[RobinW]

Good Morning

Just starting us up, Im off to go weigh in and see how well I did last week.

[carolr3639]

Lily, You might still be there. I've had the same problem. This is hard to believe but soy milk cured me. It has 4gm fiber per cup and 1 net carb. I have to use a little sugar free flavor to drink it but getting more fiber really works. It's hard to be consistent and if you are in an emergency situation you might want to try an enema or a stonger laxative like exlax but only once in awhile. The thing is to get more fiber and that means count it like carbs, as much as 25 to 35 grams a day.
Put his on last weeks thread but added it here, too.

[Phoenix Song]

Hello everybody! I wish you well in this week's endeavors!

I have been struggling with my weight all of my life, and have managed to lose down to near my goal weight twice. During those two times, I managed to keep the weight off for over a year, but circumstances would get the better of me (pregnancy, surgeries, etc) and it would slowly creep up again. I have found myself once more within 20 lbs of my highest weight ever, and am miserable!

The second time that I lost a great deal of weight I was on the Atkins' program. I experienced some problems in which my gallbladder had to be removed, and the doctor blamed the diet for my failing organ. In short, I stopped Atkins at that point and began gaining big time.

I have now gotten to the point where I am so miserable with my weight and so unable to control the sweets/starch cravings that I feel that my only option is to return to the ANA. I know that I'm going to face a lot of opposition from my family and my husband, but I think that I would face more health problems by remaining 100 lbs overweight than I would be to restrict carbs in my life.

Since I won't be getting support at home, I'm going to need a lot of support and help from others. I'm hoping that you won't mind keeping my mind focused on the end goal so that I won't become distracted and sabotaged in my efforts.

I began the induction program yesterday morning, and managed to get through the first 24 hours without cheating at all! There were definitely times when it was hard for me to do, since I always have headaches and feel a bit dizzy when I first go off carbs. (I'm obviously very addicted to them!) I'm feeling a bit stronger this morning and I'm hoping that it won't be as hard for me to remain faithful to my diet.

Thanks for being here to give me inspiration and support!

Barb

[lilybelle]

carol, thanks. I don't use any milk at all. I was afraid I wouldn't like the taste of soy milk. Plus, milk always causes me stomach problems. I am taking 2 fiber tabs daily with 4 grams fiber each. I'm going to increase this now to 4 tabs daily. I get quite a lot of fiber in my foods. I am going to decrease cheese in my diet. I am going to see a specialist for this continuing problem. I get so miserable. It is not normal to only go once a week and no one should have to take as many laxatives as I do.

Barb, it's good to have you join us. You will gets lots of support here. My family also thought I was crazy for doing Atkins. It has helped me better than any way of eating that I've ever chosen. I know how you feel. I was 3 lbs. from my highest weight ever when I started losing it this time. I also had gallbladder disease, mine was way before I started Atkins, so they could'n't blame this. My doctor is the one that started me on the low carb lifestyle. I have liver problems and it can't metabolize large amt. of carbs, so my wt. was ballooning horrifically the last few years. My first doctor had put me on a 1400 calorie ADA diet and it didn't work at all for me. I was hungry all the time and I didn't lose anything. Atkins is a great program and it works when done correctly. I have modified mine a little, to decrease the fats that I have problems with. Did increase the fruit. It was a matter of finding what worked best for me with my health problems.

I had gotten close to my goal one previous time. I was 150 I think. That was when I was on Phen/Fen about 13 yrs. ago. I slowly gained back the weight at a rate of about5 lbs. a yr. for a while. Then went on prednisone and gained 50 lbs. in 3 yrs. I'm still on prednisone, but a lower dose.

I wish you the best of success with the Atkins program and your weight loss. Welcome to our chat.

[Arkansas Kel]

Hello all - welcome all newcomers!

We're behind you barb! It's hard when it seems nobody is on your side, so just remember we all are.

