MARCH Atkins Thread
 

I decided to make the March chat thread since it's right around the corner. :)

I'm leaving for a trip tomorrow morning and I'm searching for a card with $25 that I got for my birthday+ a shirt that I got for my birthday. Now, I keep EVERYTHING. I have cards from my 18th birthday, my graduation, everything. I have clothes that are too big, too small, clothes that I hate, my room is like a cluttered mess. Of course I can't find the shirt or the money, which are the things I NEED the most! (Money for gas/baggage fees and shirt because it's one of the only things I have that isn't too big). I literally tore my room apart searching for both and I can't find either anywhere. I'll probably find the shirt when it's too big and the money when I have no use for it :dizzy:. It's driving me insane!

That aside, I weighed in this morning and was around 222...I can't wait until I'm out of the 220s, the 230s blew by and now the lower 220s won't budge. I ate beans today...oops! I was ravenous and not in the mood to cook so I had some chili with beans...hopefully I didn't do too much damage.

How is everyone doing?

Can I join this thread?

So I've been on Atkins since Friday, and had my major first sugar craving last night. I squashed it with a small bowl of sugar free jello.

Today I got back to the gym. That trainer kicked my booty. Geez! I'm gonna hurt in the morning!

I would love to weigh but the battery went dead in my scale. GRRR.

I'm gonna have to go get one tomorrow.

Linsy - Watch a couple episodes of "Hoarders." It'll cure your impluse to hang on to things! After I saw some of the shows I DREAMED about clutter and was compelled to clean out a bookcase/catch-all that had accumulated at least three years of stuff, like blurry photos I didn't think I could part with and ticket stubs and other momentos. It felt sooooo good getting rid of all that stuff! Hope you have a great trip!

Hello Zumbachica!

Chaneen - Wow! You have a trainer? I've never had a real public gym experience. I have a treadmill at home but it would probably be more effective if someone were to stand behind me with a running chain saw. Yeah, that would likely motivate me to run instead of amble along reading a magazine.

Just wanted to check in here. I have been lurking for a while. I have been a member for a while but up and down on the roller coaster. I've never had any real sticktoitiveness for anything. I started induction on Feb 3rd and so far am down 15 lbs. I am stuck with the number on the scale for the last week, but the inches have definitely been coming off. A total of 6+ inches overall.

My induction has not been clean by any means, and I know I could do better, but I am doing OK right now and have been OK longer than anything else I have tried. So I am justifying it by knowing it's better than being super-clean for a week then giving up. AND! I'm still seeing results...so it's kind of like weaning myself. I have to say now that the cravings for carbs are almost completely gone, and it's a great feeling! :carrot:

So, anyway. I am planning a trip for July to see some family I haven't seen since I was a kid. I want them to see the real me. My goal is to be a size 10 which would probably put me around 160-170. I don't really care what the number on the scale says, I care what the number on the tag says. I am 5'10, 201 (down from 216) and a size 16. I want to be realistic. I have a larger frame and at my tiniest I was a 7/8 jr before my kids. I don't really care if I am ever that small again. But I feel my best in a 10, which I did successfully get to between my kids.

OK, I think that's enough for a check in, yeah?

Good luck ladies!! And thanks for your support!

firkindness: I should watch that show!! I keep EVERYTHING! In fact, the friend that I'm going to visit has the cleanest room I've ever seen...literally a bed, a desk, a tv, a nightstand, and clothes in the closet. My room is so gross--it never looks clean because of the clutter. Whenever I clean it out I'm always like "no! I can't throw this away! I got it from _______ 5 years ago and it means a lot to me!"...and then I forget about it :lol:.

Zumbachica: Of course, join on in!!

dollface: Good luck on your goal! I also have a goal--I want to get to around 160/170 (basically out of the obese weight range or almost out of it) before I go away to college for the fall semester. I think it'd be great to start with some confidence. I've never been good at making friends, probably because I've always been so self conscious and I want to have fun while I'm in school and start building my life :). It's great when you have a motivator because it makes you push your hardest!

I'm not having a good eating day or something. I made sausage gravy and biscuits for the family and a sausage/egg scramble for me and I definitely snuck a few too many bites of the gravy...at least it was made with whole wheat flour (look at me trying to justify it! LOL!).

Linsy - Thanks for starting the thread. Have fun on your trip!

Welcome Zumbachica!!!

Channen- WTG on squashing that craving. I ♥ Jello! :) If you haven't gotten your scale already get one that measures water content too. I want one of those but as long as my scale works I can't justify the cost right now.

