Atkins
 

Hi

I am sorry to bring this up again but...

I have looked at this diet before and I know there are many good and bad things to be said about it. One of the things being that you lose weight qickly and that is not supposed to be good BUT

I have had a terrible year. My mom had a very bad stroke in February, at that time I was doing well with Slimming World and quite enjoying it. I had lost 1/2 stone and was well on couse for losing a decent amount of weight for my holiday end of May.

However, that turned my world on end and what with fitting in hospial vititing and all, the diet went out of the window. I just got myself back on course, starting to live with the situation and she passed away. Of course, out the window again went the diet.

Now I am really struggling to get some weight shifted before my holidays or I won't fit into my clothes.

For this period of time, I would like to try Atkins or something similar. I don't totally understand what I have to do. I read the book (sort of) it didn't seem to get to the bits which tell you what to eat and what not. It seemed to spend more time telling my how and why.

I know I can have protein, eggs, fish, meat, cheese cooked any way, but what can I have to go with them. I am sorry but I really do need someone to spell it out for me and give me some ideas what to eat for a few days.

Is there anyone out there who could take the time to help me out...?? I know am asking a lot, but I MUST do something now.

Is it true that I need to stick to 20grams of carbo a day??? That being the case, can I eat anything as long as I stay within that range????? Confused...

Jan

Hi Jan,

If I can remember correctly when you first start atkins you have to be very strict. You can eat all the protein you want as long as there are no carbs, for example you can have ribs but no bbq sauce on it. I remember when I was on it you had to watch the amounts of veggies you ate because certain ones had carbs in it. You need to read things carefully. Almost everything you look at has carbs so be careful. I know you do need some fiber or you won't be able to poop, I think some folks take supplements. I stoped doing atkins because it just wasn't for me. I believe you can eat things like:

Meats
Dairy (no carbs, like in yogurt and watch whats in some cheeses)
Fats such as butter & oil

I wouldn't suggest starting a diet trying to get quick results, that might be setting yourself up. What if you don't lose as quick as you want, you'll only get down on yourself. Have you thought about WW low carb or CAD or the other low carb diet that some of the ladies here are one ???? You've been thru a rough year so far so don't set yourself up. Go slow, investigate and research. What about talking to your Dr ? I've learned that quick losses mean gaining it back twice as quick and then some.

Good Luck,
Leens

Atkins Meal Plan
 

Hello Jan,
I have been on the Atkins program since April 20th of this year. I have lost 19 lbs. so far, but I too found it frustrating that none of the books had a meal plan in them. I did find something very helpful on the Atkins website. Go to www.atkinscenter.com and look up acceptable foods list. You'll want to pull up the list for acceptable foods for the induction portion of the plan. It will give you all the foods you can eat during the first 2 weeks of the plan. You are limited to 20 grams of carbs, usually in the form of 2 cups of salad and 1 cup of another type of approved veggie a day. The website is far more comprehensive than the book. If you go into the "induction" site, it will spell out what is allowed for the first two weeks (or longer depending on how much weight you want to lose and how quickly you want to lose it). I hope this tidbit of information helps. If you would like a diet buddy while you are on the program, let me know. Good Luck.
Yours in future thindom,
MAB

good luck to you, jano. after the year you've had, you certainly need some time for yourself!!!

i don't really have any advice for you, but i did just want to welcome you and i hope that you hang out here with us. these ladies have a tremendous amount of information, and we're all very supportive of each other.

I do want to add that when you go back to eating the regular foods that you must start and intoduce the carbs slowly. the problem with any weight loss plan is that you /anybody when the weight is lost or they go off plan the go back to eating the way they did in the begining exactally what had gotten them fat in the first place. so you do need to watch if you do that atkins till your holidays then you will need to be careful while on hoklidays i do not mean that you can not enjoy your self but just be more aware of whatyou are eating



not to get to the plan, in a nutshell it is eating limited carbs in the first few weeks. that does not mean to cut out the veggies EAT THEM it is very important. you may need to take some potassium while in the first few weeks. as the body is riding itself of the excess water many people tent to lose potassium as well. the most important thing is to understand the way of eating WOE so get a bok and read, but this should give you a help with that. document your foods on www.fitday.com that heelps keep tract ofyour foods. you will see terms like ecc which mean effective carb count that is where you take such as spinache which has 3 carbs per serving and then 2 grams of fiber you can subtract the fiber from the carbs and that meant that spinache is only 1 carb per serving so that way you can eat lts of vegies and still keep a low carb count! any other questions??? or if you are confused let me know.

