Atkins again.....
 

I did Atkins a few years back and was really happy with the results. Unfortunately I decided to switch over to low calorie and gained it all back. I have attempted low carb a couple times but didn't seem to have much weight loss. I then gave up. I am not giving up now.

I was wondering if there were any other repeat Atkins dieters here. How has the diet been different for you now?

What kinds of snacks have you been eating?

Any quick and easy meals you like?


I am Windy and happy to meet you all!

Welcome Windy!
I did atkins back in 04, lost around 80 lbs, was a few pounds from my goal weight, then found out I was pregnant. After that life got in the way, had a few rough patches and gained it all back. Since then, I had tried atkins a few times along with a lot of other diets, and atkins seems to be the one I can stick with long term. Started again back on Jan. 1, and I'm down 101 lbs. Seems to be coming off just as easy as the first time, only this time its staying off!
I've been eating lots of boiled eggs, wings, and tuna lately. LOVE tuna patties, they are delish.

Windy I'm back to Atkins also - into 2nd week - around 7 lbs lost. I'm having better results this time - but this time I have avoided most franken foods. I eat sorta primal/Atkins. Meat, veg, a little dairy, no grains, butter/EVOO/animal fat for fats, eggs. Very little nuts. My exceptions to the "plans" is occasional Atkins shakes and diet soda. I'm trying to get soda down to 2/day - I'm down to 3/day and stuck. Stress is playing a big part in that, but I think an extra soda is not worse than a binge.

The first time I did Atkins I had the best results I've ever had dieting. Almost made it to Onderland for the first time in a decade. Convenience became a factor, diet slipped away while I promised myself I'd get back on it. Gained weight back.

Last time I did Atkins my results were, um, anticlimactic. I had lots of low carb deserts, packaged stuff, cheese and nuts. I believe I had a lot of sugar alcohols/substitutes, and low carb "grain" products. I didn't miss a thing, I found a way to incorporate lots of versions of regular foods. I lost very little and struggled the whole way. I gained the weight back, and through medications, even more.

Good luck, you're in the right place. For the record, I don't think a little franken food is too bad, I think depending on it daily is.

Hi there my new low carb friend! I am amazed at how well you are doing! You are giving me hope. I have been eating egg salad, Chicken Caesar salads, and lots of veggies. I did make Oopsy Buns for burgers. I'm not a fish fan but I do like shrimp and veggies together. I too found that Atkins was the only way for me to lose weight. I like low calorie but the carbs keep me hungry. The nice thing about Atkins is I am not hungry. Congrats to you!

Hi Arkansas Kel,

Congrats on getting back to low carb and for your weight loss!! I am on day 5 and down 4.4 lbs. Was hoping to get to Onederland today but no such luck. I agree with you about the "frankenfoods." I used to drink the shakes and eat the bars. I haven't had any yet and I am hoping to stay away from them. I remember eating the low carb ice cream and loving it! I now eat meat, seafood, lc veggies, eggs, and some cheese. I don't really like cheese too much but I have included it since I took out so many other foods. If it stalls me I will give that up too.

I gave up my caffeine free diet coke. I read some report recently that said that aspertame reacted with your body the same way as sugar does. Who knows if that is true or not. I decided to give it up and see if I actually can. I am drinking 64 oz of water per day. THAT is hard for me to do. I'm not a big fan of water but with the heat we've been having it's not too bad.

I have another reason for doing Atkins. I have Rosacea. No one could really tell for most of my life but it has been getting pretty red lately. There is no cure but you can treat some of the symptoms with medicine and laser surgery. I'm not a big fan of lasers on my face so I started reading more about it. Part of the disease is inflammatory and it seems that sugar is poison to it. Wouldn't you know it, sugar is poison. That makes sense to me. So I thought why not kill two birds with one stone! I would like to see if it helps my poor skin and I would like to lose weight.

Good luck and I hope to see you around here. I am pretty new on this forum. Is there any way to keep a journal and write in it daily? I did that on another forum and I think that helped me to lose all my weight. I became accountable because I was journaling, reading others' journals, and writing in theirs too. It was a lot of fun. Sadly, most of my friends are gone so I decided to start fresh on another forum.

WC

I lost 50lbs a couple of years ago on Atkins then went off plan when I got pregnant, I loved it and started again on August 1st. Its the only plan I've really felt great on. I haven't weighed in yet this time so not sure I've lost anything yet but on day 5 of induction and already feeling better.