Welcome Dollface!! 15 lbs is awesome!!!! And 6 inches?!?! WOW! Congrats! I think you can definitely do a 10. I am only 10 lbs less than you and my 12s are fitting me (tightly) and in another 10 lbs I am sure they will fit perfectly. I know every body is different but 5 months is a good chunk of time to get down a few sizes. Especially if you keep losing those inches. :)

As for me I cheated one meal Sunday and AF is on her way. I am up a few pounds due to both of those I am sure. I am also reading Wendy Chant's Crack the Fat loss code. It is basically carb cycling. Not sure I am going to jump ship but its an interesting read. She does one week induction like eating then you have carb up and carb down days and carb deplete days (which again is induction like) and high carb days (cheat days basically). You do them in a pattern Like every high carb day is followed by a deplete day and whatnot. Atkins seems way simplier in my mind but I like the principal of cycling so your metabolism doesnt adapt to the new way of eating.

Meanwhile does anyone know if there is a 'fat range' we should be eating? I just noticed I always have over 100 grams which just seems like alot. I know the book says its not a high protien diet its a high fat diet but I dont recall any fat ranges. I will have to check tonight. I know they are good fats though. Like my daily MiM is 19g fat alone (due to flax seed, egg and butter). And some days I have an ounce of raw almonds. So again that is high good fat.

Hope everyone is doing well!!!

Happy March!
 

I don't have much to say other than it's really good to be back in the habit of checking in here! I may not post much, but I am trying to make sure I get here every day at least to read. It helps me so much to see others' writing and being encouraging.

I am keeping my meals really really simple and just making sure I eat loads and loads of veggies. I read something very interesting yesterday about the whole "12-15 grams of carbs FROM VEGGIES" concept. If you really really stop to think about it, it takes a awful lot of veggies to get to 15 carbs!!

When I first started back on Atkins, I could not get my brain around "only 3 cups of veggies" -- even OFF a diet I ate more veggies than that...

I am eating all the veggies I want...way more than 3 cups! And just thinking about which veggies I eat, and the carb counts for them, I NEED that many in order to reach that 12-15 range.

OK, enough of the "random" thoughts. Happy March to all and let's help each other make it through, on plan!

Phoenix!

pheonixrising- Yeah for veggies! Yeah I definitely eat more veggies than I did before this diet and I actually usually get my 25g+ of fiber a day and I never got that eating high carb without a supplement. :)

I still don't think I eat enough veggies though. How do you get all yours in? I do best when I have a spinach salad for lunch and seconds of veggies with dinner (i always have a salad but lettuce has such a low carb count).

I changed my flight date to Friday at 6AM--EEK. I'm going to have to wake up at like 3.

I'm broiling some turkey burgers right now. We don't have much food in the house and like NO veggies and NO eggs and the grill doesn't have gas so I don't have a lot to work with :lol:.

I'm just starting out with Atkins. I've tried it in the past for 2 weeks and had a great success, 12 lbs lost. I just gave up! I would love to know where I would be with my weight if I would have just hung in there. I have been struggling trying everything including diet pills and eating 1 small meal a day. It is time for me to stick with an actual diet. I had the Atkins book years ago but can't find it. I just ordered one off Ebay and I plan on purchasing the new book also and everything I can get a hold of. I will be receiving a free low carb package from the Atkins website and I am looking forward to that.

I am a sugar addict and this will be the hardest thing to give up. But I know I can do it! I was looking for a thread like this and I will be back often. Thanks for starting this! I really need all the motivation I can get. I have struggled for far to long and this is my year to shine.

Welcome Natoshial!!! I love the Atkins website for information. They have classes and everything. :) Congrats on the 12 lbs! That is awesome!!! Check out the website www.genaw.com for some great recipes. I have been using them and tweaking them to me and my husband's taste and cooking way more than ever (and better more healthy meals than ever too).

One thing that has helped me with sugar cravings is sugar free gum. I just don't feel 'done' with a meal without having something sweet. I keep several flavors in my desk at work, strawberry, different kinds of mint and cinnamon. That 5 gum that has those weird commercials really is pretty good and interesting gum flavors. If you use the NEW Atkins book you can subtract sugar alcohols from the carb count making it 0 carbs. BUT if you follow OLD Atkins each peice has 2 carbs.

Good luck and keep up the awesome work!

I'd like to join in, too. This is my first day on Atkins--ordered the book and am looking at this website and others for information to get started. I decided to try this after calorie counting for ten days and getting no results even though I was also walking for 30 minutes each day.

