Atkins - New to forum but not to Atkins

Hi everyone, I just registered and posted on the introductions forum here.

I lost 30 lbs. on Atkins about 20 years ago but then gained 60 lbs. when I was put on medication after I lost a child in an accident 4 years ago. The medication severely altered my metabolism and nothing I did would stop the weight gain so I went off the medication, repeatedly attempted to do Atkins and could not get it to work for me again.

So started researching on the net and trying various things and discovered that unlike 20 years ago, I can no longer use artificial sweeteners like I could in the past and learned that I have to limit myself to 3 packs of splenda daily in order for Atkins to work again. But that's okay...I'm thrilled that I finally got it to work again, after many frustrating and failed attempts.

I've lost 31 lbs. in a little over 5 months and have 29 lbs more to get to goal....back to where I was before I gained the 60 lbs. My dream is to have reached goal by August, when my oldest son is getting married.

I love Atkins and it works for me...because I am not a picky eater, love my veggies and my main problem with diets is being hungry. But that's never a problem for me on Atkins. Plus, I feel fabulous on Atkins, mood and energy-wise. Of course, this time, with the strict limit on sweeteners, a few of the options available to me 20 years ago are out. But that's fine...I'm so grateful to have a functioning metabolism again and living without certain options is not the end of the world and I'm discovering all sorts of delicious ways to prepare all the veggies I love and they are now my new desserts.

So, wanted to introduce myself over here because I'm a very devoted Atkins gal.

hello and welcome, its been a bit quiet on here this week not sure why think you lot over the pond are gearing up for halloween or something.

i find when i can satisfy my sweet cravins with sugar free jelly. (jello to you) i pour double cream over and its great later on in the phases i get the 70% cocoa chocolate and break off 2 squares and rough grate it over the cream and jelly and its fabulous.

the reason you feel like you have so much energy on atkins is because its artificially increases your fitness level. for my Bachelors degree dissertation i studied the affects of atkins on Lactate threshold and found is rose by nearly 0.5 kph so there by making you "fitter". for the duration of ketosis, as you get on through the phases and add more carbs this inflations reduces back to normal. reason? well not sure never got that deep into it. i also found that my subjects who were running using the borg rpe (perceived rate of exercise) thought they were working less hard after 10 days of induction than they did after the initial pre atkins tests.


anyway if your still awake after that glad your here i drop in nearly every day so will be around. i've lost 32lb from peak and i'm hoping to drop a further 10lb in the next 4 weeks for my graduation photos. its a big ask i know but i'm pushing myself hard to get it done. after that the aim is in english 18st then 16.5st or 252, and 231 to you. then the end goal is not a weight but to get into some 34-36 jeans.

Hi slimmingsi and thanks for the welcome.

After having my metabolism shut down on me due to medication and then spending months trying to research why I was having problems with Atkins after stopping the medication, I've become quite fascinated with learning all the intricacies of carbohydrate metabolism, etc.

The problem with artificial sweeteners is that although the packet says 0 carbs, it turns out that due to the addition of maltodextrin (to make it powdered), it's actually more than 0 but less than 1, so they round it off to 0....so multiple packets will add up the carbs. But I even tried the liquid splenda and even without the maltodextrin, my body seemed to recognize it as a carb.

However, what I've been doing is sticking to a rather spartan induction and adding in new foods, like nuts, for example, much more slowly than I did 20 years ago and I've noticed that by going much more slowly, I can maintain the ketosis. To me, it seems like it's just taking time for my metabolism to return to normal but I'm hoping that by going slowly, I will be able to eventually add things like sugar-free jello. I've had to adjust things a bit due to the alteration in metabolism I suffered due to the medication I was on.

But like I mentioned, I am SO thrilled to finally get the diet to work again, that having to modify it and live without sweets seems a small price to pay. I always took my metabolism for granted...until I lost it.

And to be honest, I remember 20 years ago, developing a craving for the Atkin's bars, especially the coconut/chocolate ones...so I'm probably better off not eating sweets at all. I'm amazed at how after a few days, I literally stopped craving or even thinking about anything sweet.

i avoid the atkins bars and splenda like they are the plauge. i like lean meats whole eggs (although they will be dropped infavour of egg whites soon) hard cheese and whole leave salads.

where ever possible i avoid refined foods by working to the simple rule of can't pronounce the ingredient don't eat it. and second one, if you can pronounce it but don't know what it is or where it comes from don't eat it.

its not perfect but its a good general rule.

oh if your into studying the metabolism and you fancy reading up on things read up on the kreb cycle this is how the body metabolises fat. i.e what the aktins diet does.

most important part is the need to consume carbs to burn fat! this is where people go wrong they don't get the 20g of carbs a day and so the system shuts down.

:D Hehe...if you can't pronounce it, don't eat it. That sounds like a great rule. Most likely an added chemical you don't need.

I do mainly fish and chicken, as I care for my dad and that's what he likes. Also eggs, cheese....but I always make sure to get at least 15 Gm. of net carbs. I adore roasting and steaming veggies. Roasting brings out the sweetness. I toss cubed eggplant and a few sliced peppers with olive oil and a little salt and roast it...delicious. I also steam broccoli, spinach, or cauliflower...add butter and a little feta and shredded cheddar...and saute sliced mushrooms in butter and add a bit of feta and cheddar. Delicious. These veggies are my treats for the day.

I love this diet because I'm never hungry. I also like that thanks to the adequate fat, I don't get that drawn-in-the-face look....where it looks like you're losing all you're weight in your face...which can be quite disheartening.

You're right...better off without the splenda altogether, really. Much easier living without sweet cravings. Why are you only using egg whites? Worried about cholesterol?

egg whites are alot lighter i find egg yolk really heavy going to eat and it can make me feel like i've eaten alot more than i have.

the reason you don't feel hungry is because you are in effect eating yourself so when the body feels pekish it just stripps off a few grams of fat here and there.

i'm not a big veg fan never have been so i force the leave salad down. usually i melt some creme frachie in a pot and mix in quaterof a teaspoon of mustard and drizzel it over the salad.

Have you ever tried roasted vegetables? If I was in the UK, I would make you some veggie dishes and you might love a few of them.:D Do you like to cook? Are there ANY veggies you like? I could think up some nice recipes for you.

This morning the scale said 162 lbs...which would be a total loss of 33 lbs. but that doesn't mean I'm 162 yet. The scale will bounce around between 164 and 162 for a few days, most likely...until it settles at that weight. I've noticed that the pattern is that every few days, I will breach a lower number...but it takes a few days of bouncing a bit....and then it will breach an even lower number...and gradually moves down in that jumpy way.

I don't so much go by the scale as I do by the ketosis sticks. For me, if I'm not spilling ketones, I'm gaining and not losing. I read on the Atkins site that some people lose weight, even if they are not spilling ketones...but it doesn't work that way for me, I've noticed.

It's so interesting to me how different diets work for different people and how much variation there can be when it comes to individual metabolism. For instance, low calorie just doesn't work for me....and I've spent years trying different sorts of diets. Yet, I cannot argue with the fact that so many here have had amazing success with low calorie diets. I'm such a huge advocate of Atkins and on one level, can't understand why everyone wouldn't choose it. But from reading here so much, I realize how different we all are in terms of what works for us....and have to acknowledge that not everyone sees it like I do.

On low calorie diets, not only was I ravenous all the time, but I never had much success....except for the Cambridge diet back in the early 80's...but that was only 331 cals/day, if I remember correctly, so anyone would be bound to lose weight on that....but I was constantly starving on it.

But on this diet, I'm never hungry....never. I have to almost force myself to eat the amount I'm supposed to. In fact, I'd probably have lost more by now if I'd managed to force in the amount of food I should be eating. Basically, the way I see it, we are trading in carbs for the ability to eat very high calorie, filling foods. If I took what I eat daily now, and added in a tiny piece of cake or a piece of bread, I'd gain weight. Yet, keeping those carbs out, I can lose weight on those exact same foods.

My metabolism is apparently extremely sensitive to carbs. I did this exact same eating but was using too much artificial sweetener and instead of losing, I was gaining. And also not spilling ketones. Yet, remove all but 3 packets of splenda a day and suddenly, I was losing....on the exact same food. Yet, 20 years ago, I could use the additional splenda...and even equal...and still lose weight on the diet. My metabolism changed...probably due to getting older and the medication I was on a few years ago.

It's the perfect diet for me...once I tweaked it by cutting way down on the splenda. But as I can see from reading here....it's not what works for everyone. Others have amazing success with diets that did not work for me.

on 331 cals a day you would be starving because you are literally starving in the true definition of the term. 1200 a day is the min recommneded to get all you vitamins and minerals.

the main secret to atkins is it is a low calorie diet. a ketone is a partially burnt fat molecule. a gram of fat is around 9 calories but a ketones as a partially burnt fat means that your not getting 9 calories off it. so you can eat 1500 a day but you wont burn that much.

its like serving a plate of 600 calories but leaving some on the plate when you finish. what you put in isn't what you get

Shoot, had a whole reply typed out and lost it somehow...not even sure how I did that. Trying to remember what I'd written.

Yes, 331 cal./day would be starvation mode. I can't even believe I still remember that number, 331, all these years later. I ended up modifying the Cambridge diet, as I was okay with just the shakes while running around at work all day, but could not fall asleep at night due to being so ravenous. So I would take a small can of tuna packed in water and mix it with FF mayo, just so I could sleep at night. Did lose weight...as this was still very low calorie....but not a good diet to prepare you to maintain the weight loss.

When I did Atkins 20-some years ago, I was able to maintain the weight for many years until they put me on a medication and I suddenly shot up 60 lbs...which is a huge amount of weight for my height.

To be honest, I don't know how other people do it. I could not even bend over to tie my sneakers and breathe at the same time and I was SO uncomfortable in regular clothing. As soon as I'd get home, I would immediately change into loose, elastic-waist, lounging-type clothing...just to be able to breathe and be comfortable. How horrible I looked became even secondary to how uncomfortable I felt. I'd never been close to this weight unless I was pregnant.....and of course, being pregnant has it's own issues when it comes to being uncomfortable...but that's to be expected....and is temporary.

I should never have stayed on the medication as long as I did....but the doctor kept making me feel that it was me doing something wrong and not the medication. In reality, the medication was actually decreasing my appetite and I should have been losing weight....but instead, just kept gaining and nothing I did would stop it. So I finally insisted on stopping the medication.....just wish I'd done it sooner...and had incurred less damage. It literally shut down my metabolism.

I have SO much sympathy for people who have to be on medications that alter their metabolism. People just don't realize how some of these medications can do this until it happens to them. They think that if you just watch what you eat, it shouldn't be a problem.....but with some of these meds, no matter what you do, you can't control the weight gain.

I could also kick myself for not figuring out this artificial sweetener problem sooner. It seems so simple, looking back now. I could not figure out why the heck I could not get Atkins to work again. I have noticed, when reading around here, that different people have mentioned that it's difficult doing the same diet again (a second time, years later)....and it makes me wonder if sometimes, this might not just be some alteration in metabolism that happened and the person just needs to tweak a few things to get it to work again.

At the time, I was completely frustrated and confused....but once I figured out what the problem was, it seemed ridiculous that I'd not figured it out sooner....and wasted so much time.

as far as my studies on physiology have gone metabolism has no memory. if you do a diet and have a break long enough for the body to adjust to a new one it wont remember the before. it just adapts to what is in front of it.

the reason the atkins works based on the theory of our ancient diet is not a memory of life as hunter gatherers its simply that we havn't evolved fast enough to keep up with the diet.

the reason i believe people say its difficult years after the first attempt is 2 fold 1 lifestyel 2 as you age your metabolism slows.

when they were younger maybe had no kids etc or young kids (lots of running around) now they are older lower metabolism not got the same active lifestyle so the weight comes off slower and hence more disappointing and disheartening.

its not possible nor practical to compare your body years after the first attempt due to wear and tear.

Hi Deena,

Just to let you know that I'm doing low carb (not really Atkins, but around 30g carbs / day) and I'm doing it without any artificial sweeteners (well, without any sweeteners at all).

Many years ago I switched to whole foods and mainly organics, and now I am hooked on that way of eating so it didnt make sense for me to go back to chemicals once I cut out carbs. My taste buds have adjusted just fine.

There are several articles that suggest that for some people, your body sends out insulin based on a sweet taste, even if it doesn't turn out to be sugar. The effect may not be as great as for real sugar, but for some people I suspect those insulin surges can impact weight even on a low carb diet.

Hi Sarah,

I was so thrilled to see your post here...I've read your entire blog and have been keeping up with it. You're a very courageous person and I really admire you. I've really enjoyed your blog...you write well, you have an amazing life and I love your perspective and outlook. It's been very comforting to me to read it, for some reason. I suspect it's simply because of who you are and how you live your life. I'm so thrilled that this diet is working for you too.

I love this diet for so many reasons...the primary ones being that I'm rarely hungry and it works so well (for me). BTW, I love all your veggie dishes and recipes you've described. I'm in veggie heaven...trying all sorts of new ones and developing recipes for them. I made a savoy cabbage soup yesterday...delicious.

But another reason I love it is that the weight comes off my body is such better dimensions. On low-cal, I would get drawn in the face initially...it would look like I was losing all my weight in my face and I'd think, "oh great, now my face is smaller and it makes my body look even bigger".
I'm rather short so I wear men's levi jeans and at 195 lbs. I was in size 40" waist. Today, I am wearing a pair of 34" waist jeans (levi's). Technically, still being above 160 (I was 161.5 lbs. this morning....but it will jump around for a few days before it actually settles at that weight)...I should NOT be fitting into these yet. I wore size 34" quite a bit in the past and they should not be fitting me until I'm below about 155 lbs. I'm amazed at how well they're fitting me.....and I'm thinking that it's the way I've been burning the fat off my body. I've remained in small to moderate ketosis every day so I know it's fat that I'm burning.

From past experience, I should be fitting into 32" waist jeans when I reach goal at 135 lbs.....so I should surely NOT be fitting into these 34's only half-way to goal. I would not have fit into them at this weight years ago. But I never had this much weight to lose before. At my highest pregnant weight, I was 174. Never in my wildest dreams (nightmares) did I ever think I'd hit 195 lbs. I don't think I've fully gotten over the shock of it even to this day. I don't remember looking at myself in a full mirror once that entire time....I must have just blocked it out.

Back in the 90's I used Atkin's to lose the 30 lbs. but this time, I've had to use it to lose twice that much and it's so interesting to me how the weight is coming off.....and that I'm fitting into a size pants I could not have at this weight in the past.

I know I need to cool it....I am such a huge proponent/cheerleader for this diet that I want to go out into the world and tell everyone how great it is. But I've learned that different things work for different people.....and I've been amazed to read all the success stories here on such a huge variety of different diets.
It's funny though...nothing sells like success. Yesterday, in my now-fitting 34" jeans, my neighbor stopped me and wants me to give her all the info on Atkins induction. When I first started this a little over 5 months ago, she sorta scoffed at it, saying she couldn't eat that much protein. I tried to tell her I eat a normal amount of protein but she didn't seem that interested. Suddenly now...she is.:D Go figure.

After thinking about it....I'm thinking I should knock even the 3 packs of splenda out and adjust to unsweetened coffee. Everything else I'm eating is so healthy...why add those chemicals into it? Sounds like a good idea to me, now that you mentioned it. Thank you.:)

Hi Slimmingsi~

It's so interesting that you brought up the diet of our ancestors. I've given quite a bit of thought to the rationale of Atkins in terms of what our ancestors ate....that we came from omnivores (possibly even carnivores at an earlier point)....not herbivores.
But I didn't stop to think about evolutionary adaptation to diet. I'm wondering, though....do you think the human body would be able to adapt to the diet of highly processed foods many eat today? So that it would not cause all the negative health consequences?

I went to nursing school back in the 70's and was working in a hospital by the late 70's....and I cannot believe the huge epidemic of diabetes in this country since then. And not just diabetes, but insulin-dependent diabetes. It's almost unbelievable. I mean, I know that was 30-40 years ago....but the explosion of insulin-dependent diabetes in that short a time span is really horrifying.

Just the basics, in terms of physiology, that I learned was that eating large quantities of simple sugars can overwork the pancreas. Initially, a pre-cursor to diabetes can be hypoglycemia...where the pancreas releases too much insulin (the first signs that the pancreas is beginning to malfunction) and this rapidly drops the blood sugar and one can become lethargic, diaphoretic, develop a headache....and also become very hungry again...very quickly. As the pancreas malfunctions more, the person can become diabetic....with the pancreas either unable to release adequate insulin or unable to release any at all.

I am truly beginning to suspect that eating all these processed carbs and simple sugars are doing far more harm than the fat that was blamed as the huge culprit. The last time I did Atkins, I used margarine....this time, it's butter. I can't believe that I somehow thought margarine was healther....a fat is a fat...why alter it with chemicals? At this point....I'm not even 100% sure that all this stuff about healthy versus unhealthy fats is true. I'm hoping they do more studies on this. It's amazing how dietary recommendations have changed over the years....sometimes completely reversing prior recommendations.

I just FEEL so much better on Atkins...mood and energy-wise. I feel so sluggish and crappy when I eat any significant amounts of carbs. Is this just me or am I actually eating more like my ancestors did and that's why I feel better? Or am I just sensitive to carbs and should permanently stay the heck away from too many of them? Or maybe my body never adapted (evolutionary-wise) to a high-carb diet most eat?

OK...I'm writing a book here, I fear. Will wrap this up for now.:)

Simple answer? nature will always adapt. yes we will adapt to the highly refined diet but if you think we are not adapting at the moment very well to this diet and we are talking the best part of 4-500 years since sugar as in the stuff in a bag first hit the diet.

if we still havn't full adapted to refined sugar after half a millenia then i don't see us evolving to the modern diet this side of the year 3000, but by then no doubt some wonderful on demand internal body nuclear power implant will take over from food.

WOO-HOO! Scale said 161.3 lbs. this morning!!

Of course, I'm not setting my heart on this number, as it will likely bounce around for a few days.....but things are going swimmingly, as the numbers continue to edge downward.

I didn't get enough fat yesterday and this morning it showed...only trace ketones. I was craving soup and ended up eating my veggies (savoy cabbage) cooked in a home-made chicken broth....ergo, not enough fat. Normally, my veggies are steamed with butter and often cheese, added....or bathed in olive oil and a bit of salt and then roasted in the oven (ie: eggplant).

I also have a tendency to love raw fish, but of course, one cannot slather butter on raw salmon and eat it raw. I will defrost a nice piece of salmon and impulsively want to eat it raw....but know I need the butter....so will cook it in order to get the butter/fat in for the day.

So I have to be sure to eat something with either butter or mayo on it today to get that ketosis back above trace.

Gosh, I just love this diet. I want to go out and spread the message but know not to do that. I'll read so many posts on various forums here where people are stalling on other diets, esp. the calorie counting ones.....and want to recommend Atkins...but restrain myself.:D
Because I also see that so many have been extremely successful at low cal diets and know Atkins isn't for everyone.

I mean...who knows...perhaps I am truly a carb addict and that's why I feel so fabulous on this diet and why it works so well for me. That doesn't mean everyone else is a carb addict like I might be or has my exact same metabolic issues, whatever they may be.
I see people on these low carb diets yet the carbs are much higher than what is allowed on Atkins....and I cannot for the life of me figure out how they are working for these people. If I was eating that amount of carbs, I would be totally stalling....I know this for a fact...I've tinkered with this diet quite a bit and know what works and what doesn't.

I had a BIL and SIL who went on Atkins quite a few years ago and both lost quite a bit of weight......yet she was eating peanut butter and having one can of regular soda daily and he was drinking beer......yet they lost weight. I never could figure out how they managed to do that.....all I can figure out is that perhaps it was not the metabolic effect of Atkins but that they were actually eating less calories than normal....that did it. I surely could never use Atkins successfully and eat peanut butter and have a can of regular soda a day. That would NEVER work for me.

Slimmingsi~
I fear a great many folks are gonna drop dead too early in life thanks to their diets. Did you see that movie "Super-size Me" by Morgan Spurlock? You can see it on youtube....in its entirety. Very interesting to see how a pure McDonald's diet for only one month had such a negative effect on his health and his blood-work. And I know for a fact that there are many people who eat a huge percentage of their meals using fast food places. It's cheap and it's filling.......and apparently, also addictive.

I think it would take decades to adapt to this sort of diet, if it was even possible......and meanwhile, many will get diabetes and other health problems and die an early death due to all this processed food....high in sugar and chemicals.

yes i did see it, however i all read a research paper done in i think sweden that did the same thing and got totally different results and with a larger sample size. interesting film about supersize but as for it being scientific enough to be at all relevant i think not

Slimmingsi~

Well, I wouldn't say that the results are COMPLETELY irrelevant...but they do have to be taken with a grain of salt....as in all fairness, who eats ONLY McDonald's every single day, every single meal? If he'd even added a regular salad daily or exercised a little more....it could have altered the results.
They did show that one guy who ate Big Mac's daily and seemed relatively fine....but who knows what else he ate during the day? Perhaps the rest of his diet was healthy. He did say that he rarely ate the fries. And perhaps he got adequate exercise. There are so many other etiologies to factor in to get a fair picture.

For me...the relevant part would be mainly related to the percentage of the population who cannot afford good, healthy food (or think they can't) and eat a diet high in processed foods and fast foods....because it's cheap and filling. I found the part of the film related to the contracts that public schools here have with companies that provide unhealthy food choices to school children very interesting. I'd not known much about that until I saw the film.

I mean, I certainly don't want to become some sort of extremist or anything...I tend to be an "in moderation" type of person. But I do find that when I'm eating healthy....I will begin to look at some of the junk people are buying (when I'm at the grocery store) and it begins to look like just pure sugar and chemicals to me and I can't see the sense in eating it....or feeding it to your family and children. I doubt I'd ever go overboard with the raw foods or the organic foods, etc.....but heck, store-brand frozen veggies are quite inexpensive and often on sale and very affordable. I think alot of it is education....many of these folks just do not realize how unhealthy some of these choices are and that there are ways to eat more healthy food choices that are affordable.

Sorry for being MIA so long....was tied up with family stuff, including being responsible for the annual family Thanksgiving dinner for around 40, which I've done for approx. 30 years. It's a huge and time-consuming undertaking every year for me.....and quite difficult now with having to care for my dad...as he becomes progressively in need of more and more care.

I was going to post that I am still jumping around in the 155-156 lb. range....but just looked back and saw that I was at 161 lbs. when I was last here. It's funny....but when I bounce around in the same weight range for a while, it seems like it's been forever....but I can see that I have actually been moving downward. It just doesn't seem like it when you keep hovering at one approx. level for days or even weeks. So today was 156.3 this am. but I weighed in pj's and a robe. The scale had even gone down to 154.9 a few days ago...but is right now just bouncing around within this 155-156 range.

What's also funny is that looking back, my other successful dieting endeavors all happened while going through the holidays and I always had no problem with this....though I know many do. For some reason, the glut of foods everywhere makes it easier for me to diet....not sure why. Might be because of me having to do so much cooking over the holidays and all the cooking smells make me lose my appetite. Several years, I thought I would gag if I had to smell turkey roasting one more time. This year, it's the smell of all the onions I sauteed for the dressing....I can still smell it, despite burning numerous scented candles and scrubbing down the entire kitchen.

I did have 2 temptations, which I did resist...but they were: 1) this pumpkin pie spiced bread pudding I made for my dad using challah...and it smelled so delicious....and 2) this chocolate cake at the Thanksgiving dinner. It was this huge dark chocolate cake from Costco, with huge shavings of dark chocolate on it and it looked meltingly delicious when they cut into it....and everyone was swooning at how luscious it was for a store-bought cake. My sons brought back huge slices of it and they've been sitting in the fridge. I've not had ANY sugar or anything with sugar in it for over 6 months....and these two items have been the only two things that made me stop and take notice.:D Other than them, I've been relatively oblivious of sweets...once I went through about a 2 day detox off sugar back at the beginning.

It was very nice to finally show up for the annual family Thanksgiving at a relatively normal weight. In fact....the one photo I have that would qualify as my "before" photo is one taken of me at Thanksgiving back in 2006 (if I can figure out a way to get the photo scanned in). It's the ONLY photo of myself I allowed to be taken of me at 195 lbs....though I'm wearing a man's shirt big enough to practically camouflage my body...it's me and two of my sisters in my sister's kitchen.....and I couldn't very well be so ungracious as to refuse to allow the photo to be taken back then (though I wasn't thrilled about it at the time....but now it at least gives me ONE "before" photo...otherwise, there would have been none).

Family gatherings (Thanksgiving, weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, etc.) are the classic times when all the women in the family compare our weights.....women are like that....checking each other out to see who is heavier or skinnier. I'm sure other women here can relate to that. So when heavy......we women dread these family gatherings....and usually make them our goal points (ie: I HAVE to lose 40 lbs. by Thanksgiving, etc.). This is the FIRST Thanksgiving in at least 3-4 years, that I was not dreading...because I was STILL heavy.....so that was a BIG deal to me, at least. Having to do that whole dinner yet again was stressful, of course....but at least I wasn't dreading the "showing up heavy again" thing....which was a huge help.