Thank you
 

Hi

Thanks for all your replies

I will certainly look at the sites suggested. I have looked in the past (over 12months ago) ad didn't find the info I wanted, maybe it's changed. A friend gave me some photocopies of the Atkins book which quite clearly tells you what to eat and what not, I don't remember them being in my version which is an old one.

I am certainly going to lean towards Lower Carb eating, I preseume that even if I am not as trict as they advise I will still lose some weight, is that so??

Oh well, off to look at all that info I have got.

Again thanks for the welcome and help .. I will keep you posted.

Jan

I have been on a "kinda adkins" for about 11 days now, minus a trip to Seattle where I ate every thing in site for two days. SO, with 9 days "on plan" I have lost 8 pounds as of this morning.
I am losing a pound a day the last 4 days.
I wonder if this is too fast to lose? I am exercising also about every other day...weights and exercise bike.

I will tell you what I am eating.
For Breakfast I have been having a 2-3 egg omellete with Sausage and Chedder cheese mixed in to it. OR Bacon and two fried eggs. OR scrambled eggs with cream cheese melted in and sausage links.

For Lunch I have a couple of cheese hotdogs (no bun) OR two hamburger patties with melted cheese and pickeles piled on top. OR lunch meat and sliced cheese sticks. String cheese is a good snack or Sugar Free Jello.

For dinner I have steak, salad (lettuce, cheese, onion, dressing), or if I am out and about, I order a burger and just take off the bun.
I havent had a slice of bread in a week or potatoes or anything high carb. I drink A LOT of water and I have discovered that CRYSTAL LIGHT is my new best friend. NO carbs and only 5 calories and it actually tastes good!

I went to a mexican restaraunt the other night and ordered the Taco Salad....you know, it comes in that big deep friend tortilla bowl.....and I ate the inside only. Meat, lettuce, cheese, salsa, onion, sour cream, guacamole. All very low carb or maybe no carb. It was yummy and I didn't even miss the shell..well, not much anyway!

I have been eating the same basic things which gets old and I am going to try to vary it a bit...but I am losing so steadily, I am afraid to change it!
Twice this week I ate something carbs. One day I ate a burger with the bun and yesterday I ate a small bowl of cereal. I feel that if I don't allow myself these things, I will not be able to continue. However, after 4 days it became MUCH easier. SO, make it through the first four days and maybe your body adjusts.

I dont know what else to say except GOOD LUCK!
I have the fear that it will all come back on but I think I will tackle that hurdle after I lose the weight. I think I will have to maintain this basic idea of NOT eating all sugar foods like I did before and only eat enough to maintain my weight.

New "Atkinser" looking for success stories
 

I just started the Atkins diet this morning after ready the Atkins website for the last couple days. I'm cautious, though, after eating a breakfast of scrambled eggs with cheese melted in, and sausage links...and drinking heavy cream in my coffee.

I'd love to hear success stories of Atkins...how much lost in what time period. You can email me directly at [email protected] if you prefer.

I'm 36 yrs., 202.5 pounds, and my goal is 130ish. I've been overwieght in one form or another since I was a child, but never as much as since I started taking estrogen after a hysterectomy.

If anyone has had experience going FROM premarin to another form of estrogen, I'd like to know that too! My doctor just changed me to Estrace, hoping it would help my weight problem.

Thanks.
Lisa

Hi again

Well I started yesterday and today have such a headache (which is what I was told to expect) but I am going to give this my best shot.