This was a difficult day to start, too! I teach 9th graders and they were horrible today. I will not resort to sweets to make me feel better or drink that one beer that's in the fridge. I think that if I can get through these feelings right now, then I'll be okay from now on.

Natoshial - They have a really AWESOME gum out from xtra that comes in mint chocolate chip, strawberry shortcake, and key lime pie. They taste JUST like the dessert. I stocked up big time and pop one everytime I want something sweet. Or I drink a cup of chocolate coffee. Go to the wrigley site to see the products I am talking about.

celticfairy-I have had the strawberry shortcake one! it is delish! I bought some 5 green apple last night too. I haven't tried it yet but it smells wonderful. lol

Welcome Fizzie! Love your kitty picture! I am sure if I taught 9th graders I would be frustrated too at the end of a day!!! Hope you get a chance to relax!

WOO HOO! 8lbs down!!!

**** everyone..I am enjoying reading your posts and don't feel so alone. I am stuck at some wierd plateau and I'm not sure what I should change to get the scale to keep going down. It is so frustrating....

Thanks Elizabeth! I made it through the evening and today was a better day. I was worried that I would be tired today, my second day on Atkins, but I actually feel better. Maybe this is what I have needed all along!

[rant]
Random dumb female hormones! I wish AF would just start PMS is killing me. I am ravenously hungry and Atkins has been good at keeping my hunger at bay so I am sure i am eating plenty. And i've been having cravings up the wazoo and again I haven't had those in awhile either. I totally almost stopped for ice cream today after work. But i didn't. I came home and had an atkins shake. NOT the same thing but I was proud of myself at least. I just randomly found a cracker crumb too while cleaning and it was all gross and old but it made me think 'mmm a saltine would be so yummy right now!'

RRRR What's wrong with me?!? Not to mention I've been super irritable. I hate PMS!!!! *pouts*

[/end rant]

lol

I never get PMS, but my TOM should be starting any day now and maybe that's why I've been UNCONTROLLABLY craving peanut butter...I've given in the past two days and eaten spoonfuls of it which is so off plan but it's getting ridiculous. I'm surprised I haven't started dreaming about peanut butter. I can't wait until this stops.

Linsy-I never used to get PMS outside horrible cramps until I quit my birth control almost 3 years ago. Now some times I get none but usually I get some new ones! It's crazy. Meanwhile peanut butter isn't that bad. I mean its not induction friendly but its Atkins friendly. You can add nuts and their butters back in phase 2. :)

Even though I felt bloated and fat I decided to weigh myself today just because it was bugging me not knowing and I was only in the 192s so that's not bad considering how fat I feel.

Hope everyone has a good day.

Today marks 1 month that I have stuck to this WOL, and it feels great! Yesterday wasn't so...I had 3 Atkins bars and 3 Diet Cokes. I don't know why. I think I was starting to feel in a rut or something...but at least it wasn't 3 Snickers or donuts or a bowl of fettucini alfredo! I don't think it's PMS, more likely the weather. See today was GOW-geous! Bright sunshine, blue skies, 11 degrees lol! But seriously, when the sun is out, I feel like I can do anything, and today I did great.

I have not actually, since I started, written down and kept track of my carbs, plus I was drinking plain Iced Lattes from Dunkin Donut, and now I realize they are made with milk (duh!) and wasn't accounting for those carbs...JEEZ!! So, technically I haven't really been on induction, though I have seen some great results. That, in itself, tells me how much my body was storing away the sugar and starch! So anyway today I wrote down every thing I ate, measured it all out, and counted every single carb. (Yes, I still had a Diet Coke), and came in at 23. I think I will stay around 20-25 for a while until I can get myself mastered. But back to my original point...I've been doing this for A WHOLE MONTH! I can do anything now!!

Hello all : ) I started Atkins again the week before Valentines day and was doing really good about sticking to it (not losing the weight I should be though) Until yesterday morning that is. I work at the State Highway Admin. but am not a state employee, instead I work for an agency (that has a contract with the state) that pays me and gives me my benefits. I've known we were getting a new agency for months but found out today that I'll be taking a more than $3.00 an hour pay cut!! So I lost it and went to Denny's with my sister and had pancakes. They weren't even good pancakes, I knew I'd like my own better but didn't have any Jiffy Mix in the cupboard since I'm really committed to doing this right. So now I cheated and it wasn't even worth it. Feeling so crummy right now!! Hope everyone else is feeling/doing much much better than I am right now.