One thing that happened while I was MIA was that I discovered that almonds seem to be the nuts with the least net carbs.....is this true? I've been using these Marcona almonds as crunchy snacks here and there. I calculated all the usual nuts....and almonds and macadamias seem to have significantly less net carbs than....cashews, pistachios, etc. I'm not a huge fan of macadamias....but do like the Marcona almonds. Peanuts are sorta in the middle....though I'm not a huge peanut lover either.
Pork rinds were always the option I'd use if I was out somewhere and needed something fast and easy to eat on the run....but I'd rather eat something healthier so I've substituted almonds.

Sorry for the long absence. I see I returned in the nick of time, as someone decided to advertise watches on my thread here.:D Time to get the thread back on track again. How is everyone else doing?

deena

This morning, the scale said 154.4 lbs. (woot!).....but shoot, just when I finally got my son to make me a ticker yesterday, the number's not exactly right. I need to be less OCD and enjoy the fact that my posts now have all sorts of pretty blue decorations....between the sparkly avatar and the ticker....both of which I love. Not to mention the fact that the scale, as usual, will be bouncing around for a few days and could easily show 155 or even 156 until it eventually settles in at 154 and then begins fixin' to go even lower....so better to have the ticker a little high...until I stabilize at the lower number.

I LOVE my new ticker.....but I can see that it may tend to rattle my perfectionist tendencies....since the numbers will probably rarely be accurate on every single day.:D

However...now that this whole ticker/accuracy issue has occurred to me...it reminds me of how fascinated I've been with this whole fluctuation/bouncing around issue when it comes to the scale. AND the whole fluid balance/water weight issue.
Yesterday, I spent some time here reading a section on this "metabolic research center" diet (it's on the main page but lower than this section). I have to say....this particular diet looks like a variation/step-child of the Atkin's diet but IMHO....is MUCH more expensive and much more difficult to follow and to adhere to....but then, I have already freely admitted to being a huge Atkin's cheerleader so of course, I am somewhat biased.

I don't know if the rest of you are familiar with this diet...but it's one that you have to go to a center and pay quite a large fee, use these special mixes (along with limited regular food) and drink these shake mixes between meals....but it's modeled on a low carb/low calorie concept. There are many more restrictions than we have on Atkins (it seems to me).

Here's the part that kinda flummoxes me......they can have a very limited amount of certain (low-calorie) bread and these tortillas. Now, from my experience.....low carbing seems to be an all or none phenomenon, based on metabolic principles (which Dr. Atkins explained in great detail in his books). And this is ABSOLUTELY how it works for me.
Strict limiting of carbs equals amazing success but just add one bad carb and it throws the whole thing off.
So......I have never been able to understand all these low-carb step-children of the Atkin's diet.......where they allow certain NO-NO carbs. To me....this should surely blow the entire metabolic concept. I can't even figure out how they even get these diets to work, to be honest. In fact....this MRC/metabolic research diet...to me....seems to work more on a low-calorie principle than a low carb principle. And I cannot figure out why one would want to strictly limit carbs and strictly limit calories at the same time....as this results in a VERY spartan diet.....where one is, IMO, really depriving oneself. Especially when, instead, one can enjoy the nice luxuries of butter, mayo, etc.

Like I said, I am a HUGE Atkin's advocate....so maybe it's just me. And I have also freely admitted that I can see that different diets work for different people....I get that. And I also get that maybe this diet doesn't work quite as well for others as it does for me.

But I've noticed that I often feel like a frustrated cheerleader/advocate when I read some of the other sections here. I want to cry out, "WHY would you SO restrict yourself just to add in this one tortilla...not to mention mess-up the whole metabolic burn concept.....when you could be eating much more food and much richer food....and probably losing even faster?"

What can I say? I like to spread the joy and the success....and hate to see anyone struggle. Maybe, as I continue to read more and more sections here and learn more....I'll get a better understanding and calm down.:D

Oh...and what does this have to do with fluid balance? (I tend to veer off on tangents at times...sorry about that). There was a whole post there written about this issue....explaining that when we gain weight, we increase our number of fat cells. And that when we lose weight, these fat cells decrease in size but never decrease in number. AND that the body, during dieting, feels compelled to maintain the size of these fat cells....so will fill them with water in order to compensate...temporarily.
This was an entirely new concept to me.....this compensation based on wanting to temporarily maintain the size of the fat cells....and I want to learn more about it. I just happened to find it in that particular section of the forum.
I'm really very interesting in learning as much as I can about this whole phenomenon.....and in all things having to do with metabolism, fluid and electrolyte balance, etc...related to weight loss.

deena:)

heya welcome, i personally havent followed the atkins but know people who have and found it unsustainableand went carb mad when they came off it , if it works for you then great but from what ive heard its not good long term. I think its important to have all food groups n from what ive heard atkins doesnt favour carbs.

Im on the slimming world plan and whats great about it is you can have as much of the free foods as u wish its a very filling and satisfying plan and you loose weight once more its all healthy hearty food from all food groups.


Each to their own at end of the day , and i wish u luck on achieving your weightloss goals however there are other plans out there you may reap more benifits from

Best wishes Lucky

Hi lucky8....so nice to meet you.:)

I've not heard of the slimming world plan and would love to read up on it. Is there an area here on this site that relates to this specific program? I will google it so I can learn about it.

Back in the early 1990's, I used the Atkin's diet to lose the weight I'd gained from 3 pregnancies (between 1980 and 1988). I was able to maintain at my goal weight for around 10 years without much problem. Then I gained around 60 lbs. when I was put on a medication, in 2005/2006 after my youngest son was killed in an auto accident. This medication totally shut-down my metabolism and against medical advice, I finally stopped it....but it took me approx. 3-4 years to get the Atkin's diet to work again for me....as apparently, my body was now recognizing artificial sweetener as real sugar (or something along those lines) and I had to severely limit the use of it in order to get the diet to work again this second time.
The medication was not a medically necessary one and looking back, I think the doctor simply did not like the idea that I was disagreeing with him and decided to balk and kept insisting that the medication wasn't the problem.....and that somehow, me being depressed over my son's death was responsible. The reality was that the horrific weight gain was seriously compounding the depression...and the medication was therefore just making things worse for me. Unfortunately, I'm not the most assertive person out there and really wished I'd put my foot down much earlier than I did and had stopped the medication before so much damage was done. But then...I could also have stayed on even longer and multiplied the damage....so I try to look on the bright side.

But the point I was trying to make amidst all this rambling was that I was able to maintain the weight loss for approx. 10 years.
Now...what I basically did was 1) added all sorts of fruits back in and 2) made a strict rule that if/whenever I gained back 5 lbs., I would immediately go back on strict Atkin's induction and lose it. Of course, it wasn't quite as simple as that......as of course, I did allow myself the no-no carbs in moderation (ie: bread, pizza, cake, etc.).....and this was quite tricky, as "moderation" can be a very vague term and difficult to really specify with accuracy. I mean, it can be difficult enough, even when strictly adhering to strict induction, to track your weight loss accurately....due to all the small fluctuations and bounces that occur. This is why I decided on my 5 lb. rule....and this seemed to work well for me.

I have tried to reflect on why this specific diet has always worked so well for ME.....and to also reflect on my particular quirks, etc....that might make me understand why other diets work much better for other people...but not for me. For one thing, I am not a picky eater and have always tended to eat and to like a lot of healthy foods (esp. fruits and veggies). MY huge bugaboo, when it comes to diets...is being HUNGRY. In other words, THAT is way more important to me than what things I can and cannot have/eat. I also think that I am definitely a carb addict....because I always physically feel SO much better when I don't eat simple/refined carbs. In fact, I almost feel that I may be allergic/intolerant to them.....because I feel so much worse when I eat them. This may be a huge factor in terms of why this particular diet works so well for me....perhaps my body/metabolism just works so much better without them. It seems like no matter what diet I've ever tried, if there are simple/refined carbs involved.....things don't go well and I'm not successful on them.

I need to just keep reminding myself that not everyone is like me.:(

It's just that I've had SO many failures (because I have sure tried a number of different diets over the years)....yet this particular diet seems to work so damn well for me. And like I said, I like to spread the happiness and success. If I see anyone struggling...I want to tell them the good news...as if I'm some sort of missionary or something.

Speaking of "picky eaters"....I've been thinking about this topic recently. My oldest son's fiance has gained quite a bit of weight over the past 8 or so years and though my son doesn't seem the least bit bothered by this (which I love...as I like to think I raised my sons to value WHO someone is, not what that someone looks like). But what does bother my son is WHAT she eats. My son is the cook in that relationship. He loves to cook and she doesn't. And he's rather a "foodie"...loves to try all sorts of exotic recipes and restaurants.....whereas she loves burgers and fries and pretty much always orders the same thing whenever they eat out. Her diet is probably 75-90% carbs.....burgers, fries, cookies, candy, etc. She says she's very unhappy with her weight and I want so badly to help her and keep offering to.....but she is an extremely picky eater and says she hates most veggies and doesn't think she could do Atkins.

Then.............I recently happened to be reading a particular xanga journal...written by this lovely woman who happens to be very overweight. Her journal has nothing to do with weight or diets or anything of that nature, but I observed, while reading, that she's an extremely picky eater. So picky, in fact, that it causes some difficulty with some extended family members she is living with. She's extremely picky about eating what they cook for meals and one of them is bothered by this.

So....this made me start wondering.....do overweight people tend to be picky eaters? Or is the opposite true? Because often, people seem to be of the opinion that overweight people will eat anything and everything....that this is what is causing them to be overweight in the first place. People who don't have problems with their weight can often be highly opinionated...and often unfairly so....and make all sorts of assumptions that are prejudicial and often, untrue....and unfair.

But...I've been wondering about this lately.....mainly because I've had the experience, so many times, where I would attempt to explain the Atkins diet to someone who really wanted to lose weight.....and they would reject the idea, mainly due to what boils down to the fact that they were very picky eaters and had a big problem with the restrictions involved in this diet. It's often..."I hate veggies" or "I cannot live without bread at every meal"...and on and on. And I've always been rather befuddled by this, wondering WHY, if someone really wanted to lose weight and here was a diet that would work....they would reject it out of hand due to being such a picky eater. It's always very hard for me to understand because I am so NOT a picky eater...and never have been. However, I HATE being hungry. As long as I am not hungry and am losing weight, I'm 100% happy. The fact that I can't have certain things doesn't even faze me...to me, it's a small price to pay for being able to lose weight without being hungry.

But you have raised an interesting topic.....and I would love to find out, if it's possible....if there are any statistics that relate to the percentage of people who maintain their weight loss....for those who used Atkins, as compared to a whole variety of other diets. I would love to know where Atkins places...in terms of success after reaching goal.

I will go and read up on this slimming world plan.....and then I'll let you know what my opinions are...okay? Thanks so much for visiting me. I'll try to find your threads and pay you a nice visit too.:)

deena

i personally havent followed the atkins but know people who have and found it unsustainableand went carb mad when they came off it , if it works for you then great but from what ive heard its not good long term. I think its important to have all food groups n from what ive heard atkins doesnt favour carbs.


There are so many misconceptions regarding Atkins. Most people believe it is the all you can eat bacon, red meat & butter diet. Its not. Atkins encourages veggies & salads from day 1. If someone is eating only meat, eggs, cheese and a lot of fat.....they are not doing the plan correctly. When done correctly, Atkins is a healthy eating plan....sustainable....and most definitely able to be done safely long term. I'm on Atkins almost 6 years now:)

There are so many misconceptions regarding Atkins.

This is SO very true, JerseyGyrl. I honestly don't eat any more protein than I would normally eat. And most of the protein I do eat is quite healthy, as I love fish, especially. On Atkins, I eat quite a bit of veggies and also a huge variety of veggies. In fact, my veggie dishes are my treats every day....roasted veggies, sauteed and steamed veggies with a bit of butter and cheese...nice salads. On Atkins, I am eating an extremely healthy diet, actually. Once I reach goal and add in a variety of fruits, it will be the perfect daily diet, as far as I'm concerned. I maintained for about 10 years the first time and it was not difficult at all.....and my diet remained very healthy.

You know, I think that some of the misconceptions may be related to how many will promote the program....telling people they can have huge steaks, lobster dripping in butter, eggs and bacon every morning....so it gives the impression that this is what one live on when they're on Atkins.

Sure, one CAN have these items....but this is certainly not the norm for me. In fact, Atkins so controls my hunger that I'm not even sure if I could eat a huge steak...as I'm satisfied with relatively modest portions. That's one of the things I really love about this....all those awful cravings and bingeing tendencies just become a thing of the past for me. In fact, 6 months later, I can't even imagine why I even did those things...or wanted to. My eating habits just gradually change on Atkins...craving, bingeing, etc...all disappear.

Like I said...maybe I'm just a true carb addict and really NEED to eat the Atkins way to feel good...because I sure do feel good when I eat this way. Whenever I was on diets where simple carbs were involved, I was in trouble....constantly hungry, craving, etc. All I can say is that if anyone is like me...this is the perfect diet. Lose weight while you feel great...what's not to love? And I eat an extremely healthy diet....and eat no more protein than what would be normally recommended on any healthy diet. I eat mainly fish, poultry, lots of different veggies, nuts (mainly almonds) and use butter, mayo and cheese as additions but not in huge quantities....but enough so that I'm never hungry.

All these impressions of huge steaks and dripping butter are not what Atkins is about, actually.

deena:)

Well, I am hesitant to even post this....but I got on the scale and it read 153.0. I was shocked myself......and I KNOW it's gonna be several weeks before I actually settle at this weight. I must have dumped some fluid...because I immediately ran to see if my rings fit me...I can generally gauge fluid retention by how my rings fit....and they fit...so I obviously dropped some fluid.

And what's funny...is that I actually expected the scale to be up a little...because I ate more yesterday than I'd planned. My son's girlfriend had gotten sick over Thanksgiving....and could not attend our big family dinner...so we'd decided to cook a little mini-Thanksgiving last night here for her....just me, my dad, my son and his girlfriend. So...she brought the bruschetta and cheesecake she'd made for the big dinner she missed....and I made turkey breast, cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, cranberry sauce.

Meanwhile, I'd already eaten what I'd planned for the day because I'd planned on my dad eating in his room in front of his TV (as usual) and my son and his GF having a cozy little dinner out there alone in the dining room, while I was on the computer in my room....due to unforseen circumstances (a visitor), the dinner ended up to be much later than planned.

BUT....son's GF insisted I eat out there with them....so I took some turkey, a little mayo and also a little of the bruschetta topping (chopped tomatoes, oregano, chopped black olives, olive oil)....and had a small snack with them. And I was kinda upset that I did....as I make it a rule not to eat unless I'm hungry....so wasn't really happy I was kinda breaking this rule....and figured it would show on the scale today.

But that just goes to show you how strange this weight loss thing can be....there have been quite a few times when, due to circumstances, that I've not really eaten as much as I should have.....and the scale will drop due to that. But there are other times when I eat more than I should have....and the scale just might also drop....OR it could go up. OR not eating enough could make it go up a little. It can be very unpredictable....and this fascinates me, to be honest.....just wondering what strange metabolic things are going on in my body.

BUT...because I always stick to plan...meaning never eat foods not allowed...the scale always eventually makes sense...meaning that in retrospect, the weight loss is always at a consistent rate....even though, day-to-day, it looks like it's kinda jumping around all over the place.

But hmm, let me just indulge myself for a minute....153 lbs....subtracted from 195 lbs....equals 42 lbs. lost.....ahh, yes. :carrot:

One other thing I wanted to mention (I really should make a blog since I seem to be randomly pontificating so much)......but I never had a digital scale before. Always had those cheap little scales with the needle that bounced all over the place. And they always seemed to weigh me a bit lower than the scales at the doctor's office.
So...my dad suddenly decided he needed a digital scale (don't ask...long story) and he has Parkinson's disease so we put it in the hall bathroom instead of his because we like to keep his bathroom floor clear for safety...so I took the cheap, "needle" scale, put it in my room and right now, my "too-big" jeans are piled on it. BUT....the digital scale weighs me approx. 4 lbs. heavier than the "needle" scale.....and my "goal" was based on the needle scale, mainly because that was the type of scale I used my whole life and my goal was always based on it. However, the reality might just be that my actual goal of 135 might just be 140....I'm not totally sure...will have to see what I look like when I hit 140.

The main reason I mention this is that....most of my life, it was literally impossible for me to maintain below the 135 of the "needle" scale. I'm not sure if I'm making a "set-point" argument here...but I am very big-boned and have hands like a peasant.....and my body never seemed to want to stay at a weight below what was always my healthy weight....and I was never one to struggle to be any sort of "skinny-minnie"....and was always perfectly satisfied to look normal/good. So...would 135 on the digital scale possibly be over-shooting for me?

I really do have to get my son to take and post some photos here so you guys can tell me. I can carry a lot more weight than more delicately/small-boned women can. It would be easier for me to show you...if I can get him to post some photos here for me. I'd appreciate some input regarding how much more I should lose.....15, 20 or 25 lbs. more? I'll have to work on getting photos posted so I can get some opinions on this. I'm not into the anorectic look or anything....just want to look nice and normal...and don't want to struggle to be less than that. Life is too short and I sure don't want to struggle for something I don't even really want. But let's face it....I'm just like every other women who's struggled with her weight.....so I'm not totally sure what normal is supposed to look like for myself when I look in the mirror, to be honest.

I mean, people are now telling me I look "great". Well, I know I don't look "great"...but that I sure look a **** of a lot better I looked 6 months ago. And I appreciate them being so nice and complimentary. But I really would like some honest opinions on exactly what I do look like and how much more I should lose so I really do look somewhat "great" when I get there.

deena:)

I wanted to post on this board cause I have tried many diets over the years...and I always felt better on low-carb. It is just SO hard for me to stick to. Last Monday.....I made it a goal to lose the weight and I started a 1200 cal/day diet. I have stuck to it but I feel bloated, swollen, and sluggish. I believe it is because of cereal, lean pockets, pasta, etc. While the calories have been low the reaction my body has to these things isnt good. I am considering going back to low carb but I will definitely need some support and encouragement and some good easy recipes! i am a busy single mom and need some quick meal ideas. I hope someone can help me! Thanks in advance :) Leslie

Congrats deena! That is awesome! :)

Hi Leslie,
First thing I want to emphasize....if you are contemplating doing Atkins....do yourself a huge favor and read the book before you begin the plan.
For some of the best low carb, Atkins-friendly recipes on the net.....http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/index.html
All the best to you!:)

thanks jerseygyrl..... I did read the book a few years ago when I did it and I did lose weight....but I restricted myself too much and got bored with the food. I'm gonna look into some of the recipes! thanks!

JerseyGyrl,

Wanted to thank you for posting that recipe link, I already used 1 of the recipes that's okay for the Induction phase.. Wow, with just using a little bit of imagination mixed with common sense, there are so many great recipes and foods to eat! I really love this diet! :carrot:

Toby

Deena,

There is a book called "Good Calories, Bad Calories" by Gary Taubes which for me was the best explanation as to why some people respond so well to carb restriction. It was the reason I tried low carb eating -- his discussions on obesity & hunger hit home completely with me, and while I have dieted successfully in the past, it's always been a real struggle -- and always been low calorie/low fat until this year.

I've read Atkins too, but I found Taubes' explanations clearer & scientifically more accurate (in part because the science has moved on since R Atkin's death - the basic tenets of Atkins are true, and he did an excellent job of making the low-carb diet easy to understand for people). Taubes also discusses differences between people & why some of us might need more or less strict carb levels (like Atkins OWL phases) and how some people are more sensitive to sweet tastes even if it's "carb free" (I remember another thread where you posted that you avoid all sweet, not just sugar). I do the same.

Anyway, if you enjoy reading science, it's a good book (it is not, however, an easy book -- so you have to be something of a science nerd like me!)

Hi everyone. We temporarily lost our internet...and also our cable TV...due to come major cable problem...which they finally remedied. Quite eye-opening to realize how dependent we've become on TV and internet...very disconcerting to be without both.

I guess I could make an analogy here....people managed for years without TV and internet...so didn't miss them. And now, having eaten nothing sweet for many months, I don't miss them either.....which is QUITE a change from having literally craved binges of them in the past.

Thank you so much for the book recommendation, sarahinparis. That particular book sounds like just what I'm looking for, actually. I just started reading the M. Pollan book, In Defense of Food. When my dad was no longer able to drive and my son started using his car, we found over $200 in gift certificates to Borders Books in the glove compartment...that dad had forgotten about. I bought several of the Atkins books to replace the ones I'd had but not taken with me when I fled my marriage over 4 years ago....plus this Pollan book....but I am definitely going to go back and get this Taubes book.

As I said, I've become fascinated with not only current thinking regarding food and nutrition but in particular, the whole issue regarding carbs and processed foods. Having worked as an RN for many years, it's alarming to see the epidemic of diabetes that has occurred since around 1970.....and the current opinions blaming much of this on diets heavy with sugar and overly processed foods sound medically sound to me.
I'm very interested in trying to understand whether this feeling SO much better on a low carb diet is unique only to me and others like me....OR whether everyone would feel better if they made these dietary changes.

I have, during my lifetime, used a whole array of different diets...including WW, Cambridge, cabbage soup diet...you name it. And I have never had the success I've had with Atkins. Sure, I would lose weight on these other diets...but with much difficulty...struggling with constant hunger and cravings, feeling deprived. Later in life, I've found that probably due to aging metabolism, I can't even lose weight on other diets...including the classic low calorie, low fat, exercise combo....which is supposed to work for everyone.
Why is it that no other diet works well for me except for Atkins? Why is it that I feel so horrible on any eating plans that involve significant carbohydrates? Yet feel SO much better eating the Atkins, low-carb way?

I really want to understand WHY I feel so much better eating this way. And would also like to have a better base of knowledge in order to contemplate whether this is just unique to a certain percentage of the population or would this apply to everyone. The Taubes book sounds like just what I'm looking for...can't wait to go and get it.

Well....had an odd experience during the past 2 or so weeks. The scale had been dipping down in the 153 range....and suddenly, for no apparent reason (meaning NO cheating or change in eating)....shot up to 157....which really upset me....and it upset me THAT it upset me that much (as I don't want my entire mood to be directly related to the number on the scale). Then it very gradually started edging downward again and is now back in the 153 range....though what upset me so much was that this was not just a sudden and temporary jump...it stayed up and came back down very slowly....and I can't figure out why it happened as I'd been sticking to the diet the exact same way I've been doing the entire time....so it didn't look like some temporary water retention issue, etc. I just have NO idea what caused it....but I just hung in there, of course, and back down it's come. But I feel like I lost 2 weeks there....and it's made me apprehensive that this may suddenly happen again....and it's shaken my usual calm assumption that the scale would remain consistent as long as I stuck to the diet.

I'm just trying to convince myself that it was a fluke....or that there WAS some reasonable explanation that I've just not quite figured out yet.

Wanted to be sure to include that, though...in case it happens to others here. Don't worry, stick to it and the scale will go back down again.

deena :)

I think sometimes we put much too much credibility in the scale. In fact it's our behaviors of eating, exercise & motivation that determine long term success. Sometimes the scale matches up, sometimes it doesn't. Did you ever cheat on a diet & feel like there was something wrong when you got on the scale & saw no effect? Same can happen in reverse - scale moving for no apparent reason but you're doing everything you should be. Which is more right? The scale? In my opinion, what matters is the BEHAVIOR.

I've had that happen many times -- maybe a bit less on low carb eating, but I have never felt the scale was completely reflective of my current behavior. I suspect w eating low carb there can be hidden carbs that add to bloat much faster than on some other eating plans -- but with patience & persistency you can almost always beat them.

OK.....so today the scale reads 152.2.....making it clear, yet again, that if I stick to plan (and don't let daily scale aberrations get me frustrated)....the overall picture continues to show consistent success. From the wide perspective, it looks good. From the day-to-day perspective, it can be frustrating. And...the important issue here is that on those frustrating days...when the scale seems to have a mind of its own....it's important to not allow this to derail you or get you off plan...and we need to remind ourselves, on these days.....that, like sarahinparis wrote...it is the behavior (sticking to plan) and not what the scale might say on any given day.

I can't wait to get the Taubes book because there are so many odd events noted while on this diet. For instance, when experiencing what seems to be a possible stall, events will happen where I am so tied-up that I will forget to eat all day and a few days of this (less calories than I should be getting)....may just cause a sudden drop in the scale..................OR, it could cause the opposite.
There would seem to be 2 principles at work here. 1) one will inevitably lose some weight when calories are restricted/lowered...BUT, 2) inadequate calorie intake will slow down metabolism and be counterproductive for weight loss. And it's fascinating for me to observe these things and would love to know more of the science behind it. Why the body decides to go with one of the principles on one day but then goes with the opposite one on another day (?)

Another thing that intrigues me is why *I* must stick to the diet very religiously AND must be spilling ketones (per the ketostix) in order for me to be successful at maintaining the weight loss.....yet others can have success without being so rigid....or even without showing ketosis per the sticks.

Earlier today, on the yahoo main page, there was a link to an article claiming that 5 foods avoided during dieting can actually be foods that can help with weight loss. And those 5 foods were: bread, pasta, potatoes, cheese and dark chocolate. And there were explanations for how and why each of these can help one lose weight.

