((HUGS)) kgyaya, it's hard being a newbie and not knowing much about the different low carb plans. That's why we're here so dive on in and ask away!

Thanks Pooky, There's so much to learn and I really love the hugs. Part of me is still afraid of "not getting it". I have a yucky history of weight loss self-defeat.

Things I've noticed (day 5 of CAD diet): losing cravings for processed carbs (miracle!), just a wee bit hungry between meals, feeling less bloated.

Less positive things: minor headache, major fatigue , a little "depressed". Am I supposed to be this tired? I also take a couple of medications that make weight loss tough - Depakote and Wellbutrin - but, the mood stablility is very important so I'm hoping "low carb" will be the answer to my weight loss needs.

How many pounds should I expect to loose a week? I know 1/2 to 2 is optimum. I loose so slowly that I get cranky and give up. I don't want to do that this time!

Many, many thanks!

kgyaya - I am day 4 of Atkins Induction and I have a headache, I am super tired and I am feeling a bit depressed. So there you have it. Hang in there and you will come through it with great results! I only lose about a pound a week, so don't be discouraged... We can be turtles together!
Gina

When I was younger I could do the CAD with no problem . Now that I'm older it don't work. I find that the CALSD works much better. It was designed for those over forty and instead of being able to eat anything in your reward meal you must eat only lo glycemic foods during that meal. The Life span diet is something that I have had great long term success on before and I am now in day 2 of doing it again. It just feels more like something I can live with for life than Atkins. We all must find what works for us!

Now I'm confused. Didn't somebody on another thread say that Wellbutrin HELPED them lose weight? I guess it depends on the person taking it.

unfortunately, linda, some people gain weight on antidepressants, and some lose weight. can't tell which way it's gonna go.

I have made it through two and a half days of Atkins Induction. I don't have a headache, but I am feeling tired. I haven't started exercising either. Maybe I am going over twenty grams of carbs. I am still consuming some things with aspartame in it. Is that going to sabotage my efforts? Anyone know?

Everything effects everyone in different ways, so see how you do. If you find you are not losing, cut out the aspartame.

You may want to check out www.fitday.com You can log everything you ate for the day and it will give you all the nutritional counts that you need!

You are doing great!
G

Yea Gina, a turtle pal! This is the BEST forum for support I've seen. It's so great to have people out there who can relate and understand.

Wishing... is the CALSD the Life Span Diet? I saw the book when I bought the CAD but I didn't look at it closely. Is the diet significantly different? I'm 50 and this is the first time ever that I've not felt "compelled" to eat every processed carb in sight. It's so different it feels like it could disappear overnight and I'd be right back munching every donut in sight!

This is only day 5. In response to Wellbutrin... I switched to Wellbutrin from Zoloft (where I had gained 30+ pounds) shortly before I started on the "low carb" route. So, my decreased cravings may be attributed to both low carb and Wellbutrin - I don't know for sure since I started both about the same time. I do know Zoloft made me munch, munch, munch!

Have a great day!

Yeh there's quite a few tiny differences but the major one is is the reward meal. In the cad they say if you are craving that peice of cake or donut then save it for your reward meal. Anything goes as long as it's eaten within that magical 60 minutes. Well the Lifespan diet no longer allows that. You can have carbs in that 60 minutes but they have to be things like rice and sweet potaoes. No sugar. I really advise you to get the book. It was written because the CAD was failing so many people especially those over 40 whos metabolisms had slowed down. Older people are enjpying great success with this revised program! I really think you'd find this new way more efficient!

Thanks for the "heads-up" Wishing. Honestly, I think I'll stay with the CAD for now (not ready to face giving up the Reward Meal with sugar ) but, I'll keep a close watch on my cravings and keep the CALSD info. in my back pocket.

So far, CAD is working for me. But, it's only been 5 days and that sure isn't enough time to evaluate my progress on any diet. I'll use the cravings as a barometer for now.

This is all so intriguing. I'm grateful for the chance to do something different than WW. Not that it's a bad program, I have many friends who have been successful with WW and kept the weight off... I can't seem to stick with it and I'm beginning to suspect the "carbs" are the key.

Hope all are well!

YIKES!! Weekends are hard! Low-carb all week, managed to get rid of those headaches and then BAM! Saturday comes rolling in with a truck-load of munching opportunites...

Dang! I was hoping I could do at least a week without running into my old habits. Have to admit, I caught it earlier than usual but I'm feeling a little tentative about tomorrow.

Another one of my yucky tendancies... trying to do it perfectly. Anyone else "fall off the wagon" and able to get back on and ride a little longer?

I bought Atkins and am going to start reading it tonight.

Hiya kgyaya!

Yup! Been there done that! I think everyone has a way of getting around the snackies but I think one of the most important things is to not beat yourself up over a slip. You can get back on track. In the greater scheme of things, it's one day we're talking about. Let the day pass and start fresh the next day. It's not how many times you fall off the horse, it's how many times you get back on and keep trying.

Now specifically how to deal with the carb monster: find something to do with your hands. I'm not kidding. Some chickies here knit, I paint, couple of us garden, still others hop on to some exercise equipment. Still can't stave it off? Eat some protein and drink 2 glass of cold water and head outside for a long walk. Trust me, after a time of doing this you may even catch yourself going into "automatic pilot", you know where you suddenly find yourself reaching for sme chips or some chocolate or other yummy carb. I have caught myself doing just that this week! (I drank 2 glasses of water and went outside to rake my yard and it worked) The point is, you have to find a way to beat back the carb cravings. At the beginning of a plan they are really strong, but as time goes on, you find that when the carb cravings hit you are better able to deal with them.

Hope this helps you!

i'm seconding what pooky said... the first step is to recognize that you're GOING FOR THE CARBS... when that hand reaches out for the first chip... and not wait until you've finished half the bag before you wake up and realize what you're doing.

and that's why i keep my knitting projects with me ALL THE TIME.. when i go out to eat, at work, visiting friends.

Pooky and Jiff are right. Do what ever it takes to stop yourself. Im usually good for about 3 weeks a month, then fight with myself for the last week. Almost always its pms, or pms and emotional eating. Its very difficult to stay ontrack during this time for me, but....eat the protein, and drink the water. If you still feel that your hungry, make a huge bowl of veggies and sit down and eat them till your stuffed. Ive had to do this many times...it works for me Fills that emotional hole......better with brussel sprouts than with hoho's

Robin