Yikes! That's a huge cut, NoMoreNewClothes. I can understand your feelings. You've got enough to worry about so don't agonize about a flapjack flub up. But try to remember that although you don't have control of the employment situation at the moment, you do have control of how you react to it. Sometimes these abupt changes in our lives end up being blessings. They allow us to reassess our priorities and make decisions that end up changing the course of how we live and enhance our overall happiness. I hope that holds true for you!

I have a TMI question. I know there has been a lot of talk of people who have stopped having their period on Atkins. But have any of you started and stayed on longer than usually. I haven't really had a real period in 3 years because of my choice of birth control but the minute I started Atkins last week. I started having a period and it hasn't stopped. I'm guessing it may be the fat cells I'm losing releasing hormones but I'm starting to get freaked out.

DOLLFACE- *cheers to Diet Coke* Your 3 Atkins bars is a lot better than what you could have eaten. That is what I use those for. When I really want a cookie it is my 'alternative' junk food. I dont eat them daily though (i do drink diet coke daily as I don't drink coffee or tea bleh). That sucks about your iced latte. I wonder if they have heavy cream they could substitute for you or is there other things in it? (sugar?) Great job on your loss so far! You are almost in Onderland!!! :D

Nomorenewclothes- I am glad your one set back isn't making you give up. You are control of your food, its not in control of you. :) That sucks about your job! 3 dollars an hour is going to make a big difference. :( I would start looking for a new job.

channen-I dont know why someone would stop having their period on Atkins unless they lost too much weight. Girls with really low body fat percentages (and really high ones) sometimes quit having their periods. When I was 240 I had super long irregular ones where I had to take something to make them start but once I got down near 200 they started to become more regular and now they are stupid short (23-27 days).

On that note, AF showed today. Which is good because i was tired of those moods and cravings but sucks because the first day is always awful (cramps, fatigue, wish i was home in a ball in a dark room and not at work type feelings). But tomorrow I should start feeling better for a few weeks anyway...lol

I made beef stroganoff from genaw's site last night it was pretty good but too expensive to have very regularly. I haven't cheated all week despite my feelings of crappiness so I am really proud of myself. I sometimes have some whipped cream for dessert and I'm never sure how much I have (reddi whip spray can) so unless I OD-ed on that I stayed within my 20 carbs all week too.

My plans for the weekend are to maybe start some indoor seedlings and finally take the bows off my window boxes! lol (they just look so festive and I can't put flowers out yet..)

Does anyone have any fun plans for the weekend?

Hello!
 

Hi everyone! I am new to this board, but started Atkins exactly 2 weeks ago. I haven't had a completely clean induction- I was eating Atkins bars, and still use splenda in my coffee, and also drink at least one diet coke a day.
That being said, I feel like the first several days, my weight loss was great. Then it slowed down, and now it seems to have stalled.
I am still losing inches, which is what's really important, and sticking with something for 2 weeks is actually great progress for me. I'm hoping to slowly start phasing the splenda out of my coffee, I'm not eating the bars, and I'm going to try to snack only on veggies instead of prepared sugar free foods.
Anyhow, I'm happy to "meet" you all!

Thanks Firkindness and Elizabeth... today was a better day. No pancakes for sure! This $3 cut is hopefully temporary, so I'm going to stick around there for a bit. I really love my job so it's worth giving it a chance to get better.
That said... Welcome MoodyGirl : )

Nomorenewclothes: Love the name--I have the same agenda. I hope your pay cut is temporary, and I'm glad that you love your job. To me, that's just as important as the pay.

Moodygirl: I just started Atkins myself and downloaded the book. He said splenda is fine for induction. I count it as 1 card per packet and limit myself to two a day.

Now for my good news! I started on Tuesday, weighed today and have lost 6 pounds! I know a lot is water, but my face and fingers look less puffy. That was the incentive I needed to keep going with this. I feel better and have no cravings (so far). I began Atkins after calorie counting and exercising for ten days with no results. I realize that I must be very carb sensitive. Even my complexion is looking better, but that might be due to a new cleanser although I feel it is getting rid of the carbs.

Hope all here have a good weekend!

