New to Atkins would like some help!

[midwestgirl]

Hi! I'm very much new to this. I just started atkins and am on Day 2 of induction. Feeling great and not hungry whatsoever! I did go to the gym today and was a little dizzy after running, but came home and feel great now. Not planning to weigh myself again until after the 14 days. I have about 40lbs that I would like to lose. I have 2 questions:

First, I have always been very muscular on the bottom half of my body. Always have been active and love cardio workouts, but being a college student the last 4 years has made it difficult for me to maintain my normal 130lb weight (thank you partying and poor diet). Is Atkins going to pack on more muscle than I already have since I am eating so much more protein?

The second is, I was wondering if I stayed on the induction phase until I lost around half of the weight (about 20-25 lbs) is a good idea? If I stay on this phase past the 14 days will I continue to remain losing a steady amount of weight?

Thanks for your help!!!

[imagood1]

HI and Welcome!! Since you don't have much to loose and you need time to go through the Rungs don't stay on extended induction until you've lost half your weight -- you need time to figure out what foods you can eat and which ones trigger no weight loss or weight gain. Don't think of Atkins as a summer diet - it was written to be a lifestyle change for the long term.

You won't bulk up because of the protein you eat. You will loose the fat you carry around instead of loosing muscle like on fad diets so this is a healtier way to eat.

Make sure you eat enough food - use www.fitday.com or some other plan to put your food in each day so you know what your percentages are. You should be getting right at 65% fat, 30% protein and 5% carbs daily.

Before you start:
*take your measurements and get on the scale so you have accurate numbers to start with - don't weigh again until the end of your 2 week induction.
*Eat a variety of meats, cheeses and vegetables. Also make sure you get your fats, carbs and protein in daily – www.fitday.com will help you keep track of this.
*Drink 64 ounces of pure water -nothing added daily (Legal water is considered Filtered water, Mineral water, Spring water and Tap water).
*Take your supplements and start an exercise routine today.

The recipe sites are a helpful meal planning tool – just make sure you use Induction Recipes to begin with.
Recipe Sites
http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/menus.html (Linda’s)
(Never ending induction recipes)http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/58513-never-ending-induction-recipes.html (Induction recipes)
(Induction Recipe Basics--More recipes added)http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/6807-induction-recipe-basics-more-recipes-added.html (Induction Recipe Basics)


Good luck to you.

[midwestgirl]

Thanks so much!!!! One more question - Am I allowed to eat the atkins meal bars or shakes as a snack during induction or should i wait to purchase these until phase 2?

[imagood1]

The Atkins shakes and bars are not legal on induction – there are non-induction ingredients in them and they are not listed on the acceptable food list. If a food isn’t listed on the acceptable food list it doesn’t belong in your mouth – no exceptions!

[midwestgirl]

Good to know!!! THANK YOU!

[ThinSoon]

Originally Posted by midwestgirl

Thanks so much!!!! One more question - Am I allowed to eat the atkins meal bars or shakes as a snack during induction or should i wait to purchase these until phase 2?

These products tend to stall people. If you can find natural alternatives to these items. Linda Sue has a great recipe website, includes some desserts if you are looking for something like that? I will have an EAS low carb shake once and awhile, they come in hand if I will be out and can't take a lunch but will have access to ice. I try to keep things like that to a minimum because I stall easily. You'll find what works best for you though.

Glad to see you on the boards, you'll find a lot of helpful information here!

Tracey

[imagood1]

If a food isn’t listed on the acceptable food list it doesn’t belong in your mouth – no exceptions! The shakes aren't on the list so they wouldn't be legal.....there are other things you could take with you that require no refrigeration andd are legal.

[midwestgirl]

I also had trouble finding full fat cheese... the only bag of shredded whole milk mozzarella I could find in the grocery store was a mixture of provolone and whole milk mozzarella... would that be legal?

[imagood1]

shredded cheese has potato starch mixed with it to keep the cheese from sticking. The best thing to do is buy bricks of cheese and cut them into 1oz servings or shred some in advance and put 1oz into a baggie so you know you are eating a serving.

I buy bricks of Cheddar Cheese or Colby/Jack cheese.

[JulieB]

Many of the bars have ingredients that aren't legal until Rung 9 (not 2) - so I'd avoid them. Induction is the time to start breaking bad habits, and learning what healthy foods to eat - bars & shakes aren't good choices. Try to make new habits of eating whole, unprocessed foods Best Wishes,