I am not sure how I can work out preciseley what I am eating but no bread, no pasta, no rice but I am eating veggies and salads.
I do hope that this works for me... any help I can have from anyone would be appreciated.

My main probem is going be be what to have for a packed lunch at work... any ideas??

Jan

I'm starting tomorrow
 

I'd like to be buddies with you Jan. Lisa and Ducky Ive been reading the Atkins diet book, the CAD Lifestyle book and anything else I can get my hands on for the last three weeks. On April 19th my DH had weight loss surgery and he will have to be on a high protein/low carb diet for the rest of his life. I've always been very skeptical of this particular type of diet, thinking it unhealthy. Well, since my DH's doc thinks it's a good plan I've decided to give it a shot. I'm going to start tomorrow and would like to use you as support and to support you as well. I think I;ll need lots of support because I love COOKIES. That's going to be my hardest thing to overcome.

I'll check in tomorrow night ahd let you know how I made the day.

Jan/Packed Lunches
 

Hi Jan,

I'm not on the Atkins plan so I'm not sure exactly the requirements, but i am on high protein/low carb...so here is what i do...

I take a cooler with ice packs for my lunch--I pack it with lunchmeat and a condiment--and roll the meat and dip. I may take one slice of bread or 5 crackers for a few carbs...or I'll take veggies or a small salad--Kraft FF zesty Italian only has 1 carb per tablespoon.

When I marinate meat (chicken, pork, or steak) I'll save the leftovers and cut it into bite-size pieces and take in my lunch--I like it cold even...but if you have access to a microwave you can nuke it. Good marinades are liquid smoke or FF italian dressing/worchester (sp???) sauce.

tuna or chicken or egg salad is another option.

once you get used to what you can have--packing a lunch won't be as difficult.

good luck!

ateyah

Hi all

Thanks for your replies, I couldn't resist weighing myself this am. In 2 days I have lost 2lbs. I know that this is water loss but so it is on the first weeks of any diet. I am so pleased.

Hmm, the foods you mention do not mean much to me as I am from the UK, but the Sauce is Worcester (pronounced Woocster) I don't live too far away from there. in fact it is where DH works, 23miles approx.

I will come back here for help and maybe give it. Iam reaally excited by all of this!

Jan

What to eat while on the Atkins plan
 

Hi Jan,
First let me say congrats on the 2 lb. weight loss. I agree with you. Even losing water weight is a good thing. Any weight I don't have to carry around is good weight loss to me.
I have been on the Atkins plan since April 20th. I've lost 22 lbs. as of this am. When I have to plan for meals away from home, I always have cold storage available. That usually translates to a six pack size cooler that I put a blue ice pack into.
(I don't know what it would be called in England, but blue ice is a hard plastic square filled with a liquid that, when kept in the freezer, stays cold longer than regular ice. If you have a store that sells outdoor camping supplies, you may be able to find something similiar there). I've never been to England, so I don't know what a typical lunch would be there, but to stick to the Atkins plan you must eat protein. I love egg salad. I will typically take 2 hard boiled eggs, 1 tablespoon mayonaise, 1/2 teaspoon of chopped dill, salt and pepper to taste. Smash it all together with a fork and you have egg salad. For added protein, you may chop up some turkey or chicken and add it to your egg salad. You can eat it right out of the bowl, spoon it on a small green salad or roll it up in a large lettuce leaf and eat it like a sandwich. Sliced turkey, roast beef or other deli luncheon meat with cream cheese rolled inside or your favorite type of mustard (condiment) is a good choice. You can have 10 olives a day. You may have dill pickles, but watch the sodium and read the jar for carb content. Any meat left overs will work. If you cook a whole chicken for dinner, save the drumsticks for lunch the next day. I hope this translates ok.
Good luck with your diet. I may have already typed this in before, but there are acceptable food lists available on the Atkins web site. www.atkinscenter.com. They also allow you to order Atkins products from on-line, like protein bars, recipe books etc. I don't know what the availability of these types of things are in England. I'd love to be a diet buddy if you are looking for a fellow Atkin's dieter. PM me any time.
MB

Hi Thanks for your replies

The packs you are referring to are called Ice Packs here, yes they are blue in colour. I don't have to worry about those at the monent as it is far too cold for any lunch to spoil before mid-day, maybe in a few weeks I will need them ;-)

Today I took some tinned fish with some celery and cream cheese, I couldn't manage the celery until 3.00pm as after I had egg,bacon and mushrooms at breakfast, I was still quite full at lunch time.