Splenda
 

Fizziecat, I know it isn't on the banned list, but I probably consume way more than 3 packets a day. In fact, I know I do.
This week, my personal mini goal is to cut the amount I put in my sugar in half. This morning I used 2 tbs instead of 3, and it wasn't bad at all. Hopefully by next Sunday using one will be a breeze!
It isn't just the coffee, though- the sf jello, candy, diet soda... I'm beginning to think all of those artificial sweeteners are fooling my body into holding onto weight it doesn't need, simply because I'm loading up on them instead of the veggies that should be the majority of my carbs- which is probably why I feel stalled- I sent a good part of the last two weeks eating Atkins' bars and shakes and telling myself it was okay because they said Atkins on the package. I'm over that!
Today I signed up for my first ever 5k- which is a HUGE deal for me, because I don't run, have never run for pleasure, and can't currently run a 5k. But a girlfriend and I are going to do it together, which means I can't back out. I downloaded a podcast that's supposed to ease me into it, and I'm probably as excited as I am scared, so I guess that's a good thing.
Even if I'm not breaking any land-speed records (and I won't be!), the regular exercise and just the fact that I'm moving every day should help the weight come off. I'm staying on Atkins, so hopefully I'll have another good weigh in on Monday, and the weight will continue to come off.

I have NOT had a good two weeks. Stress, stress, stress, I haven't lost a pound and I've only been eating around 500 or less calories a day. I'm still drinking water because it's the only thing I can keep down. I'm hoping to break out of this soon so I can get back to my plan and continue losing.

Linsy, I'm sorry you're so stessed out and hope things get better soon. From everything I've read though, 500 calories is not enough. Your body thinks you're starving it. Keep your head up girlie, and try not to stress about the things you have no control over : )

Linsy, I hope whatever is causing you stress improves soon.

Linsy-feel better! i also hope the stress goes away soon! Start eating a lil more--500 is very less :(

Meanwhile, I am back after a week! lol. I was sick (flu) during the begging of the week, so I did fall off the wagon for 2 days. Can't believe fell off after 12 pure atkins days. Lol. I guess its ok, I started again & today is day 4! :carrot: I didnt gain anything during the cheat days *phew* So being back feels good!

I know 500 isn't enough. When I get stressed out I can't eat. I've made a commitment to try to eat at least a few times today and all on-plan foods. Maybe once I get back into the routine again it'll get easier. I was typically eating around 1300-1600 calories before.

Last night I had some stress relief and experienced a HUGE spike in appetite--I devoured an entire taco salad, a protein bar, and was eyeing the cookies on the counter but resisted. So I know I'm HUNGRY, but getting into the right mood to eat is what's getting me. Thank you for the kind words and I'll try to feel better. :)

Hi everyone! I haven't checked in in a while, because I have been on vacation.

I stuck to the plan for the most part. I ate more than I usually do, but I didn't go off the deep end like I usually do when I am out of town (except for a cocktail here and there :) ).

My TOM started yesterday, and I weigh exactly the same as I did before vacay. I HOPE that means that I actually lost a couple. We'll see in a few days.

Have a great week everyone.

I'm Kinda Frustrated
 

I have been gaining and losing the same pound for the last 4 days. GRRR! I am pretty sure I'm not getting enough calories. I feel like I'm eating enough because I am full after a meal. I'm getting plenty of protein and veggies but I cannot seem to get my calories over 1000. I don't want to eat when I'm not hungry nor do I want to stuff myself. That's what got me in trouble in the first place. I'm wondering if I need to start adding a shake to my food intake each day.

Sounds like everyone is having issues. :(

I went to the doctor today and in addition to talking about my meds I talked about my diet. And he suggested I go back to calorie counting. He said its healthier for me. Of course what doctor does recommend Atkins?

Anyway my hubby is staying Atkins so my dinners (and lunches since I take leftovers to work) will remain low carb but I will add some higher carb snacks and breakfast. I'm going to try it a few weeks and see if it makes me feel awful or a balloon up. If it does either I will be back! :D

I will continue to check in. Hope all you girls reach your goals!

Hi, everyone. Just thought I would check in real quick. I've been busy, busy, busy, and I haven't had time to come and read lately. Hope everyone is doing ok. I'll be back to do some actual reading later. :)

I did a little shopping today, and realized that I have gotten so accustomed to looking at fat and calories, half of the things I was eating, that I thought were healthier, were simply loaded in carbs.
Salad dressing, for instance... the low fat/light versions have many more carbs than the regular version. Same thing with some ice cream and treats... it's so nice to not have to count calories- I feel like any time I tried that, I was on a diet, and now, I've changed the way I eat.
This has been incredibly successful already compared to all of those "eating plans", and today I'm full of energy!
I hope everyone else's week gets better!