Lilly, I hate that you suffer with constipation so badly. Yes, you should get to the bottom of it as you and I both know, a true impaction (which you could be at risk for) can be deadly (bowel perforation!). It's a chronic problem, treating the symptoms hasn't fixed it - time to treat the source. I see this kind of stuff a lot (med surg and poop go hand in hand) and it can be no joking matter! Many resolve on their own, a few don't - and then it's major surgery! Could be a twisted bowel, an old blockage, a herniated area of bowel (esp with that lump in your abd you can feel!). Hey, you know all this you're a nurse too, end of lecture - find the problem.

At work they now leave me alone about the eating! Finally. They can see the wt loss (did I mention the next pound has fallen OFF) ya. They are starting to mention it. Thrilling. Oh yes.

In case anybody is closely watching my wt ticker - I decided to adjust it a little. I changed my starting wt to reflect my all time high. I just wanted to include all my pounds lost not just those since I've starting really low carbing it this time. I just want to see all my success. That high was just last year, so it's not from very long ago.

On the education battle front, my advisor gave me a phone number to call to try to barter for my lost credits. She said to tell them she told me to call them. She is diverting me past the registrar! Maybe I will get somewhere. Ya'll cross your fingers for me!

[beach bum]

Hi Ladies

I had Bad news & Good news. over the weekend. Bad News I fell out of the bed and my back & shoulder are a little sore. Already called the bed company and they going to repair the broken part.
Good News I lost 2-lbs this morning.I'm on the Happyville Express and feeling great to be there.

Are we going to W-I on Monday for the January Challenge?????????????? If not I will wait until my regular W-I day to chance my ticker. Now I have 8 more to go to hit my goal for January.

Robin-Thanks for starting us up,hope you have a great W-I.Wasn't sure what thread to post my loss,so I posted it here.

Carol-I don't know if soy milk has anything to with laxitives but my DH & I switched to soy milk and feel great. I Like you say,its low sugar & carbs and is less calories also.Its also has the same amount of calcium in it as the cow milk does. We're also on soy cheeses to.

PhoenixSong-Sorry about your health problems & not getting to your weight goal. Is your doctor sure that the gall bladder was the cause of the Atkins Program????????My doctor put me on this WOE,never told me about the different side effects. Sure we'll give your support you in your weight loss.

Lily-Did you every try Metamucil [Natural fiber]with Psysillium fiber. I take it 3 x a day before meals[6 caplets] per day.I had problems after going on my cruise,but now I'm regular again. Hope you find something you like quick to relieve the suffering from bloating.

Arkansas Kel-Happy the coworkers are leaving your alone about weight problems. You're doing great,and don't lesson to envious people that don't understand our WOE.I'm still getting flack from family & friends[I just turned a deaf ear].

Hugs BB

[nonamortica]

Kel,

I was thinking about changing my ticker also to my all time high, but that was a decade ago, so I am not sure if I should or not.

Lily,

I hope you find a solution soon. I know how uncomfortable it can be.

Barb.

I really don't buy that stuff about Atkins causing gallbladder problems. I recently had mine out, but those stones were in there for a long long time before they finally acted up. And most of that time I was not doing low carb. I think moderating one's carb intake is a very healthy thing, and makes more sense than anything else for weight loss.

I am glad I have found this group. I think I will really succeed this time

Nona

[Phoenix Song]

Nona, I'm not sure that it was the Atkins that caused the gallbladder problems. But that's what the doctor claimed and that's what my family believes. I only brought it up because they're (meaning my family and husband) going to keep constantly telling me that I shouldn't do Atkins because of my gallbladder problem. I know that I was never as healthy as when I was on Atkins, and that's what matters.

Thanks for the warm welcome everybody! I really do feel the need for support and encouragement from all of you because I know that I can't do it without help and won't be getting any from around here.

Lily, I'm so sorry that you're having so many problems with your stomach. I hope that you're able to get some relief soon, because I know that it's very uncomfortable and painful.