I am also looking for some ideas on sauces to have with my meats and fish, to keep my interest.

I do feel better, like everyone said I would. Manged my 3 lites of water also.

If any of you are not on Atkins, what do you do and what are the rules.

I suppose I'm not really doing Atkins, just along those lines but I am trying to lose the maximum before my hols on 31st May

Jan

I'm new to the forum -- well actually delurking... And just started Atkins last Friday...

I'm feeling pretty good now... (I have PCOS so I'm trying to get healthier) And overall am LOVING this diet.

Nai

Hi girls. I am not a new gla here infact i am considered an oldie. I was ding great but have run out of steam i need and crave a huge kick in the ubut.

I do proteinpower and have done it for 2 years I have lost up to 65 lbs i did gain 20 back last year and this last month i think i have gained about 15 back just pigging out. I know about 8 is water but well otehr than that i am a success story. few facts I have lost as i had said 65 lbs, slw and steady i have gone from no activity to very physical. droped from 235 to 169 (lowest). my cholesterol checkied last month is a low 176 with HDL (good cholesterol) 69, LDL (BAD) 89 Triglycerieds the really bad ones 98. these numbers are absolutly fantastic!!! Tri/HDH should be less than 3 mine is just over 1 so my numbers are fantastic!!

so is that success enough???

Well I am tired so i must get to bed but saw this thread and have been meaning to post. please feel free to join us in the other threads too the daily for **** chat and getting to know each ther, and many of the other ones too.

sue.. you ARE tired...
 

did you actually READ your post????? **** CHAT???? from YOU????


LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :o

Well, I messed up a bit over the weekend but am back on track now. I had gained 3 lbs since Thursday, but I think it was probably my lack of water intake as I am back down two already today and by tomorrow morning should be back down to 166 where I was last week. Thats a nine pound loss from when I started around May 1st or 2nd.
I was thinking that the only way I am going to be able to stick with this for the long haul was to take a day a week and eat all the carbs I want, but I found that it just makes it harder to get back on track and I really didn't enjoy the food anyway. I just felt sick later and bad about myself. So, I am going to try to stay on task....and maybe once a week allow myself a sugery treat rather then a whole day! I also am sure that I would be closer to 160 by now if I had kept up what I was doing. Oh well...a lesson learned!

Do you all know about Crystal Light drink mix? 0 carbs and it is tasty. I have been drinking the Strawberry/Orange/Banana one and it is very good.
My hubby goes in for surgery on Thursday and will have a liquid diet for a month, so if he can do that, I can do this!

My email is [email protected] if anyone wants to mail directly.
Good luck all!
duckriley

Nasus!
 

We all need a boot now and then, but you are doing just fabulous and maybe only a slight nudge in the right direction should do it for you!

Hugs to you!

Weigh in
 

I have now lost 3lbs since the weekend but I am running out of idas of what to eat.

It has to be eggs eggs for breakfast.

Any Ideas for simple meals I don't get a lot of time in the week to cook

Jan

There is a brand called Wampler Turkey Franks, if you're into hot dogs, I split them down the middle and put a bit of cheese. Zap them for about a minute and Mmmm... (No sugar no carbs)

Also hard boiled eggs, though admittedly, I am beating my little brothers (the ones eating breadsticks and sugar cookies around me. ARGH!) off of them...

Eat leftovers from the night before. Warm up extra chicken, etc...

I've only been on since last Friday (Lost 4 lbs so far) but maybe this will help...

