:carrot:Way to go girl! I know that 1st day's a b*tch! After about my 3rd day...I was smoooooth sailing. Sounds like you are on your way!:carrot:

Morning all! It is 6:06 a.m. here. Just getting ready to hit the shower. I just caught up on posts. I made wings for dinner last night along with steamed yellow squash and fresh asparagus. Twas yummy. I brushed a little of the "Hooters" hot wing sauce on our though because I saw it at Walmart one day and picked it up. Dang. A little dab will do ya.

Cabbage guilt: I cooked some cabbage last Thursday and it has been sitting in the sealed tupperare container ever since taking up space. I need to throw it out. I hate it when I do that. I have never tried frying cabbage!!!! That sounds good.

Coconut oil is my hands down favorite for cooking now too. No smoking and very little mess. I love it.

Have a great day!!!!

ox
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It is pouring down rain here today. My cold seems to be gone but now I'm having major allergy issues. sneezing, runny eyes. What a mess. I can't win!We are in full force spring here so it is probably something that is in bloom right now.

SIC-I used louisiana hot sauce on my wings. In the grocery store here there is an entire shelf devoted to hot sauce but I live in the land of cajun cooking. I like things that bite you back but don't burn your mouth out.

Time to get ready for work and get my butt out the door. I seem to be in super slowmo this morning. Have a good day. Oh, my experiment with the shake worked out better this morning. This is what I used: 1/2 cup kefir, 1/4 cup ricotta cheese, 1 tbsp instant coffee granules, 1 scoop choc. protein powder, pinch of cinnamon. I don't think it will become my favorite but it was certainly okay. It had about 27 grams of protein and about 10 carbs so not bad.

JG-we were cross posting. I have that cookbook. the recipes are good but they are labor intensive so if you are willing to put in the work.....

Hello All!

Well, NO WORKOUT for me yesterday! Awwwwh...what a bummer! (1st day of TOM) I just had NO ENERGY! I've gotta start getting in my WO's in the a.m. cuz too much sh*t happens later in the eve and then I feel like I've gotta rush threw it! Back on track today though...feeling alot better and surprising NO CRAMPS...YEAHHHHH! I've pushed myself through the 1st day cramps and bloating before and worked out, cuz then I always felt better afterwards...but not yesterday.... Okay...okay...I'm going to stop beating myself now!

Anyways...been doing good this week eating breakfast (1 cup cottage cheese) and 5 meals a day...so I'm happy 'bout that. Also, got the rest of my cooking done yesterday (I made pot roast, port tenderloin smothered in fresh herbs and spices, a troth of curried chicken and baked sliced yams with pumpkin spice, butter, a pinch of splenda and olive oil..YUM!) This combined with the Collard Greens (made with smoked pork neckbones), and black-eyed peas (made with same) should hold me over for the week! I also cut back (substantially) on the salt. I tried the fake salt and hurled chunks (at least I think that's what did it when I ate that fish)...soooo, I decided to stick with regular salt and just use less. For instance, I didn't use any added salt to the greens, peas and pot roast (which I used progresso french onion soup which has about 1600 grams of sodium), and I only used a smidge of seasoned salt on the rest of the dishes I made focusing more on fresh herbs (from my cha cha cha chiapet herb garden!:lol:).

As you all know...I'm trying this "carb cycling" thing...so tomorrow is my UP day...which means that I can go all out on the CARBS...whew hoo! Don't get too excited though...not the bad ones (i.e., snickers, donuts & cakes), but good ones (yams, brown rice, many..many fruits, etc.). I will have to double my calorie and carb content tomorrow. I hope I CAN do this...not as easy as one might think to get all those calories in, in one day..especially from whole foods! If the book is right (Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle), then I should drop 2 lbs by Monday. We'll seeeeee!

Oh..BTW, I finally found that "Greek Yogart" yesterday...I read the label and thought it was kind of high in carbs and since I can't just eat it out of the cup (having to add sf syrup and fruit..too much work for the benefit), I decided to stick with my Dannon low-carb strawberry (which is pretty good). I'm really not in love with yogart (can take it or leave it), so 2 carbs is all I'm willing to spend on that....I rather spend my carbs on something else like candied yams or fruit. But..that's just my own personal choice.

Have a great day all! Joyce

Well here i go on day 2. I have to work today so that is going to make the day pretty easy. I am just ready for the weight to start dropping off. I did my measurements yesterday cause i know that sometimes when the scale doesnt move, the inches do.

Another thing you may want to try doing is measuring your body fat (I sooo wish I'd done that when I first started). Using a caliper (which you can get for about $20 bucks at accumeasure.com??) you will also be able to monitor fat loss and find out how much lean muscle mass you actually have. I think sometimes we place too many emphasis on "weight loss"...when we really need to focus on "maintaining/gaining muscle" and "fat loss". Your right...the scale is not always kind nor accurate! Using your body measurements and fat loss measurement tools will help you stay focused as you see that you are actually losing fat...not water...not muscle! One day at a time...:carrot:

Hello Everyone! I have been on this site for awhile but in another forum...LA Weight Loss. I did okay on that but I have come to realize that I cant have that little taste of sweet and not eventually fall off the wagon and down the hill into the ditch. I did Atkins 3 years ago and lost 100 lbs and got to my goal weight. Then I hit 40 and things just werent pretty for a while. I gained back about 50 lbs and have since lost 30 of those and have decided that Atkins is the way for me to go. I like the fat allowed and feel more satisfied eating this way. I really can do without the bread and sugar and even though my family doesnt eat this way, they do without it too since I dont buy it!! I am on day 3 of Induction and so far it really hasnt been too hard at all. I am looking forward to winning this battle and maintaining this time.