I like to have some pre cooked meat like Burger patties or chicken handy to snack on or boiled eggs or tuna for on salads. Pickles are handy when craving something salty or crunchy. And I love that I can have hot-wings on this plan!

I'm also trying to avoid all the frankenfoods, limiting my splenda and cutting out the coke zero (my fave). Trying to cut back on the coffee too but not doing to well with that yet.

There is a blog feature you can use for journaling.

How long have you been doing it this time?
How's it going so far?

PZ

Hi PZ,

I started the same date as you, August 1st. I have lost 4.6 lbs but that seems to be the case in the first few days of induction.

I made some burgers this week and made extras for the following night. I made some Oopsy Buns. I found the recipe on The Lighter Side of Low Carb. I don't mind no buns but once in awhile it is nice to pick up a burger.

I agree about pickles and I am an olive fan. I try to limit them but they are great on salads.

Chicken wings sound great. I forgot there is this great wings place near me that has wings and no breading on them.

I agree about the frankenfoods. I used to have 3 low carb stores near me that had all kinds of low carb foods. There were a lot of frankenfoods there. They all closed down. I think the low carb fad kind of went away.

I try to stay away but I have a few staples like I have a low carb Cesar dressing I love and I have low carb ketchup. I don't eat the bars or drink the shakes but a few little things I don't think can hurt you too much.

I do want to eat more natural foods this time. 95% of my foods are meat, seafood, eggs, low carb veggies, 1-2 oz of cheese. I gave up my diet coke. I have only had water this week. I have to admit it is hard.

I am going to figure out where to start a blog around here. I can't find out exactly where. Do you have a blog? keep in touch. I would really like to meet some other low carbers. I don't know anyone doing it except my husband. I am glad he joined me.

WC

Hi windy, I do owl with atkins. I haven't been losing a lot of weight, but feel well and have stable blood sugars with this method. ( I am pre-diabetic, and monitor my sugars, and really feel it a lot if I have swings of blood sugars)
When I go to induction to lose weight, I have to be absolutely pure, and still will only lose a couple of pounds before I plateau. BUT, I am maintaining nicely, and not gaining with occasional cheats, and occasional days of higher carbs. So overall it is working, and don't worry if the weight doesn't peel off the way it did before. It will go over time and with patience.

Thank you! Carbs definitely keep me hungry, and the 2 weeks I was on WW the cravings all came back big time. Most of my flex points were going towards sweet things, and I'm sure thats why I didn't lose weight on that diet lol.

Wings and also low carb pizza are a lifesaver for me, feels like a treat when I watch other dieters eating nothing but salad and chicken breast lol. I need to make some oopsy buns! Forgot about those! They would go great with my BLT's tonight. :)

Hi fatmad,

I just had a blood test on Wednesday and they are checking my sugar. I am not getting my results until early next week. I have a friend who is a Type 1 diabetic. She knows everything about low carb but moved away from me! I have been on it for 5 days and I am down 4.6 lbs. I can't remember if that's good or not. I am pretty strict on induction. I do use a bit of low carb ketchup. I think diet coke did me in the most when I have tried it here and there. 2 years ago when I lost weight and kept it off for a long time I didn't drink diet coke. It's forcing me to drink more water.

So how many carbs and what rung are you up to now on OWL?

WC

Startanew,

Is your low carb pizza like a "meatza"? I remember using making that. Wow, I guess low carb is like riding a bike, you never really forget! Oh, wow, I just thought, I am so glad I am not riding a bike right now!! :dizzy:

Oopsies are good. My husband found another type of bun that is like oopsies but no egg separating. I will have to ask him about it. He changed our oopsy recipe and adds some flax to it to make them hold up a little better. We usually make 2-3 double batches and freeze them.

I read something that sounded good on here. Whopper and Big Mac with no buns. I think I will make one of those this weekend.

When I did this a couple hears ago I loved watching people on low calorie eat their tiny little meal when I was eating Angus rare roast beef and cheese rollups with mayo and big Caesar salads. They never knew how I lost any weight.

How do you eat BLTs without bread? As a salad?

WC

I don't have a blog but I've checked out a few others. There is a link on the purple bar at the top of the page where it says "free diet blogs", I think is is easy to sign up for one.

