Honesty/Reality Check & The Importance of a Food Journal
 

I must admit that I was wrong. After gaining 5 pounds in one week, I was ready to throw in the towel and proclaim that Atkins did not work for me. It wasn't until reading my daily food logs that I came to the realization that I had not followed the Plan as written. My journal revealed the following:

• I didn't stay under 20 grams of carbs for a full 14 days (I ranged between 20 and 40.)
  
• I drank caffeinated drinks every day.
  
• I exceeded the recommended amount of cheese and artifical sweetners.

It's easy to say something does not work when things aren't going our way. :)I had to take a long, hard, honest look at my eating habits to realize the truth. I hope this helps someone else.

Keeping a food journal works with all diets. I find that when I don't do that I eat much more than I think I did.

I use a little iphone/ipod touch app called Log It...it's free. I set it up for 20g of carbs a day and as i east i input what i eat and it deducts my carbs, displaying the remaining carbs on my home screen.

I have a column in my journal for cheese and veg to watch my intake - limiting the cheese and trying to get 15 of my carbs from veggies. It helps me see as I plan my next meal how i'm doing, and thus my salad tonight got no cheese. :( But it was still good.

@bargoo: My journaling has saved me countless times. I'll never diet without one.

@SaskNewfie: I checked the Android market for Log It, but haven't it yet. Sounds like a great app.

@Arkansas: I like the idea of keeping track of veggies & cheese. Now that I'm starting over with Induction, I'll have to keep a close eye on both.

Ok back again on challange of 15lbs I was dow 5 lbs this morning but i'm afraid that is allwater weight will see next wednesday.

start---220
week into----215
Goal---185