Atkins: When food is your living!

[ejagno]

Hi everyone;

I knew my clothes were a little snug, I was fatigued more often, my memory was fuzzy and my joints were achy. What I didn't realize is that I'd put on a significant amount of weight until I decided to utilize that little metal box that sat adorning my bathroom floor for years.

Even then I simply just quit eating and the weight wasn't coming off. It wasn't until my DH was looking into having bariatric surgery that I saw where following the Atkins Nutritional approach was recommended for at least 2 weeks prior to any surgeries. I thought I was being so helpful to him by doing some research.

Wow, I couldn't believe that you could still eat meat, fish, eggs and poultry and still lose weight. I thought, Okay, I'll try it and see if it works and we'll do this together.................for his sake of course. I began faithfully reading and cutting out carbs, sugar, bread, potato chips and so on in my diet. In the first 20 days I lost 12.8 lbs. THIS IS WORKING!

My energy level seems to be returning. My memory seems to be much clearer. My clothes are fitting alot better. And last but not least, my confidence is going way up.

Needless to say, DH lost interest as quickly as he came up with the idea. Honestly, he hasn't even noticed that I've lost weight.

Now, for the real kicker............................I'm a cake decorator and baker for a large retail bakery. DH is an Executive Chef. You cannot imagine how difficult this is when food is in fact your living. We are born and bred Cajuns which means that our whole culture is basically centered around good food and great friends and family.

I need alot of moral support to continue this healthier way of life until I can get stronger and leaner. Your help is greatly appreciated along my path to a healthier me.

[atkinsgal08]

Welcome!

>>I couldn't believe that you could still eat meat, fish, eggs and poultry and still lose weight.>>

And vegetables, too!

>>I'm a cake decorator and baker for a large retail bakery.>>

Do you have to taste?

[chinadoll]

Hey, I love food and eat well. Just because you are eating low carb doesnt mean you can't eat well! OK Jambalaya and red beans and rice are out but as you go up the rungs you can use cream, pesto, salsas, hollandaise. You can have lovely roast beef with horseradish sour cream. Or seafood in creamy rich sauces. Or salmon with persto mayonnaise. Cheesecake with sour cream, cream cheese, ricotta--just substitute SPlenda for the sugar. Berries and cream. Lovely veggies. Satay with peanut sauce or a good Thai curry-just skip the rice. Tex mex on lettuce not a tortilla.

Life can be very good in Dr. Atkins world! And the longer you do it, the more inventive you can be. I have found ways to make moussaka, pies, chocolate desserts--all kinds of things---without cheating and they are good! Look at this as an opportunity to try a new way of cooking rather than some kind of punishment. Its easier than you may think.

[ejagno]

Thank you for the warm welcome and words of encouragement Atkinsgal08. To answer your question; No, I don't taste the food I am preparing for the public.

I simply implied that being around all of these wonderful sweets, treats, fresh baked breads hot from the oven and my husbands cooking makes it difficult. I gained my weight after losing my home in 2 hurricanes and not having a kitchen to prepare food in which left us eating out 3 meals a day for almost a year. I also had a young son who was in a critical motorcycle accident which left me sedentary by his side for several months. You do the math..................fast food and no excersise equals weight gain in most people.

Chinadoll; Thank you very much for the wonderful words of experience and encouragement. You can't imagine how much it is appreciated at this point.

[chinadoll]

My pleasure.

[liv]

Welcome ejagno
so glad to hear that you discovered Atkins and that it is working for you.
It does sound like you have a bit of a challenge there but you just have to keep that slim figure in mind.
Food is important to most of us. My goal is to find a way to combine my love for food with a low carb approach and as Jill says with some creativity that looks to be possible. Now this is an area where you do have an advantage - working with foods you know how to manipulate them. Some of us start from scratch

[imagood1]

Hi and welcome!!

Make sure you drink a minimum of 64 ounces of pure water (nothing added), exercise starting today and take a multi-vitamin. If you haven't already, read the 2002 Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution (DANDR).

The recipe sites will help keep you from eating the same thing over and over -- check them out! Don't forget to eat enough vegetables (check the acceptable food 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) - eat enough vegetables - 2 cups from the first list and 1 cup from the 2nd list daily. Many of us use www.Fitday.com to track our food so we know what our carb totals are for the day. It's important you know what you are eating and how many carbs you are taking in each day. I have found many wonderful recipes that I prepare for myself but also for my family (who are not on Atkins) --- like Jill said, we are so fortunate to be able to eat such wonderful foods - all you have to do is think about it a little.

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)
(Never ending induction recipes)http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/58513-never-ending-induction-recipes.html# (additional induction recipes)

Any and all questions can and will be answered - all you have to do is ask!! Good luck.