I hope that you're able to get some solutions to your lost credits Arkansas Kel. I know how upsetting it is to lose credits because I've lost some when I switched my major. I hope that you get good news! It's also good to know that "others" will stop putting forth their 2cents when they see the results of the dieting.

BB, sorry about your bed getting broken, but hope that they're able to fix it without any problems. I hope that you're not too stiff and sore from the fall. I know how painful it can be.

I hope that the weigh in went well Robin!

Carol, have you found any affects from the soy milk on your dieting? I'd like to add in milk after the induction period, but have wondered how it will affect weight loss. Then again, it might vary from person to person.

I'm happy to say that I've managed to not cheat up until this point! Almost 2 days on Atkins without slip-ups! I know that night time is my most tempting times, but I feel as if I can be strong! YEAH!!! I'm finding the headaches to be lessening, and that makes it much easier to be strong.

Talk to you all tomorrow! (Unless I need some strength tonight?)

Barb

[jokemo]

Hi, ladies! I'm just jumping in here!

It is Day Three of my official start of low-carb diet and exercise regime. I am so excited this time around. I did low-carb in 2003, lost 35 pounds, then I got pregnant, so I gained it all back and then some. I just never was motivated enough to lose that weight until now. I want to look good in my sister's wedding, but I just want to be thin and healthy. I have WANTED to exercise these past 3 days, and I have NEVER wanted to exercise before. THAT is a big change for me, and I feel that it will let me be successful. I cannot wait to reach my goal weight!

Barb-- I have also had my gallbladder removed, but my doctor never said anything about attributing it to low-carb. Of course, he didn't ask me if I'd ever done it, but I don't think it would cause gallbladder problems. I didn't have stones, though... mine just wasn't working properly.

BB-- I am so sorry you fell and were injured. I hope you are healing well.

Kel-- I was thinking of putting my heighest weight in, as well, but I don't know if I will since I did WW last year and fell off that bandwagon after only 3 months, so I am almost having to start all over again. Good luck with the credits! I know schools can be a pain in the butt about that.

Robin-- I hope your weigh-in went well, and you made some progress!

[Freedom&Light]

Hi everyone!!

Can I join? I started induction last Tuesday, and things are going great so far. I weigh in tomorrow. I did have one day of cheat where I had no control over what I ate, but every other day has been GREAT!! I'm not hungry at all- I am fighting cravings tonight because there's something in my brain asking for something sweet and cakey, but I'm not hungry. I just want to eat it.

I'm waiting for the SF jello to set. LOL.

Why did I wait so long to do this?!! I'm eating better than I ever have before.

I'm in ketosis- I got the funny breath and the symptoms of the Atkins flu. Yay!!! I've lost weight- I can tell in my clothes- but I don't know how much yet. According to my old scale, I've gained 3 pounds. However, that can't be true.

I just wanted to squee with others. I'm so happy about how this is going.

[MrsH]

Hello Everyone!!

Robin- Hope your WI went great!!

Barb- We're here for you! It's hard when those at home aren't supporting you. I'm lucky my DH is doing Atkins also, so that makes it a lot easier!

Lily- I hope a specialist can help you find a solution to your problem. I know how uncomfortable it can be!

Kel- Great job on that pound falling OFF!!! Good luck getting some/all of your lost credits back. It sucks losing what you've worked so hard for!

BB- Sorry to hear that you fell off of the bed. Been there done that! Hope that you are feeling better soon! Great job on the loss!!!!!!

Nona- Hi! Great to see you!

Kelly- Hi! I too was on Atkins (in 2004) and got pregnant! I had lost 60 lbs, and luckily only gained 12lbs back while pregnant. However, I put the 60lbs back on plus more after she was born! Good Luck! Wanting to excercise is definately a great thing!

Freedom- Hi and welcome! Good luck with your W-I. Hope your SF jello is yummy!!