You are so lucky to have your husband joining you! My husband loves junk food and it is so tempting when I see him with it.

The whoopsy buns sound good. I'll have to look into making some.

I love your avatar!!

BLTs no bread? I chop romaine lettuce very fine into a salad bowl, crumble three or four slices of crisp bacon coarsely, add chopped tomato, and a dollop of mayonnaise, salt and pepper. Stir it around a little and enjoy. It's better if you drain your chopped tomato a little; otherwise, it's still delicious, but a little soupy at the bottom. I just finish that off with a spoon!

Hi PZ,

I see where they are now. Thanks. I was hoping you could start a thread and just write on that so others can write on it too. It was something they had on another forum and the forum was set up exactly like this one except they had room for people to put their own threads. It just made it easier for others to post in it too.

I am pretty lucky my husband is doing it too. He's a good sport and a good cook too.

Isn't that avatar cute! You know it's sugar free syrup on that snow cone. :D

The oopsy buns are great!

WC

Sandy,

I am making that for brunch today!! I woke up pretty hungry and that looks like it will hit the spot! Thanks.

wc

Let me know on the oopsie recipe with flax, I'd like to try that.
I make my BLT's like a salad, or I just use a giant piece of lettuce and make a wrap. Yum!

For the low carb pizza I use the flax pizza crust, but I know there's a cauliflower crust thats good too.

We do the original oopsies from The Lighter Side of Low Carb but add 28 grams of flax seed meal to the cream cheese and egg mixture. It binds up a little better. We also use Wilton mini cake pans for them. They pop out easier. The other type of buns my husband saw recently were called Floopsies on another site. We haven't tried to make them yet but they might be easier. I'll let you know if they are any good and post the recipe too.

I had the BLT salad. That was good. I had it in a bowl and it was so good. That is one of my staples for sure. I'm going to make the flax pizza crust. It sounds really good. I am not sure if Flax is okay on induction. I hardly use any for the oopsies but there is quite a bit in that crust. I'll have to reread the book.

Tonight we're having a beef roast that's been in the crock pot since 9 am with mashed, loaded cauliflower.

I think I am getting back in the swing of low carb now. I do need to get some ketosticks one of these days.

Wow, so much support here. We are some awesome chicks!

I too find that eating carbs makes me hungry. I ate a large meal (all on plan except 4 bites) at Ryans last night with my BFF. On the way home we went by McD's - she drove through and got 20 pc mcnuggets for herself. I didn't even want one. Not a bite of them. And they are one of my favorite things. It had been hours since I ate. I was still very full. I passed graciously, not something that would have happened any other time.

I allow a few frankenfoods - Atkins shakes (maybe 1-3/week), LC ketchup (approx 1/wk), diet sodas (ok, I tried to reduce them, I'm not ready, life's too hard for me right now and I need my crutch and it's not as bad as eating a pie which is my alternative).

Windy - glad you are here. I keep nearly primal - and I think once I'm at goal I may just go primal completely. My exceptions are above. I eat real foods - I shop frozen veg, produce, meat section. I'm careful about the rest. And it's working. The shakes keep me on plan on mornings and at the office when I don't have good choices on hand. The ketchup, is just because sometimes you need a little ketchup on a burger salad. The diet soda I have reduced greatly to about 3/day.

Also, windy, I'd be interested in that whoopsie version you have! I've never tried them, could be handy to have a "bun" to grab somedays.

My favorite low carb pizza is a dump. I "dump" all the stuff I like on top of a pizza into a little oven safe dish - one per person - and bake until bubbly, little brown. Eat with fork. It's like eating the top off a pizza. I rarely make these, but it's good for pizza craving nights.

That pizza dump sound good and easy. I LIVE for easy! I cooked up some thin pork chops today. I like them cold and I like to dip them into Smokin' Joe's BBQ sauce. I order it online directly from his company. I have never found a better low carb BBQ sauce.

I broke down and had a caffeine free diet coke. I tried to give up all pop but boy I like to have one every few days. I looked for any diet soda type drink at my grocery store that doesn't contain aspertame. I couldn't find any besides diet rite. I really don't like that brand. Even Chrystal Light has aspertame. I guess water will have to do. It's not bad it I keep it super cold.

I am making "Floopsies" today. I'm doing a little bit of experimenting with how much coconut flour to have. It's not really an induction friendly item but has very little. I will update if they turn out well.