Hello everyone. I have been doing Atkins for about 10 months now and have gone from 325 pounds to 249 pounds. A total loss of 76 pounds and keeping it off and still losing. It wasn't smooth sailing and there were times when I stalled and got so angry I wanted Dr. Atkins head on a plate but I kept going and now there is no other way to eat for me. As a nurse I know this is no more dangerous than removing all the fat from your diet in fact to do that would cause more problems to your body systems. If anyone is thinking of doing this or any other diet for the first time I advise getting the book and reading it cover to cover first. There is a correct way to follow this food plan and there is a wrong way to do it too. I find that those who have the most trouble with it are doing it incorrectly and not eating nearly enough veggies and too much protien becasue that is what they think the diet is about. If done correctly Atkins is a satisfying WOE that most people can live with for life. This like anything else isn't for everyone but doesn't deserve nearly the bad press it's been given.

For those of you who are thinking about it, I say good luck and read the book first! :)

http://ci.123greetings.com/events/ge...04-51-1028.gif

Tazmani! Way to go! whoooooo hooooo !! You've done fantastic!

It's good to see you again!

I think it's important to remember - Let the plan work for you, don't work the plan! :)

J

{{{{{TAZ}}}}}

Great to see you again!!! I remember when you were ready to serve Dr Atkins his head on a plate!!! You are doing absolutly fantastic now!!!! Ane yes you are right, we do need to read the book to get a good understanding of the woe!!! and do not be shy of asking for help either, you need to eat corretly to make this work. and to remian healthy too!!!

Hi Taz

That is quite brilliant - I eat lots of veggies and salad and I am having some fruit too because I know I should - I hope I can succeed like you have - what a brilliant example!
Jan

1 week on Atkins - update and info
 

It's been a full week now on Atkins. I'm finding it rather easy to know what to eat, and I usually do really well. I started at about 202.5 and then went up to 205 and now am down to 201.5. Ketones started showing up on my test stick on the fourth day (available at Walmarts now...but cheaper at GNC...I just bought 100 for $15.00...Walmarts had em for 25 for $13ish.

Let me tell you a few things I've found that I like.

Mexican Salad: One cup of shredded lettuce, 2 tablespoons of medium salsa (mine had 1 gram of carbs), .25 cup of shredded Mexican (four blend) cheese...and I mix it all together really well with homemade quacamole (avacado and garlic powder) or sour cream. I found that it tastes best when I use just enough of the "dressing" to just stick it all together...too much and it's yucky.

Taco salad....add taco seasoned meat to the above...and add a bit more sour cream and quacamole.

Diet Rite cola has several flavors sweetened with Splenda...Regular Diet Rite, White Grape (yummy), tangerine. I guess it's stil in the test phase, so some places may not have it.

Atkins Endulge bars are EXCELLENT for the chocolate craving! (2 grams of net carbs and it tastes sooooo goood.)

Atkins Advantage bars are not too bad for a quick meal, or on the go. I like the chocolate peanut butter and the almond chocolate brownie. I've ordered (from the web site) the chocolate decadence and the berry cheesecake. (They are on sale right now at www.atkinscenter.com)

(Walmart stocks the more popular ATkins bars...you can get the ones I mentioned above there. WATCH OUT though. Some of the bars that are grouped in the same area are NOT low carb.)

I'm using splenda and heavy whipping cream in my 1/2 decaf 1/2 caf coffee...and am really enjoying that !

Did you know that you can add cocoa powder to things...it's got fiber and low carbs! I'm gonna get some for my coffee for a treat.

I use CarbSolutions protein shakes when I'm in the mood for that. Net carbs for 8 ounces is 2 carbs. You can add a bit of splenda to sweeten it, if you want. Also, a drop of mint extract...or banana extract gives it a twist. Add crushed ice for a frosty type drink.

I made mexican (can you tell I like mexican food!) hamburgers tonight, and the whole family love it. Hamburger patties cooked your favorite way with mozza and cheddar cheese on top. Top with shredded lettuce and a teaspoon of mild salsa and quacamole.


Salad dressings: Paul Newman's Caesar has 1 carb and so does Krafts 4 cheese RAnch.

