Hi everyone,

I am back after being gone for over a year. I am now 120 lbs overweight, 5'2", SAHM, 4 children.

I have been reading over the threads this morning and would just like to say a BIG thank you to everyone for making me feel so welcome to this site, especially RuthXX

I have in the past tried Weight Watchers, TOPS, prescription diet pills, cutting calories and fat just to name a few.

This low carb "diet" is totally foreign to me. I am literally scared out of my wits. I feel that I am eating fat, fat, fat. As you all must know this way of eating goes against everything that we have been told about dieting in the past.

This morning I printed the grocery list from nasus40 (thank you), which was a huge help to me. I don't have the Atkins book but I intend to come to this site for support and advice along my journey.

Folks I will be 38 my next birthday. I have to get a grip and NOW. I pray that this will work.

I will warmly welcome any advice and support that I can get.

Take care and give all of yourselves a hug, you are one fantastic group of people.

Current weight: 260 lbs
Goal weight: 130 lbs.
Height 5'2"

PS: I know that every one is different but on average how much weight can I expect to lose and in what time frame?

Thanks again so much, have a wonderful day.

Welcome!

My first bit of advice is to go to the library and get Dr. A's book so you can read about the science behind WHY low carb works and then you will feel better about what you are putting into your body.

As far as average weight loss in what time frame? That varies but usually there is a good loss the 1st couple weeks and then it levels off to about 2 pounds per week BUT this varies from person to person depending on amount of weight to lose, age, hormones, metabolisium (sp), health problems and amount of exercise. But don't worry - as long as you are 'On Plan' (OP) you will feel great and be loving every minute of it so if you don't see a loss one week, it won't throw you for a loop.

There are wonderful people here (on and off plan - lol!) so please join us often and post your questions, comments, life story, etc.


Kel

so glad to see you again!!!!! we've all tried everything possible. and we're all still finding our way...

and kel is right., don't worry about the fat. if it makes you feel less guilty, eat the low carb veggies/salad. makes you virtuous. and regular...

i've been experimenting with deviled eggs, and this week's favorite is made with salsa, chipotle mayo, jalapeno mustard, and a little extra ground chipotle.

also tried some made with green olives [sue inspired me!!!!], but i really like the salsa ones.

remember, we're not supposed to be suffering here. so if it's painful for you, then think about doing something different.

and we're here, so rant away!!!!!

..and welcome to the club. I am a newbie too as I just started Atkins and I am on Day 11 of induction - can't wait to weigh myself on Monday morning (hopefully I won't be disappointed! - made hubby hide the scale as I was beginning to obsess)

I too was and still am concious of all the fat that is okay on this program - a bit scary. I guess until you see the actual proof that this is working it seems to be like a fantasy!

You may wish to check out www.atkinscenter.com where you can get tons of information on the plan, and induction, there is also a journal and carbohydrate gram tracker there.

fitday is better tho (www.fitday.com) as you can track your fat, protein, carbs and fiber to get an accurate reading on what's going in your mouth!

Join in and try it - you have nothing to lose (except some extra pounds!).

Froufy

P.S. I am also about 5'2" (and a half) and my current goal weight is 145-150 - I don't think I can maintain anything less than that - but we will see!

P.P.S. Don't forget to take your measurements (I dreaded doing that, but finally managed) so you can see some progress even if numbers are not moving!

Thanks everyone!!!!!! I did leave out a few questions in my beginning post. Since it will be a few days before I can get to the library to get a book could anyone please tell me portion sizes? I am kind of doing this in the dark, just eating protein and very low carb foods. How many carbs am I allowed a day? How many eggs, how much cheese, etc. Thanks again.

Hello-
well, I'll tackle a few of your questions--
first off-during your first 2 weeks on Induction you should stay under 20 carbs-you can do that longer than 2 weeks and add a few carbs, as long you are comfortable and are still losing weight.