Well, today is day 8, and it's all been cheat-free! I am so proud of myself! I had some cravings for something sweet today, but kept telling myself "Nothing tastes as good, as being thin feels!". It seems to be working, because those cravings went right away! I weighed-in last night and was down 9lbs. I'm sure most of it's water, but I'll take it!

I'm so glad to be back on these boards. They really give me so much encouragement! Good Luck Everyone!

[Arkansas Kel]

Lily: Are we behind you or what. I just have to say this. We’ve gone from pup watch to poop watch! Only real friends would make that trip with you!

Barb, If you NO LONGER have a gall bladder, which is what I understood, than how can Atkins cause gall bladder problems now? Usually the solution for gall bladder disease is to remove it! Now, I don’t know that Atkins causes gall bladder problems, I have heard high fat can flare it up if it’s already a problem. Maybe that’s the problem you had.

Would like to recommend Hood Carb Countdown milk. A cup at breakfast works in fairly easily carb wise – it comes in fat free, low fat, whole, and CHOCOLATE. Also, there are some recipes to make “milk” with cream and other things added in. Walmart where I go carries fat free, low fat and chocolate. I had to give up the whole version cause they stopped carrying it! My husband thinks the chocolate rules. I cook with it some too. Works great in recipes.

F&L, for sweet and cakey check into the 1 minute muffin recipe on the recipe area. It rocks, for real. It’s unreal easy and then – WOW yummy. My only suggestion – must use a mug – I boiled one over in a smaller cup! It’s a must try. Would be good with that carb countdown milk!

Mrs. H, WAY TO GO! Rock on sister. And as for water loss - a large component of fat is (drum roll please) WATER. So if you lose fat - yep, ya gotta lose some water too! We're just bags of water to begin with - all that extra fat includes a lot of extra water too!

Well, I thus far don't regret the ticker change - it was a 2 lb adjustment from 233 to 235, gave me a more even number and it is accurate from a few months probably before starting atkins. It is accurate to the before pic I posted.

NOW, I woke up tonight and guess what. In my sleep today the whoosh fairy visited! YES YES YES. I’m down 2 more lbs.

[carolr3639]

BB and Barb, I had to switch to the soy milk because I had blood calcium problems in the past and the Westsoy unsweetened only had 4% calium per cup. Then one day I notice it was 1 gm net carb and 4 gm fiber. I thought that was quite a deal.

[RobinW]

Just a quick hello this morning

weigh-in was very discouraging! The lb I had lost during the week is back....so I have no weightloss for the week I cant really explain why that lb is back except to say tom arrived this morning....and Im still holding alot of water! So, I'll give 2 more days before I change up my eating habits again.

Alright Im off........have a great day ladies!

[lilybelle]

Hi everyone, Thanks so much for the support ladies and sticking with me from "pup watch to poop watch" LOL. I feel good today. Managed to have a decent dinner last night. My wt. is down and I am ready to kick up the exercise. I made that mashed cauliflower last night for the first time and me and DH both liked it.

I'm going to get some of that soy milk the next time I buy groceries. I don't like the sound of it, but may be able to stomach it. I'm now chewing 4 fiber choice tabs daily and not taking any harsh laxatives. My appt. with gastroenterologist is in April.(the earliest I could get in).

Mrs. H, wtg on the 9 lbs. that is awesome. If I lose wt. it counts, no matter what. I don't care if it's water or what. It's lbs.

Robin , sorry you are discouraged with WI, I'm sure it's TOM and will go down. I used to go up 5 lbs. with TOM.

BB, sorry to hear you fell out of bed. Hope you're on the mend. Not long ago, we heard a big thump in my son's room. Ran to check and see what happened. He's 21 and had fell out of bed. It didn't even wake him up. We woke him and had him get back in bed. He didn't remember it even happening.

Kel, I don't mind the lecture. I know I have a problem and it's scary. I'm trying to get help for it. If the problem recurs, I'm going to see my OB/GYN that I'm friends with and have her get me to a gastro. Dr. on more of an emergency basis. I'm sure she'd do this for me. (we worked L&D together for yrs.).