Another thing...I just quit smoking on Thursday with Zyban and the patch...and this diet has helped me say NO to stuff I ordinarily would have munched on. For some reason, this diet gives me willpower I've not had with other diets.

There are several sugar free (sweetened with sugar alcohol - no countable carbs) hard candies and gums that I just found at Walmart today, also. I'm limiting myself to 2 of those per day...just when I need a sweet or am having a craving for cigarettes.

If I don't lose much more weight after next week, I'm gonna have to cut out the sour cream and a few other things. I figured that, with my hypothyroid and other meds I take, I'd be resistant to losing. Because of my quitting smoking, my metabolism is also slowing down due to the lack of nicotine --- a stimulant). My lack of weight gain during this withdrawal period will be a great thing!

My figures are about 20 carbs, 25% Protein and the rest fat. My intake of calories is averaging about 1500. I eat several small meals during the day, as I have a hard time eating that much protein and fat in one sitting.

I have noticed that I'm not needed my ritual afternoon nap for the last two days. I've also slept better than I have in months.

QUESTIONS:

Has anyone noticed the stronger odor about yourself since starting atkins? I read it was normal...just curious.

Has anyone had diarreah intermittantly?

the strong odor is your ketones. you need to drink even more water than you have. your body will use the waste products and excrete them any way it can and the best way is to use plenty of deodorant and brush your teeth frequently but the only thing that will help is to drink tons of water.as for the diarrhea well it is not uncommon and plny of people get constipated for a while too. what minerals and vits are you taking?

Supplements
 

I'm taking a multi-vitamin/mineral, E, C, B6, B12, Chromium (not picolinate) and just got L-Carnitine. I also started taking Acedophilus (sp?) for the yeast symptoms I developed and FiberCon is a normal part of my life due to those kind of problem .:o

I have been really struggeling with this diet the last few days. I had originally done very well, but then I found myself allowing myself to cheat way to often. I know that the only way for me to stick to it is to be very strict. If I eat one little thing, I tend to crave more and more.
Since thursday, both my husband and my 8 yr old have been hospitalized, my hubby with surgery, and daughter with possible Apendex issues. With all that is going on, I have just been eating everything in site! I intended to start fresh this morning, but blew it this afternoon and then started eating everythign I saw!
I am headed to bed now, and hoping I can get back on track in the morning.
I was 175 when I started, got down to 166 and am back at 168 this morning.
Tomorrow is a new day!!!! My goal is to eat properly until next weekend and see what I can get down to. I also need to be exercising I am sure. I agree with the previous post about the will power though....when I make it past the first couple of days, I seem to have tremendous will power!
Duckriley

hang in there, duckriley
 

Sounds like your world has been turned upside down. don't fret, you can and will do it!

Grab some of those Atkins bars and keep them with you for those times when you need a quick snack or meal. That may help you stay off the high carb stuff!

Will be thinking about you. Keep us informed.

Lisa

Lisabateman-
As I read your post, I am sitting down to a meal of bacon and eggs and a glass of water. I can do it.....!
I was going to put off going to town for adkins bars until tomorrow, but I think it would be in my best interest to go today! How I wish the hospital vending machine had had them instead of snickers!
I am reading Gone With the Wind for the first time and was thinking how awful it would be to try to squeeze into one of those things that made their wastes so small! Scarlett had a 17" waste! Can you even imagine? My 13yr old is a 28 waste and she is skinny!
Lets all just spend today thanking God that those days are over!
Duckriley

I don't know, Duck. . . .
 

Small waist she may have had, but with those skirts, think about the hips you could be hiding!!:lol:

How I wish they were back in fashion...those skirts, I mean!
 

Good for you, hun!

I went to a confirmation celebration at my friends church today...then we went back to their house for a bbq. Thank the Good Lord for the Atkins Bar I stuck in my purse! The church had a few pieces of diced cheese and the rest was carbs! And let's not talk about that great looking chocolate cake that I had to hold on the way home...Atkins ADvantage bar to the rescue!

At the bbq, I enjoyed my chicken and then a hamburger (no bun of course). I also enjoyed the deviled eggs! Usually I pass on those!

