Hi friends,
I'm not new to Atkins, but I'm giving it another go. I've tried Atkins (or other low-carb clones) in the past, but always gave up at the 2 to 3 week mark due to horrible constipation. Well, this time, I've figured that part out and what a difference it makes!! I feel sooooo much better!

I'm starting week 3 and doing pretty good. I must admit, I did not do the induction phase hard-core as it was just too much of a drastic change for me. I eased into Atkins just lowering my carbs waaaaayyyy down. I have lost 4 pounds in two weeks. Not an amazing loss, but it's a loss.

I was also encouraged on twitter by an Atkins tweet that you do not need to do induction if you have under 40 pounds to lose. I only need to lose 30, so I'm pretty encouraged.

But, with that. I'm trying to lower my carbs this week to around the induction phase to see if I can move the scale. It's kinda stuck and I REALLY want to get to a 10 pound goal by end of July.

So, hi from SoCal and thanks in advance for your support.
Pam

Welcome Pam! and wonderful to have you here! Very happy for you losing the 4 lbs (I bet more by now) already! Yep This time Atkins is easier for me (been doing it for 18 months now)... Finding that I should eat more FAT is helping me alot! and it keeps my skin healthier and eating veggies more often (or taking more fiber tablets) help with the constipation. Please join in our threads/challenges if you are up for it... We are very encouraging and helpful to each other! I can't wait to see you reach your goal!

Thanks! Yes, I'm loving the fat thing. I never liked the low-fat eating. I had an ah-ha moment last month when I realized that I was addicted to sugar/carbs. The more I ate....the more I wanted. It was a vicious cycle! One night, I sat there with my stomach just full as can be, really miserable and my brain was telling me to go to the kitchen and get something else!!! Just like an alcoholic to a drink!! What the heck!!?? I knew that I had to make a drastic change.

So, my husband and daughter went on a trip for a week and I stayed home and focused on myself. Got my s#!+ together and decided to ease into this low-carb again. I'm really feeling great too!!

Just gotta get some movement on the scale. Need to up my exercise and especially my water!
P

Pam!

Since you aren't doing Induction...but...you have lowered your carbs to around Induction phase, I would be interested to see what you're eating that is causing the scale to be kinda stuck. Would you mind posting a typical days menu?

Keep in mind, since you have less weight to lose and you aren't doing Induction, the weight is going to come off much more slowly. I'm not saying there is anything at all wrong with that approach, just be mindful

Hi,
Well my first week, I stopped having pasta, rice, beans or potatoes or any kind of sugar food totally. I only had a protein for dinner with veggies like green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, salad, etc.

Now remember before you read this - I was NOT going for the induction phase. Just easing into low-carb with cutting back on them a lot.

For breakfast I had made these muffin cup egg things with veggies, cheese and whole eggs. I alternated those with plain greek yogurt (fage) with strawberries, splenda and a sprinkle of high-protein granola (about a TBS).

Lunch was a salad with a protein of some sort on it, dressing (high fat) and safe veggies. Some days I had a sandwich with this really thin bread called "Dave's Killer Bread" - the one with 60 calories and 9 net carbs a piece.

Snacking was string cheese (full fat), nuts, veggies and full ranch dip (home made).

I also had bought these mini drum sticks by blue bunny thinking they were sugar free, but after finishing them, I went to buy them again and found they were "no sugar added" - doh!!

So this week, I'm backing off the bread, no more mini drum sticks and also cutting back on the yogurt to only a couple times a week.

I got that app, "Lose it" and it's helpful in tracking. Yestserday I had under 1200 calories! Didn't feel deprived at all!! It tracks carbs, but does not give me net carbs. I have to figure that out as I go. No biggie.

Ok - as for constipation...which was a HORRIBLE problem when I've tried Atkins or any other LC diet before - I drink one glass of sf metimucil in the afternoon and then take 1 250 gram magnesium pill at night. I have a nice healthy "evacuation" lol - w/in 30 minutes of getting up. If I forget to drink my metimucil (like today), I will take 2 magnesium pills at night instead.

Pam

Yes, thanks. I am trying to follow Atkins and only have sf items 3 times or less a day. I upped my water as of yesterday (but not so good today). I also upped my fats, which is so difficult to wrap my brain around, but I notice if my fats are up, I don't get hungry as fast and eat less.

I'm not looking to lose weight super fast. I would be happy with 1 pound down a week and super happy if it is 2 pounds a week. But.. if I lose just 1 pound average per week, I would be at my goal by the end of this year. That would be fantastic!!!!!