valgesg's Journal, 16 February 2011

Don't get discouraged. I'm new to Atkins as well and I can tell you from looking at your food--your carbs are probably too high. The first week on atkins I kept my total carbs 20-25. The next week I thought I was doing well and started eating MIM's which technically have very little net carbs but increased my total carbs significantly--I gained. I think my body is just sensitive to carbs. I was getting discouraged too, but I'm going to keep going. I know from the first week loss that Atkins works, but you can't cheat. Atkins is not a forgiving diet where you can have a cookie and work it off. A small cheat can throw you out of ketosis and set you back days. That fact has kept me from cheating. 

Today my carb count is at 22.90, 13.81 of it come from the fundamental veggies. I thought that I could any where from 20 - 25 carbs and 12 - 15 should come from the veggies?? If I’m wrong, please offer any suggestions.. Thanks :-) 

To start, Atkins is not just eggs cheese and sausage. Its a lot of other healthy foods as well.Limiting these foods are not going to help you loose weight faster. I actually started Atkins because my doctor recommended it to me so dont worry about it being unhealthy. If you feel really strongly about it, you may want to reconsider doing Atkins. I looked at your diet calender and there are a few things that stand out to me. One is the bars. You may want to consider cutting back to one a day or just getting rid of them until your in ketosis. I know its hard because you crave something sweet , but its just for a while and once you start burning fat you can work them back in. Try cutting them in half and do one half early and one half later. Try and use only for a snack and not a meal like breakfast.Also NO NUTS for 1st two weeks. That means nut roll bars. If you need a sweet fix, drink a diet root beer or sugar free jello. Just limit the amount of anything that is sugar free or splenda to 3 a day. As for breakfast ideas, just remember, breakfast does not have to be eggs only. I had a hamburger with no bun extra pickles this morning. You can have a MIM with cream cheese, or a bell pepper stuffed with ground beef and cheese, a blt no bun.Try a chef's salad for breakfast. Amazing. When I am bored of eggs, I just treat breakfast like a 2nd lunch. Also, it looks like your having alot of splenda. Limit to three a day. Please approach this realistically, if you want to loose the weight, you need to follow the diet every day. Not one day yes and one day no. I know it sucks but after a while you will get used to it and the weight will roll off. Trust me.Also, water water water. Drink a ton of it. Its gonna be hard, I wont sugar coat it. But I am proof if you stick with it, it works. I recommend educating yourself and read the book, then read it again. I got mine on Amazon for $8.00. The good thing is that you realize you need to loose weight and have decided to do something about it. If you stay under or around 20 net carbs a day, the weight will roll off. The exercising is good. Stick with that. What ever you do, keep journaling everything you eat. Hang in there. It is worth it in the end. Don't doubt yourself, be strong and believe you can do it. Just imagine yourself how you want to look. :)  

Everything redgirl1974 is true and important for this lifestyle to work. I also have to stress that my weight won't budge if I am not drinking half my body weight in oz of water a day everyday. 

Thanks for your encouraging words. I will review the book again and continue to try and stay focused. I think that this forum will prove to be an excellent source of support as well as encouragement.. I will keep posting and will ask for help along the way.. Thanks again :-)  

Val, you have an awesome attitude. You are headed in the right direction. If you need a exercise buddy, come to Austin, 75f today! :) Keep posting.  

Val, I cannot eat the Atkins bars at all. To many sugar alcohols and my body sees them as sugar, this kicks me out of ketosis, and I don't lose. I would get your book out, and follow a very strict 2 week induction...to the letter and see what happens. Leave the bars off the menu for those 2 weeks and I will be willing to bet that you will see a loss. Hang in there...I know it can be discouraging when we are trying so hard and nothing is happening, but it is usually due to something simple and a little change makes a big difference. Feel free to check my food diary if you would like. I do total carbs (20 or less a day) and have been for the last year. I have been stalled since October, but hey at least I am learning to maintain, right? Don't give up....as long as you keep trying you can never fail! 

Some people need to eat total carbs, not net carbs as they are more sensitive. You will get this sorted!