Tonight is guacamole/taco salad. I have some avocados I need to use up.

Kel, I would love to watch someone eat Mc Donalds and not be hungry. I actually broke down and bought some Atkin's shakes. I'm going to just drink them when I run out of time or energy. :smug: The dark chocolate one is the only one I like when it is ICE cold. I think with the amount of frankenfoods you have you shouldn't have any problems at all. I think the lc bars are the worst for you. When there are a few sugar alcohols, I don't think it's that bad. Oh, I agree, gotta have my ketchup!!!

Good for you, Kel, on passing on the McNuggets. If you ever see how they're made and what goes in them, you'll NEVER want another one near you. Google "How chicken nuggets are made" - there are a couple of youtube videos. You'll never want a mechanically separated, artificially texturized and processed Frankenugget again in your life. Super-disgusting. I don't eat ANY chicken unless I see the bone, and it's recognizable as part of an actual chicken. And I'm getting "iffy" on that.

I'm trying your Pizza Dump tonight for dinner...the name isn't attractive, but it's just what I think I want.

I've been super good today. Totally on plan, except running over on diet soda. I've been busy, and thirsty, and it was totally tasty.

Sandy, hope you enjoyed pizza dump. I'm planning a round of it Friday night. We have a Friday night pizza tradition. And, from another thread, I'm looking into the links for spinach, kale and green bean crunchy snack ideas. I'll find something in there to try out.

On other fronts: I didn't get the job I applied for. I got a job, but not one I enjoy anymore. So, a serious job hunt begins....

Hi Kel,

Sorry about the job. There will be a better one out there. I like your Friday night pizza night. We decided on Tuesday Tacos here! I made a taco dump last night. :D I thought I was on plan yesterday, no processed foods but I gained .4 lbs. So I am down 4.2 since last week Monday. I really remember the weight dropping a little quicker during the first week of induction. Oh, well I will take the 4 lbs!! Tonight we are making burgers and some zucchini and yellow squash. It will be nice to put some real butter on those. Low calorie had me using this fake stuff that's just awful. I already had a cold pork chop for breakfast. I like meat you have to work for like ribs or pork chops off the bone. My husband just looks at me and shakes his head. :dizzy:

Hi Sandy,

How many carbs are in those Jillian Michael's shakes? Sugar Alcohols? What flavors do you like? Have you ever stalled with shakes? I like the dark chocolate Atkins and bought a few of them just to have on hand. I haven't tried them recently but I remember they used to be in a can and now it's like cardboard. I'm not sure if they changed the flavors too.

BTW, my husband told me he saw that chicken nugget thing on the computer. He said it's pretty gross. Just the thought of that will make me stay away from those for good!

Windycity, here's the information from the Jillian Michael's "Natural Whey Protein" Triple Chocolate Shake

Mixed with water (I usually mix mine with leftover black coffee) and 1 scoop

Calories 100
Total Carbohydrate 7g.
Dietary Fiber 4g.
Sugars 3g.
Protein 15g.

It's sweetened with Stevia extract, but fructose is also listed as about the 12th ingredient along with "milk and soy ingredients."

Because of the 3 g. of sugars and "milk" ingredients, I'm sure strict Atkins Induction folks wouldn't use this protein drink mix.

I'm using it because it's available at my Walmart for less than $10, makes 15 shakes, and tastes pretty yummy mixed up in a blender with ice. There's a Jay Robb whey protein powder drink that lots of Atkins dieters on the "Low Carb Friends" board really like, but my local stores don't carry it. I may order some (depending on the price and shipping) once I go back to work and try it. I like the convenience of a chocolate shake I can use for a snack (or a meal replacement if you use 2 scoops) and the experience of cold/chocolate/icy in the hot weather we're having.

I don't know if it will cause "stalls" or not. I do know it won't cause me to gain weight as quickly as I did when I fell off the Atkins wagon and was eating ice cream every day earlier this summer. YIKES!

Been a rough day. I won't bore you. Comes down to I want a new job. Yep, that's me, broken record.

I looked into the chicken nuggets thing - I'm more concerned about the over processing and deception than what went in (other than my friend says they add bleach - the friend that got the 20 piece by the way). What I saw online was chicken carcasses - the chest hunk at the middle after most meat is gone. Heck, that's what goes in my stock pot.

