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sararay

Start Weight:	(26 Dec 08) 172.0 lb
Current Weight:	(02 Jan 09) 172.0 lb
Goal Weight:	156.0 lb

following: Atkins
performance: Steady

I am 5'7" tall and muscular. My diet is mostly Atkins with some other diet wisdom mixed in. My weight is really inconsequential because my focus is on health. Before starting Atkins I wasn't in shape, I had a high body fat percentage and my cholesterol was bad. After 3 months of Atkins my blood tests came back normal and I had lost only 5% of my weight but 17% body fat. I went down almost 3 dress sizes! (lost fat and gained muscle). I go by inches lost more than weight because I am muscular. My goal is to get to and maintain a size 6, which is only one size down from now, so I am close.

I am doing a whole-foods version of Atkins and I eat gluten-free and soy-free and I limit my dairy. By eliminating foods that I had sensitivities to I healed from Crohn's disease and anemia. You can read my full story on my website at wisdomnutrition.info

I love to read and my favorite diet and nutrition books are: "Patient Heal Thyself" and "Restoring Your Digestive Health" by Jordan Rubin; "The Body Ecology Diet" by Donna Gates; "Good Calories, Bad Calories" by Gary Taubes; "The Cortisol Connection" by Shawn Talbott; "The South Beach Diet" by Dr. Arthur Agatston; "The Fat Flush Plan" by Ann Louise Gittleman; and "Nourishing Traditions" by Sally Fallon.

I love to read and discuss the latest research. Message me any time.

Goals:
Get cholesterol and trigliceride levels down. Met goal! 12/21/07
Get cardio CRP levels normal. Met goal! 10/3/08
Get down to size 6.
Updated: 1/2/09

FatSecret member since: 25 Sep 07

sararay's Weight History

view sararay's complete history

sararay's latest member challenges

Caffeine Free for a Week!!!!

status:	Completed
ended:	27 Oct 08
view progress

187

A lb a week for Christmas

status:	Completed
ended:	17 Dec 08
view progress

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sararay's buddies

	tlr4615 on diet Atkins
	last weighin: losing 1.8 lb a week

	Her Bigness on diet Her Bigness's own diet
	last weighin: losing 1.4 lb a week

	cindyshine on diet cindyshine's own diet
	last weighin: gaining 0.2 lb a week

	sharonfriz on diet The South Beach Diet
	last weighin: gaining 1.3 lb a week

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18 published recipes

sararay's cookbook

cals: 106kcal | fat: 7.20g | carbs: 9.87g | prot: 3.11g

Zucchini with Mushroom Tomato Sauce

A very flavorful vegetable dish, that will certainly make you drool.

cals: 130kcal | fat: 11.87g | carbs: 4.63g | prot: 2.10g

Sugar Free Chocolate Mousse

An absolutely divine mousse.

cals: 207kcal | fat: 15.82g | carbs: 6.18g | prot: 12.06g

Stuffed Mushrooms

A lower carb variation of a favorite appetizer.

cals: 163kcal | fat: 11.56g | carbs: 8.27g | prot: 7.89g

Spicy Cheesy Cauliflower Bake with Bacon

For those that like it hot, a real spicy cheesy cauliflower bake.

cals: 580kcal | fat: 46.39g | carbs: 5.27g | prot: 33.77g

Ragu Meatloaf

This meatloaf has the flavors of an Italian ragu.

cals: 154kcal | fat: 13.05g | carbs: 7.31g | prot: 3.17g

Pumpkin Pie

You won't miss the crust or the sugar in this rich guilt-free dessert.

cals: 328kcal | fat: 28.22g | carbs: 13.64g | prot: 9.48g

Pumpkin Almond Spice Bread

A hearty holiday bread that's gluten-free and low-carbohydrate.

cals: 345kcal | fat: 32.44g | carbs: 5.34g | prot: 9.39g

Pancetta Wrapped Asparagus Spears

A great Atkins side-dish or appetizer.

cals: 190kcal | fat: 16.46g | carbs: 4.96g | prot: 7.66g

Holiday Creamed Spinach

Even people who don't like spinach will like this recipe.

cals: 127kcal | fat: 5.63g | carbs: 8.93g | prot: 10.99g

Hearty Beef Stew

With a few low-carb substitutions, this hearty stew will still warm you up during cold winter months without as many carbs.

cals: 359kcal | fat: 34.18g | carbs: 7.14g | prot: 7.92g

Green Beans Alfredo

An Atkins low-carb side inspired by a pasta favorite.

cals: 136kcal | fat: 9.32g | carbs: 4.40g | prot: 9.37g

Greek Spinach Quiche

A taste of Greece in a yummy brunch dish that's perfect for low carb diets.