However....I could assure the author of that article that this would NEVER work for me (with the exception of a limited amount of the 4th item, cheese). There is absolutely NO way I can lose weight while eating bread, pasta, potatoes.....that's for sure. I've experimented extensively and used all sorts of trial and error and low carbing is really the only thing that will work for me, at this point. My body just does not seem to want to go into weight loss mode on any other plan...............and I'm interested to try to learn why.

I mean, words cannot adequately explain or describe the sheer **** and repeated frustrating tries, at 195 lbs.....for 4 years! And then suddenly, I figure out how to get Atkins to work again (lose the artificial sweeteners) and voila! SUCCESS! And FINALLY, after 4 years of frustration and misery, I feel normal again.

And speaking of that.....and I know this is probably a hot-button issue....but I'm really curious to know what other's opinions are regarding the question: Can you be fat and happy? What do you think?

*I* can't....I'll confess to that right off the bat. I'm not saying I am miserable 100% of the time (in general) when I'm fat. But I AM 100% miserable about BEING fat when I am....fat.

Yet, there are many conflicting opinions on this. Of course, in my case....because of how I feel...I tend to not be able to understand how someone can feel differently. So it is very possible that my suspicions...that they are NOT actually as happy as they claim to be....could be totally wrong...because I'm basing this on how *I* feel and not everyone is me.

I'm honestly trying to be totally objective here...and not prejudicial. CAN a person be fat and be totally happy and not bothered by it? One of the things that I think may contribute to the fact that *I* cannot may be that I've not been fat for most of my life. I've experienced most of my life at a relatively normal weight. So that may be why...when I am fat...I am just miserable about it. Because the contrast is so glaring for me. I'm just speculating here....but I've wondered about how much this may factor in. That if I'd been really heavy my entire life, I might be more oblivious of it....and more accepting of myself that way.

I'd be really interested to know what others think about this question. And I don't mean that a fat person has to be totally miserable that way. What I mean is....can a person be fat and be totally happy with that? What do you think?

deena:)

Woo....scale said 152.9 this morning but it did that once before and then bounced back up again. So I don't even count or set my heart on lower weights until I have clearly stabilized at that lower number. I get much less frustrated by just expecting the numbers to bounce around......and as long as they trend downwards, when looking at the big picture....it's fine.

It was really weird......I had a dream last night where I got on the scale and it read 195 lbs. but I looked in the mirror and I looked the same as I do now (at a much lower weight)....and in my dream, I was puzzled over how this could possibly be.

The thing is, I get the sense that there is some underlying issue that made me dream this....though I'm not altogether sure what that is. One issue may be that there are times when I have a bit of difficulty figuring out if I look better in the mirror or not....or more like, to what degree I look better. I know, of course, that I look much better....but often, I can't figure out if what I'm seeing in the mirror....looks normal, still a little heavy....or what. Another issue that could have factored in may be this situation with the scale bouncing around. Like sarahinparis said, I think....it's more about what you SEE in the mirror and how your clothing fits, not what the number on the scale happens to be on any given day. But....the insecurity of knowing that the scale could inexplicably shoot up any day is still a bit disconcerting, even though I know to expect it. Intellectually, I expect and understand it (to a degree) but emotionally, it's still a bit rattling when it happens.

The reason the scale was lower this morning, I believe, is that my dad and I had a million errands to run yesterday and I really didn't get all my calories in, having basically missed lunch altogether. The thing is, though....this could easily turn around and make me spike a little gain again....due to insufficient calories possibly slowing down my metabolism....I'll have to wait and see how this affects it this time. You just never know how the body is gonna decide to react to these sorts of events....very unpredictable....though I'm hoping the Taubes book will clarify some of this for me.

deena :)

Scale said 151.9 this morning.....but I am not changing anything here (ticker, current weight) for a while....because the number 152 still has me spooked....because of the recent incident where I was weighing 152 and suddenly shot up to 157 for no apparent reason.

I'm not altogether sure, at this point, what it will take for me to feel confident that I am stable at 152 lbs. Maybe when the scale begins to dip into the 140's? I'll have to see. Also, my 34" waist jeans are getting a bit loose on me...which is good but also a hassle in that I just recently replaced all the 36" jeans in my closet with 34" ones. I think I was up to 38" jeans at 195 lbs...either that or 40"....can't quite remember...but I was so disgusted with myself that I only had ONE pair of jeans that I wore constantly....until they totally wore out and I"d be forced to go and get ONE more pair. NOW, I actually have a bit of a wardrobe.:D

And yet again...this shows the loss of inches in the right places on Atkins....I should not be anywhere NEAR getting close to fitting into 32" jeans being still in the 150's. Just amazes me how much better the inches come off on this plan.

Well.....I am still reading about the different diets here....many of them ones I'd never heard of. Today I was reading about the Accu weight loss diet using acupressure beads. Very interesting. Basically, it seems to me that it's a very low calorie diet but the beads are supposed to control your hunger. And no meat is allowed...it's mainly veggies and dairy products (milk and yoghurt) and you can only eat between 12 noon and 6 pm. The diet seems way too restrictive to me....I know, I know, I'm an Atkins snob......but I am interested to learn whether the acupressure beads actually work to stop hunger. NOT for me to use, as I'm not hungry on Atkins.....but I'm just curious about it....in the context of Chinese medicine.

I'm also sort of subconsciously trying to track trends, as I read here, regarding which diets seem more successful than others and which ones seem to result in maintaining better than others...so I can develop some theories about this. That's just me.....I ALWAYS become overly-fascinated with anything I'm involved in.:D

deena :)

OK, this morning the scale said 152.3 lbs....so maybe I can begin to consider that I AM possibly stabilizing at this new number...the 152-153 range. Also, I weigh-in wearing flannel tie-waist pants and a sweatshirt (my "pajamas" during the winter)....but amazingly, those only seem to weigh a few ounces, at the most.

We are having a nor'easter here and it's snowing like crazy....our first BIG snow this year. I went out walking in it this morning....while it was only 2-3 inches....before it could get much deeper. It was pretty easy until I turned around to return home and the snow was blowing right in my face....I had to pull my scarf up over my nose and mouth...brrr. I definitely think walking in the snow burns more calories than regular walking (with no snow)....kinda like walking on the beach/sand takes more effort than walking on the sidewalk does. Also cleaned off my car when I got home....though I'm sure it's covered back up now.

I fell victim to listening to my dad yesterday....for some stupid reason (I should have known better and checked the weather forecast myself)....when he told me it was supposed to start snowing during the night BUT "less than one inch". I don't know where in the heck he got that from....BUT, we have plenty of food here, etc....so no harm done by not knowing about this coming until we were already well into it.

I pretty much have my standard list of my Atkins foods I buy at the grocery store every week memorized and don't even need a list any more...chicken, fish, veggies, cheese, eggs. Occasionally I'll buy something different...beef, an unusual veggie or different type of cheese...just for variety. Actually, I stock up on fish (salmon and tilapia) at Costco about every 3 months....cut the salmon into portions and then put them and individual tilapias into freezer bags....and we have a second freezer in my dad's closet. Occasionally, at the regular grocery store, I'll get something different...flounder or shrimp, etc...for variety.

Here's another tip....at least for me...I always try to NEVER eat until I'm stuffed. I've learned that even in ketosis on Atkins, if I stretch my stomach, I will get hungry again rather quickly. On the rare occasions I've done this, I've sworn not to repeat it. NOW...when I make an omelet or steamed broccoli with cheese....I will eat only half and save the rest....and eat it later. I would stuff myself not because I was THAT hungry but because I felt obligated to finish what I'd prepared....which I realized was stupid....and counter-productive. It also helped when I read...either in someone's post here or in someone's blog here...who's doing Atkins....that they only ate things to satisfaction...then saved the rest until they were hungry later....a "lightbulb over the head" moment for me. You'd think I'd have figured this out for myself early on.

I've just been learning SO much from reading here (right now, I'm reading several blogs simultaneously)....and learned lots of helpful tips. The whole alternating caloric intake thing....which I honestly think is helping me continue to lose consistently even though I'm within about 17 lbs. of goal (and I set my goal at my "I wish" level, not at the level that's been my "normal weight" most of my adult life, 140 lbs....and I'm within 12 lbs. of THAT weight).....because often, you can hit many plateaus when getting close to goal...but so far, so good. And I really am thinking it's alternating calories that's doing it. Like I said, I only discovered that I was doing it by accident...by reading about it here...and now I am utilizing the tip. It knocked me out of my last plateau, I'm fairly sure.

I kinda wish I'd found this site sooner and had a blog going from the beginning....and could have logged-in my daily menus, etc....so it would give a good idea of day-to-day Atkins. Alas...kinda late to be starting a blog now....THOUGH, maybe one on how to MAINTAIN the weight loss on maintenance Atkins might be a good theme. My one big problem is that I don't know how to post photos and pics....and a blog would be pretty hum-drum without them, I think. What I need to do is to learn how to post photos and pics by the time I hit goal and then maybe start a maintenance blog.

Hmm....I'm really worrying about my son driving into work this afternoon. Most of eastern PA has declared a snow emergency and we live fairly close to Philly...right over the border. I have massive anxiety over this, esp. since I lost my youngest son in an auto accident. I'm a basket case if my sons have to drive in bad weather now. I keep hoping they will close the mall where he works today. He's really upset because he and his GF have tickets to the Eagles game tomorrow and this snow has thrown a huge monkey-wrench into their plans (she bought him the tickets for his birthday earlier this month)....and he's really been looking forward to this game.

OK...time to go and read some other threads now...I've babbled on enough.:D

deena :)

Scale is 151.8 this morning. Think I'm gonna have to change some numbers here soon. (ticker, CW) Have lost almost 45 lbs....and boy, I feel SO much better.

Why am I up so early? Because my cat always gets in my bed and starts tapping me with her paw to tell me she's hungry....and keeps it up until I get up.:D

We are pretty much snowed in here. I'm thinking of going out for a walk in a bit but am wondering if the snow is nice and fluffy like it was yesterday or whether it got frozen and hard overnight. The frozen and hard stuff is very slippery and makes it hard to walk....so I'm hoping it's still fluffy. At least I don't have to worry about driving snow blowing in my face today....as it finally stopped and the sun is coming out. But if the temperature doesn't go up...this snow could hang around for days. They barely plow in the city here.

They changed the Eagles game to 4:15 pm (from 1:00) and have no idea if my son and his GF are going to attempt the drive to Philly today. I don't even want to know, to be honest. It will stress me out way too much, worrying. He stayed at her place last night, which was the original plan but turned out to be an even better plan since she lives much closer to where they work than we do here....and it was much safer for him to not attempt to drive home last night.
Of course, I imagine I-95 is probably pretty clear...they always keep that plowed. It just looks so treacherous looking out the window here...but the roads he'll take will be much better, hopefully.

My brother who lives in Rockville Center, NY has season tickets but I'm thinking he may not drive down due to the weather....not sure if it's still snowing up there or not this morning.

I'm kinda disappointed as I was planning to go to Borders this weekend to get the Taubes book....but the snow blew that plan. Wish I'd gotten it earlier in the week but had to drive my dad all over the place.

I ALWAYS keep plenty of Atkins-approved food here....just in case I can't get to the store.....and right now, it would be almost impossible to get there. This way I never have to worry and can stay on plan, no matter what the weather does.

Oooh, the sun is REALLY shining out there today....it will be a good day for a walk, it's looking like. :carrot:
Just have to bundle up good.

deena :)

Deena - Enjoy the snow. It just missed us and it looks like it will just miss us next week too. I would love to have snow for Christmas, but looks like rain for us. Stay safe and hope you brother and kiddos stay safe driving.
Great having your Atkins foods on hand for such cases.

Wow, Deena, sounds like it is indeed time to change the ticker to a new weight range of around 152 - congrats!

Hi Sarah and Trish! :wave:

Whew...151.5 lbs. this morning. I think I know how to change the CW part in the left-hand column but for the ticker, I'll have to get my son to help me change that. He's the one who got me the ticker here, after I repeatedly failed miserably to get it to show up on my posts. I was able to make it...but then could not seem to get it to show on my posts....and he had to bail me out.

I'm seriously thinking that unintentional calorie shifting is what's probably responsible for me being on this losing trend right now. I ended up eating less than normal calories on certain days simply due to being so busy....so I was alternating regular caloric intake with lower caloric intake, just by coincidence. And then I read about it here and made the correlation. I'd venture a guess that you do have to alternate....as continued lower calorie intake would just slow down the metabolism.

It was funny....turns out, my son and his GF DID drive all the way up to Philly for the Eagles game...then he drove her all the way home, turned around and drove all the way back here and THEN called and woke me up...from the parking lot here...because due to all the snow, he couldn't find a parking space. After all that driving....his biggest problem was trying to park HERE.:D
I told him to go behind our building where they had plowed a space in the middle....so he's not exactly IN a parking spot but he is safely parked.
Oh, and my brother in NY did NOT drive down. My oldest son texted the other son and told him my brother sold the tickets as he did not want to drive down in all the snow. Good decision, IMO.

I think we may be snowed in here for days...at least my dad and I. I have a little Mazda that is NOT good in snow....and older me is also no longer good at driving on slippery roads...too nervous now....plus my car is just totally snowed in and we don't have a snow shovel, living in a condo.
Luckily, there is a gas station that sells some grocery staples that is within reasonable walking distance.....but also sells a ton of junk, as most convenience stores do.....so we're okay for a few days but hopefully....the snow, at least on the roads, etc....will melt soon so I can drive to the store again.
The good thing, though, is that I'll get to eat all my produce here. I buy myself a great deal of produce and sometimes don't get to eat it all before it starts to wilt....but with being snowed-in, I'll be limited to what I have here so will be able to finish it, I'm pretty sure. Of course, things like cheese and eggs keep for a pretty long time...so no worries there. Meat and fish I freeze in individual servings. It's just the fresh produce....I often get carried away with all the beautiful veggies in the produce section and get more than I can eat.:D

I'm really frustrated that I didn't get that Taubes book last week...I'm getting obsessed with wanting to read it. I'm really becoming fascinated with the science behind metabolism variations and diet....I would like to crack the fat loss code myself...esp. in terms of helping women and esp. older women....when it gets more and more challenging.

I have a tendency, possibly because I was a nurse, to start tracking clinical patterns and this site is a goldmine due to the sheer number of stories (individual case studies, if you will) and the sheer variety of different diets utilized here. Message boards with many members can provide a wealth of information...REAL info, not just scientific info...in terms of observing clinical patterns in real life and tracking them....and analyzing the results. I've really become fascinated with reading about the variety of diets that are based on the Atkins/low carb model....and then tracking which ones seem to work better....and why. At the moment, I'm interested in this "crack the fat loss code" variation.....where the first week is almost exact Atkins induction....but then carbs are added back in....and in a cycling fashion.

I have to try hard, though, to remain objective....because at this point in my life....that particular model would never work for me (with my older, altered metabolism). My ketosis and my weight loss would stop once I added the additional carbs...whether I cycled them or not. I know....I had FOUR years to study myself with this, using trial and error. Just a few additional packs of Splenda threw the entire diet off....and even made me gain weight. BUT....I have to observe objectively and not project my own situation or experience into the results.

Like I've mentioned before...THIS is the big question: Does my experience MEAN something? In terms of cracking the metabolism/weight loss challenge? Or does my experience only apply to certain individuals...who are like me? Or apply JUST to me? (because my metabolism is just weird?) WHY does this diet work so well for me and not for others? Why can others do great on calorie-counting plans but for me, they NEVER work? Why can others add a few more carbs in and still lose weight...but I can't?

OK...gonna go get dressed and take a little walk out there, as the sun is shining now.....and if I don't get out a little every day, I'll start to get cabin fever being stuck in here.:D

deena :)

Deena Congratulations on the loss. You are doing great. I too always wondered why other people could lose better than me. Then I read The Metabolism Miracle Diet and she says there are 2 types of metabolisms. She calls those people who lose very well on calorie diets Metabolism A and she calls those of us who have to do low carb diets Metabolism B. When I read her book, I agreed with that theory completely. I have not read or heard of the Taubes book or theory. I do believe that as time goes by they will begin to learn more and more about low carbing and why some of us have to do it.

The only reason I didn't go with MM is because I didn't want to do all that work and have to eat carbs every 5 hours. Might be an option in the future, but I'm just afraid to eat the carb breads etc at this time. I decided that any low carb plan works, but it only works if it is onw I can get on and stay on.

Glad all your loved ones are in place and safe.

You have a nice day.

Deena I Googled Taube and copied the 33 page interview he did. A lot of what he says is what I've suspected for a long time. I've read a little over half of it and found it to be really great information. The book sounds like it might be a lot of technical stuff. So maybe when you get to read it, you can share it with us on here.

My 4th day turned out absolutely wonderful. I have to say that I am really enjoying it. Now that I understand the program better, it reminds me of the original diet plan I did years ago in Overeater's Anonymos. They had what they called the gray sheet and the orange sheet. The gray sheet was strictly low carb although they did allow some fruit. And the orange sheet allowed one piece of whole wheat toast for breakfast. I did the gray sheet and everyone in my group was amazed that I could do it without going off plan. I stalled a lot, but never knew why I still did not lose as quickly as the others, but I always felt terrific. They changed their diet plans just before I left the program. My sister called me and told me to get off the plan because a lot of them in her group were getting kidney or bladder infections. Years later, I thought how could meat, fruit and veggies cause these types of infections. Then I realized those people were living on diet drinks. It was all those diet drinks causing their problems, not the low carbing.

You hear so much about low carb not being good for the kidneys. Years ago, I had a cousin who was put on dialysis and they put her on a low carb diet. That was when I realized that someone was not giving us all the information correctly. What I read of Taube's interview tells me why.

Might end up trying to get the book any way. I'll have to see.

Deena The book sounds like it might be a lot of technical stuff.

The book is very technical & scientific....it lengthly explains low carb eating....but, in my opinion, its not an easy read.

Hi everyone. Sorry for the absence...one of my brothers died on Monday. He was only 54 years old and we don't know what the cause was yet. We are getting ready to travel to NYC for the funeral tomorrow morning. Then we sit shiva for a week....and then I'll be back...I promise.

Weight this morning was 149.8....probably due to not eating enough calories due to the stress of this.

deena

Oh....and I ordered the Taubes book from Amazon.com earlier this week so should be getting it soon. I'm hoping my nurse's training (anatomy and physiology, etc.) will help me with comprehension.

And Patti.....one of the main reasons that rumor about kidney disease circulates is that so many people believe you only eat meat on Atkins. Theoretically HUGE amounts of protein could overwork your kidneys due to nitrogen overload. But the reality is that we eat normal amounts of protein on Atkins and there is NO direct risk of kidney failure or kidney problems of any sort.

I found the book really great and while it's technical, I don't think it's too difficult, it's just very scientific - so kind of dry & repetitive. Taubes is a real hard core reporter who was really trying to put forth some arguments that he knew would be attacked, so he does a lot of pre-emptive explaining -- making the book dense at points. If you like science at all & are really interested in diet & metabolism (and some conspiracy theory) it's a good read. Not easy necessarily, but good.

Here is a link to a discussion forum focused on the book for those who want more info without investing the time to read it themselves :
http://www.livinlowcarbdiscussion.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=14

Here are my before and now photos. The before photo is blurry because my sister did this for me and she took a photo of a photo. The second two she actually took AS photos. That's my dad on the left....pretty dapper for being in his 80's.:D

OK....have had family here all day and I'm exhausted. Will catch up and write more tomorrow, hopefully.

Deena :)

Shoot...showed up in the preview but not here. I'll have to see if my son can figure out how to do this for me. I'm lost.

Let me try again.

Woo-hoo! I figured out how to do the photos AND how to change the CW AND change the ticker all by myself! See how much a little sleep helps?:D

Scale this morning was 148.5 but not considering this permanent until it shows consistently for a few days. It's been extremely stressful but I have been eating fine...some great food, in fact. When up in NYC for the funeral, stayed at one sister's one night (in northern NJ) and she took us to Whole Foods (which we don't have in Delaware) and I got an awesome salad with shredded steamed salmon and no dressing and it was great. Yesterday got this great chicken salad that had no forbidden ingredients and it was great also. AND, when at my brothers in NYC, learned that I CAN eat Chinese, as many Chinese places will steam the chicken/shrimp/veggies and with no sauce or rice, it's fine for Atkins and DELICIOUS.

For Kim...in the photos, it's kinda hard to tell, but my hair is in a pony-tail and when it's down, it's to my waist. I know it's a bit odd for my age but I'm used to it this way. I know you have really long hair also.:)

And Sarah....just got the Taubes book in the mail yesterday. It's still in the box, in fact, due to so much family here yesterday, but I'll open it today and start reading it.

Deena :)

Also....the photos didn't turn out quite as I'd liked and in fact, I don't see a HUGE difference...BUT, in person, there IS a huge difference and I look totally different than I looked at 195 and it's truly a huge improvement. I'll see if I can get better NOW photos....but the THEN photos are extremely limited, as I wouldn't really allow my photo to be taken much. I was in size 40 waist jeans and I'm down to size 32...even though to me, the huge difference isn't nearly as apparent in the photos as they are in person.

Scale said 146.8 this morning. :carrot:

BUT, to be honest, I think a lot of this is the immense stress I'm under right now....which is negatively affecting my appetite and I'm having to literally force myself to try to eat enough. One issue is having to straighten out my deceased brother's affairs, which is taking up a huge amount of my time while I simultaneously care for my elderly father. And another is that there have been SO many family/visitors over here since the death and I am exhausted, not to mention the place is a wreck, I need groceries....and am just feeling overwhelmed at times.
One of my problems is that I'll make a cheese omelet or a nice big bowl of steamed veggies with butter and cheese....but can only eat about half of it and whereas it used to be one meal....I now end up saving it and it makes two meals because I don't have the appetite to eat more than half of everything right now. So probably not getting enough calories and probably causing this increased weight loss. I did great up in NJ and in NYC for the funeral....but feel much more stressed back home now and trying to straighten out and clean up all this wreckage.:(
And I see no end in sight....that is making me anxious at times....and not helping at all.

I got a bit concerned because I started spilling LARGE ketones (dark purple) when I normally spill small to moderate.....so ate some cocoa-dusted almonds to try and decrease the ketosis a bit, fearing this level might not be good.

I feel like strangling my brother for dying right now, as irrational as I know that is.:(

Plus, I REALLY want to read this Taubes book and can't find time to myself to do it....which is frustrating me. I LOVE the description on the back cover:

"For decades we have been taught fat is bad for us, carbohydrates better, and that the key to a healthy weight is eating less and exercising more. Yet despite this advice, we have seen unprecedented epidemics in obesity and diabetes. Taubes argues that the problem lies in refined carbohydrates, like white flour, easily digested starches, and sugars and that the key to good health is the KIND of calories we take in, not the number. In this groundbreaking book, award-winning science writer Gary Taubes shows us that almost everything we believe about the nature of a healthy diet is wrong."

This is EXACTLY what I was looking for and I'm so thrilled you recommended it to me, sarahinparis, as I'd never heard of it prior to that. This is word-for-word exactly what I've come to suspect and to believe and I can't wait to be able to read it. The early Atkins books gave a great explanation of carb versus fat-burning metabolism but I think this book is going to explain it in much great detail....which is exactly what I wanted.

I had found/read a fantastic article about how the current treatment of diabetes is so illogical and how simple carbs negatively affect what the outcomes should be. I remember it involved leptin and I could kick myself for not bookmarking it. I'm hoping this is also re-explained in this book. It was a rather complex explanation but sounded totally medically sound when I read it but it was almost all new info for me and unfortunately, don't have it memorized or I'd post it here. Wish I'd saved it so I could.

deena :)

Deena, you must have a distorted self-image (as many of us do) if you don't see a HUGE difference between the old and new you in the photos! You've really changed the shape of your face and upper body a lot (lower body harder to tell from these pics). Congratulations, that must feel great!

You sound really strong & positive for going through something so difficult as the loss of your brother. My heart goes out to you.

I do like the Taubes book, but I think he might be not quite right about the calories issue (Atkins too, for that matter). I suspect there are some lucky souls for whom calories on low carb don't matter and who can eat thousands of low carb calories & still lose weight, but I think for many of us calories do play a role. Some of the more recent research seems to go in this direction & I am starting to suspect it's true for me personally. I do think that very low carb eating (ketosis levels) decreases appetite significantly, and that eating 1500, 1800 calories of a strictly low carb diet is actually quite a lot of food on this kind of diet -- therefore the success, but I do think that total calories do play a role for a lot of us.

Hope you find some time for the Taubes book before too long -- I gave my copy to a friend but I miss the book sometimes...

Sorry for being MIA for a few days.....I've been really tied-up helping my brother probate/handle my deceased brother's estate, creditors, you name it. And this particular brother is very a very high-strung attorney from NYC and has kept me on the phone up to 10 hours a day over this. Not to mention, we had scheduled my dad for multiple medical appts this week which I had to take him to.....and this unfortunately had turned out to be very bad timing due to my brother's relatively unexpected sudden death.

At any rate....I hit an all time low of 142 lbs. this morning.....although I had been bouncing around between 143 and 143.9 for the past week. So I'm not actually counting this as a definite yet. I do this so as not to disappoint myself because I know weight can bounce around and basically, I don't count a new low until I actually start showing a weight below that weight. So I changed my ticker to 143, to be cautious.