HMMM, Tuesday tacos. How do you make a taco dump? Anything special to it?

Sandy,

That shake doesn't sound too bad, especially for the price. I still have a big canister of chocolate Isopure. It's 1 net carb. I like it but actually drank it a lot when I was doing low calorie because I used skim milk. I agree, 7 carbs is a lot better than a bowl of ice cream. I was cleaning out one of my cabinets yesterday. It is kind of the "catch all" cabinet. Name it, it's in there. I actually found fancy sprinkles for my ice cream. I have to say I felt a little weak. :)

I decided to make MIMs (muffin in a minute) today. I never made them before but heard of them years ago. They were okay. I didn't know they were 3.27 carbs each. They sure look like they should be less!

I might make a shake tomorrow and give it a try. I do miss chocolate!

No, nothing special. I just take a bowl and put shredded lettuce on the bottom, add ground beef/taco seasoning, shredded cheese, onions, tomatoes, black olives, sour cream, and salsa. Mix it up and eat. Las time I had some avocados I put on top. I actually got my husband to eat it and he doesn't usually like taco seasoning. I got some new kind I found in the store near the regular spices/herbs. It's not bad.

When I am out of induction I buy these crunchy taco shells (4 carbs) and break one on top.

The taco dump sounds great. I make my own taco spice (the recipe from Lindas low carb) and it is very good. I don't like most of the packet mixes I think they taste starchy.

I logged my food today and was a little higher than I like to be with the carbs. Today is one week on plan for me. I think I might weigh in after two weeks. I was going to wait for one month but may need to tweak my diet before then if I'm not losing.

Hi P,

I don't like the packets of spices either. I'm not sure what's in them because they seem to have too many carbs. The stuff I found it just a bottle of spices that were put together. My grocery store has their own line of spices. It was cheap so I decided to try it. Not bad.

It's been a week for me too. I have been weighing everyday. I think I will start to cut back to every few days. So you haven't weighed once? I would like to wait and be surprised but I don't have the willpower. ;)

Would love to hear if this stalls you or not! I may try it!

I weigh in almost every day except weekends usually, lol. Helps me stay on track. :)

I worry about what all is in those premade spice mixes. I'm pretty picky about them, and am slowly eliminating them from the cabinet. I've started mixing my own curry powder and it's yummy. Can anybody point to some good recipes to replace pkts and premixed spices? I use chili pkts, taco pkts and hidden valley ranch pkts.

I've been off the radar for a couple days, but am totally on plan. In spite of offers by diet saboteurs. Devils. and one of them my BFF... Why BFF's have to be like that.... My job's still "a job." I've been pleased by the support people have given me at work over being beaten out on the job I'm currently doing (long story). I think it's just a case of politics winning. In the mean time I have the privilege of continuing to do it until she can start on it, and then to teach her how. Seriously. And it's thought unethical to rub a dogs nose in it....

Stress is better though. I've realized the job I go back to is less stressful, easier, and with clearer rules. I'll have time to work on me and work on things to improve my resume. This could work out to my benefit.

Atkins....
 

Hi all,

I tried Atkins for a while. I did lose some weight but didn't keep it off. Been doing the Buff Chef diet for about 6 months and have lost #50. The key for me is to be able to prepare my meals at home. Take my own lunches to ork. If you havent tried it yet you should give it a shot!!

Laura:)

Spam??

I love curry. What do you put in yours?

This is the Taco spice I use:
1 teaspoon chili powder
3/4 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

If you like it saucy you can add some tomato paste after the beef is cooked.

OK, curry powder - I don't recall where I got the recipe, but I changed it some.

8 Tbs Cumin
7 Tbs Coriander
2 Tbs Ground Ginger
4 Tbs Tumeric
1 Tbs Cayenne
1 Tbs Garlic Powder
2 Tbs Sea Salt

I mix er up in a jar - fits in a big peanut butter jar. Use about 2 Tbs mix for a skillet of curry stew.

Hi Laura, congratulations on your weight loss! Question: Are Buff Chef and Chef Buff the same person? I'm curious about your diet plan. I googled Buff Chef, found some results, but nothing that really gave me the guidelines for his diet, but I also found Chef Buff results. ????

Would you please outline the diet/eating plan/guidelines for your Buff Chef plan or give me a link? I'm always up for more information.

Thanks so much!