Atkins talks about KISS - keep it simple stupid. I avoid most "Frankenfoods" and stick with real meat, veggies, fish and fats. I think that rule could apply to any type of eating plan.
Aziza I still think you are not eating neough. stuff your face with those veggies green beans are relativly lower in carbs and cauliflour is free essentially almost 1 carb per reg serving (subtract the fiber from the total count) so eat and enjoy! butyou need to get in enough calories to keep your body out of the starvation mode.
Okay, so basic foods (meat, veggies, etc) and more of them as well as more water. Check.
I think I had about 60ozs of water this morning by the end of my workout. I'm going to make those burgers tonight and freeze them. I also might do some chicken and freeze that, while I'm at it.
I loooove cauliflower, nasus! I make that mock-mashed potato dish in the Atkins book and it's just lovely.
The problem is that I don't feel hungry, especially in the mornings/early afternoons so I often end up skipping breakfast and having a late lunch and/or dinner. Not good, I know. That I will work on, eating first thing in the morning even if it's something small. I also think I might need to start writing down how much water I drink throughout the day to make sure I drink enough.
The good news is that I've lost a few more pounds 19.5lbs total since May 11th. I know it's much less than most people do in the same amount of time, but hey, it's in the right direction!
I really appreciate all of your support and suggestions! Thank you!
One thing that might be helpful, as has been suggested, is if you Atkins experts can post a couple menus that you use just to give us newbies more ideas?
Nearly twenty pounds in just under two months is actually VERY respectable. Certainly there are people who lose 10 the first week or whatever, but after two months I bet the TOTAL weight lost is about the same as yours. So really, you're right on track. And really - slow and steady DOES win this race.
I'm gonna get hammered for saying this but if your not hungry in the morning then don't eat. I was like that for most of my life, I was not a morning person and I usually got hungry after lunch and dinner.... this helped me keep off 150 lbs, but then everyone kept yelling at me to eat, its not good your, so I did ........ I should have never listened to them, I should have just followed my body's signals and nobody elses. Now I eat breakfast out of habit more than anything, and once you have this habit its sooooooo hard to break.
Everyone is different, I say, listen to your body, if your not hungry don't eat !!! period !!! but I do say this, make sure you drink plenty of fluids, water is so important. Just make sure when you do eat, try to eat a balanced lunch & dinner.
Leenie, I am with you. I was forced to eat breakfast every day of my life, as it's the "most important meal of the day" and all that jazz. I spent 12 years of school trying to stay awake until lunchtime. Not to mention the nausea and assorted bad feelings I had. I am just not a breakfast person.
So now I start my day off with vits and a big glass of water, then around 10 when I'm really hungry, I'll have my first of many small meals throughout the day. Just because you eat late, remember that you still need lunch, dinner, and your snacks. Gotta keep that metabolism moving!
aziza... i'll look for a couple of menu threads and bump them up for you. and let me chime in about the breakfast thing.
i start my morning around 6:30 am with a 20 oz glass of SF lemonade. then a 20 gram protein shake around 7:30. and then an hour long hike. and 'breakfast' is around 9:30 and is a deviled egg in the car. i don't have to be at work until 10.
and then a 32 oz iced tea [and don't yell about the caffeine, ya'll ... i'm allowed to have this!!!!!]
i'm not pushing the protein shakes, but just pointing out that there are many ways to do this. bottom line, though, first your body needs liquids in the morning, and after that's satisfied, it's time for some food.
and congrats on the weight loss..you're really doing very very well, ya know, this isn't a race, but a journey [i didn't make that up: it's from some wise women on the 100 pound board!
I really agree with the whole don't eat if you're not hungry thing. If your body wants food, it will generally tell you. I also understand that it some people like to eat according to a set time table to AVOID feeling hungry - I can understand that too. I think part of the reason people often fail to keep their lifestyle changes going is because they try to force themselves to do something that just does NOT suit them or their lives. If something is working for you and you feel good - that should be enough to qualify it as "the right thing."
I personally AM a breakfast person but I can't even think of CHEWING anything till I've had a fair amount of liquids. I 've always been like that. I think I'd choke to death if I tried to eat first.
Also, I'd never dream of yelling about caffine - I have started my day with Diet Coke EVERY day since middle school and I'm not about to give it up now. Have I cut back? Yes. Will I give it up? No. It's something I enjoy.
And Leens, I just re-read that bit about keeping 150 pounds off. Good for you! I'm sure you've told your story more than once - point me to it please!
Nicole, I wish I could say I still have that weight off but I can't... unfortunate things happened in my family a few years ago which put me in a deep funk of a depression....needless to say I'm 80 lbs heavier now sigh ~ My bio is on the depression boards I THINK? lol
Oh Leens, sorry to hear that. But still, you've done it before (nearly twice as much) so you must know you can do it again. I'll have my fingers crossed for you!
19.5lbs total since May 11th. I know it's much less than most people do in the same amount of time, but hey, it's in the right direction! 
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