Thank you so much sarahinparis. You just made me feel so good. I guess what I was thinking was that in person (in the mirror) I see the contrast much more than I do in those pictures.
:D I definitely do not have body dysmorphic issues. I think I'm looking fabulous in the mirror....but not quite so much in photos.
Strangely enough, though I refused to look in the mirror much at 195 lbs, my recollection is that I looked worse in the mirror back then than I look in those old photos. I was thinking, gee, the camera really DOES add 10 lbs. to you but that doesn't seem to apply to me fat...only now.....though, my memory could be faulty.

Reading the Taubes book is going to take me quite a bit of time, especially due to me being so tied-up with all these brother issues right now. In addition, you really have to focus and concentrate when reading it...much like a text-book. If you don't, you tend to read a few paragraphs and then go, "what the heck did I just read?" and have to go back and read it more closely again.

Reflecting back on the Atkin's books, I think that although Dr. Atkins did actually make some broad statements regarding carbs being the issue and not calories.......he also implied several times that this might not apply for all people and that some did have to watch their calories.

It's been my observation that men, in particular, seem to be able to eat much higher calorie foods/amounts when they are low carbing....and still have great success....I'm guessing due to their more efficient metabolisms due to having a higher percentage of muscle mass than women do.

*I* certainly have to watch my caloric intake...in addition to my carbs. It's been really interesting to watch, actually. It seems that when it comes to actual meat, fish and veggies, quantity/calories are not a huge issue....but I have to be really careful when it comes to things like cream cheese, sour cream, nuts, etc. Oh, and of course, the artificial sweeteners, which my body totally freaked over.

Also, as I've already mentioned, I seem to be having some real success with alternating calories.....meaning, I think that's why I'm still having such consistent success even though I'm 13-15 lbs. from goal. Normally, this would have become much slower and more difficult at this point (plateau-wise). Much of this has not been intentional.....it's been more circumstantial, due to all the recent events in my life. For instance, my brother and I left very early in the morning for Annapolis yesterday to meet the movers who were emptying the deceased brother's garage and taking it to storage. I only had time for a cup of coffee......and then was at that brother's appt. for hours while my brother (who drove) was tied-up over at the storage unit with the movers, etc. There was no longer any food at the appt....and then on the way home, we stopped at the Maryland house, but I could not find anything quickly that I could eat.....so basically, I did not eat anything all day until I got home quite late at night. (We also stopped at a mall to get a computer problem diagnosed for my brother's computer and again, could not quickly find anything I could eat in the food court. Their food court is still being re-opened and there are many places still not opened yet).

If I did this every day, of course, my metabolism would go into a coma....but on days when I'm home most of the day....I can then ramp up my calories quite a bit, therefore......mixing-up/confusing my metabolism. This is my theory and it really seems to be working. This time around, it's low-carbing AND calorie alternating.

I think the thing that really intrigues and fascinates me....even more than the weight-loss issues.....is this huge epidemic of diabetes we are seeing...particularly insulin-dependent diabetes. Back in the 70's, when I worked as a nurse in a hospital...it was SO different. The general appearance and beliefs were that:

1. Insulin-dependent diabetes was genetically inherited and usually started in childhood. And,

2. Non-insulin dependent diabetes could usually be controlled by an ADA diet, though it might occasionally require some sort of oral hypoglycemic....but NEVER insulin.

This has completely changed today....and I tend to totally agree with Taubes' take on the main reasons for this. Today, there is literally an explosion of insulin-dependent diabetes....many starting in adulthood and many not related to genetics or family history. Many diabetics now require not only insulin, but also oral hypoglycemics....and often more than just one type. I've never seen anything quite like this diabetes explosion....and I was able to witness this first-hand. AND, if you really think about it....there is NOT a huge space of time between the 1970's and the early 2000's to really even account for such a massive explosion like this....such a massive alteration in the profile of a particular chronic illness over a relatively short period of time.
What else but our diets could account for this? I can't even remotely come up with any other explanation.

deena :)

Ha...142.8 lbs. this morning. See? Going to jump around here for a bit...I can tell. I'm starting to almost be able to predict, with some variations, of course, what the scale will do and for how long.

Sarahinparis....I was reading your blog and I totally agree with you on the exercise issue.....that the cornerstone of weight loss is diet, not exercise and that exercise is for health (healthy cardiac, musculoskeletal, neurologic, respiratory, etc. systems) rather than for weight loss.

Not to mention that I personally am not a gym-rat, hate going to the gym....and what kind of long-term plan would it be to have to continue something I hate and have to force myself to do? Whereas, walking, I love.

It's funny....I remember WAY back as young teen, we belonged to a neighborhood pool and we practically lived there all summer. There was this one lifeguard there who we all liked and when he started there he was a big college football player and buff to the max. When he graduated and stopped the football and the massive gym exercising/lifting weights....all that muscle literally turned to fat....and very quickly too. He turned into a big teddy bear-kinda guy.

And I remember even way back then, as a teen with no medical training at all, thinking....now what's the point of that? You'd have to exercise that radically for the rest of your life to maintain that or else it would all turn to fat? What about when you get older and can't keep that up? That doesn't seem like a good idea.

Ever since then I've been more inclined to like more leisurely and really enjoyable exercise....like walking and swimming. No running for me....unless a bear was chasing me.:D
I also am a firm believer that you MUST do low-impact exercising only once you get older (like me). The damage to joints, esp. of the knees, from running, etc...is really very counter-productive to your health and well-being.

Did you read the article posted in the articles section here? This one:

"What if it's a big fat lie?" NYT article. I can't get the link to work here by re-posting it but if you go to the maintenance library forum here, it's the thread by paperclippy titled with the name of the article.

Excellent article. And what's rather alarming is that it was written back in 2002 and now, almost 8 years later, the medical world is still reluctant to alter their opinions and beliefs regarding low fat/high carb diets....particularly nutritionists.

Someone on your blog also posted a link to a great Gary Taubes' lecture...I really enjoyed listening to that. It also helped to clarify some of the text in his book. The chemical and endocrinological explanation of how the body metabolizes and uses food is extremely complex......and I remember having a bit of difficulty with it back in nursing school....all the Krebs cycle, mitochondria, ATP, etc. But I think that if I keep working on it, it will become more understandable to me....esp. since I really enjoy learning about it now.

I think that one of the main reasons I'm so interested in this, in addition to its impact on my own weight loss, etc. issues, is that from working in the medical field (including nutritionists) for so long, I've been appalled at how resistant they are to changing the entrenched beliefs.....much to the detriment of the population. Add that to all the money and clout of the food industry.....and you have a recipe for failure.......ergo the huge and recent epidemic of not only obesity but also diabetes.

I remember back in the early 90's, other nurses were warning me that my Atkins diet was very dangerous. I just laughed (I always have been a rebel) and said, "Really? Then how come I feel so great on it and am losing weight with no problem?"
Once I lost the weight, I gained a few converts. Nothing sells like success.:D

Later, I tried to convince my husband, also a nurse, to switch from his high carb to a low carb diet....without success. He's a serious, insulin-dependent diabetic and now developing cardiomegaly, hypertension, etc. (also problems with being overweight now). But he had entrenched beliefs in high carb diets, mainly due to listening to sports doctor, Jim Corea on the radio for years.....who, BTW, dropped dead of a heart attack early in life, even though he exercised in the gym religiously but advocated high carb/low fat eating.....though this did not deter my husband one bit, unfortunately for him.

One of my sisters is married to a very intelligent radiologist. However, fearful of heart disease, he eats a very low fat/higher carb diet and prescribes himself statins. He's a marathon runner and is quite thin anyway. My sister puts more stock in what I believe....that low carb/ high fat is healthier.....one of the few issues she and her husband disagree on. He graduated from medical school many years ago, whereas she listens to all the most cutting-edge nutrition podcasts and keeps up on things.

What's also interesting is that in our family, we tend to run borderline-high bad cholesterol but sky-high good cholesterol....and great triglyceride levels....and there is absolutely NO heart disease anywhere in our family or our family history. Doctors wanted to put her on statins but she refused for this exact reason.....and there are a whole list of horrible side effects that go along with statins, BTW.

I'm becoming very intrigued at the moment about what is causing and why the medical and nutrition community are being SO very reluctant about accepting this new info. Is it simply their innate difficulty changing entrenched beliefs or does the power of the food industry factor in....and if so, how much? I'm enjoying reading and listening to all the explanations for this in these articles, books and lectures.....and trying to evaluate and prioritize them.

Typical Jewish liberal...I get VERY involved in social issues. What can I say?:D

deena :)

deena...your weight loss is inspirational. It's absolutely incredible how much energy I have now and I've only been doing this for weeks now! I have two uncles how had lost weight and decreased their cholesterol levels on low-carb.
I just want to say that muscle doesn't turn to fat...muscle is always muscle and fat is always fat. The problem is, is that people stop working out so they gain weight....they lose their muscle mass and then if they overeat they gain weight. I know what you meant though ;)

I'm gonna start walking this week to help with my muscle tone as I lose....I love to walk. Hope to see more weight loss!

:carrot:

Very interesting post, Deena.

I agree, the medical establishment has very far to go in so many areas, but the most shocking to me is telling the type 2 diabetics to up their insulin after eating carbs (standard teaching) as opposed to teaching them to minimize carbs in the first place. Seems so simple to me.

Hi Leslielou,

Thanks so much for stopping by. I get all excited by visitors. :D:trampo:

Yes, you are right....muscle doesn't turn to fat. The guy just went from major buff to a teddy bear....not seriously fat but a major alteration in physique. I'm trying to remember how I learned that info about him...that he'd been a football player and major gym-rat but then no longer did that.

I was probably 12 or 13 at the time....and I just remember that it was a real lightbulb-over-the-head moment for me when I realized that when you got nice and toned-up from exercising, it didn't last for life. I think I'd assumed it did. And that unless you continued that level of exercise forever, you would lose all that muscle....and quite quickly too. I just remember thinking that it almost seemed like futile effort unless you could keep that up forever. Of course, just being a kid, that sort of exercising was all about appearance for me.....and not about health. I was this healthy adolescent who lived and swam in the pool all summer and was on the swim team, etc.
But it did occur to me that because we all age, it could get difficult to maintain extreme exercise later in life.

I totally agree, Sarahinparis. I have a lot of personal experience with treatment of diabetics....not only from working in the hospital but also because my husband and son developed the type 2 variety. Now my son was only 15 when he was diagnosed (this was the son later killed in an auto accident)......and in the beginning, I did not really crack down on him diet-wise because it was very difficult for a 15 year old to adapt suddenly to not only several injections daily but such major alterations in diet. He was very intelligent and quickly figured out all this complicated math involving his blood sugar, number of carbs in the meal, etc. in order to calculate his insulin dose. I had big hopes that as he got older, he would come around to the smart diet/low carb/low glycemic index way of eating....as he was that sort of person....very analytical and interested in his health.

But my husband....really poor choices, IMO. But he's also an alcoholic so....nuff said.

Back in the 70's, when I worked in the hospital, they treated diabetics with a 1200 calorie ADA diet (artificial sweetener only) and a specific daily dose of insulin...the NPH (they did not have the combo insulin back then). And only the very brittle diabetics also got the regular insulin coverage, based on blood sugars done prior to meals. These diabetics had developed the disease as a child and had a strong family history of it.

Then there were the adult onset and they were controlled by diet, mainly. They really didn't have much in the way of oral hypoglycemics back then.

The problem was, they used to put many of these folks on not only a 1200 calorie ADA restriction but often added low salt or low fat...so the diet ended up quite boring and unpalatable. And so....they rarely stuck to it. Eventually, they figured this out, I guess.....and became more liberal regarding calories and using real sugar.....but they developed all these equations where you basically ate carbs and sugar....and then covered yourself with regular insulin. (Regular=fast acting and NPH=slow-acting).

The problem is that their current treatment of diabetes would be akin to you having a big spike stuck in you back and they keep giving you pain medication but not removing the spike, the cause of the pain, from your back. They treat the symptoms and not the cause. It would be MUCH better if they approached it from the diet angle and not the insulin angle.

And the thing is...to this day, they are really not sure why high blood sugars cause so much damage to organs (heart, kidneys, retinas, etc.). They have theories but I'm skeptical of most of them because if they were true....then total control, by constant coverage of blood sugar, should prevent all these problems. And it clearly is not that simple.

Now of course, they have not yet developed a machine that they could implant....that would constantly read your blood sugar levels and release insulin 24/7 to maintain normal levels. If they could develop this, it would be very interesting to see if this would decrease organ damage. Basically....it would be a machine that would act just like the pancreas.

But then, of course, they don't use human insulin....they use animal insulin...so who knows what effects there might be from that, if any?

At this point, my opinion is that high carb/high sugar diets are not good for NON-diabetics.....so they are even far MORE damaging for diabetics....esp. type II's. Shouldn't the goal be to require less insulin and not more? To try and maintain blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible with diet...and THEN utilize insulin, hopefully at lower levels?
And many diabetics do not have total pancreas malfunction. They put out SOME insulin, but not enough. Why not encourage maximum function of the pancreas with low glycemic index diets? Rather than just tell the pancreas it's not needed and use all exogenous insulin?

It's like they pat them on the head and go, "don't worry, we can leave that pesky spike in your back. Lots of pain meds will solve the problem. You might get addicted? Don't worry about that, we know what we're doing".

And every time I see one of those articles where dieticians/nutritionists rate diets and declare that the Atkins/low carb diets are unsafe....it just infuriates me. It is the height of arrogance to not explore and to show no interest in the latest cutting-edge studies. When I worked as a nurse, I always noted any consistent clinical patterns that seemed to go against the current thinking/wisdom and took them seriously. I never assumed that any theories were written in stone. I go by what I OBSERVE, not just by what the current beliefs are.

OK...142.5 lbs. this morning. I can tell I'm gonna bounce around for quite some time before I settle at 142. I don't know how to explain it, but at this point, I can literally sense and predict what my body/weight is doing/will do.

It's interesting....today I jumped on the board here and the first post I read was by this gal who got a craving for something sweet, thought she'd make some cookie dough, thinking she'd just have a tiny bit....and ended up eating all of it......and now felt nauseous and angry at herself.

And it made me remember that last evening....for about 5 seconds...I got this sudden craving to eat these darn Entenman's chocolate covered donut holes my son has here....but I ignored it and it passed quickly.
Now...I COULD pat myself on the head for this.....but the reality is that it's the low carbing that enables me to do this....not my will-power. I have literally NO will power when I eat simple carbs. What always happens is that I'll get that sweet craving and it will NOT pass. It gets worse and worse....and worse. I cannot sleep or anything until I satisfy that craving. And it was almost always in the late evening.

So I am constantly coming across these sorts of falling-off-the-wagon posts here. And smug me, with my low-glycemic index self for at least 8 months thinks "What in the heck is she doing? How is she ever gonna lose weight if she keeps doing this?"

But then I remember what it was like....and how those cravings were literally impossible to ignore...no matter how much will-power I had. The hunger would turn ravenous and almost painful. And I HAD to have something sweet. The voices screamed louder and louder in my head. I couldn't lie down, couldn't go to sleep....couldn't do ANYTHING until I satisfied that craving.

But on this diet? So so easy. All that stuff is gone. Sure, I have great will-power...but I have to attribute it to Atkins/low carbing....and not to me.

Then, of course, my fingers are itching to post to her and tell her about all the benefits of low carbing. But I'm trying to learn to restrain myself here. Not everyone wants to be on this sort of diet.
But also, I have to admit....there IS this tiny snarky part in my brain that thinks......if you'd just go on Atkins, you wouldn't have to deal or worry about this.
But then.....I could be wrong. :D

OR...maybe not. Because I'm really starting to get onboard with Gary Taubes here.....and beginning to think this would, indeed, be good for everyone.

deena :)

142.3 lbs. this morning....and even though I'm bouncing around here, my 32" waist jeans are starting to get kinda loose....so I know things are progressing just fine.

Earlier I was over in the Introductions section and this woman Theresa had posted that the success rate for people maintaining their weight loss is only 5%. Can't specifically remember if she posted a time frame required...a year, maybe?

But, that's a pretty dismal percentage. :(

So I was mulling this over....and I would tend to think that if one sees their weight loss plan as a DIET and one in which they are depriving themselves and can't wait to eat regular food once they hit goal....that could be one of the significant factors. I do realize there are lots of other factors here and variations among individuals.

Reading around here, I've seemed to observe that those who do the old tried and true calorie counting plus moderate exercise seem to have a higher success rate for maintenance than those on the "shtick" diets....like fat smash, crack the code, etc. I'll read posts where those on these diets will be almost crying out, "when can I go to phase I or phase II?", sounding like they are miserable at the stage they're in......and I think, hmmmm.:chin:

And it occurs to me that if a one is a person who would feel severely deprived without white bread, sugar, pasta, cake, cookies, etc....one could fall into this category of "unlikely to maintain for long" if they used Atkins. Sure, they could probably LOSE the weight on Atkins....but could they keep it off if they really felt deprived without the simple carbs in their diet?

So...that makes me wonder what types of people would be able to maintain on Atkins without much difficulty? Kim (Jerseygirl) has maintained for 6 years, I believe. I maintained for 12 years (from the early 90's to the mid 2000's). The initial assumption would be that it would have to be those who don't feel all that deprived not eating simple carbs except on rare occasions and enjoy eating meat, fish, veggies, dairy, fat and some fruit and nuts.

I'd love to ask Kim what she feels are the reasons this diet has been so successful for her, esp. regarding the maintenance period. (hint, hint, if Kim happens to stop by here.:D)

Back in the 90's, of course, I'd not heard of Taubes and didn't have a specifically formed hypothesis regarding "fat doesn't make you fat, carbs make you fat"....but, I certainly began to question the current wisdom of nutritionists and dietary recommendations when I observed how much better I felt off carbs and also read all Dr. Atkins case studies regarding improved blood-work and improved chronic illnesses, particularly cardiac and diabetes...on Atkins.

I also pondered the whole issue of evolution....had man been meant to be a carnivore, an herbivore or an omnivore? The earliest humans on the planet would have most likely been carnivores.
But they then say, well THEY were running around killing Wooly Mammoths and now we sit in offices and are generally too sedentary. OK, fine, I'll accept that.

BUT, IMO, it's a huge stretch to make that the foundation for explaining why we now need a totally opposite diet.......as for that to be true, it would seem to me that we would have had to have so evolved that our entire dietary requirement would have changed. It would almost be like turning a giraffe (an herbivore) into a lion (a carnivore).
Of course, that is an egregious exaggeration on my part regarding that last analogy. :D
And furthermore, nobody in their right mind could not agree that highly processed foods and lots of sugar can't possibly be good for us....of for any species, for that matter.

Taubes' premise is basically this: Regarding the "fat makes you fat" theory, none of the subsequent studies have supported this....and, in fact, since we adopted this approach, obesity and diabetes have significantly increased....regardless of whether exercise is involved or not.
Based on this....if one looks at the results all these years later...one comes to the conclusion that it's NOT fat that's making us fat. And furthermore, low fat is actually making us fat. And then he looks at: what is it that we've been eating in higher quantities, since we started eating low-fat, that could explain this explosion of obesity and diabetes?
And....it's mainly sugar and highly processed simple carbs (most low-fat products increased sugar for taste to make up for removing fat). And he also gave many examples through history and of all sorts of different peoples and tribes in all sorts of locations on the globe....that seemed to support this theory.
And also gave some advanced physiology explanations regarding metabolism that was a bit over my head...but I'm working on understanding it.:D

AND....this is practically what Dr. Atkins was saying all those years ago....and the poor guy was booed by nutritionists....and branded as an advocate of a dangerous diet (despite improvements in the health of his patients on the diet).

Well, I went off on a tangent here (What else is new?) but I think the reason I was able to maintain for 12 years (and feel confident I will again...and in fact, am giving away all the larger jeans I just bought over the past months) is that 1) I feel so much better eating low-carb, 2) I do not feel all that deprived because I love meat, fish and veggies and 3) I truly believe that a low-carb diet is MUCH more healthy for most (if not all) humans.

BUT...for those who would feel seriously deprived without the simple carbohydrates.....I have to admit that Atkins might just not be ideal for them....esp. for the long-term/maintenance.

I should really start a blog, I pontificate so much. :o

deena :)

Today's weight: 141.8 lbs.

It's actually hard to believe that I'm actually losing weight, much less so consistently and so successfully......after struggling for close to 4 years, getting absolutely nowhere. I was almost totally convinced that the medication had ruined my metabolism for good.
I could NOT figure out what was wrong. On the medication, I knew there was big trouble when I was rapidly gaining weight while at the same time, it killed my appetite and I was barely eating and living on mainly coffee with artificial sweetener (in quantities that turned out to be THE problem, actually).

So finally...I decided I HAD to first of all, determine if the problem was 1. my metabolism or 2. I was doing something wrong and needed to tweak the Atkins plan for the me now off medication.

So what I did was, for 2 days I drank ONLY black coffee. Meaning, that's ALL I had for 2 days....no food at all. No sweetener and no half and half....just plain coffee. And lo and behold, I FINALLY turned the ketostix pink and then purple. So very relieved, I knew my metabolism was fine, as this would have been more difficult to remedy than figuring out what tweaking I needed.

Then....went over to the Atkins site (though at the time, I had no idea it was the corporation's site) and had them trouble-shoot my menu. THEN....had to use trial and error to figure out which of the things might be the problem...one at a time...in order to pin-point it. And the problem turned out to be that unlike back in the early 90's, I now had to severely limit my use of Splenda.....and it HAD to be Splenda.

But it seriously still amazes me because I'd almost given up hope. I was practically mourning my prior "self"....the one who had a metabolism and actually COULD diet/lose weight. At that point it wasn't even all about the weight, it was also about feeling a loss of any sort of power or control to even do anything about it.

deena :)

Deena, you are so beautiful in your new photo! It's amazing to me how much you changed between the before and after! There is a huge difference! I'm really inspired by you, and I hope to have a change like that to show someday too! I know it's going to take many many months, but I'll get there!

Oh, and about cream cheese and splenda - the first (and only other) time I tried Atkins, I gave myself tons of that with tons of artificial sweetener because I thought it was okay. The result was that I was craving stuff all the time, constantly. Looking back on it, it's clear to me now, since you had the same experience basically, that I can't do cream cheese with splenda without experiencing cravings as if I had eaten a real dessert with all the carbs. Well, live and learn I guess! Good for you for being in ketosis again!

I've seen several articles saying that the "only 5% of diets succeed" percentage is not valid. I wish I had the reference at my fingertips, because it was pretty interesting.

I think it's based on weight loss clinical studies, which are often more severe than what people do in real life, and with a lot of support from the clinical trial staff, so people who lose weight on that approach might not keep it off. Then the media generalizes it to everyone.

The figures on quitting smoking by the way aren't much better, but people keep trying to quit, over and over, day after day, and one day, one quitting attempt actually works for them.

I think losing weight is somewhat similar, but even harder, because unlike smoking you can't just stop eating. It's managing choice after choice after choice all your life. Figuring out things that work, things that don't. To manage your weight and to lose weight.

I lost from 250 to 165 and maintained for 5 years at 190. My goal was lower than 165 but I never made it. Was my weight a success or a failure? Surely 190 is better than 250. Where would I be classified? B

Keeping on trying is probably the key factor for weight loss - so I think those "5%" figures are irrelevant.

Thanks, Lori. :hug:

You know, I'm honestly starting to believe that I may have a more than normal negative reaction to carbs...esp. now that my body has turned out to be THIS sensitive to artificial sweeteners. Many tout this "it's simply calories in and calories out" stuff but that's not true for me. In fact, I marvel when I see so many here who have lost so much weight on low-calorie diets. I can't even figure out how they did it....as that NEVER worked for me.

Not to mention how difficult it was....the constant ravenous hunger within at least an hour after eating, the constant cravings that built to a huge crescendo by the late evening and finally the failure of caving to a binge.

This diet works SO well for me....that I was determined to do it again. Now, this may not apply to everyone but most people I know, when they need to lose weight again, think of the previous diet they were on and go, "yuck, I don't want to have to do THAT diet again".....the implication being that they obviously felt deprived on it. Whereas for me....I WANTED to use this diet and ONLY this diet again....because I knew it was the only one that was not a struggle for me.

My scale is still fluctuating in the 141 range. I was 140.8 on two mornings but it went back up to 141 again. I actually feel fine at this weight and am fitting into my regular size again, etc...but I don't even think about the "end" of the diet. I like eating this way. If it keeps me at this weight, I'll be perfectly happy.

Sarah...I'm curious if that 5% statistic means that they reached goal or that they kept it off for some specific amount of time. I've always heard that many are successful at losing weight but keeping it off is the part of the statistic that is very low. There are so many variations to consider, just like you mentioned.....losing some weight but not all, gaining some back but not all, etc.

It's very interesting that you mentioned the fact that overeating is the one addiction that involves a substance you cannot just stop altogether...food. We must eat to survive.

