Oh, I like the stay-on-plan challenge, probably because that's what I've already decided to do. My weight loss had stalled although I was eating well, so I've committed to two weeks totally on plan and no weigh-ins. The no weigh-ins is because when I weigh and don't see the scale move the way I'd hoped, then I get discouraged. This way the focus is on eating right and how I'm feeling regardless of any progress. Today is day 5, and I feel terrific.
After 2 weeks, I plan to weigh and tweak the plan slightly and then stay on plan until April 1, when I will weigh again and reassess. My overall weight loss goal for these weeks is very, very modest, so hopefully there's no way I can't reach it.
Sharon
Yay for more people in on challenges -- Sharon maybe you can find something that is a little snug in your wardrobe and you can try that on once a week as a guide instead of weighing - I swear sometime it won't change won't change won't change then all of a sudden overnight it changed
I like the stay-on-plan challenge! I'm having real trouble on the week-ends. This week-end we're going to Chuck E. Cheese's for my four-year-old's birthday. Not too much low carb on the menu there (that appeals to me, anyway).
I would love to be OUT of the 220's this Monday--not just 219.4, but OUT--like 217 or 216, where I have a little cushion in this decade of #'s.
Rho, I have 3 pairs of snug size 18 slacks/blue jeans that are just waiting for me in my closet, along with two spring/summer shirts & jewelry to match. They are my goal for now! Maybe I need to actually take one of the outfits out of the bag and hang it up so I can see that goal staring me in the face.
I'm doing Atkins right now, but I plan on switching off once I'm close to or at goal. I was thinking of doing something like the gi diet or primal. They both look really interesting and similar to Atkins in a way. Or just making my own diet that works for me to maintain
Today is my day 4 on my low carb plan...WOW it was rough, i'm not hungry, but i want to eat every single carb filled thing i can find, in particular a couple of toasted pop tarts! hopefully tomorrow will be better!! I feel great, and like i said, i'm not hungry at all, in fact i ate tonight just because, it was all induction friendly, but i wanted to taste something...stupid i know.....
Today is my day 4 on my low carb plan...WOW it was rough, i'm not hungry, but i want to eat every single carb filled thing i can find, in particular a couple of toasted pop tarts! hopefully tomorrow will be better!! I feel great, and like i said, i'm not hungry at all, in fact i ate tonight just because, it was all induction friendly, but i wanted to taste something...stupid i know.....
You'll get over the carb withdrawal pretty quickly. The not feeling hungry part may stick around for awhile! Low carb is pretty great!
I'm doing Atkins right now, but I plan on switching off once I'm close to or at goal. I was thinking of doing something like the gi diet or primal. They both look really interesting and similar to Atkins in a way. Or just making my own diet that works for me to maintain
What phase of Atkins are you in? The maintainance phase resembles what some of us are doing anyway--just limiting our carbs to a certain #/day and sticking to low-sugar fruit & high-quality carbs. Mainly "just making our own diet that works for us to lose/maintain "
I know that you and the others might be interested in doing it your own way, but wanted to make you aware of another option, where you still get to do it your own way within certain limits. There is a limited carb, low sugar plan that has lots of flexibility built into it. You are allowed 6 servings of carbs per day, a serving being 20 carbs or less, but only 15 grams of sugar, only five grams at any one time. The idea is to control insulin response. The only other restriction is no saccharin, aspartame or Splenda. It's called Belly Fat Cure.
There is a thread under other low carb, if you're interested.
I do this, too, and it's very easy to follow. Sugar is hiding in just about everything, but you need to read the labels. Once you've cut back the sugar (even substitute), the cravings for sweet stuff really do go away. I eat eggs, lots of veggies, proteins, meats, and fats, and don't count anything. I just keep to 15 grams of sugar and 6 servings of carbs per day and it works.
Good Friday morning ladies,
Thank you for the welcome. Have you ladies every tried Primal Blueprint? Its mainly low carb/ high protein (you can find awesome recipes including the food porn threads, LOL at Marks Daily Apple)
Ive kind of been following that and am happy with the simplicity. Atkins seems to me to promote a lot of frankenfoods.. or is that just me?
Anyway-lots2go, have you seen any loss yet, this is day 4 for you, right? I know if I have pop tarts and stuff in the pantry for the kids, its staring me right in the face everytime I go there for something healthy! Best to just clear it all out.
4myloves, I'm on induction right now but will be moving to OWL after a month or so just because I have a fair amount to lose. It's slipping off so quickly though so hopefully I can move on sooner than later. I like how you can increase your daily carbs and slowly add stuff back. Once I'm near or at goal I plan on maintaining with something I kind of concoct myself that is low carb.
Tracy222Taylor, I was just looking at Mark's site yesterday! Primal is pretty interesting. I downloaded the free e book about exercise because I wanted some ideas on work outs since I like weight lifting. With Atkins I don't eat the bars or drink the shakes. I like just the basic veggies and meats and cheese.
The 15 grams of sugar and 6 20-gram servings of carbs is Jorge Cruise's Belly Fat Diet. For me, that's too many carbs right now. Plus, I'm trying to stay away from all grains.
I've checked out Mark Sisson's website too. I've heard good things about him, and he seems to have done his homework and knows his stuff.
Because I have no kids in the house, it's easier for me to get rid of the temptations. I usually avoid the low-carb bars, too, but one tip that I found on Linda's website is to cut a bar into small pieces and keep in a covered container. I keep mine on my kitchen counter where I can see it. When I start looking for a treat, or after dinner when I'm thinking about a sweet dessert, I take just one of those little bites, and it's enough to satisfy me. If it weren't for that, I'd keep looking and find myself in trouble. BTW, Linda also has some terrific recipes on her site, most suitable for induction. Just search for Linda's low carb.
Sharon
That's a good idea, cut up the bar so you don't eat the whole thing. I'm too scared to have any Atkins bars though, I stalled on them last time. Maybe after awhile or so I'll try eating a quarter of one if I'm desperate for something sweet.
I have been doing a lot of research, but I'm not certain if I'm doing this the right way. I am going to go on the paleo diet after I lose about 15 lbs, but for now I am just doing no-carb. I am eating under 30g carb a day -- and I get those few carbs from veggies, or condiments (very sparingly). I did have a small tamarind when I woke up today.
I have been eating only when I am hungry, and small portions of meats -- both fatty and lean, and a variety of them. Sometimes with veggie, mostly without. I include cheese sometimies, but careful to watch the carb in it ~1g. A tbs of salsa sometimes is one of my low-carb condiments ~2 g carb a serving. Sourcream, hot sauce, sriracha.. all negligible carbs. Lots of egg also.
I give myself one cheat day -- friday, where I still eat all no-carb up until dinner, then I will allow myself two slices of pizza, or some sushi - basically whatever I have craved all week, but couldn't have. I also have a little wine that day, and only that day. Every other day its strict protein, no carb dieting.
I have been doing morning cardio, then sometime during the day I do pushups, situps, squats, dips. And then I go for a 50 minute walk at night most nights. I take breaks from the pushups etc only when my muscles are sore.
I have been drinking a ton of water. I felt great until my friday cheat day last night. Today I am headachy again like i just started.. but I am a week and a half in and I already feel like my waist-line is slimmer and tighter than before.