Portion sizes pretty much depend on you too-Dr. A does not recommend steak and eggs 3 meals a day every day-but just your normal portion that you would eat when not dieting. A lot of us find that the more protein we eat (meat, eggs,etc) the fuller we feel, and also the less deprived we feel.
So you can eat fried eggs and bacon for breakfast, and still snack on boiled eggs and not feel guilty.
If you look at our weekly food logs you may get a better understanding of a typical day!

Good Luck!

MissD

he we must both be book worms!!

put your food into www.fitday.com

do not worry about the portion sizes i usally eat 3 - 4 hamburgers and 5 hotdogs, and 4 eggs (not all at one time) but that is a usual meal for me as well as a pile of vegies just start to stay away from all the breads, and anything made of flour sugar and such that is the best start. If very strict you just may find yourself down easily to a wonderful level in a year. ( I will not promise you anything as it is all up to you and how you handle things and if you cheat) but it is possible I e-mail some one who has lost 114 in 1 year. female to boot.

Hello to everyone reading this!! I am also new to this site. I have never joined in on chat rooms or support sites, so please be patient w/me as I navigate uncharted territory. I joined because I need support and love to GIVE support. My husband thinks it's just "mind over matter", honey. One of my overweight sisters doesn't even TRY and the other one had WLS to fix her problem.
I am not new to Atkins,CAD, or Protien Power. I have read them all and I kind of work from all three. I'm just basing my way of eating on the science about how carbs work in MY body. I have tried other ways to lose weight and NOTHING worked except for cutting way down on those white foods. I have a very diverse menu and a great resentment against those who do NOT want to live and let live. If lowfat works for you, great. If calorie counting works for you, good for you, everyone needs to do what they need to do to lose their excess weight AND maintain that loss.
Wow, I did not mean to get on a soapbox, but this is the first chance I have had to "publicly" declare my position! Thanks to everyone who has posted on this site. I looked at alot of sites before deciding to join this one. Later!! Maxibee

Welcome, Maxibee. You certainly sound as if your head is screwed on right! Please hang out with us.

Hi Maxibee, your attitude is just like mine what ever works for you and do no t bash others! so you are right at home. (I think the ladies and gents here do like me)

jump in and do what ever program that works.

I too feel like ai have tons of lost sisters here as i can vent over things that i could never talk about otherwise and on topics that nobody else understands. so welcome to the group and relax...

Hello out there! I was so excited to get answers to my post! I will fill everyone in on where I'm at and what's going on, but I just wanted to ask you all if ya'll (Texan for you all) think the low- carb tide is turning. I noticed lately a huge resurgence of interest in low carb eating, in our weekly drug store ad there were LOTS of lowcarc +/or low sugar candies advertised. The big manufacturers are now making some of these and they didn't used to. AND, I saw a HUGE banner outside a well-known BBQ place that advertised: Atkins Meal $6.99 for 3/4 lb. meat. Hold the sauce,please! How thrilled I was! Anyhow, I read (on another site) about a woman who was unable to get back into ketosis and she contacted the Atkins Nutritional Center and the head nutritionist supposedly told her: "after a while on lowcarb, your body may begin to process protiens like it would carbs..." has anyone ever heard of this or do ya'll think she or I have misunderstood this?! I guess I need to reread my Atkins and Protein Power books. Thanks bunches for the welcome and your thoughts on these matters.

gluconeogenisis is what it is. do not let any one say that the body needs carbns to survive as the body will breakdown protein to glucose. BUT it breaks down only the protein that it absolutly needs so there for you do not get more than your body needs. as it take energy to do that. that is also why you need to make sure that you take in enough protien so your body willnot break down your muscle mass.

So in your typical 1200 to 1400 calorie diet, how many grams of protein do you need? I've always been confused about this one!

Minimun is 90 grams of protien but the actual number depends on your lean muscle mass and exercise. I do not have the actual numbers here as some one has my book to figure it out. I usually make sure I take in over 120 grams.