One of the reasons that I'm so fascinated by the Taubes' theory is due to how it relates to me. I've fluctuated between a normal weight and being...well, "zaftig", I guess...most of my life. Now don't get me wrong, I love food. I'm kind of a foodie, in fact, and love to cook, read/try recipes, etc. BUT, I never had the classic overeating problem/syndrome except when it came to simple carbs. They and they alone kicked in the craving/binging cycle for me. I am unable to have any portion control with simple carbs and sweets....whereas I do not have this problem with other foods.

One thing I am unsure about is that having read on another thread that the percentage of people with gluten intolerance is in the 90's...so it's difficult to tell if I feel so much better due to no simple carbs/sugar or not eating gluten....or a combo of both.

I can clearly see, from reading around here, that there are many, many variations when it comes to people...in terms of what diets work for them, how their metabolisms work, etc. But I'd really love to know...if that was even possible...just how MANY people COULD find success with low-carbing. In other words, what percentage of the population would Taubes' theory apply to? And if there is a percentage that would NOT apply, what is about them, physiologically, that would make this so?

deena :)

139.7 lbs. this morning. And here's the thing....the 195 starting weight was taken in the doctor's office BUT my goal weight was based on my normal weight that I got from my old scale....one of those cheapo ones with the needle jumping around on the numbers. However....we now have a digital scale....so I went and dug out the old scale and it shows me at 137 lbs...so I may be even closer to goal than I originally thought.

I've dropped a pants size since those last photos were taken so I'm going to get my son's girlfriend to bring her expensive camera over and take a new photo and put it on here for me.....so I can show you guys. To be honest, I'm just skating now....because in the mirror, I look just like I was aiming for...plus fitting into the clothes I wanted to.

Soon I have to start adding in more veggies just to make sure I don't continue to lose below goal. I love eating this way...I only intend to add veggies and fruits and that's it. I'm giving up simple sugars and processed stuff for good.

deena :)

That is awesome! You are a total inspiration. And I love seeing pictures, so I will be looking forward to yours! WTG on getting so very close to goal. :D

Deena wow! congrats! :carrot: Do you mind sharing how long it took you to get to this weight? I'm just curious....not trying to rush my progress but just wanna know :) You certainly are an inspiration! :)

Wow, that's awesome...it's hearing how great others feel when they reach their goal that motivates me and makes me look forward to sharing that same feeling in a few months!

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate that. :hug:

Let's see....it's a bit muddled because I'd attempted to do Atkins over and over (once I got off the medication that had caused the 60 lb. gain) for several years and couldn't figure out why I couldn't get it to work, especially since it had worked so great for me in the early 90's. Finally, I had them trouble-shoot for me on a different site. THEN, I had to use trial and error in order to figure out which one of the suggestions was the culprit (turned out I could no longer use plenty of artificial sweetener like I could back in the early 90's and now can only have 3 packs of Splenda a day maximum). SO...I have to try and figure out WHEN exactly, I actually started to spill ketones and started to see the scale moving down FINALLY.....and my best recollection is that it was sometime in the early summer ('09)....because I remember bringing Atkins-friendly food with us when dad and I went to stay with my sister and her family at their beach rental in late June and remember being in ketosis down there...so I had definitely been successful by that point.

So I would approximate that it's taken me somewhere in the neighborhood of 8 months to lose approx. 55 lbs.

But...when I consider my success...I do not think of it in terms of the fact that I lost the weight. I consider it to be that despite several years of failure, I refused to give up and persistently sought the answer to why I couldn't get Atkins to work this time. Once I got the diet to work, it was pretty much smooth sailing for me....so I don't consider that to be any huge accomplishment since this diet makes it so easy for me. It's the fact that I refused to give up....and believe me, I was beyond frustrated....almost cursing the skies many, many times.

Not sure exactly why, but this diet makes it so, so easy for me. In fact, that's part of the reason I'm doing all this reading and investigating....particularly the Taubes' theories. I watched his lecture video again last night with my dad (he wanted to see it and now wants to read the book).

One example from the lecture is that Taubes gives multiple examples of different cultures during various points in history...when they were in famine states (plus did a great deal of physical activity), yet many were fat but a percentage were underweight...but all generally malnourished. He was showing reasons why there are doubts regarding the old "calories in and calories out" theories....and that obesity is caused by over-eating. Many studies are not backing these widely-held theories.

BUT...it's clear that there were individual differences. Not ALL were fat. Some were severely underweight. So I'm confident that Atkins probably works far better for me (and others like me) than it does for some others. My question is...WHY?

According to Taubes...we don't get fat from over-eating. We overeat when we are fat...or more specifically, there is a physiologic process that causes us to accumulate fat, regardless of how much we eat....and the process drives us to eat. In other words, it's the other way around. They have it backwards.

Will try not to get too technical but we require glucose in order to convert fat to fatty acids so that they can enter the fat cells and accumulate as triglycerides. Without the glucose, we cannot store fat. The more glucose we eat, the more fat we store.....AND, the more we overwork our pancreas because in order for the glucose to enter the cells and be used to convert fat to fatty acids and then store it as fat, it requires insulin. Therefore, one of the main keys to controlling fat storage is insulin....and what causes insulin levels to rise is glucose.

Now this is the general physiologic principle...BUT I am sure that a percentage of people have metabolisms that are much more efficient at storing fat, etc....than mine is. Mine requires a great deal of glucose (carbs) but once it gets them, it goes totally nuts.....and I totally switch over to having no ability to control portions, have cravings and sugar binges...and am constantly hungry. However...off the carbs, I have NO problem with any of these behaviors. So my theory is that I (and others like me) are the percentage who are truly carb addicts.....and not totally sure how and why some others are not.

Now to be fair, a certain percentage of people are simply picky eaters....and eat mainly carbs and claim they cannot eat meat, fish, veggies, etc. For those people, Atkins doesn't work due to them being picky eaters, not because their metabolisms are different. I'm sure Atkins would probably work great for a percentage of them.

Back to Taubes for a second....what he learned, when he set out to write his book....was that ever since the main theory became "fat makes you fat", there has been a literal explosion of obesity and diabetes. When they began to make all these fat-free products, in order to maintain a reasonable palatability, they had to increase the sugar, mainly in the form of high-fructose corn syrup. This appears to be the MAIN culprit in this massive epidemic over the past few decades. In a nutshell, his basic premise is that fat doesn't make you fat...carbs make you fat.

The biochemical/physiologic explanation above applies to everyone...but what I'm really interested in now is the variations....what and why. Why doesn't everyone get diabetes? Why do low-calorie diets with much higher levels of carbs, even simple carbs, work for some and not for ME? (Believe me, I've tried...multiple times...never work for me). Why is Atkins so darn easy for me yet anything with carbs is a nightmare? Why doesn't this apply in the exact same way for everyone?

Another example...I tend to become fascinated with random topics that become relevant in my life and go into a frenzy of reading and investigation. Back some years ago, I did this when I was trying to learn why certain medications cause weight gain. Learned all sorts of stuff about how they affect the HAP-annex (hypothalamic-adrenal-pituitary annex) and all the implications of affecting the entire endocrine system. But here's the thing....the same meds make some people LOSE weight and get thinner. WHY? The physiology is the physiology....right?

Another question....how do Fat Smash and Crack the Code diets work for others when that level of carbs would never work for me? What are the success rates when comparing them with Atkins? How many are like me and MUST keep their net carbs VERY low in order to lose weight? Who can NEVER eat simple carbs and still lose weight?

Anyway....I'm threatening to write a book here...not to mention having totally veered off-track.

My point is....doing this diet is beyond easy for me. I did it back in the early 90's and kept the weight off for around 12 years with no problem, too. The accomplishment, from my perspective, was my persistence in finding why I could not get it to work this second time around....to find out what it was, exactly, that my altered metabolism now needed tweaking for....and what was it? Because THAT part was beyond frustrating. From about late 2006 to mid-2009, I was literally banging my head against the wall. But once I got it to work, it was a breeze.....seriously.

deena:)

I just realized I have some of the details wrong in this prior paragraph:


Will try not to get too technical but we require glucose in order to convert fat to fatty acids so that they can enter the fat cells and accumulate as triglycerides. Without the glucose, we cannot store fat. The more glucose we eat, the more fat we store.....AND, the more we overwork our pancreas because in order for the glucose to enter the cells and be used to convert fat to fatty acids and then store it as fat, it requires insulin. Therefore, one of the main keys to controlling fat storage is insulin....and what causes insulin levels to rise is glucose.

The basic premise is correct....that insulin causes fat storage and that glucose (carbs) cause release of insulin....but it's the details that are a bit off....the part related to fatty acids/triglycerides. I have to go back and check the details again...but I know something is off just by reading it again.

I'll fix this as soon as I recheck the specifics.

deena :?:

What the Taubes book did for me was to remove a lot of the guilt I'd lived with all my life - that being fat was my fault, a failure of self control at so many different levels (eating too much, having poor control over appetite, not being an intrinsic exerciser, etc.).

For me understanding that BIOLOGY was driving most of what was going on with my weight made sense and removed a lot of the guilt I've felt forever. I decided to give trying low carb eating a go (I'm not an Atkins follower, I'm just a strict low-carber). It's also made sticking to very low carb levels (I try for around 20-35 most of the time) much easier, because I understand what higher carb levels do to my biochemistry, therefore I avoid them without drama, without a sense of deprivation. It's not some guy in a white coat telling me what I can and can't eat -- it's my deep understanding of how the foods affect me that drives my choices day in, day out. That's why I can live with it.

I also felt the lifting of "hunger" within days of starting low carb. As someone who's struggled her whole life with hunger (how to control it, feed it, prevent it, etc), removing it from 90% of my day was huge.

:carrot: Well, I think I'm breaking through the long stall finally. I suspected I might be because my skinniest jeans were getting loose on me....a bit frustrating because they were my current fave and now I need to find a new fave....nice snug jeans that fit great. They fit great when they first come out of the dryer now but quickly start getting loose as I wear them during the day...and am now faced with having to wash and dry them daily in order for them to fit good when I first put them on. I'd gone to the thrift shop this last time, to get some 32" waist jeans and had gotten 4 pairs (heck, they're only a few bucks) but soon all were too loose but this one great pair I've been wearing. I specifically remember going down to Annapolis with my one brother (all these Annapolis treks to settle our other brother's estate/affairs) and remember them being VERY snug. We went to Annapolis again yesterday (all the snow had postponed this particular trip) and within about an hour, they were very loose again.
BUT....the scale still said 140 lbs.

But this morning....139.3 lbs.....which, mind you, may fluctuate back up to 140 on and off (up and down) for a while.....but this generally indicates a downward trend of some sort. What's really weird though....is that after I weighed myself and silently cheered, I noticed that my fingers looked a bit swollen....so tried on my rings and they were very tight...couldn't even get one of them on all the way....so clearly some fluid retention. The swelling has been going down as the morning has progressed (not serious swelling, but I can tell when they have a bit of swelling going on).....and I can now put on the rings....though they are not as loose as they normally are....so still have a bit more fluid to dump. But I thought it was so odd that I was simultaneously retaining fluid AND showed a weight loss on the scale finally. Hoping this means the scale will even go lower once I dump the extra fluid.

I will add this.....like the other typical Annapolis trips...it was getting up at the crack of dawn, one cuppa coffee, and leaving super early. Then....tons of physical exercise (yesterday was several hours of bagging heavy clothing....about 30 huge bags worth...the 30 gallon lawn bags) and basically not eating all day (nothing available)....but then having a nice big dinner/snack when I got home....which was a nice big batch of chicken salad mixed with a pre-mixed salad/lettuce mix plus tomatoes and cukes, etc. Also....drank way over my allotted 3 cups of coffee (usually 3 in the am. and one in the pm.).....as my brother and I were basically running on coffee/caffeine all day until we completed the tasks we'd set out to get done.
So...who knows....this weird form of calorie-cycling (which always happens on the Annapolis trips) may be responsible for breaking this particular but very long stall....even though I do realize it had been happening for some days prior, due to the jeans getting loose....but today was the first time it showed on the scale.

Anyhoo......that was a whole lotta writing over just one bit of new info....though typical of me.:D I'm clearly not a person of few words and never have been. :dizzy:

Sarahinparis......I agree with every single thing you said here. I love reading the posts you write because they are always so intelligent, accurate, and exhibit a really good understanding of this WOE. It IS truly a relief to learn that biology can be responsible for making it so difficult to control our appetite and our weight.....so that we do not take on the entire burden or convince ourselves that it's all our fault and due to a lack of will-power, commitment and/or motivation.

I find myself going to the "chicks in control" forum here on an almost daily basis ( I go to introductions, chicks in control and of course, Atkins, daily....then the other ones, esp. the ones about other diets, intermittently)......but I ALWAYS seem to find myself feeling simultaneously bad and frustrated, reading about so many who struggle SO much with constant hunger, cravings and wanting to binge/bingeing. I feel so compelled to want to convert them, to bring them over here....to show them how to relieve all their pain and frustration. However, I always try to be mindful that what works for me/us may not work for everyone.

I see quite a few here who will post something that essentially says that they tried Atkins in the past.....but seem to NOT be considering it again. Some say they lost a great deal of weight on it....and some were unsuccessful right off the bat...but my suspicions are that there must have been elements of either re-gaining the weight due to not following maintenance and/or not following the diet correctly and assuming it just wasn't working. However, I do also have to consider that it possibly just doesn't work for certain others....but like I said in an earlier post, this works SO darn well for me that I have a really hard time trying to understand why it didn't for them....to be honest.

I'm still trying to deal with this issue that I have on this particular site...wanting to convert everyone...tell them the good news, more or less. I still struggle with this.
You know, I believe that I suspected the things explained in the Taubes' book....just not in the concise form and terms he put his theories/theory into. I just began to put 2 and 2 together...but in a non-scientific way....and this is probably why I have NO problem eating plenty of fat....because I truly don't see it as being bad or making us fat anymore....even before I ever read the Taubes' book. This is why I love this book so much (and BTW, there are several other books that are also breaking ground on this subject).....because it totally corroborated finally...what I'd begun to suspect for quite some time.

But boy oh boy....I now study what's in everyone else's grocery carts...see the boxed, processed cereals, all the processed and sugary junk in boxes, all the sugary stuff in all it's many forms, all the low-fat stuff, even the lean meats......and it looks to me like they are all poisoning themselves now. It's as if I removed my rose-colored glasses.
I was never a big junk-food, horrible high-carb (simple carbs) and processed crap eater....but I WAS/AM a foodie....love recipes, photos of beautiful dishes, etc. Am from a background where food is love and where and what we are going to eat is ALWAYS immediately included in EVERY family gathering or event.

Plus...this isn't just me here...my sons and my father are eating very healthy and similar to me (not to mention, I am slowly converting them on various details....now have dad eating real butter and tossed the "Smart Balance", full of chemicals, in the trash....yay!).
So just about every single thing in my cart is good stuff....rarely from the aisles and almost always from the perimeter of the store. Perhaps others are checking MY cart out, horrified by all the full-fat items.:D

Although it's frustrating to see what others may be eating, I do have to add that it is also quite intriguing and interesting right now.....due to the various dietary theories circulating that are so different. I always try to enjoy things and will try to include an objective viewpoint, simply enjoying watching the show. And for me.....seeing all these contrasting theories going up against each other....and seeing all this new ground-breaking stuff going up against the old entrenched beliefs of the medical/nutrition establishment.....IS truly very interesting to watch.....and I'm enjoying the show.:)

deena :)

Deena, WOW! This has been the most amazing thread ever. Thank you for going into such detail and for being so inspirational. I can relate to your posts about trial and error -- I am in that stage right now. I lost about 7 lbs during Induction (although I admit I didn't do it as cleanly as I'd have liked) and I'm starting out fresh again hoping to have a breakthrough.

Did you use any of the Atkins shakes or bars at all during your weight loss? Particularly the ones that are labeled as being appropriate for Phase 1? Forgive me if you already addressed this in another post in this thread. I may have overlooked it.

Thanks!

Did you use any of the Atkins shakes or bars at all during your weight loss? Particularly the ones that are labeled as being appropriate for Phase 1? Forgive me if you already addressed this in another post in this thread. I may have overlooked it.



I'm not Deena but, I'd like to address this if I may:)
Those products are NOT "appropriate for Phase 1". The bars contain soy, milk & peanuts....none of those ingredients are on the acceptable foods list for Induction.
Do yourself a BIG favor Firefly and steer clear of those things unless you are in a situation where absolutely no other low carb food is available.
This may help you understand more clearly:
http://www.phlaunt.com/lowcarb/19059967.php

JerseyGyrl: thanks! You know...this may be exactly why I have only lost a little weight so far. Any loss is much appreciated of course, but I could be doing better, and this may be why.

While I've got you here, can I ask one more little question? Is a MIM okay for Induction? I've heard mixed responses. Thanks again!

While I've got you here, can I ask one more little question? Is a MIM okay for Induction? I've heard mixed responses. Thanks again!

Not sure what a MIM is:shrug:

Hi firefly.:)

Don't worry honey...ask anything you want. I'm just happy to have a visitor!

Back when I did Atkins for the first time, in the early 90's, they did not have all these new, smaller Atkins bars. They only had the big ones and they also had the shakes...but not a huge selection in the grocery stores/drug stores and you had to go to GNC, etc. to get any selection. I fell in love with the chocolate coconut ones and began to allow myself one a day once I hit goal. And mind you...I was healthier and younger then....well, am still pretty healthy but my metabolism had not yet taken the huge hit it took in 2005 from a medication.
So back then, I could use Equal sweetener with no problem and didn't even really worry exactly how many packets I used....though I was not using a huge amount or anything.

Ultimately....the main thing responsible for me maintaining my weight for about 12 years was this rule I had that if I gained 5 lbs....I immediately went back on induction and lost it. But I did learn a lot during those 12 years...one of which was the bad road I ended up on eating those choc-coconut Atkins bars. What happened was that they began to become the thing I looked forward to eating...I thought about them every day...several times a day. Going shopping was an excuse to go and buy them.
And it was not that I was necessarily gaining weight from only them....it was that eating them began to put me into the "thinking of sweets" mode....which segued into the craving sweets mode....and I was likely headed for binge mode.

Long story short, I eliminated them altogether....and have not used them at all this time at all.

There is this one particular dish I make...where I take a block of farmer cheese and add in diced cucumbers and tomatoes and sprinkle with onion powder....that I literally drool in anticipation of. I also really look forward to steamed broccoli with butter and some cheddar and feta sprinkled on it....also a nice omelet with cheddar and shredded bacon....etc. I feel like I REALLY taste the fresh ingredients...kinda difficult to explain...but the processed, sweet stuff (the bars, etc.) seem to blunt my taste for the really great, fresh, REAL and whole foods.
To me, things like sugared breakfast cereal or Twinkies...would taste like crap if I ate them. That generally happens when you become accustomed to fresh, whole foods. But by the same token, eating the Atkins sweets, for me, begins to deprived me of the fabulous taste of those fresh veggies, etc.....all the enjoyment I get from eating all the healthy and approved foods. Not to mention....putting me in danger of going into craving and binge mode.

Hope that made some sense. I'm a person who would rather avoid/prevent problems than try to come up with ways to try and climb over/around them. I read so many times here about how those on calorie-counting plans factor a candy bar or piece of chocolate cake into their daily calorie allotment.....and can't figure-out how they do it. That would spell big trouble for me....not necessarily in terms of threatening that daily intake allowed...but triggering my cravings for sweets....subsequently threatening to take me to binge mode.

It's funny....I can remember this really bad sweets mode I got myself into while I was frustrated and struggling to get Atkins to work for me again and running into so much difficulty. To cut to the chase...every evening I would crave sugar to the point where it was screaming in my head and I could not even go to sleep to prevent it. I would take an entire box of these chocolate-coated sugar wafers....and I would remember that the first few tasted like pure sugar/chocolate heaven and joy. They tasted so good! But once I ate the first few, I'd begin to just robotically eat the rest, hardly tasting them. It was like my taste-buds almost became anesthetized, once they experienced that pure chocolate-sugar rush. Yet I would continue to shovel them in....and then panic, seeing that over half the box was suddenly gone....and then in "beat myself up over it" mode....convince myself I might as well just finish the box...which I almost always did.
Or even more idiotic....leave a few in the box...thereby convincing myself that at least I'd managed to not eat every single one...so therefore, it wasn't quite so bad.

That behavior rates right up there with shaving tiny slices off a whole chocolate cake...convincing myself that all these tiny slices couldn't be that bad....even though I could clearly see that I'd shaved off half a cake or more. I would reason myself into all these optical illusions. :dizzy:

In my opinion....THE biggest factor (besides the elimination of constant hunger and cravings) in the success of doing Atkins....is understanding, as much as possible, HOW and WHY this WOE works.

Had I not understood this...I highly doubt that I would have stuck with it, for almost 4 years, trying to figure out why I couldn't get it to work this second time around. I would have just figured the diet didn't work for me...or work for me anymore. But my understanding made me see that the whole fat metabolism was a big equation....and that there was one critical piece of it that I was getting wrong (which was probably due to how the medication had altered my metabolism). I KNEW the equation was right....but just had to figure out which small part of it was off for me. I KNEW it was in my power to fix it....but I just had to figure out which tiny part needed to be altered. Had I not understood, I'd have given up long before....."one second before the miracle"..more or less.

And the reason why, since early last summer, I have not gone off plan even ONCE, not even for one second...is also due to understanding it. In my mind, I see my metabolism as a big fat-burning furnace. Literally see the fire burning.....and picture any type of non-allowed food as literally dousing the flames with a fire extinguisher. KNOW that it will set me back a day or two just to get that fire burning again to the same level.

For ME, I wanted to get to goal ASAP. So I refused to set it back even a day. But for sarahinparis, for instance, she is willing to allow more time and to slow it down in exchange for planned luxuries. The critical thing is that she understands this. And so she won't lapse into "the diet doesn't work" if it slows down. She already knows it will and expects it to happen....knows exactly what trade-off she's making. Her understanding it is the key. It prevents making incorrect assumptions, prevents giving up or getting frustrated or discouraged....so she has a great chance of long-term success, IMO.

If you get yourself in a mode where you totally understand exactly what slipping-in just a tidbit of something not allowed will result in/cause.....you will be much less likely to do it if, like me, you want to get to goal ASAP. If you want that fat-burning furnace to be running at full blast....and actually picture it in your mind....you will do what you gotta do to keep it burning that way.

Picture YOU at goal. And then picture that fat-burning furnace getting you there.
And you literally have to re-train your brain from all the entrenched beliefs we held for so many years.....that fat is bad, that just a tiny amount of sugar can be fit into the daily allotment, etc. This is a totally different WOE. It's almost magical if you do it the right way.
You can eat all sorts of fattening and filling foods....and still lose weight. But take those exact same foods...but add a tsp. of sugar? And you gain weight. It's as simple as that, really.

And you begin to learn and to just sense how your body will react to everything you put in it. Will just sense how much cheese YOUR body will allow and still lose, how much extra allowed veggies you can eat and still lose, whether any sort of Atkins-approved sweets will kick in cravings, how many calories might be too much or too little, etc. You'll become an expert regarding how YOUR body works on Atkins. And by the time you reach goal, you will be able to sense exactly what you need to eat and not eat in order to maintain the weight loss.

If I am out somewhere and having a difficult time trying to find something allowed and I'm hungry.....I will get a small package of nuts or get some hard-boiled eggs or celery sticks, etc. at a convenience store....and just avoid the bars...and anything processed, really....altogether.

deena :)

Hi Kim.:)
You can address anything you'd like on this thread. I would be honored...especially because to me, you are a major success and a role model. I hope I can continue to do as well as you've done. :)

Firefly....are those the little muffins with the flax seed meal? I'll be honest....on the one hand, the recipe I saw looked totally fine to me and I saw no problem with them....certainly, if one is past induction. Kim would know if they are appropriate for induction but I'd probably have to go and check the Atkins book.

For me...and I hope I explain this okay and don't come across as too rigid (so mind you, this is only for ME)......but in general, I tend to try to avoid making things that pretend to be things I generally cannot have...bread, cake, etc. I don't even want to venture there, if that makes any sense.

For starters, I have to severely limit my intake of artificial sweeteners this time around, so that pretty much rules out most of the low carb desserts or dessert recipes for me. I remember back in the early 90's, I attempted to make low-carb meringues using splenda with the whipped egg whites. Although the use of splenda in place of sugar caused them to deflate quite a bit and not be as stiff as desired, I could still not stop eating the darn things.

When I eat the pure farmer cheese with fresh veggies, the cheese omelet, the broccoli with butter and cheese, not only does it taste fantastic to me but also....I never over-eat them. I will stop as soon as I'm satiated....and don't keep eating and eating.

So it's not just about WHAT I can have but also about what they do to me. And for ME....going into the mode of taking low-carb ingredients and trying to duplicate all the forbidden stuff just took me down a bad road. Around the time I first did Atkins about 20 years ago....they began to come out with ALL these low-carb ingredients in the stores. Low-carb ketchup, low-carb barbecue sauce, etc. Now, I can eat plain roasted chicken and love the taste. BUT, if I decided to put low-carb barbecue sauce on it, I would 1) add additional carbs, 2) risk hidden sugars and 3) adjust my taste so that I'd want something sweet on my chicken and decrease the awesome taste of the plain chicken.....not to mention, kick in sweet cravings and risk wanting to binge.

