Well, after all the research on all the low carb diets out there and trying some of them, I decided to do Atkins. I was not sure how to make it through Christmas, but all has changed. Found out last night that we are having no company for Christmas as the kids who were coming can't come. Will be just DH and me and he doesn't want anything special to eat so I decided why wait until January to get started.

I've been really trying to do Protein Power, but I just can't eat that much protein at one time. It is just too much. So as crazy as it seems to be starting Atkins Induction at Christmas time, that is exactly what I did as of this morning. I decided that this would be my Christmas present to myself. I feel really good about it especially now that I understand the program. I never could get through Induction years ago when I tried it, but I know now that I did a lot of things wrong. I have 2 weeks that I don't have to go any where are do anything except church on Sunday mornings. So that will be good for any uncomfortable feelings I might experience during that time. Actually, I feel confident that I can make it through the 2 week Induction with no problems and just might start the year out with a weight loss.

Hi Trish and welcome.

I don't know where the heck everyone's been lately. It's been rather quiet in Atkin's land over here.....as most are probably getting ready for Christmas, I guess. But so glad to have another Atkins gal here.

Listen...you can do Atkins no matter what holiday it is, no matter where you are away from home, etc. For Thanksgiving....I made sure there was shrimp as one of the appetizers and then for dinner, the roasted turkey and the steamed broccoli were plenty to fill me up. NO problem. I find it SO easy to do Atkins, no matter where I am or what day/holiday it is.....and I've stayed on induction for about 7 months now...with the exception of adding a few almonds as a snack at times.....and honestly, I think I could eat this way forever.

Have you read the book (Atkins New Diet Revolution)? It REALLY helps to read the book...in SO many ways....for knowledge, understanding, motivation...you name it. So many people have the wrong impression of Atkins....often think you eat all protein or ridiculous amounts of protein....and I really don't eat any more protein than I'd normally eat. Actually, the more critical item on Atkins is fat....you have to eat adequate fat for the diet to work metabolically (in addition to the limited carbs). But if you eat low net-carb veggies, you can have a LOT of veggies...with butter and cheese....delicious.

The first 2 or so days can be a bit challenging as your body uses up its glycogen stores....but then it begins to get much easier, as you go into fat-burning/ketosis mode. I hope you do GREAT on this plan.

deena

Welcome Trish and Good Luck !!!

I think its awesome that you are starting NOW !! WTG

Leenie

Hi Trish....it's me again.

I just went and read about the Protein Plan for Life diet you'd referred to (I'd never heard of it)......and except for the fact that it wants you to eat a specific amount of protein, it seems almost identical to Atkins....with only a very few variations.

So...after reading about this...I was wondering why you'd thought the Atkins induction was more difficult that the Protein Plan for Life. I'm just curious...since they seem SO similar to me.....or do I have it wrong? Is there a significant difference between the two plans (other than the increased protein focus on the Protein Plan for Life)?

deena

Thanks Deena and Leeniefor the welcome.

Actually, I had the Atkin's book years ago. In fact at one time, I had all the Atkins books, but lost them when I moved. I think I misunderstood some things back then. As I read things that Kim said and then when I read a lot of info on the Atkins website that explains everything very clearly, I realized that I didn't do it right all those years ago. I thought I could have only the protein, fat and lettuce. And I probably wasn't ready to give up carbs back then. I had a really tough time getting through the 2 week Induction period. Plus, I never could get the ketostix to change color for me. So I thought it just didn't work for me since they never turned for me. I see that Kim said that she lost 100 lbs and they never turned for her. Now I know that I can have other veggies and and a good salad which is a plus for me because I love salads with mayo and I use Duke's which has no sugar in it.

I could do the Protein Power Plan if I didn't have to eat all that protein. I love eating protein, but 34 grams a meal for my weight is way to much for me to eat at one time. It makes me sick of protein and then I won't stay with the plan. Since Atkins doesn't seem to say how much I have to eat, I can have the amount that satisfies me without making me feel nauseous. I read some where that you can't overeat protein and I while it was not really explained, I think the reason is that when you eat too much that your body rejects it the way mine seems to do.

I am so thrilled to find you girls here. I would love for us to have others to share our experiences with.

Thanks for sharing yours with me.


Today when I got up I started out with an Atkins shake. I hadn't decided at the time to start Atkins today. I made that a prebreakfast thing. Then I had 2 boiled eggs, 2 slices of bacon and what I call finger salad. For dinner I had a pork chop, 1 c green beans, about a cup of salad with mayo. So far so good.

Thanks for welcoming me back and for the advice Kim. I was almost embarrassed to come crawling back since I've tried so many different low carb plans. I knew I had to do low carb since my body reminds me of that all the time. When I low carb, I don't get hungry. So I did research to find which one thought I could live with the rest of my life and came to believe Atkins is it.

I knew not to trust all the info from the website since I had heard that they had changed some things on it. For example they suggest 12 - 15 g carbs a day instead of the 20 g carbs. I saw that you had told someone that we should never go lower than 20. I thought I had heard Dr. Atkins wife had a website, but I didn't find it. I will look again. I did find some people on another site who do Atkins by the books, some follow only the original book.

After reading the Protein Power and Metabolism Miracle diets, I understand more of why and how low carb works. Then after reading the Banting story, I was more convinced this is the way to go for me. I am excited about doing Atkins now that I understand it better. I have no problem counting the carbs, but I have no desire to spend all my time thinking about food to the point to where I have to count protein, fat, calories etc. or have to eat something every so many hours by the clock. I like the idea of eating only when I feel like I am hungry and eating only as much as I need. I am sure all the plans work for those who like and follow them, but the don't fit everyone. I just came to believe that Dr. Atkins really kept it more simple than most and I believe it fits me and will be easier for me to do.

Thanks for the website Kim. Everything is printer friendly on Veronica Atkins site so I made copies to be sure I'm on track.

Have a good week end.

Hi again Trish.

I totally agree with you and would definitely feel nauseated by protein quickly if I had to eat a lot of it. In fact, before I got the books and read them, I WAS eating mainly protein (I also thought that's what Atkins was) and was getting sick of it quickly. I was getting nauseated just smelling cooking meat or eggs.

This time around, I just eat normal amounts of protein...but eat a lot of veggies. You can eat quite a bit if the veggies are the low carb ones. When I was having difficulty getting Atkins to work the second time around....over 15 years later, I had to do tons of reading and research on it to figure out what the problem was...so THIS time, I feel like I have a better handle on what I'm allowed to eat, etc.

I'll tell you the honest truth...I'm having trouble getting all the food in I should be eating. I'm just not very hungry on this diet. I remember back to bingeing on cookies over 7 months ago, and can't even believe I did that...just the thought of it makes me nauseated now. I can't eat big portions of anything anymore. Low carbing makes me eat SO differently, it's unbelievable. I just love it and I always feel best when I'm on it. I feel toxic and unhealthy when I eat lots of carbs. I have much more energy when I eat low-carb. Simple carbs just make me sluggish.

I don't know....I read so many posts here where people go off plan, "fall off the wagon" due to eating out, or the holidays, or food brought into work, etc. NONE of those things even faze me on Atkins. NOTHING tempts me, I'm serious.
I feel like telling ALL of them to do Atkins. But what do I know? There are plenty of people who try it and don't like it, apparently. I also see people here that are doing diets that are much more restrictive and I can't really understand that either (was reading all about fat smash diet here today). But different plans work for different people.
I just hate to see others struggling and repeatedly going off plan.....and always wonder if they'd have better luck on Atkins.

deena