cals: 199kcal | fat: 14.11g | carbs: 12.22g | prot: 8.19g

Eggplant Pizza

You won't miss the crust in this tasty low carb pizza.

cals: 649kcal | fat: 46.40g | carbs: 49.93g | prot: 29.68g

Creamy Raspberry Breakfast Shake

This hearty shake lasts you all morning.

cals: 166kcal | fat: 16.93g | carbs: 3.35g | prot: 1.52g

Chocolate Coffee Mousse

This mousse resembles an Italian tiramisu dessert and is designed for Atkins followers.

cals: 171kcal | fat: 12.09g | carbs: 9.70g | prot: 7.58g

Cheesy Spicy Cauliflower Bake

An Atkins substitution for Mac and Cheese that can also be made with broccoli.

cals: 195kcal | fat: 15.67g | carbs: 11.97g | prot: 3.53g

Carrot Zucchini Cake

A low carb tasty alternative to carrot cake.

cals: 17kcal | fat: 0.08g | carbs: 3.91g | prot: 1.01g

Cabbage Noodles

A low carb, low calorie and high fiber alternative to pasta.

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sararay's latest posts

The scoop on Splenda?
Try the liquid stevia. It doesn't taste bitter like the powder. I use it in tea and coffee. I have even used it in pumpkin pie.

posted 06 Jan 2009, 14:27

Zero Carb Noodles!
If you prepare the miracle noodles like they say it gets rid of the fishy odor. You have to rinse them in hot water for 2 minutes. I sometimes soak them in hot water and then rinse them because that way they get heated up more.

I put them in some chicken noodle soup the other day and it was delicious. A small portion is quite filling as they expand in your stomach. Smile

posted 24 Nov 2008, 12:53

How many calories
It is an individual decision. Everyone is different. Try not to eat less than 1200 per day, though. You might read the Atkins book as it has more information about counting calories with Atkins.

posted 24 Nov 2008, 12:51

Should I count the carbs in fruits & vegetables in my diet? (20 carbs a day max)
The carbs in fruit and vegetables are good carbs, but if you are doing Atkins you should be counting the NET carbs. If you don't know what this means, message me and I will explain it to you.

It seems like you need to read the ATkins book and really understand this diet. There is a lot of misinformation about ATkins floating around and I wouldn't want you to make it difficult on yourself by following what you think this diet is isntead of the actual diet.

The very restrictive part of Atkins is only the first two weeks, or the Induction phase. The purpose of cutting down to 20g net carbs per day is to get rid of sugar cravings. After the first two weeks you gradually increase the net carbs by 5g daily net carbs every week. You do this until your weight loss starts to slow or stall. Potentially you could eat up to 60-80 net carbs a day and still lose weight as long as you are in control of carb cravings.

Since you dont' have a lot to lose you don't really need to stay at 20g net carbs per day for that long. So potentially after 3-4 weeks you can introduce lower net-carbohydrate fruit (also known as low-GI fruit) such as berries and melons. Later on you add more variety.

Please read the Atkins book so you understand all of the phases. The maintenance phase allows whole grains and fruit as well. It is a very well-rounded diet. The most important thing is to eliminate starchy and sugary foods.

When you do eat fruit, make sure to eat it with some protein so it doesn't spike your blood sugar.

My advice is to read the book and gain a good understanding of the diet. You will find all your answers in the book.

posted 24 Nov 2008, 12:48

Eating Right on a Budget
I regularly stop at the discount food store before I go to the grocery store. I get what I can there and then get the rest at the regular grocery store.

Invest in some freezer bags and freezer containers, make sure to make big batches and freeze the extras.

I find that if I waste money it is from food going bad before we can eat it. Since there is only two of us I either have to make smaller portions or freeze leftovers.

With stuff that I can't freeze like lettuce I only buy one and just go to the store again later that week if I need another one.

Be careful at warehouse stores like Costco. Sometimes you don't save money if you are buying more than you will use.

posted 24 Nov 2008, 12:38

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sararay's journal

(7 comments)

07 January 2009

Both exercise and food goals met yesterday. I need a little help with the water, so I brought some crystal light with me today. I gotta get hydrated. For ...

on diet Atkins

(10 comments)

06 January 2009

I met all my goals for yesterday, I even got in 15 minutes of abs before we went to our friends' house. I had NO appetite yesterday. I love ketosis! My ...

on diet Atkins

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sararay's Recent Food & Exercise

	8 fls oz half
	1 serving espresso
	3/4 serving colby jack
	Walking (exercise) - 3.5/mph
	Conditioning exercise (health club)
	Desk Work

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sararay's Groups

Gamers: The Gathering
Jolt and Twinkies are the stereotypical staples for pen & paper, video and trading card gamers but we can do better.

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