What *I* do is this: I use ALL of the allowed ingredients on the induction list to create all sorts of interesting dishes. I don't use ANY processed low-carb stuff out of boxes, etc. You can make just a myriad of delicious dishes just from the limited list of allowed induction foods. In fact, IMO, you can make tons more filling dishes on Atkins induction than you can from many of these Ideal protein, fat smash, breaking the fat-loss code, etc. diets that limit what proteins you can eat and severely limit the fats. The liberal fats really increase the variety and satisfaction levels of dishes or snacks you can create.

Just today, I saw someone complaining of being hungry between meals on Ideal Protein, I believe it was, and another advised eating sliced cucumbers with sea salt for that. Not that there's anything wrong with cucumber slices with sea salt, mind you....but let's face it, not very filling or satiating when you're really hungry. Not like chopped eggs with mayo or chicken salad or all sorts of other things we are allowed to have on Atkins.

Like I said, this is just for ME and if it helps you in any way, it will really make me feel good......but I just found that going down the road of "I will figure out ways to make foods I can't have in a way that can slide me past the limits" that was not a good one. I love to cook and I was trying to invent cakes and all sort of stuff that was triggering me to want to over-eat. I am just SO much safer doing it the strict way.

I'll tell you one other thing that might be helpful......spend some time reading the other forums here, particularly the ones devoted to the other specific diet plans and also the general ones dealing with craving and binge issues. You will begin to notice a huge carb connection to the craving/ binge/repeatedly going off plan/repeated frustration issues.
It has really just intensified my commitment when reading these other forums....because I see clear clinical patterns and become more and more convinced that this plan is the best....and why. And this makes me totally committed to doing it the right way.

deena :)

OK, 139.3 lbs. again this morning....which is good. 2 days in a row indicates a more permanent stabilization below the 140 mark where I'd been stalled for some time. I'd gotten below it a few random times but never for 2 consecutive days in a row...so I'm feeling hopeful now that I am finally making a dent in these last 5 lbs.

Like I said, you can almost sense the scale is getting ready to drop.....I'd noticed my jeans getting looser so knew fat was being burned.

This can be so baffling though, detail-wise. On Friday, when I went to Annapolis with my brother (and got a great deal of physical exercise filling 30-40 huge bags with men's clothing)...I ended up having 6 cups of coffee...and that equaled 6 packets of Splenda (when I can only have 3 packets daily MAX)....which did slow (but didn't eliminate) my ketosis (dropped to trace)......YET, Saturday morning was when I showed the drop. Hard to figure out what the heck my body was doing with that one.

I'm still sitting here shaking my head over what Kim posted about that bread thing. It sounded to me like it was a written advertisement for low-carb bread, to be honest. That's what I first thought it was.

I'm not shaking my head over low-carb bread specifically....though there ARE a few things about just the bread that would make me shake my head (along the lines of how can margarine be that low-fat when fat is fat?) but more about the whole issue of people thinking Atkins is SO very difficult to adhere to....so very boring, so limited, etc. Just a total misconception.

I never have a problem finding something to eat when I'm out...if I feel hungry. That alone refutes the whole "so limited" belief. I just don't get it...suddenly humans cannot live without bread, pasta and sugar?

What I REALLY don't understand is that they are much more accepting of vegetarian/vegan diets than they are of low-carb diets. When the reality is that vegetarian/vegan diets, IMO, should be the ones they should be more skeptical of.

Our ancestors ate meat and fat....have we totally evolved from omnivores to herbivores? Are we now related more to giraffes? Where is the logic in that? Are they absolutely sure that they can get ALL of the aminos they need without eating meat/fish/eggs? All the iron they need?

Yet knocking out the stuff our ancestors did NOT eat is more dangerous?
I just don't get it.:(

Well, like I said..."res ipsa loquitur"...the facts speak for themselves. I have lost almost all the weight I set out to lose. I feel fabulous and it's been very easy. And I will keep it off....I am totally confident. Did it before and will do it again. Not even remotely worried. AND don't even have the remotest intention of changing the way I'm eating. I love eating this way. It's changed my life, actually. I'd have been fat all of my adult life had it not been for Atkins.

deena :)

Congratulations, Deena! I am so inspired by you and also so happy for you! Great job! And the best part is that this isn't some diet you are counting the seconds to, to go off. Not something impossible and painful to do. You made it, you did it! And you will maintain! This is the best way of eating, I am sure of it! And it makes sense. My DH is now reading the Gary Taubes book on this and says as a scientist, it makes absolute sense to him that we run better/are healthier on the fuel that our ancestors ate for millions of years.

Good work, good for you! :woohoo:

Awe, thanks Lori. :):hug:

I'm so glad that you've gotten your husband to read the Taubes book and am thrilled to hear his opinion, especially because he has the education to be able to evaluate this. They seem to be seeing the logic of this for treating diabetes...but not so much for weight problems.

I actually love it in a way...because it is the TOTAL opposite of what they've been promoting for at least the last decade.:D I'm really gonna enjoy seeing how this eventually shakes things up.....and am sure hoping it will! And that I'll get to see it.

Plus, I would LOVE to see this help so many who I see struggling with WOE's that cause constant hunger, regaining the weight right back, getting frustrated, giving up, repeatedly going off plan, craving, binge-eating, etc.

Now that I understand the biochemistry so much better, I feel even worse than I did before when I see people struggling like that. It is probably SO unnecessary in so many of the cases.

And they blame themselves for emotional eating...which they may do....but they blame ALL of it on this....when the biochemistry may be working totally against them....and making it a hundred times more difficult for them to get control of it.

I absolutely not only plan to continue eating like this but I truly...and am being totally honest here....have absolutely NO inclination to want to even change anything, really. I love the way I eat and the way it makes me feel. I do not feel deprived and if anything, it's a huge relief to not have to deal with constant hunger, cravings and then the horrible self-recrimination when I'd binge during the late evening. I feel like a normal person eating this way. This WOE makes me feel the way I want to feel....not to mention look the way I want to look.

And learning all I am from the Taubes book has just made me even more convinced of the wisdom of this and makes me want to continue it even more.

I'm serious, Lori...right now my son has here...let me see....red licorice, Entenmann's pop-ems, cookies and chocolate ice cream. These things called out to me constantly prior to getting this diet to work for me. Since early last summer, these items have been in the house and not even remotely fazed or tempted me. They don't even whisper or talk to me at all. How amazing that is!
And all the sweets and junk here over the holidays....never even touched them. And felt NO deprivation.

I honestly don't even know what got into me. I suspect that because I was SO horrified of the excessive gain and because it took SO long for me to get Atkins to work for me again (almost 4 years), resulting in a feeling of having NO control.......I guess I was SO grateful to be ABLE to actually lose the weight that I was an instant devotee....totally dedicated to it. And I still am. I'd always taken for granted that diets would work for me....until they didn't. That I'd always have some degree of control over whether I had to stay fat or not...until I didn't. I think gratitude had a whole lot to do with it, to be honest. When I finally got the ketostix to turn on that early summer day....I got a whole new lease on life. It was like I'd been given my life back again. Doing Atkins was a breeze from then on. The tough part was getting it to work again.

I finally felt normal because I COULD actually get the diet to work and had some control. And now I feel even more normal because I finally look normal again.

I'm still gonna work on these last 4 or so pounds just for the heck of it....just to see if I can. But I'm not stressing over it, believe me. Maintenance is much more important.

deena :)

It warms my little heart to see you did all this since October. Having just started and not setting a huge goal for myself make me feel like I too will be successful very soon.

....and this is probably why I have NO problem eating plenty of fat....

Deena -- I have been reading through this thread and wanted to let you know that I am so glad you have taken the time to do these "internal dialogues" which are so helpful to others reading them.

Regarding the quote above, I am eating pretty high fat because I am low-carbing also, but I worry that eating high is really harmful to the heart. Heart disease runs in my family and I want to do everything I can to avoid it. For example, my brother, who has heart disease, is on a very low-fat diet with virtually no sat fat. He has had probably 5-6 stent operations in the past 10 years. There was only 1.5 years between the last almost-total blockage and the one that just occurred. But then I think ... if the "low-fat" diet is supposed to work, why isn't it working for him? You know, the old saying that madness is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result?

So I love low-carb, it gets rid of the cravings which can be my downfall. The only thing I worry about is the sat fat. But then I read this blog (http://wholehealthsource.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-saturated-fat-review-article-by-dr.html)which pointed out a new study by an "anti-fat" researcher that came to the opposite conclusion -- that sat fat has absolutely no effect on heart disease. You can read the actual study by linking from the blog, but I like the guy, Dr. Stephan Guyenet (Ph.D. not MD) because he is a searcher and a researcher. He is not wedded to any particular theory if something disproves his current line of ideas. If only the medical community were so open-minded.

Also, an interesting (but frustrating) interview (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LNH0RPXI0M&NR=1) with Gary Taubes, Mehmet Oz and Andrew Weil.

My DH is now reading the Gary Taubes book on this and says as a scientist, it makes absolute sense to him that we run better/are healthier on the fuel that our ancestors ate for millions of years.

Thats awesome that he is involved in this with you Lori....when I was married my husband wouldn't walk with me for exercise. Also, i quit smoking and he still smoked. I didn't have any support in those areas. I still walked though and lost the weight. Even dating....it seems most men I have dated just aren't interested in taking care of their health.....and believe me they should have been. Weight on men is more accepted and that is a shame as it is not healthy for them. I'm glad your husband is reading about what you are doing. That can only help you on this journey :)

When I finally got the ketostix to turn on that early summer day....I got a whole new lease on life. It was like I'd been given my life back again. Doing Atkins was a breeze from then on. The tough part was getting it to work again.

I finally felt normal because I COULD actually get the diet to work and had some control. And now I feel even more normal because I finally look normal again.

I'm still gonna work on these last 4 or so pounds just for the heck of it....just to see if I can. But I'm not stressing over it, believe me. Maintenance is much more important.

deena :)

I loved having the ketostix change....you do feel in control when they change. I'm hoping mine will change again soon. You have really accomplished a lot deena and you are an inspiration! :)

Thanks everyone, I'm really excited that he is reading the book and he has been talking about it as he goes along. It's really amazing how bad the science was that said low-fat, high-carb should be the way to eat. I mean, ignoring the results of studies proving the opposite, not publishing them, the original proponents of this theory forcing it down our throats while all the while they were not doing science the way we think of it. And all these years and all this money trying to prove the link between saturated fat and heart disease and....nada. Trying soooooo hard to prove the dogma is correct and doing nothing but failing!

I sure hope the recommendations get revised soon because I also feel sorry for our struggling, sick, obese society, when the answer is so easy. :)

We have chocolate, syrup, etc. in the house and it doesn't call my name either....doesn't even seem attractive to eat anymore. :)

:cheer2::carrot::cheer3::broc::cb: YAY!! I am so happy to see so many visitors here!! I love visitors! Thanks so much you guys!

honeyb....I actually started (well, finally got the diet to actually start working) in early summer of '09 (so about 8 months ago) and I registered here at 3FC in October of '09, at which time I was about 165...so had lost approx. 30 lbs. Then lost another approx. 25+ lbs. since October. And amazingly...I should have normally slowed down during the second half...but my loss actually accelerated a bit (the first 30 in about 5 months but the second 25+ in less than 4 months)....and to be honest, I have to credit participating here on 3FC for that almost 100% (with just a tiny bit credited to a bit of calorie cycling...which I learned about here at 3FC). The friends, the support, the info and advice...it's just been fantastic. I love it here.
Plus...you don't have a little heart, honeyb...you have a BIG heart :) (not to mention, a great sense-of-humor)

CJZee.....Thank you so much.:hug: I'm often quite chagrined at how much I go on and on....pontificating on my soapbox.:D I'm so glad someone appreciates it/is interested in it. And I cannot thank you enough for those links. I cannot wait to go and click on them!! They sound just like what I love to check out!
Have you read anything regarding the latest Mayo Clinic study that showed no direct link between fat and heart disease? I had briefly heard it mentioned on CNN and then literally saw or heard nothing further....and I do check on the news regularly and have for years. I will have to go and search for this on the net to get the specific details....but interesting how they simply mentioned it in passing. You would think that should be pretty interesting news, wouldn't you? :?:
I will post link(s) for you on this as soon as I track it down. My recollection is that it was a major study and very large.....with a high number of test subjects. Basically, that it met the specs for a significant study, the results of which should be seriously considered.

I totally agree with you and do Atkins for the exact same reason.....that my cravings and intense, constant hunger are gone. This is exactly what would defeat me on my other diet plans....and result in self-doubt and self-recrimination. What a cluster-F....to be suffering, hungry and feeling deprived, yet headed for failure, no matter what I did. Who in their right mind would want to put themselves through that? Just salivating at the thought of finally being able to go off the diet....and ruining any chance of maintaining right there, even if I did lose some weight.

I get so thrilled when I see others here low-carbing, I can't even tell you. Makes me cheer inside my head. :D:cheer2: The more people I see low-carbing here and the more who come to this Atkins forum, the happier I am. It was very quiet here back when I first registered in October and I'm so happy more have joined in.

LeslieLou.....My estranged husband also rarely did things with me. To this day, he has no idea how to work the washing machine or to even grocery shop. He is also an RN and back in the late 80's he developed sudden onset of insulin-dependent diabetes. Remembering back, we'd taken the boys to the beach and he didn't feel well....and he bought some of those diastix and showed sugar in his urine...then bought an accu-check and his sugar was in the 600's! He had to go on insulin immediately and later, several oral hypoglycemics were added (metformin is one of them...can't recall the other....avandia, possibly?)

So....he had been listening to this sports doctor named Jim Corea on the radio for a long time...and he revered the guy. And this doctor highly recommended complex carbs...low-fat and relatively low-protein (only fish and lean fowl...no red meat).....and I remember my husband going on this big granola kick for months...and I was horrified when I read the calorie and sugar stats on the packages. Hubby bought a whole lot of whole wheat bread and whole grain cereal, I remember.....but I was then doing Atkins and tried and tried to convince him that low-carbing was the way to go....that I felt sure he could decrease his insulin/oral hypoglycemic doses....but he ignored me. And remember....he's an RN...so should have been able to comprehend this stuff on a technical level....if only he'd been willing to even listen.
In addition to that....he was hospitalized around that time for angina/chest pain, and it was discovered that he had an enlarged heart (cardiomegaly) and hypertension...and was put on norvasc...and one or two other meds.

Now...to be fair...he's also been an alcoholic for many years (an angry alcoholic) and so the alcohol, I'm sure, has been a huge factor in his declining health at the age of only 55 right now. BUT, his diet was also a huge factor, IMO. Oh, and BTW, this Jim Corea, the sports doctor, dropped dead of a heart attack/massive MI years ago.

And my husband always WAS interested in health issues related to himself. He was an avid walker and went out walking every single day....and this was why he listened so religiously to Jim Corea on the radio. Unfortunately....he set his mind on a particular set of recommendations and never had an open mind for new info...esp. info that might contradict his entrenched beliefs. And the thing is, he certainly was intelligent enough to have recognized how much the diabetes issue was growing to massive epidemic proportions. He worked in the hospital (and still does, I presume) for years and years...and the evidence was right there to clearly see.

And I think I already told the story, on my thread here, about my very healthy brother-in-law, a marathon runner.....and a radiologist (so went to medical school)....who insists on believing that low-fat is the way to go to prevent heart disease (he has a fear of this, due to his father dying of an MI in his 70's).....and in fact, has prescribed himself statins. And there is a whole array of negative side-effects of these statins, if you check them out. His wife (my sister), on the other hand, avidly keeps up with the latest medical/nutrition podcasts.....and believes in low-carbing...and basically in the theories Taubes set forth in his book. She just rolls her eyes and shakes her head at her husband's belief and that he refuses to contemplate they might be incorrect.

Back to hubby for a minute....he would go out and walk daily, then have breakfast somewhere....then go sit in his car, listen to the radio, and drink (Coors Light, mainly). Later, he would arrive home, intoxicated and often angry....with an armload of fast food, which he would quickly demolish (pizza, McDonald's, hot wings, subs, etc.)...and would then follow that up with several PB&J sandwiches (on his wholewheat bread...oh, and always diet coke).......and eventually, go to bed and pass out.....and wake up sober late at night, shower and go to work. My whole married life was all about keeping peace in the house, at any cost, for my sons.

Being a nurse, he knew how to adjust his own insulin, to cover himself for these daily carb binges/gluts. He knew enough medical info to be dangerous...because he was not open-minded about the best and latest treatments.

The story of what led to me being separated (since late '05) is a sad one..our youngest son was killed in a MVA, hubby's drinking escalated to a dangerous level and my other 2 sons made me leave...best thing I ever did. But while it's sad, it's also got an inspiring message (well, so far at least) in terms of how we managed to make good come from a bad situation, my sons and I. So if anyone ever wants to hear the story, let me know. But the reason I mention it is that I avoid seeing or speaking with him at this time (due to him showing up drunk any time I agreed to be friendly and meet, etc.) but due to circumstances, I have been under the impression (from a few of his siblings) that his health is NOT good and has been deteriorating. His sister can't even believe he's still managing to get to work and he's had to deal with DUI issues since we left.

Anyhoo, LeslieLou (lol, it rhymes)......that is my sad husband story, in a nutshell. I could count on one hand the number of times we actually did anything together, just the two of us.:(:hug:

And finally, for Lori.....and BTW, I want to tell you, Lori, how much I appreciate the fact that I can count on you to be here every day. You are a huge source of support for me and for everyone else here on this Atkins forum.
And again, I am thrilled that your husband is reading the book and telling you his thoughts regarding it. Being totally honest here...I am generally quite a skeptical person, I swear. I am NOT the type who gets sucked-into or gloms onto any new theory coming down the pike. If anything, I am the total opposite. It is only when something makes total sense to me....that I will be in the mind-frame of considering it seriously and wanting to learn more and more.

BUT...even knowing this about myself....it still makes me feel MUCH better to know that your husband, who has the knowledge and background to understand this book....sees it from the same perspective that I (and we) do. It really reinforces for me that I was viewing it in the right way and in the open-minded way I've hoped I've been doing. Please continue to share his thoughts on the book. I really want to know everything he says regarding it and regarding anything he reads in it.

And finally...for real this time :D.....I don't even want to post here what my weight was this morning. Let's just say (and here is a "TMI ALERT!").....my stomach was acting up and I spent quite a bit of time in the bathroom very early this morning.......and the results of that showed on the scale (literally mere millimeters from goal)................because I am absolutely SURE that there is NO way I lost several pounds overnight and this is a temporary optical illusion due to my body sorting itself out after my morning in the bathroom. I have IBS, as do many in my family (we're Jewish...goes with the territory :D) so I'm accustomed to this......though it only happens on occasion. I definitely feel like I dropped a ton of liquid/water and the fluid balance needs to be sorted out here.....and the scale will show my real/actual weight in a day or so.

And shoot...I don't want to jump to goal this fast! :( That's gonna take away all the fun I'm having getting there now that I have all you guys on the forum here. This makes it so much fun than it was just doing it by myself. I'm not ready to be the maintenance gal quite yet.:D
I really appreciate you guys so much!:)

But I definitely feel sure that I've dropped below 140...which IS the big deal for me. I'm guessing I'm around 139.0 right now....REAL weight....so 4 lbs. or so to go. DON'T RUSH ME, SCALE! Let me enjoy the last leg of this journey.:D

deena :)

Oh...and I promise I will get new pics taken and post them here. I poked around and actually found an old pair of lady's jeans (usually wear men's) in size 10...that not only fit me but are a bit loose!!! I am sure I was born no less than a size 10......it's the lowest size I EVER remember wearing (I'm big boned...hands like a peasant, I'm serious). And what's fantastic is now I don't have to wash and dry that one and only pair that fit me....I now have 2 pair that I can alternate...giving me plenty of time to get more at the thrift shop.
So I WILL get pics for you to show you. PROMISE.

we're Jewish...

You're Jewish? I'm Jewish too! Go us! :stardav:

:) Hey, I'm not officially Jewish because it's only relatives on my Dad's side, but my name is a name that is common in Israel - Leora. :) It means "my light" or something like that, I'm told. Leora is my real name, but I go by "Lori" most of the time because that was the nickname that my family called me.

Oh, Leslie, your story of living with an angry alcoholic makes my heart ache for you and for your sons. And I guess I feel sorry for your ex too because it's a disease and he wasn't able to get free of the disease.

I know about the violence and the fear for your life and hiding and tiptoeing so that you won't make any noise so you will be safe. Never knowing if this will be the day when he will finally go completely crazy and use his handguns to kill you as you sleep just for the sheer meanness of it. Hoping (as a daughter) you can get to 18 and keep him off of you even though he keeps trying to have sex with his daughters.

I know about all of that h@e@l@l.

I'm sorry you lived through that. I am glad you are free now. Al-Anon, if you ever feel like checking it out, is a wonderful resource to help people heal from the effects of living in that situation. In fact I really should still be going to meetings but I just hate to leave my DH in the evenings because he hates to be alone...

I am so happy for you that you are so close to your goal and that you've broken the plateau! I think that is wonderful! This summer you will be able to wear any outfit you'd like to and feel comfortable and confident and happy when you see yourself in the mirror! That's wonderful!

I'm built different than you are, I tend to carry my weight mostly below my waist. Although at 163, I have excess fat pretty much everywhere at the moment. But it will be spent bit by bit over the next year or two, and I can be patient! :)

I also have very short legs, especially my thighs. I think it's partly because of the weird genetics on my Mom's side of the family...I had a genetic disorder where my legs were very curved and the tendons were too lose (EDS I think is the abbreviation, I also have double-jointed joints and I can touch my nose with my tongue and I have problems with bad veins/weak veins) Well anyway the doctors thought maybe I'd never be able to walk so they put me in a cast when I was about 6 months old, for a little over a year, and the cast was from my hips on down. So for over a year of when I was supposed to be growing my bones, the casts were there preventing my legs from growing the right way.

So I ended up with legs that are probably about two inches shorter than they should have been. So from my hips on up, I look like a person who should be about 5'7" or 5'8". Instead I'm 5'5" with legs that are so short, that if my back touches the back of a sofa, most of the time my legs are sticking straight out because the seat of the sofa is too long for my thighs. So in order to bend my legs, I have to sit a bit forward.

Now just imagine this body - super-short legs (petite pants are the right length for me) and very big booty but a small waist. Super-curvy. My hips are literally 13 inches bigger than my waist. And that ratio doesn't change a huge amount when I gain weight or lose weight. Stays pretty close to the same.

Buying jeans is a nightmare for me. And I'm from Montana. Well, I was an Army brat so I'm from everywhere, but my Mom was from Montana. It's part of our culture to wear jeans most of the time. People go to weddings, funerals, and church in blue jeans. I would love to have a more normal shape, so that it wouldn't be so darn hard to find jeans that fit me.

So my idea of success, my dream of losing another 23 lbs., will be to see myself walking and not seeing this gigantic thighs lumbering towards the mirror, LOL. I am jealous of women who have slender legs because I will never have slender legs, even if I were to reach starvation levels I think. Oh, well, LOL.

I love coming here and see you and others posting too. :) It just seems like a nice, supportive place, these boards. :)

:) Hey, I'm not officially Jewish because it's only relatives on my Dad's side...

Me too :) My sister & I are 1st generation Canadian - my dad was born in a DP camp right after the war ended - the family immigrated to Canada when my dad was 16 - they never talked much about our history - all I know is we're originally Polish/Russian Jewish descendants.

I follow the Reform movement and we don't care if your mom or dad was Jewish or if no one was (very open to converts). We would love to have anyone who wants to be a part of us.

Oh, that's cool! :) I'm sort of "spiritual but not religious" but my family is Lutheran and I went to that church now and again so that's what I say I am. I have to say I like the commercials the ELCA has been running lately. You know, the ones saying "doing God's work with our hands" and showing the soup kitchens etc. I actually helped serve at a lot of Agape meals over the years. But I'm just not really a church-y type of person, if that makes any sense. I mean I don't know if I'm comfortable joining anything. I'm kind of a loner.

But I believe in the Light. And I believe that every single one of us goes home to the Light after we leave this world.

Oh, man, I'm probably violating the TOS here, or am I? I don't remember. Is this post too religious or anything? I hope it isn't. I'm not meaning it to be an offensive or controversial thing. I hope it's not a bad post.

I don't think it is ever offensive when someone explains what they believe. Its when they start disecting other people's beliefs that it becomes a problem.

:)
Oh, Leslie, your story of living with an angry alcoholic makes my heart ache for you and for your sons. And I guess I feel sorry for your ex too because it's a disease and he wasn't able to get free of the disease

Lori..I think you meant Deena! My ex wasnt an alcoholic he was just lazy. lol

I don't think it is ever offensive when someone explains what they believe. Its when they start disecting other people's beliefs that it becomes a problem.

so true! I'm not Jewish...I was raised Baptist but I really don't know what category I'm in other than I BELIEVE in and LOVE GOD! Thats how I roll...but I don't judge people with their beliefs. All religions fascinate me. I am always curious to learn about them and will ask lots of questions.

:wave::angel: Hi, Leslie!

