[Reasons]

Starting tomorrow.

I purchased both books and read through the 2002 version. After two or three horrible days in a row of calorie counting, I'm ready to start carb counting tomorrow. I've taken so many note from the book, and i have a pretty good idea of what I'm supposed to be doing.

I'll probably be talking to myself in here until I figure all of this out. I have so much anxiety about it.

Wish me luck!

[Violet73]

Good luck! you will do great since you've read the books and are setting up a plan! have you been grocery shopping yet? Just make sure you have your fridge and cabinets stocked so you can stay on track!

[SaskNewfie]

Not planning meals is one of my biggest downfalls. When I plan meals and ensure I have leftovers, things go smoothly and I'm not panicking and scrambling through cupboards for appropriate snacks. So, make sure you plan meals...lol.

Expect stalls and delays and even the gain of a pound or two. Don't be frustrated when this happens...it's normal. On that note, don't compare your losses to someone else...each person is different and lose at different rates.

If you own an iPod touch or an iPhone, there's an application I use called "Log It". I use it to keep track of my carb intake. It's simple to use, especially once you already add your foods. I set mine to the 20g per day and as I input the food I eat, it subtracts the carbs from it and displays what I have left on the screen. To get it going, you have to know the net carb content of each food. I know, it's simple to keep track of 20 grams, but I like it. It acts as a food diary for me as well.

Anyway, good luck!!

[Lainey]

I agree with you about the calorie counting! I started at 195 lbs. I lost 9 lbs from Feb. 1, 2011 to March 28, 2011 with calorie counting. I felt hungry still and my mind was always on my next meal. I felt like the weight was coming off to slow since I was doing P90x every day also.
Then I started the Atkins Diet March 29, 2011 at 186lbs and as of today I am 179lbs. For me The Atkins Diet is so much better. After the first 3 days my appetite went down a lot and I have more energy. Plus you can go to their website to sign up and they will send you a carb counting book & 3 of their candy bars for free. I eat 1/2 of a bar each day just to take the edge off my cravings.
In case it might give you an idea, my daily meals are as follows:
Breakfast:
-Every day I have 2 eggs.
-I alternate between 1 pc turkey bacon one day or some green pepper and onions the next.
Lunch is either:
-Chicken breast, 2 cups lettuce, Newman's Olive Oil & Vinegar dressing, sprinkle with parmesan cheese. (sooo good.... one of my faves!)
-Tuna Salad with mayo, mustard, & relish.
-Hamburger sprinkled with thyme & pepper and cheese.
-Steak with A-1 sauce.
For dinner I just choose one of the choices that I have listed for lunch.
Snacks:
-Jello
-Cucumber
-Cool whip
-Extra dessert delights gum
-1/2 Atkins bar

I also power walk 30-45 minutes 5-6 days a week.
My advice is to get some really great music that keeps you motivated while working out- that helps me a lot.
Good luck on starting your weight loss! If you have any questions I'd be happy to help

[Reasons]

Thanks for the great tips!

I have not gone grocery shopping yet, but I do have a list already. I share a kitchen with a few other dieters, so there are plenty of veggies and lean meats at the moment.

I do have an android phone, and it does not have log it, but it does have my fitness pal, which I've been using to track calories but also has a screen that shows a nutrient summary with a carb and fiber break down.

I woke up today and made myself a beautiful omelette with 3 eggs, chopped mushrooms, a pad of butter and a 1/4 cup of shredded colby jack, cooked in canola oil it was delicious and hit the spot.

For lunch I had crab salad . (canned crab meat, mayo and a cup of chopped celery)

and I think I will have a can of sardines in another hour.

For dinner I am planning to eat out with a friend. I plan to order a steak and a garden salad with a side of green beans.

I am also doing power 90 6 days a week but I am waiting for my 30 day shred it to arrive.

I feel good so far, but I'm wondering if that dreaded carb withdrawal will hit.

thanks again for all of the input. It really is appreciated and motivational!

[JerseyGyrl]

Originally Posted by Lainey

I agree with you about the calorie counting! I started at 195 lbs. I lost 9 lbs from Feb. 1, 2011 to March 28, 2011 with calorie counting. I felt hungry still and my mind was always on my next meal. I felt like the weight was coming off to slow since I was doing P90x every day also.
Then I started the Atkins Diet March 29, 2011 at 186lbs and as of today I am 179lbs. For me The Atkins Diet is so much better. After the first 3 days my appetite went down a lot and I have more energy. Plus you can go to their website to sign up and they will send you a carb counting book & 3 of their candy bars for free. I eat 1/2 of a bar each day just to take the edge off my cravings.
In case it might give you an idea, my daily meals are as follows:
Breakfast:
-Every day I have 2 eggs.
-I alternate between 1 pc turkey bacon one day or some green pepper and onions the next.
Lunch is either:
-Chicken breast, 2 cups lettuce, Newman's Olive Oil & Vinegar dressing, sprinkle with parmesan cheese. (sooo good.... one of my faves!)
-Tuna Salad with mayo, mustard, & relish.
-Hamburger sprinkled with thyme & pepper and cheese.
-Steak with A-1 sauce.
For dinner I just choose one of the choices that I have listed for lunch.
Snacks:
-Jello
-Cucumber
-Cool whip
-Extra dessert delights gum
-1/2 Atkins bar

