How to get started with Atkins

  • I feel like I have tried every diet fad out there and haven't lost weight, in addition to the fads I tried WW (successful in the past but not at all successful in the past few years), Richard Simmons (nothing) 6 day bodymakeover (lost 10 pounds in 6 days, it was very strict and as soon as I began to eat normally- not overeating- but eating normally I gained it all back). I weighed 190 before I got pregnant and struggled with my weight then but I was never fat. Now post-pregnancy (almost 2 years) I am at 215 and am fat. I have to get this weight off and this morning I decided that no matter what I was going to do it. I always try diets and then when they don't work in a couple of days I give up because all the sacrificing just isn't worth it to not lose anything. I know one of my problems is carbs.
    One of the reasons I lost so well doing the 6 day bodymakeover is because it restricted the amount of carbs I was allowed to have and it also restricted the type of meat, vegetables, and fruit I could have as well. I can't live like that. Knowing that carbs is a problem for me I have decided to try Atkins. I don't have the book however and I want to start now or I'm not going to do it. Can someone tell me what I need to know to do this way of eating? Should I join ediets to get the program?
  • First of all Welcome!!

    2nd of all....dont join ediets, spend the money on the book instead.

    If you want to start today....

    Your carb count for the 1st 2 weeks is 20 grams. You can track this very easily on fitday.com.

    Limit your cheese to 2 oz a day, pretty much all beef, chicken and fish, but stay away from the proccessed stuff. 2 cups of salad veggies a day. If you find you have more carbs left over....snack on some more veggies.

    Thats pretty much it in a nut shell, if Im forgetting something, somone will pop in and add to it.

    Drink LOTS and LOTS of water!!! min 64 oz! Try to stay away from shakes, bars, and lowcarb bready type things until you have your 2 weeks in.

    Check out the recipe section for some great ideas.

    K, thats all I can think of But Do buy or borrow the book!!
  • Thanks for the help.
  • I went to Atkins.com and got started there. Its free and gives you everything you need to know. But its not as detailed as the book - definately buy the book! But it will get you going for now. Robin already mentioned you can have fish, but don't think just regular fish - you can have shrimp, scallops, crab, lobster... Its a special treat and you're not blowing your diet! You can also eat lots of eggs. I have scrambled eggs, omlets and deviled eggs. And definately drink your water! You can do this!

    -Sarah
  • Welcome Pink I agree with everything everyone's suggested so far. The only difference between the website and the book is the website is more lenient in what you can eat. But it does give the general breakdown of induction and how to "do" Atkins. Good luck!
  • Well I made it through my first day.
  • Oh Just a note if I may add In the carb counting book the program does not want you to go more than 6 hours without eating. I found this book helpful because It breaks down what foods contain how many net carbs even fast foods! It has helped me but I got lazy and slipped away but I'm determined to reach my goal and then some. It was kind of easy for me at first because I'm not that much of a "bad" carb eater. Once you get the hang of it it becomes easier because after your first 2 initial weeks you increase your carb intake by 5 grams until you peak and stop loosing. Then you know to subtract the 5 grams to the intake at which you can still burn and loose..I've begun the 20g program again and I'm approaching wk 2....good luck all!
  • Hi

    I would say , forget ediets and spend the money on the book.You realy need the book. It explains so much. Take care
    Gretel
  • I was lucky enough to find the book at an outlet store for $8..I would like to get the New Diet Revolution, though. But, so far this one tells me what I need to know for the most part.
    I love this diet myself..My induction should've been over yesterday...but we(me & SO) are going another week. It clearly states that induction is a miniumum of 2 weeks, so we are going another. Then we will begin adding. So far so good, though. Today is weigh day for me..yippee. It's like christmas :P.