You know, I was just thinking, I'll bet you've heard of the Book of Martyrs! Am I right? :) I was thinking you might have heard of that because the original Anabaptists who were in Switzerland about 500 or so years ago (600? Can't remember now) were the ancestors in a way of the Baptists theologically. And a lot of Baptist ministers know the history of the Anabaptist movement because of that because really it's part of Baptist history.

And the original Anabaptists had many leaders who were burned at the stake by the Catholic church at that time for being heretics. And the deaths of those leaders were recorded in "The Book of Martyrs."

I told a Baptist minister (elderly gentleman, had been a minister for many many decades and learned a lot over the years naturally about history and everything else) that a couple of my ancestors were in the book of Martyrs and he knew exactly what that was and what it meant.

Anyhow I was thinking maybe you would have heard of that too! :) I think most people haven't heard of that though.

Lori...nope haven't heard of it. I've always gone to Southern Baptist Churches and while they are great....there is lacking in preaching about the history of the religion. I have visited other churches and like I said I am fascinated by other ways of worship. I dont actually have a certain category I fit in now...I just like to learn about it all :)

Oh, well, it was a long shot. The Anabaptists believed in only adult baptism rather than infant baptism so they were philisophically the great-grandaddy of all the denominations who believe in adult baptism as opposed to infant baptism. :)

Deena, congrats on making such a milestone of dropping into the FINAL weight decade!!! You're such an inspiration!

I agree w some of the above comments about Taubes (who is definitely getting a lot of love from me tonight in various posts).

What I think the biggest gift his book gave me was a true understanding of WHY I need to make certain food choices. With calorie counting or points or even fat counting it's just a random rule of what to follow. Any negative impact from a slip up is really in the future and pretty vague. Once you understand how the biochemistry of ketosis-level low carb diets work for weight loss, you understand how your choices affect your results and your progress. From there, being at peace with NOT eating the cake is easy. No bread? No problem.

I know there are a lot of people who want simpler answers than his book, and want to be told what to do with their eating, but there is a lot to be said for really understanding something -- makes putting it into action an act of easy integrity, not blind devotion.

Oh, man, I really am getting dementia with the change of life. Thanks, Leslie. How embarrasing! I'm sorry, Deena!

Aren't the Anabaptists the forerunners to the Amish? Amish people are so cool. They really amaze and fascinate me as do Quakers as Mennonites (sp?) as well. I love documentaries and there is one on Shakers I really want to see. Also I would love to try an Amish restaurant. Gonna have to plan an "off-day" for that if I ever come across one.

Oh, man, I really am getting dementia with the change of life. Thanks, Leslie. How embarrasing! I'm sorry, Deena!

Its ok! gosh....I'm the same way....its hard for me to keep track on here sometimes and the days of the week ;) glad to know someone else is the same :p

Aren't the Anabaptists the forerunners to the Amish? Amish people are so cool. They really amaze and fascinate me as do Quakers as Mennonites (sp?) as well. .

Me too! I love their simple way of life. I saw an interview Oprah did with one Amish family and it was great that they described their lives as "content". How many people these days can say that? Since being diagnosed with a chronic condition (that ticks me off) I have found appreciation in the smaller things in life. I see the little jonquil sprouts trying to come out of the ground now and it makes me smile cause I know spring is around the corner. Stop and smells the roses? nah...stop and smell the roses, jonquils, jasmine...everything! Yeah I'm still ticked off I have this but I am glad it has changed my outlook. BTW....Amish kids are always so well behaved in public.. I just love that!

Good gravy we could start our own Atkins Dieting With Obstacles group here. I can get really down about having chronic pain but dropping starches from my diet has really helped a lot. Still I get bad days...and weeks like I am having right now...and it all seems like too much to bear. However, I try to maintain the attitude that I am really lucky that I have chronic pain because some people have terminal illnesses , are in wheelchairs or have lost the mental functions. I'll take chronic pain over any of those. And I do get excited about the most mundane things like shopping for fabric or having friends over at my house. Call me easily entertained.

Chronic pain isn't any fun at all. I've been having a flareup of my endometriosis over the past several days, my hormones must just be doing weird things again. But it's no big deal, I know it will pass. We just keep trudging along no matter what! :)

Yup, the Anabaptists spawned the Amish among other groups. My ancestors became Amish as soon as that group formed, and my great-grandmother was the last to live as an Amish lady. The rest of the family rejected that and became Catholic, except for my mother who, in honor of her Swedish father, became Lutheran.

It's really interesting, the origin of different denominations, different religions, etc.

[QUOTE=honeybjones;3174528]Good gravy we could start our own Atkins Dieting With Obstacles group here
However, I try to maintain the attitude that I am really lucky that I have chronic pain because some people have terminal illnesses , are in wheelchairs or have lost the mental functions.[QUOTE]


I hear you on that. Lately though...Ive even considered the scooter at Walmart but I refuse for now. For now...I will hobble around here... I just really hate the stares when I limp at the store...but they can just the other way![/
About the fabrics...Do you sew? I never could sew...maybe a button! wish I could...just think of all the things to make!

Chronic pain isn't any fun at all. I've been having a flareup of my endometriosis over the past several days, my hormones must just be doing weird things again. But it's no big deal, I know it will pass. We just keep trudging along no matter what! :)

Yup, the Anabaptists spawned the Amish among other groups. My ancestors became Amish as soon as that group formed, and my great-grandmother was the last to live as an Amish lady. The rest of the family rejected that and became Catholic, except for my mother who, in honor of her Swedish father, became Lutheran.

It's really interesting, the origin of different denominations, different religions, etc.

sorry you are going through that Lori....yep...we just keep trudging along dont we? :)

Very interesting family history you have there......some rebels in your ancestry huh? haha! I just love learning about that stuff.

I just started sewing in December but I'm told I am pretty good for a beginner. I enjoy it but I stress myself out because I want to do everything really well even though I say I am not a perfectionist--I am a good enoughist.

That's so cool that you sew! I've seen people who sew be able to reupholster worn-out furniture, make beautiful curtains, etc. and I wished so much that I could sew so that I could do those things!

It can be frustrating when something creative you do, doesn't match the image you had in your head when you started. I do the same thing with my artwork, it's never as good as I had hoped it would be. But I still do it. Shrug.

I wish I could do some kind of original artwork but I am not very creative. On the other hand I am pretty good at math so I guess it evens out.

I wish I could do some kind of original artwork but I am not very creative. On the other hand I am pretty good at math so I guess it evens out.

Being good at math is impressive. 'Nough said.

Well thanks but I can't take credit for any natural abilities. Someone once told me the secret to math and I tell anyone who cares to know. So here it is. Math is a descriptive language, it is what it is, its not up for interpretation or discussion and there is no great mystery. Of course this all falls apart once you get into higher theoretical math but heck I'm a legal secretary. All I need to be able to do is add large amounts of money in my head.

I really admire people who are good at math! I've never been good at math. I mean, I would take classes in the easier forms of math, like finite math and statistics, and I'd get "B's" in those classes which was okay to me since they weren't my best subjects, but then my mind would do a brain dump and I would forget within weeks everything I'd learned. I guess my brain just isn't set up to do well at math.

Hey guys!

Sorry for the MIA. Missed you ALL!! Developed some computer (internet) problems and had to wait for my son to fix them for me. Still hovering in the 137 to 138 range. A pair or two of the jeans I'd gotten at the thrift store the last time were women's size 10, it turns out, and they fit me kinda loose right now. They fit great right out of the dryer and then start to get a bit baggy as I wear them. I tend to like men's jeans but was just trying on random pairs and had bought a bunch that fit me.....some men's 32" waist and women's 10's. My son wears 30" waist but have not tried them on yet...though am sure they'd be too tight and would love to try on a men's 31" pair.

The weather has been depressing here the past few days....gray and gloomy with rain on and off. Wish the sun would show up....this weather is bumming me out.

It's interesting....it's been my experience that when I've lost weight, I will be approached by others expressing an interest in the diet I used and how I did it. Recently, two neighbors and also my oldest son's fiance became interested.....and while explaining it to them, I realized that it's not all that easy of a diet to explain...when you factor in all the little particulars. By particulars, I mean all the little hints and caveats....the little things used when trouble-shooting, etc.
I will generally print-out the main page of the Veronica Atkin's site that lists the specific foods one can have on induction....but then there are all the little specifics....like the importance of eating enough fat, the importance of not over-doing it on the dairy (esp. the cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, etc.), the importance of vegetables, the importance of getting enough calories, avoiding the bars and shakes, etc.

One of the really great things about coming here...and that I really miss when my computer malfunctions....is that my friends here understand the Atkins plan. It can almost be like speaking a foreign language when trying to explain it to others.....at least for me, it is. It can be a bit...well, frustrating...when trying to explain it to others...at times. Part of this may be due to their already entrenched beliefs about fat....and also due to prior misconceptions about Atkins. It can be like trying to totally retrain someone to an altogether different way of eating.

I think the most challenging part for me is that I already know how much little misunderstandings could potentially cause them to not have success with the plan.....and therefore, feel it's critical to have them totally understand it so they don't just give up if they hit some walls in the beginning. Lately, I've been 1) writing out for them a list of my weekly groceries and 2) writing out for them a list of what I will eat daily...for about a week....just to give them some idea of what the plan looks like, practically speaking, on a day-to-day basis.

I hate to just tell them to "read the book".....and feel obligated to figure out a way to explain the plan to them.....ya know, trying to be helpful. Especially because these happen to be long-time friends of mine (the neighbors) and of course, my soon to be daughter-in-law....so they are not just random people who approach and ask me.

I'd love to be able to write myself up some sort of concise WORD document that I could print-out for them....sort of like the Veronica Atkins page PLUS all the most relevant tips and important points....that I could just print out and give to them. Of course, you guys know me.....and know that I launch into my diatribe about how carbs are the major culprits in our diets and verge into all sorts of topics that would make Gary Taubes proud...but that probably just confuse these poor folks that just want me to tell them exactly how I lost the weight and how they can do it too.:D
Poor guys get stuck with listening to a whole speech about carbs, fats, and problems with the American diet from me.....that they weren't asking for, necessarily.:D

When people ask you about Atkins or express an interest in trying it....how do you guys deal with that?

OK...let me go and read all the new threads here and dispense all my random wisdom....solicited or not.:D:devil:

deena :)

http://gallery.me.com/justin120884/100582/IMG_1634/web.jpg?ver=12690229020001

http://gallery.me.com/justin120884/100582/IMG_1635/web.jpg?ver=12690229080001

OK...here is my original before photo at almost 195 lbs. and the other one is from today at 136.5 lbs. this morning....one and a half pound from goal...approximately. Approximately is because it is now gonna jump around between 136 and 138 now....could even be for a few weeks....before it finally stabilizes at this weight....and will eventually/hopefully hit 135/goal here soon.:carrot:

deena

wow wow wow Deena! good job! You look fantastic! Love your hair too :)

Wow Deena, what a difference! You look super! I also love your hair.. You must be feeling great after losing all that weight..

Congratulations!
Toby

you look fabulous girl!

congratulations guys for loosing the weight. i've just started the atkins...5 days in now, first 2 days i felt terrible, major carb cravings! but now i know its only been a few days but the cravings are gone and don't feel hungry like i used too. i quite excited and keen to start losing the weight. i am 218 pounds and my goal is to lose 50 pounds. my worry is i tend to get bored with dieting easily when i don't see results, then i give up. but reading through what you all have achieved i'm quite optimistic about this diet.

I've been on atkins for about 3 months and only lost 17 lbs I'm thinking about trying the crack the fat loss code did anyone ever hear of it and have any thoughts?

I bought the book and it went in the garbage. It was basically carb cycling. That's it. I couldn't stick with it....give me a carb and I'll go on a binge. lol.

Me too, Ltsgirl. I bought the book, read it, thought about it, tossed it in the free bin at the library...I can't cycle carbs. I truly believe I'm one of those carb intolerant, addicted people. I feel better and certainly eat healthier without them.

And Deena, you look amazing! Congratulations! :carrot:

Deena, congratulations on your success!

Wow....thanks so much guys. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the congrats, etc.

For marydd......first of all, 17 lbs. in 3 months is not bad. How much weight did you want to lose and what was your starting weight? If I remember, the weight came off faster when I was really heavy....as if it was quite easy to get the excess to come off....but then it got more difficult as the amount of weight I wanted to lose became smaller and smaller. If I count back...I started in July and lost a total of 60 lbs. in a period of 9-10 months......so 17 lbs. in 3 months if not bad at all....and in fact, is about the same rate as mine was.

But....in terms of suggestions.....do you check your ketone levels with the ketone stix? My ketosis was the critical factor in determining how I was doing.....because unless you know Atkins inside and out and have LOTS of experience with it....it is very easy to eat something that may have had hidden carbs. Years ago, the first time I did Atkins....I remember several times when I did this....and not intentionally...believe me.

Now there are some people whose ketones don't register on the stix....Kim is an example of this...and I'm not sure why that happens.....but most people will register the ketones. As long as you are spilling ketones....you are losing weight. I evaluated by the ketones way more than I did the scale......because it all balances out....you'll see.

Atkins is actually fairly high calorie....but it's a metabolic diet, not a calorie-counting one. But if you accidentally eat something that has hidden carbs....you not only stop the ketosis for a period of time....but you can also gain a little....because without the ketosis...it turns into a calorie-counting diet for that period....and the calories can be high enough to gain.

Also....one thing thing I did do....but this was after I'd lost most of the weight....was calorie cycling. And it did help to speed things up. I did it accidentally the first time....but then realized what was happening. Doing calorie cycling while still on Atkins was quite effective.

deena :)

OK, so after crapping-up poor sandyfanny's thread with my whining :D I decided to do it on my own thread instead. Not only that, but the subject of her thread...what's for dinner?.....is not what I'm whining about....so it's like I bust into the middle of someone else's conversation and start whining. Waaahh! :tantrum::tantrum::tantrum:

So where was I? I'm not getting enough calories in to try and low-carb it while I'm having massive problems with chewing. Plus, it makes me get terrible hunger pangs...which I hate...and had not had them for almost a year while on Atkins. Plus having to eat empty calories....and sugar...which I consider to be really, really evil. :devil: I feel like eating sugar is like committing a sin (even though I don't think we have "sins" in the Jewish religion) :D Plus, all my great energy I had on Atkins. I'm very unhappy with this...very upset, actually.

I don't know what in the **** I was thinking.....well, I just didn't even think of it, to be honest. It never really occurred to me....and I don't know why...because I have actually known of several women who don't wear their denture(s) most of the time....and it makes your face look horrible...and just assumed the denture(s) was/were hurting them or something (??).....I guess...I never really gave it much thought.

Jeez, I heard once that Benjamin Franklin (or was it George Washington) made himself wooden dentures....can you imagine? How the **** did he chew with THEM?? Now that I realize the chewing problems involved, it really floors me to think of them being wooden and not professionally fitted, etc. How the heck did he even manage not having them falling out all the time(?)....much less, the chewing issue.

Anyway...had I realized or given it a lot of thought (I mean, who's gonna ask a woman why she doesn't have her denture(s) in, right?).....I could have been prepared. Not only mentally but as a practical matter.
I do all the cooking for my father and myself.....and his basic diet fits right in with Atkins (except he avoids fat...he thinks) so it worked out really great and I knew just what to get at the grocery store and have in the house and didn't have to figure out two different menus, etc.
So....I didn't buy stuff to prepare...only some yogurt and cream soups for the chewing problem that I thought would only last a week or so....but it's been over 2 months now.....HOPEFULLY due to not having the permanent liner yet and that this will fix everything in 6 days.

OK...so here's the plan. I'm gonna start a list of dental-soft low-carb foods that I can think of (and that I like...which is practically anything, to be honest)......and if anyone wants to help me or add things please feel free. In fact...PLEASE feel free....I can use the help.

Then, if I don't need it and can eat fine in 6 days, that will be great. But just in case, I'll be prepared and will know what to get at the grocery store.

Well....here's the things I CANNOT eat at the present time:

Most meats (except ground)
Shellfish (tried to eat calamari...forget it)
Raw veggies
cooked veggies with skins (corn, peas, beans, etc.)
pork rinds
Nuts of any kind

And meanwhile will make a list of what would be dental soft low carb:

most fish
most COOKED (soft) veggies (but with no sort of skins...corn, peas, beans etc.)...like broccoli and cauliflower. And veggie soup with only soft veggies with no skins.
eggs of any sort (scrambled, egg salad, etc.)
ground beef that I could create a meatloaf recipe for.
cottage cheese
sour cream
cream cheese
melted cheese or really soft cheese
Jello (sugar-free, of course)
cut up soft fruit with no skins
(butter, mayo, soup broth, of course)


OK...what else? I'd appreciate if anyone has something they can add that I've not thought of here. And I will add to it myself if I think of anything else.
Then I can prepare a grocery list (someone posted a nice meatloaf recipe on sandyfanny's thread so will list what ingredients to buy....after I evaluate every one (I'm wondering about the green pepper...crunchy plus has a skin). The onions, I think would be fine...and the crushed pork rinds. I could also use flax meal to bulk it up. Not an induction item but pretty low-carb and I think could be used for maintenance in reasonable amounts. And then I'll be prepared, at least, for what to do in 6 days....it things don't turn out exactly the way I hope they will. Anything can be revised, right? If you put your mind to it.

Meanwhile....I'm a nervous wreck about my son's wedding coming up in 2 weeks (the 28th). I'm getting a panicky feeling just thinking of it.
It's funny...but I HATE any sort of being in the limelight kinda thing. I'm really serious. Got married at a justice of the peace with nobody else there.
You couldn't PAY me to have a wedding....and I can't figure out why other women want one so much. I mean, I've heard of women offered a wedding or a new house, by parents, and they will choose the wedding. WTF? To me, that's nuts. I just can't figure it out. My soon-to-be DIL is really thrilled and looking forward to this big wedding....I'm a nervous wreck just thinking about it....or HER state of mind right now.
It's not that a wedding is the problem...as a guest, I'd be fine. It's the whole mother-of-the-groom thing...with other son being best man.....having to be announced, etc. GAAHHH!

But on that subject...I would be fine as a guest of a wedding IF I'm not fat. Whenever I was fat, I didn't want to go anywhere, much less a wedding. Family gatherings are a nightmare where everyone is checking out who's thin and who's fat. It makes me absolutely shudder to think of how I'd be if I was still 195 lbs....considering that it took me about 3 years to get the Atkins diet to work again and figure out what the problem was (artificial sweeter). Thank G-d I managed to get it to work in time for the wedding...in fact, I hope the gown still fits. To be perfectly honest...if I was still fat I would be in a panic, depressed, and trying to figure out a way to get out of it....get sick or something. Can you imagine? My own son's wedding? I would NEVER want to do that to one of my sons...not in a million years.
I keep thinking about that as the wedding has gotten closer and closer....what the **** would I have been doing now, in my sheer desperation? What would I wear? That hideous thing I wore to my half-sister's wedding? That was the only thing that fit and I had to spend time crying in the dressing room, frustrated and depressed and finally settled on it in disgust? Even came late to her wedding, not wanting to get out of my car wearing that horror (?) (who I've now given to another sister, BTW)
What in the world would I do if I had still not gotten the diet to work? With this wedding 2 weeks away? They'd probably have to commit me for massive depression....or panic attacks.:D
I remember driving to that wedding...it was also in August..and here I was with this ugly, tent-like pants suit, sweating and flushed....and very unhappy. I just wanted to get it over with. And that was a small wedding....nothing like this shindig my son's fiance whipped up....with the reception in a place called "The Penthouse" in NYC.
I just wanted to crawl into a hole. Plus, I was so uncomfortable in any sort of fitted clothes....and always rushed into loose stuff/elastic waist, etc. as soon as I'd get home. So I was hot and sweating, terribly uncomfortable in the outfit, fat with a horrible outfit....it was a nightmare. Seriously. I should go and make an offering to whatever deity got this diet to work again for me.:D

OK...hope this fits on the page, lol. It's a book...as usual. Better stop now as it's getting ridiculous in length.

deena :):D

Deanna52 - CONGRATULATIONS!!! You look AMAZING!!! You are so inspiring to keep at it!!!

Thank you flychick! :hug:

OK...126.9 this morning. You would think I'd be thrilled, wouldn't you? I'm not...I'm almost crying right now. I feel like crap....dragging/no energy and feel depressed. I truly believe I have some sort of sugar allergy or intolerance...probably why I feel so great and have so much success when I'm on Atkins....even better than many others. Because I really cannot tolerate sugar and should stay totally away from it.

Why else would I feel depressed? Almost in this despairing way? The quickly looming wedding? Yeah, I could see that if I was still 195 lbs. I'd be wanting to kill myself right about now.
Anxious, I could understand. Due to the not liking to get up in front of people or have any kind of focus on me in a crowd. But depression over that makes no sense. I should be all excited. But I feel like crying. I'm in that "feeling like a bad person" mode.....which does come from my childhood with a punitive, critical mother....but doesn't usually control my life....or just appear for no reason.

You all know that I'm a huge believer in the Gary Taubes' premise....and I totally believe that what we eat affects not only our health but also our mood, our energy, our state-of-mind.
I ALWAYS feel great on Atkins. Just an added benefit to the fact that it works so well for weight loss.
And ever since this chewing problem started...I'm feeling crap...worse and worse.

Of course, I'm holding out massive hope that this permanent liner...in about 4 more days....will fix everything. What probably already contributed to me feeling despairing is that on Friday, I drove my dad to his girlfriend's place...and stopped in for a few minutes. She told me that I shouldn't lose any more weight...that I was getting too thin. And I told her that I'm not doing it on purpose...it's due to the chewing problem from the plate.
And while she commiserated with me, I came to realize that she also wears plates....only she has both upper and lower (I only have upper). I'd had no idea she wore them....just assumed they were her own teeth.

So realizing that, of course, I began to ask her about my concerns....and she gave me the impression that it never gets much better (the chewing)...which really upset me.
Granted....she 1. has both uppers and lowers, 2. her upper is different than mine because she still has the bases of prior dental implants so it's shaped more like a lower denture (doesn't cover roof of mouth) and hooks on these implant bases. Plus she claims she never got or does not have any sort of permanent liner. And hers are a few years old, she said.

So maybe....it will turn out differently for me. Please G-d!
All week-end I wished I'd never asked her....just totally depresses and bummed me out the whole week-end.
And I should have been happy. Sunday they had a Margaret O'Brien film festival on TCM with all these movies I LOVE....The Secret Garden, Meet Me in St. Louis, Little Women, etc....probably the best child actor ever.

But my food was pure sh*t. Just pure carbs....and crappy carbs at that. Might as well have eaten the damn packages they came in instead. They don't even taste good anymore and I don't enjoy them. Only eat when I'm simply starving (why I'm losing....it's just flat-out not enough calories...which is also not good for me and probably contributing to me feeling draggy and depressed). I'm so jealous of reading everyone else here eating their healthy food. I am taking a multi-vitamin....and may add some iron since I can't chew meat.

I really need to get it together here. Like yesterday, I ate two of those "cottage cheese doubles" I'd bought to eat the first week or so after the surgery. There was no reason I could not just eat the cottage cheese and left off the "doubles" part. It's not like I'm still trying to lose and have to worry about the amount of dairy I eat anymore. Cottage cheese would be a whole lot better...plain....than the sugary fruit stuff in the doubles or the high-glycemic mashed potatoes, etc.

I need to make a major change NOW. Today. And not wait 4 days to see what happens. I hate to throw out food....but why eat stuff that's gonna make you feel crappy, lethargic and depressed? I could kick myself that I bought even more of it after the initial purchases I made to get me through the healing process the first week or so. Wouldn't have to feel so guilty about throwing it out. Maybe I could find out where the food bank is....not sure if they take refrigerated stuff though, like yogurt and cottage cheese doubles.

That's it. I don't care if it's text-book Atkins Maintenance right now. At least I can eat as healthy and as low carb as possible, even though it might not be exactly the way I'd be doing it without these chewing problems.
Plain cottage cheese, meatloaf, cooked veggies. I at least have enough of those few items I can live off of until I learn the ultimate truth in 4 days. Then I can go and shop for all that stuff I made in that list in the prior post here....to give me some variety so I don't get sick and tired of only being able to eat 3 things.

OK....I feel a little better...for now....making that decision.

Ya know, they make these jokes about losing weight.....that they should get their jaws wired. I know everyone's heard them. Then the punchline is "knowing me, I'd gain weight on milkshakes"....or something like that. But the truth is....you know how sick you'd get of only milkshakes? And how fast?
(I think I posted that already....it's sounding familiar :o)

Well, I'm hoping that when this is all sorted out, I will have least have gained some insight.....regarding why we eat/crave what we do and why the amounts. Why we eat when not even hungry. How much ability to eat affects hunger and cravings. How much we eat and don't even know it....take tastes of this or that....and don't even count them.

You really cannot even imagine what this is like unless you've been through it. A few years ago I broke my left shoulder and could not move my left arm for about a month. Suddenly....I was overwhelmed by the loss of having two functioning arms. I took for granted how much one needs both arms. This is the same thing. Suddenly you cannot do what most others can do. You feel crippled..."less than"...faulty. It's a horrible feeling.