I also power walk 30-45 minutes 5-6 days a week.
My advice is to get some really great music that keeps you motivated while working out- that helps me a lot.
Good luck on starting your weight loss! If you have any questions I'd be happy to help

Hi Lainey,
You may want to read this article concerning Atkins bars...http://www.phlaunt.com/lowcarb/19059967.php
I know Atkins Nutritionals markets them as being "appropriate for Induction" but, they unfortunately are not.
A-1 Steak Sauce contains 3 carbs per Tablespoon, It is made with tomato paste, corn syrup, raisin paste & crushed orange puree.
Cool Whip contains High Frutose Corn Syrup.Corn Syrup and Skim Milk.
Its all so confusing at first, but...it does get easier!

[Reasons]

Day one down. No carb withdrawals and I feel like I ate like a king today!

I'll be back tomorrow

[kathrynk]

Originally Posted by Lainey

I agree with you about the calorie counting! I started at 195 lbs. I lost 9 lbs from Feb. 1, 2011 to March 28, 2011 with calorie counting. I felt hungry still and my mind was always on my next meal. I felt like the weight was coming off to slow since I was doing P90x every day also.
Then I started the Atkins Diet March 29, 2011 at 186lbs and as of today I am 179lbs. For me The Atkins Diet is so much better. After the first 3 days my appetite went down a lot and I have more energy. Plus you can go to their website to sign up and they will send you a carb counting book & 3 of their candy bars for free. I eat 1/2 of a bar each day just to take the edge off my cravings.
In case it might give you an idea, my daily meals are as follows:
Breakfast:
-Every day I have 2 eggs.
-I alternate between 1 pc turkey bacon one day or some green pepper and onions the next.
Lunch is either:
-Chicken breast, 2 cups lettuce, Newman's Olive Oil & Vinegar dressing, sprinkle with parmesan cheese. (sooo good.... one of my faves!)
-Tuna Salad with mayo, mustard, & relish.
-Hamburger sprinkled with thyme & pepper and cheese.
-Steak with A-1 sauce.
For dinner I just choose one of the choices that I have listed for lunch.
Snacks:
-Jello
-Cucumber
-Cool whip
-Extra dessert delights gum
-1/2 Atkins bar

I also power walk 30-45 minutes 5-6 days a week.
My advice is to get some really great music that keeps you motivated while working out- that helps me a lot.
Good luck on starting your weight loss! If you have any questions I'd be happy to help

Just a sidenote - have you ever tried Cool Whip frozen? It has a very similar texture to ice cream and I've found it's a good substitute when you're craving it!

[Reasons]

Down 2lbs already! After weeks of not losing or slowly gaining...It is such a relief to see the scale start to slide the other way!

OMG frozen cool whip sounds AMAZING!

[Reasons]

I'm reading some of the threads on what people are eating and what they plan to eat and I'm noticing many people aren't following the 2 cup leafy green and 1 cup green greens rule that atkins discusses in his book.

Is the diet successful without this standard?

I was also wondering, do we need to eat exactly 20 carbs while on induction, or just make sure to stay anywhere under that?

[JerseyGyrl]

Originally Posted by Reasons

I'm reading some of the threads on what people are eating and what they plan to eat and I'm noticing many people aren't following the 2 cup leafy green and 1 cup green greens rule that atkins discusses in his book.

Is the diet successful without this standard?

I was also wondering, do we need to eat exactly 20 carbs while on induction, or just make sure to stay anywhere under that?

During Induction, the emphasis should be on veggies & salads from the acceptable foods list, 12-15 of your 20 carbs for the day should ideally be coming from veggies & salads. I personally have never stuck to that 2 cups & 1 cup thing but, rather the 12-15 carb rule. I don't think anyone ever got fat on green veggies & salads

No, you don't need to eat exactly 20 carbs while doing Induction but, you should try to be close without going over.

By the way, unfortunately, Cool Whip, frozen or otherwise is not permitted on Atkins but, heavy whipping cream with a little Splenda is

[BrittanieYork]

Hey Reasons! I'm with you on the carb counting. I do the same and it has been working as well. I hope you have much success and enjoy it as much as I do!

[startanew]

I dont' eat a ton of leafy green vegetables..I'm just not crazy about salads. I have to force myself to eat one,lol. I do eat a lot of cooked spinach, and other veggies, and it seems to work for me.

[Reasons]

Thanks for the responses! That's a bummer about the cool whip! I was starting to crave it I've been trying to stick to the 1 cup 2 cup rule, but I eat a lot of veggies, and hate salad, so It's been tough.


.

[redshoes]

Hi Folks,
I thought that I would jump in on this post as I just started a couple of days behind Reasons.
Day 1 went well
Day 2 massive headache but other than that so far so good!
Hope you all are having a great day.
Cheers!