New Here still on Induction

[PeteinVA]

Hi. My name's Pete and I'm going into my 4th week on Atkins. I've lost 15 pounds so far. I guess I started Atkins without being that strict about staying under 20 carbs so after two weeks figured it would do me good to go another two weeks, and be a bit more particular about what I'm doing. The first week I lost 10 pounds and then 5 more in two weeks. Would you say this is typical or does it sound right?

I've learned from reading here that the Atkins bars (net 2 carbs) and things like Beef Jerky could possibly be eliminated for better results. I've made them my afternoon then early evening snacks. I bought some Ketostix and have NEVER had a positive reading yet. I've wondered if I'm actually even in Ketosis here...

This is a typical day. I do drink LOTS of water and about a cup and a half of coffee in the AM, no alcohol:

Breakfast: 2 hard boiled eggs, 4 slices of hard cheese (cheddar or gouda) three strips of bacon

Lunch: Green salad with broccoli, radishes, tomatoes with olive oil/vinegar
Salmon baked with butter cup of cooked veggies (usually spinach)

Afternoon: Atkins Bar then beef or venison jerky early evening

Dinner: Green salad like above with London Broil or comparable

The only variations for me have been the lunch/dinner meats. I've been eating all lean meats and lots of seafoods with no sauces. I've been cooking everything myself and that aspect has been fantastic.

Any input would be helpful. I certainly feel much better than I did before I started however want to make sure I'm on the right path.

Thanks and I appreciate being able to read a lot of what y'all have posted- it's been really helpful and supportive

Pete

[chinadoll]

You are doing terrific so far. Many people find the bars slow them down or even stall them so if you are looking to fine tune, that would be my first bit of advice. Glad to see you are eating your vegetables. So many people fall short with those and they are really a necessity for your health and fiber. You have been losing at a good rate so i think you are definitely on the right track!

[imagood1]

Hi Pete
We eat mostly whole foods -- not frankenfoods (those artifically enhanced versions of food you find in stores). Check the recipe sites for great meal planning ideas and wonderful recipes you can make.

When I first started I got a few days worth of meals in the fridge and freezer and wrote down what I was going to eat at each meal -- that way I could tweak what I was having so I ate properly and enough.

Make sure you are getting enough fats in -- add some butter to your fish, drip chicken or other meats in mayo -- the fat will help keep you full longer and will also help you loose weight (seriously -- it will!!)

I know you have seen these links and the info but here it is for you!!
Hi and welcome to ADBB.

It's a good idea to buy a copy of the 2002 Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution (DANDR) to refer to. At the top of the induction page you’ll find a condensed version of the book - (Atkins Diet Induction FAQs)http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/77558-atkins-diet-induction-faqs.html

Make a copy of this list (What foods can be eaten on Induction?)http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-low-carb-dieting-faqs/6781-what-foods-can-eaten-induction.html and take it with you when you go to the store. If a food isn’t listed on the acceptable food list don’t eat it. Learn to read the label on all foods you buy - don’t just look at the “carb” number look at the ingredients list of everything and check the ingredients against your list. Just because it says "low carb" doesn't mean you can eat it. Also check for hidden sugars (learn the names used in place of the word “sugar”).

The recipe sites are helpful for meal planning – just make sure you use Induction Recipes to begin with.
http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/menus.html (Linda’s)
(Never ending induction recipes)(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 recipes)
(Induction Recipe Basics--More recipes added)(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 (Induction Recipe Basics)

If you need anything we’re here to help you!! Good luck to you!

[Mick2360]

Pete, Sounds like you are off to a nice start. I only use the Atkins bars in extreme duress ( e.g.:12 hour offshore fishing trip). Good to avoid as a rule but handy in a pinch! Beef jerky is tricky too. I try not to make it a habit.

[PeteinVA]

Thanks y'all I very much appreciate the input. Yes I see the bars and processed food like jerky really are a no no and I'm going to have to "think about" getting off them hhha In a few days anyway. I guess I don't know what to replace them with for a quick snack. Should I have a little meat snack i.e. a half a cup of salmon drowned in butter or something? And what's with the cream cheese. That's allowable? I'm already eating cheese at breakfast so to have it again seems wickedly indulgent.

Thanks again,

Pete

[imagood1]

We are allowed 3-4 ounces of cheese daily (some people have problems with cheese, so watch to see what it does to you). Cream cheese is allowed -- when I first started I took deli meat (roast beef, ham, turkey, etc) and put a little cream cheese inside and rolled it -- that way I was getting protein & fat at the same time & I could walk around eating it without making a mess.

If you need take along snacks here are a few suggestions:

canned sardines
tuna
veggies
20 olives
Mt Olive sugar-free pickles
deviled eggs
on the "other vegetable list"
pumpkin
rhubarb
asparagus
snow peas
Special Catagory Food
1/2 avocado (put lemon juice on to keep from turning brown)
sour cream/mayo/ranch dressing to dip things in

deli meat wrapped in a lettuce leaf makes a great sandwich

[PeteinVA]

Thanks a lot Carole, that's great and I'm going to have to switch things up a bit. I'd love the cream cheese in the afternoon but can't give up my breakfast cheddar/gouda. I love that stuff!

I realized that my challenge here has probably been that although I'm staying under 20 carbs a day I'm probably not getting enough fat. So THAT'S what I'm going to have to think about upping. I did have some great flounder for lunch drowning in butter (you know where you can pick up the bowl and drink the bottom (!) so I think I'm going to have to concentrate on getting more fat (as opposed to protein).

Thanks for the advice and response, it's really helpful to keep me on course.

[arcticsp2003]

I'm currently making some home made beef jerky. No Carbs... All the taste.

[neutronnorman]

Originally Posted by Mick2360

( e.g.:12 hour offshore fishing trip).

Yup. I remember the times I did that off of Montauk Point. I used to skip school, hang out with my older buddies from NJ, go down to the shore and rent us boats and come back with enough porgy, mackerel and whiting to fill a bath tub.

[PeteinVA]

OH man Arctic that sounds great! Love my jerky hehh