Eh....I'll let you know how I do sticking with meatloaf, cottage cheese and soft cooked veggies.
And will definitely let you know in 4 days if this permanent liner fixes the problem....at least enough to allow me to eat a reasonable variation of Atkins Maintenance.

deena :(:blah::write::kickbutt:

Oh, Deena, I'm so sorry you're having such a terrible time. Check the dates on the stuff you don't want to eat...can you return it to the grocery store? That sounds nuts, but I've done it more than once. As long as it's still fresh and unopened...take it back! Tell the nice lady at customer service, you've bought the wrong items.

And make some delicious cauliflower and cheddar soup; it's a pureed soup. While you're at it, puree some cooked chicken and blend it into with your soup. Instant Atkins! Blend pureed steak with cream cheese and horseradish, roll it into balls and eat appetizers for dinner. I want to help so badly; I don't want you to be sad and depressed.

Weight 127.6 this morning.

Aww, thanks so much sandyfanny. I'm happier today because I realized I miscalculated and I actually go to the dentist for the liner in 2 days...I go on Thursday...at 11:30, I think....so only two days to go. Keeping my fingers crossed for this to be the solution.

sandyfanny.....do you have a recipe for cheddar cheese soup? One that would be Atkin's friendly/OK? The reason I ask is that over the week-end I was watching the food network and one of the shows hosted by that guy named "Guy" with the spiked hair (called "Diners and"....something..."dives"?)....and he went to this one restaurant and they served a "cheeseburger soup" which he and all the customers raved about. But I can't remember specifically how they made the initial cheese soup part (base).
But what they did then was to add cooked and crumbled ground beef, chopped tomatoes and shredded lettuce, believe it or not.....and it's supposed to be fabulous. It did look and sound delicious, I have to say....even though the thought of adding shredded lettuce to a warm soup kinda threw me at first. And all the ingredients were Atkin's friendly if I could just have a recipe for the Atkin's friendly cheese soup base.

And I was wondering how I could figure out a cheese soup recipe in order to make this....and you just mentioned cheddar cheese soup and I would love to have the recipe and try to make the cheeseburger soup and then we could post the combined recipe here if it does really taste as good as they said.

You mentioning the cheese soup just reminded me of this....that I wanted to find a recipe for the base....and voila! Here you are! Bless your heart.
And thanks so much for the sympathy. The dentist office just called to confirm my appt. on Thursday. Please G-d let this fix the chewing problem....at least enough for me to eat the foods that I feel good eating.

Do you think that if I left out the cauliflower and added the other cheeseburger ingredients instead, that your recipe would work as the cheese soup base to try to make this other recipe? I'd really appreciate if you could help me figure out how to make a cheddar cheese soup base (or any kind of cheese soup base, for that matter) so I can try to make this cheeseburger soup.

Thanks, deena :):hug:

Deena, I'm so glad you're feeling better this morning. I'm your girl - here's a link to the recipe you want. I chose the Extra -Rich Cheeseburger Soup 'cause we Atkins girls can and because you're concerned about losing too much weight.

http://www.cheese-burger.net/recipes/extra-rich-cheeseburger-soup.html

If you scroll down, you'll find the original recipe Guy featured on the show and lots of other versions. Since you're trying to keep your weight UP, I'd make the Extra-Rich as it's written.

But, if you want to make it Atkins, substitute cauliflower for the potatoes, leave out the carrots and flour. The cauliflower (or the potato) is what thickens this soup; you'll never miss the flour.

Instead of 2 cups of milk, for Atkins, use 2 cups of heavy cream or 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 cup water or ( 1 cup heavy cream and an extra cup of chicken broth).

I think this will work just fine. Let me know if you like it. Good luck! I'm so glad your appointment is SOON.:cheese:

Deena, you also might consider making this recipe for cauliflower and cheddar cheese soup, using it as your "base" and just adding the other ingredients that make Cheeseburger Soup.

You need the cauliflower for thickening and for volume and texture in my opinion. You could play around with using 2 cups of heavy cream, heating it over low heat and slowly whisking in a couple of egg yolks, then the cheese to make a cheddar base without the cauliflower. The egg yolks will act as a thickener. If you do it this way, be careful not to let it get too hot while you're making this base. NEVER let cream boil. But I'd have to play with this a little to know it would be good.

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif Cauliflower and Cheddar Soup
Cauliflower and Cheddar Soup

1/2 head of cauliflower, washed and cut into florets
2 T. olive oil
2 cups of chicken broth (I use reduced sodium)
1/2 - 1 c. heavy cream
grated sharp cheese (as much as you like - I use about 1/2 c.)
chopped onion (I use maybe 1/2 cup)

In a large saucepan, sautee the onion in olive oil 'til it's soft over med - low heat. *Add the cauliflower and sautee it with the onions 'til the cauliflower shows a little golden color (about 7 min.) Add the chicken broth, cover saucepan and simmer until the cauliflower is soft. Let the mixture cool off the heat and put it in a blender and puree. You may need to do this in two batches. Return the pureed mixture to the saucepan and add cream, reheating over med.- low heat. Stir in the cheese and ground black or white pepper and serve. Don't add salt until you taste it; the cheese may be enough salt. This makes 4 - 6 servings. You can refrigerate leftover soup and reheat for another meal.

*If you're in a hurry, microwave the cauliflower until it's soft. Then add it to the onion, add chicken broth and simmer about 15 min. But I think it's better to sautee it a little with the olive oil.

Oooh, sandyfanny....thanks SO much for that recipe.

I'm thinking I want to first try to make it without the cauliflower...do you think it would still work? I'm thinking the cauliflower would affect the cheeseburger taste....but the onions would actually be a great addition!

What the customers and the host were saying on that show was that the soup tasted JUST like a real cheeseburger....so I'm thinking to only put cheeseburger ingredients in it the first time....just to be able to come up with this recipe and share it with everyone else here.

I think that adding either ground beef or ground turkey/chicken to cauliflower/cheese soup would taste fabulous....but not exactly like a cheeseburger, KWIM? But thinking about it....we could figure out all sorts of additions/changes to the basic recipe for new combos....like using broccoli florets instead of cauliflower, etc....right? Oooh....or figuring out some sort of base for an Atkins friendly french onion soup...yum. Maybe use a different cheese?

That recipe seems really easy too....all I need to get is the heavy cream, some more shredded cheddar and an onion.....plus the ground beef, tomatoes and lettuce to add. Plus....I will be able to eat it with no chewing problems!
The recipe you sent me the link to.....see, I would pull out many of the ingredients...like the potatoes, carrots, etc....and only add what would go on a cheeseburger. What do you think? Better to use American cheese or cheddar? I like cheddar on a burger so that should work just fine, don't you think?

OK...I'm gonna get working on this as soon as I can get to the grocery store and I will let you know how it turns out. Thanks so much again for this recipe.

deena :hug:

Okay. If I were making this without the cauliflower, I'd use the egg yolks whisked into heated heavy cream (2 c.) and then stir in the cheddar as my base. Otherwise, I'm afraid it won't thicken. Whisk those egg yolks in one at a time.

Shoot....thanks Sandy. I didn't even think of that!

Is there any other option, just in general, to use for thickening while on Atkins? Since I'm on maintenance at this point, it would probably be okay for me to use a bit of flour to make a roux with first before adding the cream....but I want to create this recipe so that it's approved for induction and only contains induction-approved ingredients.

I know that I've used butter to thicken certain items (like glazed sweet potatoes at Thanksgiving)....but butter wouldn't work here because there's already more than enough fat in the cheese, right?

So how many egg yolks per each cup of cream would work do you think? Two yolks per cup, whisking in each yolk separately? I've never before used egg yolks to thicken.....so have no first-hand experience with using them for this purpose.

You know....I also wonder if there would be any way to make a roux using that flaxseed flour. I know that there is some sort of flax one can substitute for flour while on Atkins....but of course, one has to be very careful to only use small amts. because it still does have some carbs in it. But I wonder if that would work for thickening.
And I would also have to check to see if that flax stuff is even okay for induction (I've got a feeling it's not...Jersey girl will let us know).

OK...have my list prepared for the soup ingredients....just have to get over to the nearby grocery store (plus have a bunch of other little errands I have to run...bank, etc.)

deena :hug:

Deena, according to induction, egg yolks are the only thing I see that would work as a thickening agent. I don't think butter will do it.

As to maintenance, theoretically, you can use whatever you want to as long as you're within your CCL (Critical Carbohydrate Level), but Atkins warns against the trigger power of some carbs that got many of us in trouble in the first place. Specifically: "Be wary - endlessly wary- of sugar and corn syrup , and white flour and cornstarch." (pg. 221, Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution, 1992...2002)

JerseyGyrl would know what you could use to make a roux with butter for your base. I've seen almond meal, which might work, but not for induction. I don't like the taste of flaxseed anything, so I'd be more likely to use 100% whole wheat flour or almond meal if I were determined not to use egg yolks. :dizzy:

OK...just got back and got all the ingredients.:D
As soon as I make my dad dinner, I'm going to start on the soup.....and I'll let you know how I'm doing. If you have a chance, Sandy, check over here later tonight because if I have problems with the thickening, I'm gonna be over here hollering HELP to you.:D

I'm guessing put in the chopped onion raw? What do you think? One would eat raw onion on a cheeseburger, right? Although one could also eat sauteed onions on it too, actually. And I'm not all that nuts about raw onion.

Boy oh boy....is this gonna have a lot of calories....heavy cream, lots of cheese and ground beef. Just shows you how many calories we can eat as long as we stick to the carb restriction.
I'm gonna make a large pot of it....got enough ingredients for that. Then I plan to freeze it in several batches. It sounds so rich that you wouldn't be able to eat more than about a cup for a meal....maybe with a salad or another veggie added.
I figured that no matter how it turns out, I love the ingredients anyway so I'd eat it anyway in case it turns out faulty...or needing tweaking/changes. So figured I'd take the risk of making a whole pot because no matter the thickness, knowing me, I'll eat it anyway.

This sounds so rich though that I would either make it in really small batches or else make a lot and freeze it in several small batches. I think it would take quite a long time to eat an entire pot of it if you were keeping it in the refrigerator....KWIM?

I could swear that there is a flaxmeal flour that is allowed on Atkins (in small amounts) but not sure if it's allowed for induction. You'd only need a very small amount just for thickening, I'd think....so you might not even taste it. But I'm going to try and thicken this with the egg yolks so will see what happens.

OK...hope you see this in time and can check back on me later.:hug:

deena:)

Oh good! I'm very curious about this soup business. I wouldn't put my onions in raw. I'd sautee them along with the ground beef - you have to brown it anyway...I think the soup will freeze just fine. How fun to have it handy to heat up when you're just plain not in the mood to cook.

I'll make it too...after you do! I'll check in from time to time. I'm cleaning house and love an excuse to procrastinate. :p

OK, the ground beef and the onions are all cooked up and browned. Now starting on the soup base. Plus have to cut up tomatoes.:D

OK...update. It is delicious! All it needs is mayo and ketchup.:D

Now, it's not quite as thick as I'd like, though it definitely is nothing close to thin. Here's what I did. I heated the chicken broth...then added the cream and heated that combo and then added the cheese. When the cheese melted, it did thicken it up a bit. Then beat 2 egg yolks, tempered them and then stirred them in. Just added the ground beef and sauteed onions, the chopped tomatoes and the shredded lettuce. I had sauteed the onions in a combo of olive oil and butter...and there was plenty to fill the olive oil requirement for the soup recipe, I think.

Now here's one thing....I thought I still had flaxmeal flour but apparently I used it up (I use it to put it in my dad's hot cereal in the morning to add fiber)....but I do have milled flaxseed.....and while not as well ground as flour, it is finely milled. It has 4 Gm. carbs per 2 tblsp. and 0 Gm. sugar.

So I was thinking of separating out like a cup or so of the soup and try a test with the milled flaxseed....BUT...do you think I should make a roux with it using butter or should I just make a slurry with it like you do with flour and water? Please give me your opinion, Sandy.:)

It is VERY filling, I'll tell you. A small bowl is a whole meal...at least for me...I'm stuffed and had about half a regular soup bowl of it. It's a good thing it was cheddar cheese because I think, after tasting it, that American cheese would have made it too bland.

deena:)

Edit....it's about the thickness of that chile con queso cheese they have in Mexican restaurants to dip the tortilla chips in. I'm really curious to see if I could make it thicker and then see if I like it better that way.

Great Recipes.

Deena, I'm so glad you like your Cheeseburger Soup. I'm going to try it next. I'll go your route and use cream, egg yolk, and cheddar as my base. I'm a cheese lover, so I always use extra-sharp cheddar in recipes and salads.

I don't have any experience at all with flaxseed flour or meal, so I have no opinion on what to do with it. That's your call and your baby!

I like the notion of the variations of Cheeseburger Soup on the link I sent you; there're lots of possibilities there...maybe add a little can of green chilies and use jack cheese...Fiesta Cheeseburger Soup!

:hug:

OK...so I tried making a slurry with the milled flaxseed but it didn't really do much regarding thickening it any further. If it had been earlier and I wasn't getting tired, I'd have tried making a roux just to see what that might do.
So I split it up into individual servings and put them in the freezer.

I'll tell you, Sandy....I really think I'd prefer to leave the lettuce out...it's not really necessary and it kinda grosses me out...just the idea of lettuce in a hot soup. I mean, I'm okay with spinach being limp when cooked...but lettuce just seems weird. But bacon might work well.

I wish there was some Atkins-approved way to really thicken it good. I think it would be even much better if it could be made to be much thicker. It had never really occurred to me that this would be a major problem on Atkins....needing to seriously thicken something. I guess I'd just never made anything that needed thickening before.

I wanted to copy something here that I found on the blog of a member named Magnolia Rayne....and I think she copied it from somewhere else but wanted to give her credit. It's what happens during the hour after you drink a regular soda:

1. # In The First 10 minutes: 10 teaspoons of sugar hit your system. (100% of your recommended daily intake.) You don’t immediately vomit from the overwhelming sweetness because phosphoric acid cuts the flavor allowing you to keep it down.
2. # 20 minutes: Your blood sugar spikes, causing an insulin burst. Your liver responds to this by turning any sugar it can get its hands on into fat.
3. # 40 minutes: Caffeine absorption is complete. Your pupils dilate, your blood pressure rises, as a response your livers dumps more sugar into your bloodstream. The adenosine receptors in your brain are now blocked preventing drowsiness.
4. # 45 minutes: Your body ups your dopamine production stimulating the pleasure centers of your brain. This is physically the same way heroin works, by the way.
5. # 60 minutes: The phosphoric acid binds calcium, magnesium and zinc in your lower intestine, providing a further boost in metabolism. This is compounded by high doses of sugar and/or artificial sweeteners also increasing the urinary excretion of calcium.
6. # 60 Minutes: The caffeine’s diuretic properties come into play. (It makes you have to pee.) It is now assured that you’ll evacuate the bonded calcium, magnesium and zinc that was headed to your bones as well as sodium, electrolyte and water.
7. #60 minutes: As the rave inside of you dies down you’ll start to have a sugar crash. You may become irritable and/or sluggish. You’ve also now, literally, urinated away all the water that was in the Coke. But not before infusing it with valuable nutrients your body could have used for things like even having the ability to hydrate your system or build strong bones and teeth.

This really made me think...from a physiologic standpoint. And it fits right in with the Taubes theories....in fact, a great example of several of them.
Item #4 is intriguing to me...the whole release of dopamine thing.....why would nature have made humans to become addicted to food items? We have dopamine and endorphins but I don't think humans were meant to get a rush from them from what they eat....or from drugs, etc. Not good for us, basically. I'm sure that McDonald's food causes a rush of dopamine too....and the problem is even compounded by the fact that we don't feel well if we stop eating it for a while...a true sign of an addiction....and that can't possibly be good.

Then on top of the whole addiction issue....is the sugar spiking causing insulin release which in turn causes fat storage....and also the whole issue of not only no nutritional value but causing loss of nutrients that we did get from other better foods.
But at the very least, just eating any sort of sugar or high-fructose corn syrup, will cause the release of insulin/fat storage and also the dopamine rush.

I wanted to ask you guys something.....if you've read around here regarding some of the other low-carb diets. Due to the fact that restricting the carbs so seriously is critical to weight loss on Atkins and also to not eat anything with sugar as an ingredient..........have you ever wondered how they lose weight on these other low-carb diets when they are not restricting carbs nearly as much as we are and eating carbs we can't eat (whole grain bread/pasta, etc.)?
I mean, Atkins makes total sense from a physiologic standpoint....but if you follow the logic of the diet...being a metabolic one....it seems to me that one would not lose weight on these other low-carb diets. I wonder if they are actually losing weight due to lower calories, and not to fat-burning from ketosis. I don't see how one could possibly go into ketosis with the amount of carbs they eat/can have....do you?

It is certainly much healthier to eat significantly less carbs and also BETTER carbs (whole grain, etc.) than humans like to eat.....but I just don't see how they are losing weight on them...unless it is really low calorie....which would make it a deprivation diet, IMO.....along with the corresponding downsides, including hunger. A lot of them are rather low-fat, IMO...so they wouldn't be eating the fat needed to go into ketosis either. I'd much rather do Atkins than any of those other ones. And it seems to me that hunger and stalls is fairly common with them. Many of them do have an induction period just like Atkins does....but then they start adding significantly more whole grain type carbs....and often stall then...or at the very least, the weight loss slows down significantly.

OK...tomorrow is dentist-day. I go at 11 am. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

deena:)

That's a lot to think about it. I have to take time to think about your post. You ask some excellent questions...hard ones.

Here's a site that offers Thicken Thin Not/Starch that my 2002 Atkins' New Diet Revolution recommends using:

http://www6.netrition.com/expert_foods_not_starch_page.html

I've never ordered from these folks and haven't tried the product, but it's apparently available. Good luck!

Apparently the manufacturer stopped making that particular thickening but they do sell this instead:

http://www6.netrition.com/dixie_cc_lowcarb_thickener.html

Sounds like it would work really well. Low carbs and zero sugar. I'd imagine I'd HAVE to get it off the internet and would be unable to find it in a store or anything.

Thanks for letting me know about that site....they have a variety of low-carb items.

deena:)

I hope everything goes perfectly at the dentist's tomorrow, Deena. I'll be thinking of you. :D

Arrowroot works really well as a thickener.

Deena, will be sending you good thoughts for your visit to the dentist.

Weight 127.3.............okay, here is the run-down. I got the permanent liner and while it fits much tighter, it hurts too much to chew....until I build up the new calluses on my gums. As the swelling from the surgery had gone down, I'd had to get several temporary liners and each time, it took a bit of time to build up the new calluses. This permanent liner is kinda rough, surface-wise along the inner part that goes ON the gums...which is making it even a bit tougher.

BUT.....my gut sense is that calluses or no calluses, I'm always going to have difficulty chewing certain items. And it's a darn good thing that I did the diet first and the teeth second.....because had I done it the other way around I would have had one **** of a time because one of the most difficult things for me to chew is meat. In fact, I made soft tilapia with butter and lemon, thinking it was soft enough to chew.....but I had significant difficulty and ended up kinda partially chewing it and then swallowing it only partially chewed. (ugh).....but I badly needed some protein at the very least to stop the ravenous hunger I was getting in the evening.
And Akins is really the only diet that works and has ever worked well for me.......and due to the protein issue, it's a good thing I took care of losing the weight first.....and THEN set out to fix all the teeth.

I feel sure I am gonna be able to chew much better once the calluses build-up.....but don't think I'll ever be able to chew like I used to.....and meat and raw veggies will be a permanent problem, I suspect.:(
Well, what can ya do? You just have to do the best you can in any given situation, right?

Thanks for the suggestion, SilverLife. Is arrowroot low carb and where would you buy it? I don't think I've ever seen it in the grocery stores. Would I have to go to the (health) food co-op for this item?

ONE week until the wedding. Haha....it suddenly occurred to me yesterday that "hey dee, I don't think that your large black bag (purse/pocket book) is gonna be quite the ticket to go with a fancy gown.:D
So I need to get earrings and a dressy clutch-type thing. And then get my hair put-up at the salon Friday at noon. Then we will be driving to my sister's in Upper Saddle River, NJ. I just drove my son to the train station to go up to NYC for the rehearsal.....and I pick him up later this evening.
Today, I have to speak on the phone withs 2 of my sisters regarding travel plans and staying overnight plans.....I talked to my brother, who lives in Rockville Center, NY earlier today. I'm still kind of a nervous wreck. I hope the gown still fits me good....I think I was around 136 when we bought it.

deena :)

Weight 127.3.............okay, here is the run-down. I got the permanent liner and while it fits much tighter, it hurts too much to chew....until I build up the new calluses on my gums. As the swelling from the surgery had gone down, I'd had to get several temporary liners and each time, it took a bit of time to build up the new calluses. This permanent liner is kinda rough, surface-wise along the inner part that goes ON the gums...which is making it even a bit tougher.

BUT.....my gut sense is that calluses or no calluses, I'm always going to have difficulty chewing certain items. And it's a darn good thing that I did the diet first and the teeth second.....because had I done it the other way around I would have had one **** of a time because one of the most difficult things for me to chew is meat. In fact, I made soft tilapia with butter and lemon, thinking it was soft enough to chew.....but I had significant difficulty and ended up kinda partially chewing it and then swallowing it only partially chewed. (ugh).....but I badly needed some protein at the very least to stop the ravenous hunger I was getting in the evening.
And Akins is really the only diet that works and has ever worked well for me.......and due to the protein issue, it's a good thing I took care of losing the weight first.....and THEN set out to fix all the teeth.

I feel sure I am gonna be able to chew much better once the calluses build-up.....but don't think I'll ever be able to chew like I used to.....and meat and raw veggie will be a permanent problem, I suspect.:(
Well, what can ya do? You just have to do the best you can in any given situation, right?

Thanks for the suggestion, SilverLife. Is arrowroot low carb and where would you buy it? I don't think I've ever seen it in the grocery stores. Would I have to go to the (health) food co-op for this item?

ONE week until the wedding. Haha....it suddenly occurred to me yesterday that "hey dee, I don't think that your large black bag (purse/pocket book) is gonna be quite the ticket to go with a fancy gown.:D
So I need to get earrings and a dressy clutch-type thing. And then get my hair put-up at the salon Friday at noon. Then we will be driving to my sister's in Upper Saddle River, NJ. I just drove my son to the train station to go up to NYC for the rehearsal.....and I pick him up later this evening.
Today 2 of my sisters regarding travel plans and staying overnight plans.....I talked to my brother, who lives in Rockville Center, NY earlier today. I'm still kind of a nervous wreck. I hope the gown still fits me nicely....I think I was around 136 when we bought it. I hope to be able to post some wedding photos here when we get back....it will give a good idea of what 195 lbs. to 130 lbs. looks like.

deena :)

Have fun and enjoy your family and your very special celebration!

Gaahhhh! Here I am at 3 am. after sleeping only about 4 hours. I'm a nervous wreck....and yesterday was a clusterf*ck due to multiple phone calls and happening with my huge family. And one of my sisters was admitted to a psych hospital....Good grief!

Diet-wise....hanging in there. Had meat loaf and cottage cheese today...no problem. Only one sore spot....on upper left back...but working on that. I'll never be able to chew normally but hopefully well enough to stay on Atkins maintenance. I am determined! I even donated all the fat clothes and burned that bridge. I'm NOT going back there!

AND....I am now going to quit smoking! A new member introduced herself and gave me a recommendation for an electronic cigarette that she and 25 friends had total success with and have all quit smoking. I ordered and the items needed shipped out Wednesday and are coming by priority mail.

The site is called "vapor4life".....can be a bit complex to figure out what to order....but my sister (a different one, don't worry) helped me to order and if anyone is interested, let me know and I can help with this....especially after I get it in the mail....as then I will actually understand everything.

Wish me luck! The reason I ALWAYS went back to smoking when I would quit was due to the fear of gaining weight. But no more. I am too old for this!

Weight today was 129.3

deena:)

Darn it! Almost 4 am. and still up and wide awake.....and I have to drive to northern New Jersey this evening....I-95 and Garden State Pkwy. I NEED to be sleeping! Shoot.

Counting sheep...counting sheep.:D

deena

http://gallery.me.com/justin120884/100590/IMG_2440/web.jpg?ver=12840059510001

http://gallery.me.com/justin120884/100590/IMG_2511/web.jpg?ver=12840063780001

I FINALLY got my son to post a few photos for me. It was a gorgeous wedding and such a fun week-end....that I will remember forever.

OK....making dinner for dad....be back shortly.

deena

Wow -- that's a glamorous dress! I love it!

Deena, you're a beautiful woman. Congratulations...on all of it!

I've never tried them, but do almond flour or soy flour work as thickeners?

Great dress!

I know chia seeds thicken things, but I've never tried cooking with them. Has anyone?

I bumped this up in case anyone new wants to see the before & after photos of me. Not sure of the exact pages of the photos but there are 2 of them...one photo entry being very recent. The photos here were just a huge inspiration for me during the entire time.

Atkins is just an awesome diet. I can't say enough good things about it. It's the only diet/WOE that I will use...I am always ravenous and fighting binges on the other ones...but not Atkins.....and maintenance is going fine.

I'm not exactly sure which pages they are on but there are two of them...and one is pretty recent at/from my son's wedding August 28th.

deena :)

Just checked......they are on page 8 and page 10.

I'm glad to hear you're doing well. I missed your posts...welcome back. :)