive and could start your carb cravings and should be avoided on induction.As the days go your sugar cravings will go,eating the bars will probably lead to overeating them as the taste buds will want more!
When i want a treat i get double cream few spoons add 1tsp sweetener and tiny bit of cocoa powder and mix it by hand in a cup takes no time and make a lovely thick creamy treat which is satisfying and tasty.
Good luck I will only say forget the atkins products use only pure productc allowed on the diet no ready made stuff and you will find the diet easier and cheaaper

CONGRATS ON HAVING THE BABY!

[blueberrylady]

Welcome to the board, Tinkerbell, and congrats on the new little one!

I think maybe the reason you're not losing yet, besides the bars, is that your body is still in flux from giving birth. It takes time for it to get back to it's pre-pregnancy energy levels so just be patient and stick to the plan. You'll soon be your old self!

[tinkerbell85]

Thanks all!!

Blueberrylady..... does that mean I need to do induction for longer than normal?

[blueberrylady]

No, you don't necessarily have to stay on induction longer. The rule of thumb is to stay as long as you're losing weight and aren't being bothered by cravings due to boredom with the foods. Just be patient while your body gets back to normal, that's all I meant. I wish you and your baby the best!

[Georgiana]

Originally Posted by tinkerbell85

Thanks all!!

Blueberrylady..... does that mean I need to do induction for longer than normal?

Actually, since you don't have a lot to lose, it would be more appropriate for you to move to OWL immediately after the 14-day Induction. There are four questions in the book, which one should answer on day 15:

1. Are you bored with Induction?
2. How much weight do you have to lose?
3. How metabolically resistant are you to weight loss?
4. Are you willing to slow down the pace of weight loss in exchange of more food choices?

If your answer to #2 or #3 is "little" or "average", then you should move to OWL. OR, if your answer to #1 or #4 is "yes", then you should also move to OWL.

Since you have less 25 lbs to lose (unless I'm not confusing you with another member), your answer to #2 is "little", so you skip the other questions and move to OWL.

Now, #4 scares people, and it really shouldn't. Some people actually lose better when they add more veggies to their daily menus, because those veggies are packed with vitamins, minerals and fiber our bodies need. From what I have seen on the Board, this is especially true for those of us who don't have a lot of weight to lose.

So do your 2-week Induction. Then determine your degree of metabolic resistance using the table in Chapter 13 of DANDR, and do what Dr. Atkins recommended folks who don't have a lot to lose to do---make the step to OWL.