:welcome3: back to Atkins Donnie!

This is a great place for advice, support & encouragement!

All the best to you!!:)

Hey All and Welcome Back Donnie! Here's some very good and thought provoking info I found in my book, "Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle"...I thought this really helped explain why so many of us gain/lose/gain even more & faster...hope you all appreciate reading this:

Why dieting can actually make you fatter.
Let’s take a look at how these physiological and psychological responses to low calories affect the real world results of a typical dieter.

Suppose our “typical” dieter is a male who weights 200 pounds and has 18% body fat. His goal is to lose 20-25 lbs.
Before the diet
18% body fat
36 lbs. fat
164 lbs. lean body mass
Like most people, our hapless dieter assumes that the best way to lose the body fat is to starve, so he goes on a 1500 calorie per day diet. In the 1st week he loses 5 lbs. and is very happy with himself. The second week he loses 4 lbs. Weeks three through six he loses three pounds per week for a grand total of twenty-one pounds lost.

Our dieter now weighs 179 lbs. and he continued to lose weight steadily without hitting a plateau (although the weight loss did slow down). Judging by the scale alone, he has succeeded in his goal. On closer examination, however, we find that he has not been so successful after all.
After the diet
179 lbs.
14.8% body fat
26.5 lbs. fat
Lean body mass 152.5 lbs.
Weight loss: 21 lbs.
Fat lost 9.5 lbs.
Lean body mass lost: 11.5
By judging his success in terms of body composition instead of scale weight, it becomes clear that he has failed. Fifty five percent of his weight loss came from lean body mass. The drop in lean body mass has decreased his basal metabolic rate so he is now burning fewer calories each day than when he started. This has set him up for a relapse.

Now that the (temporary) diet is “over, “ he goes off his diet. Few people have the desire or willpower to stay on low calories for long. On a strict calorie and or foodrestricted diet, almost everyone “falls of the wagon” sooner or later. After a long period of low calories, his body “tricks him” into binge eating by triggering severe cravings and hunger.

Even if he doesn’t binge and he simply goes back to “normal” eating again, his body isn’t burning calories as efficiently as before. Therefore, the number of calories that used to maintain his weight now causes him to gain weight. As the weeks pass, the weight gradually creeps back on until he finally gains back all the fat he lost (plus a little extra for interest)
6 weeks after the diet ends:
200 lbs.
20.5% body fat
41.1 lbs. fat
Lean body mass 158.9 lbs.
Now he is right back at 200 pounds where he started, with only one difference: He has less muscle, more fat, and a slower metabolism than when he began. He has damaged his metabolism and it will now be harder than ever to lose weight.

This book is terrific IMO, cuz it gives you the recipe for successful long term weight loss/control. It teaches you to Burn the Fat (with cardio/weight training) and Feed the Muscle (no starvation or low calorie, but good whole nutritious foods in moderation). Only with good eating "habits" and regular exercise can this become lifelong. Here's to your health ALL! Joyce

Ilovemike-keep up the good work. You doing great. Bambi is lucky, it only took her 3 days to get over her sugar cravings. Took me about a week.

Donnie-welcome back. Funny you should write that post today. I wrote sort of a diatribe on the protein power forum today about sugar addiction and how some of the commercial programs lead you to believe you can have a "treat" which is ridiculous to anyone who understands anything about addiction....blah, blah, blah....

JG-about the cholesterol thing. Most people seem to have some benefit in their lipids on their program. I'm certainly hoping for that effect as well as my blood pressure. Mine were borderline high last time I had them checked and I'm trying to avoid meds. They believe that in general, the whole idea of lowering cholesterol has been overblown by the mainstream medical community and they may have a point but like I said, most people seem to get some benefit from their program. I think they talk about this in some detail in the book. Did you get the original or Protein Power Lifeplan? Unfortunately, my experience with emailing Dr. Mike is that he isn't receptive to that. There is some medical information on the site but to be honest if you posted a question there I would most likely be the person to answer your question since I think I'm the only doctor who currently frequents the site. You might get a few other people who could tell you what their personal experience has been with cholesterol issues.

Happy Evening Lo-Carbers!!! It is 7:20 here. I'm not creative tonight so there are more hot wings in the oven and we are having leftover asparagus with zucchini and some salad. A repeat of last night. The good news for DH is that I have the famous cheesecake pudding made for him with some mixed berries. He will be happy.

Soooo...I'm really enjoying reading about the protien power stuff and the other information being posted by Petra and Bambi. I never knew what I never knew...(Sorry. Maybe I should say that really, really fast and then I will also sound like someone out of an episode from Gilmore Girls). Thanks for the posts ladies.

Glad to meet you ILM and Monster! Major Mojo coming your way.

Lily: I hope you are out there and thriving. I'm worried about you.
Aud: I think you might be getting addicted to the suite life. Uh, I mean sweeeetttt life. Sorry. DD is 9 but she still likes that Disney show Suite Life of Zack & Cody.

I waaaannntttt Beachie to come home. Maybe I should stalk her on the other thread if she's there. I miss hearing about her life. Maybe I should just PM her?

Fay: Didn't you say you are doing your play tomorrow and Friday? Let us know!!!


Hiking around for two hours yesterday did some good with regards to aunt flow. She picked up the pace and my boobs have deflated. Thank the Lord. I was so uncomfortable this month. I felt like a big, over-ripe grape just waiting for someone to squash me. Wouldn't you know it also? I didn't order DH anymore chocoperfection and today I want a square of that dang stuff. Blame aunt flow. Ahhhhh well. I'm over it. I will follow Lily's advice and have a vodka crystal light instead. What a wild woman.

ox
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