I have a rule for myself that I must try one new food (item, recipe, whatever) every week. It keeps things interesting enough for me to stick with induction. I've even gone back to having low carb bread products once a week - maybe and got rid of the nuts again. I'm learning tons about herbs and spices now that I don't have starches to rely on. Really, I like my low carb food way better than the old high carb stuff.

Star: did you say you were eating low carb breads? Are you doing induction? I have the low carb tortillas which if allowed I could make a sandwich out of at least.

I am going to make chili tonight...that will give me something other than salad for lunch.

Yeah, Montreal is a pretty neat place...always lots of things going on, especially during the summer - non-stop festivals! Jazz Festival, Comedy Festival, Film Festival ... needless to say, I didn't get a lot of work done in the summer. Especially since I lived maybe a 5-10 minute walk from these festivals.


You know, one of things I'm *really* enjoying about this Atkins lifestyle, is that I am *never* hungry and any cravings that I get (which are few and far between now!) have been pretty easy to get rid of. And I'm noticing that my cravings at the very beginning really were the worst when I was 'near' the food in question. So ... I just backed away. Stay away from the food. was my mantra! And, I'm upping my water intake a bit from the 8 glasses/day thing, and I have never had to go to the bathroom so often in my life ...

Lekker, are you originally from Holland?


Froufy- do you own rabbits? I need a rabbiteer to help me out with some beginners questions!

Jane - I'm somewhere between induction and OWL. I stay under 20 grams of carb a day and generally stick to induction rules. I do allow myself a low carb bread product - like pizza - once in a while, but not very often. Same with nuts. I haven't moved to berries yet, because I'm not confident that I'm ready for that. I get discouraged easily if I don't see pounds or inches going away so I'm going to stay on my current woe until I get significantly closer to my goal. I'll slow down for the last part of it. The low carb breads I do use range between 2 and 4 grams a slice.

One of the reasons I like this woe is because it encourages me to eat whole, unprocessed foods. The avoinance of special low-carb products is in keeping with that mindset. I just feel better when I'm eating stuff I make myself and stay away from "convenience" foods. It's also been very good for breaking my bad eating habits. The effort it takes to make the food makes me really think about what I'm putting in my mouth and forces me into planning my eating - for me, that's a very good thing!

Hi Jennifer! No, I'm not from Holland, but I did live in that wonderful country for a year during my undergraduate degree - such easy-going, honest people I thought ... and the European attitude about work, life, holidays is really nice - my European friends seem to always be on holidays and travelling around. None of that paltry 2-week stuff like over here!

Alright, one last time I'll check if the 'special' computers I need are available, and if not, I'm going home ... talk to you all later.

Hi All! It sounds like everyone is doing great on their diets. I kept my injured knee iced and elevated all weekend, so I didn't excercise at all, but I made some soups that I could eat whenever and how much I wanted. I did well with the diet anyway. I see the doctor Thursday for my back check up, and he's the type who will want to just take a peak at my knee. Hopefully, by then, I'll be wondering which leg it was. I've been telling myself and dh that I'm walking this way to favor it. Truth is, it's the only way I can walk! LOL

Kim, I can see your dh performing "Those Boots Were Made For Walking", and now the song is stuck in my head. haha That's great you're in a smaller size. I'm hoping to be back in my smaller clothes soon.


Jamie, Sorry to hear about that bone lesion. I sure send prayers to you that's it's OK.

StarPrincess, One pound is great!

Everyone take care, Barbie

Question for you all:

After my lunch (salad with celery, tomatoes, bacon bits, chopped egg, and blue cheese dressing) I felt totally horrible. A couple of hours later, I really felt like I was either on some sort of cold medicine or coming down with the flu (which dh has and is a possibility anyhow).

As the way I felt decended into the pit of despair, it occurred to me that I felt like I was "Crashing" meaning, my blood sugar. I haven't had any sugar - so how could it crash?? I thought one of the whole ideas behind Atkins was to prevent sugar crashes.

Anyhow, I had some water and then ate a few M&M's (and only a few!!) and I do feel better. Not a candy binge, but some sugar for my bloodstream and it seems to have helped.

Any thoughts???

Hey, all!!

Well, tonight I weighed in, and I didn't lose. I just stayed the same. I guess at least I didn't gain, but I get easily discouraged when I don't lose consistently. Looking back at this past week, though, I see why I didn't lose. I have been overdoing it with my cream use! I use an insane amount in at least two-four cups a day. I've got to cut that back. I also made the chocolate cream mousse and ate way too much of it. So, I guess I should be thankful I didn't gain!! But, I'm going to start posting my food on the food log, so I can be held accountable for it. Kick me if I'm using too much cream... PLEASE!! I need it!!

Jamie: Maybe our cars are in cahoots! Today, my "Check Engine" light went off on its own! I guess mine is just copying yours! Crazy!

Anyway, hope everyone had a great Monday!!

Take care,
Jina

Lisa: I haven't had any sugar crashes and I was truly addicted. I also had gestational diabetes with both babies so I know the feeling, but never once yet since July had this problem. ????Son't know what to tell you. Maybe chekout the Atkins website itself for more advice. Feel Better!