Those bars come in handy....!

Prayers and protein
 

First of all let me extend my prayers to you and your family duckriley. Stress makes us do crazy things to ourselves, consciencely and unconsciencely. Try to stay OP as best you can. Don't beat yourself up if you slip.

Lisa, it sounds like you are doing the program correctly, but you didn't mention exercise. Are you walking? I think it's especially important for people who take medications, including anti-smoking meds. Anything you put in your body alters body functions in some way. Although we have to take our meds, we also need to do things to encourage our bodies to function in the most "normal" way possible. Drinking extra water, (more than 64 oz a day), walking every day, light weight lifting every other day (even just push-ups and sit-ups) and some form of stress relief not associated with food will help you to stay OP and meet your weight loss goal. The reason I suggest something for stress relief (in addition to the walking which helps with stress) is because you're not smoking, and whether we realize it or not, we get tensed up when we don't smoke...beyond the cravings and the frustration associated with quiting, our bodies and minds suffer a whirlwind of responses to the withdrawl. I quit 15 years ago and thought I was going crazy. I renewed the practice of keeping a personal journal in order to "voice" all my feelings without actually 'sharing' them with my family and co-workers. That was my stress relief aside from walking. I just want to let you know I did not start gaining weight when I quit. As a matter of fact, I lost weight because I also chose to start a diet at that time. Ironically enough I only weight 135 lbs. then. 3 months after I quit I had to have a hysterectomy. 9 months after the hysterectomy, I began to gain weight. I do not equate the wait gain with quitting smoking. I believe it was the surgery. I was prepared for the physical changes that occur when you quit smoking, but no one told me what would happen to my body after major female surgery. Oh well, I am OP now and have lost 24 lbs. Only 147 to go! We'll all get there. Hope some of this babbling helps out. I'll talk to you soon.
MB

Optimal

YES YES YES...I started putting on tremendous amounts of weight after my hysterectomy. It was a total...ovaries and everything They put me on premarin, which didn't help my weight situation. Now I'm on Estrace (more closely related to human estrogen) and on the lowest dose possible.

I haven't done any exercise this week...I was being extra cautious with the tremendous changes i put my body thru this week. With the new way of eating, and quiting smoking, I was afraid I'd just dizzy out or something weird.

What I'll do, now that I'm doing fine, is add back my Richard Simmons tapes starting tomorrow. I was doing them 2X per week before (on my days off) up until last week.

I'm gonna miss those low carb bars though. They really helped me thru my tough time spots (I'm a substitute teacher and often get NO notice before running out the door for the day.

Well, time to tuck in my little girl (she's 8, but will always be my baby! since I have two boys 12 and 14)

Well, I did it!
I stayed on plan all day today! I had eggs and bacon with glass of water for breakfast, then I didn't get around to eating lunch, but I had 2 cups of Vegetable Beef stew for dinner with a glass of Crystal Light. I discovered that some brands of Canned Beef Stew are only about 12-16 carbs per cup so I figured, if I don't eat many of the potato chunks, I should be able to eat it in limited amounts.
Okay, so today I went to the store and bought some Adkins food...I have to say, I feel as if I wasted my money. It is very expensive!
I tried the "chips" in sour cream and onion flavor and thought they were terrible! But, I Have talked to some who like them. And I tried something called frosted cinnimin bar, or something like that it was really gross!
However, I do truly love the Endulge Bars!
I bought the white bread mix and the pancake mix and a bottle of syrup. I will try them tomorrow. Has anybody had these???
Anyway, off to bed. It has been a very long day. Hubby is very sick after surgery and is miserable so it stresses me out feeling too helpless to do anything for him!
Here's to making it through tomorrow OP!
Duckriley

Atkins Food
 

I've not tried any of the bread products or chips...the only thing I've tried are the Advantage Almond Chocolate Brownie and the Chocolate Peanut Butter bar...and of course, the Endulge chocolate bars. I ordered the syrup....I hear its great! and have also ordered the chocolate decadence and berry cheesecake bars.