Archive for August, 2004

intro and beer

Thursday, August 19th, 2004

Hi everyone. I am just restarting Atkins; Monday will be my 3rd day of
induction. Like many others I have such a hard time restarting once I stop.
In my case it is just making the choice and sticking to it, so often I have
planned on restarting and binged on tons of carbs before my start date.
Then I keep pushing the start day off.
I could live on pasta, bread, and sweets. I just wouldn’t be happy because
being thin and healthy is so important to me.
I have been doing Atkins for almost 10 years on and off, and during the past
2 to 3 years I have learned so much about this way of eating.
A few months ago I quit smoking and I decided that I would allow myself to
eat whatever I wanted as long as I didn’t smoke.
Well, all I did was trade bad habits. I overate constantly because I was so
miserable, then as the scale went up I ate even more.
I gained about 15 lbs. I am 5′ 5.5″ and now weigh 138 lbs. I was around
122-126 lbs.
When I am at my goal weight I would occasionally allow myself to cheat. My
goal now is to make the low carb versions of the foods that tempt me.
I have purchased many low carb cookbooks and ingredients so I can enjoy SF
and LC alternatives.
So now I am back doing damage control! Usually I lose a minimum of 10 lbs.
during induction. Though its not really good, I don’t eat very many veggies
for the first few days. I do it do jumpstart ketosis. I eat mostly meat,
cheese and drink lots of water.
Regarding low carb beer. I know the carb count for Michelob Ultra is 2.6
carbs, and Miller Lite is 3.2 carbs.
Last week I tried Rolling Rocks version of a low carb beer. It is called
Rock Green Light and the carb count is 2.6 carbs per beer.
I really liked all of the beers. I used to be a Bud Light drinker and when
I read Atkins and he stated Miller Lite was low carb I switched to Miller
Lite,
then when Ultra came out I tried it and really liked it too, now we have 3
choices!
If anyone has any questions, I can hopefully help. I look forward to
getting to know everyone. I’ve been reading the posts for the past few days
and everyone sounds wonderful. Happy low carbing!
Laura

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explanation of weight loss stalls

Wednesday, August 18th, 2004

I just got this off another list. It really made sense to me. It
explains why after sudden weight loss many people will stall. Here
goes:
**Common patterns of weight loss From tracking a *lot* of people who
become assimilated into the lowcarb lifestyle (hehe…resistance is
futile!) a pattern emerges….
The 2 week induction is pretty heady…weight lost just about every
single day, enormous and unbelievable amounts of weight loss are
reported.
This is often followed by complaints that weight loss “stalls” or
that the rate drops to only 1 pound per week.
Many people just don’t know that fat-loss …the actual goal when on
a weight-reduction” diet, is rate-limited. In other words, the human
body has factors that prevent more than a certain amount of fatty-
acid release from storage…and even more factors that prevent those
released fatty acids from being used up instead of stored back into
the fat cells.
A priority of the human body is survival. Anything that threatens
its survival results in the cascade of events to maintain the
previous status quo. Water fluctuations are one way the body does
this.
OK…so you done good on Atkins’ during induction…lost 10 pounds
the first 2 weeks.
Maybe 7 the first week and 3 the second. But, whoa!
Weeks 3 and 4 there is NO loss! And weeks 5 and 6 is only 1/2 pound
each! So… what gives?
Initially, the body jettisons the water attached to the glycogen
stores that we diligently deplete to get into ketosis…this accounts
for about 3-5 pounds of water. In addition, muscle stores of
glycogen are not being replaced when used…which will account for
the rest. All in all…MAYBE 1/2 pound of fat was metabolized during
the first week… and MAYBE 1/2 pound of fat was metabolized the 2nd
week. Of that 10 initial pounds, only 1 pound was fat and 9 pounds
water…
The body senses this lack and sirens start shrieking:
Warning! Warning! Losing water… new thing…got to get back to
the status quo! Brain tells body to produce and release that
vasopressin antidiuretic hormone….more water is retained, and no
weight loss noticed. Fat loss is still occurring, MAYBE even 2
pounds per week, because ketosis is firmly established and appetite
suppression is in effect…but water retention is hiding that
continuing fat loss. The body is preventing dehydration with this
mechanism, and that’s a *good* thing. From the perspective of the
scale, it can be discouraging.
Which is why the mantra: Water retention masks fat loss (repeated
frequently to oneself ) is helpful.
Water retention will mask ongoing fat-loss for as long as the body
retains the water. We can combat this by drinking more water…but
we aren’t going to totally overcome this mechanism during the initial
water-loss phase of the Atkins diet.
By weeks 5 and 6, things start to get back in balance, and the scale
will begin to reflect the true fat-loss…which, as mentioned before
is rate-limited.
Individuals vary, but max weight loss runs about 2 pounds per
week…under extremely optimal conditions… or 1% of body weight.
(Whichever is the lower number)
Take-home message: Even when the scale is in a stall, fat loss can be
occurring. Don’t use the scale as an excuse to undermine your
progress!** (Take measurements, you may be losing inches and not
pounds too.)
Hopefully some will find this useful!

2nd try at posting.. New Here

Wednesday, August 18th, 2004

Hello All!!! I am new to this group as of today and a 2nd timer to
the Atkins Diet Plan. I was on the diet a few years ago with great
results… unfortunately I have been very very bad since then and
now I am back to square one.. Thats ok, I know I can do it again and
this time I will not allow myself back to my bad habits!!
I tried to post earlier today and am not seeing my original post so
if it does pop up later I an sorry for double posting… Thank you
for allowing me into the group and I hope to make some great new
friends!!
I am 40 years old..divorced with 2 kids (17 & 19) and a boyfriend of
almost 4 years. I am generally pretty active (the more weight the
less active… imagine that!!) and love the outdoors!! I live in SW
Florida (about 5 minutes from the beach) and am a Pest Control Tech.
So enough about me… thanks again!! Oh.. I have this group on
special notices to my Email so feel free to EMail me directly if you
would like.. I will try to check boards daily!!
Peace!!
Mary

Splenda book

Wednesday, August 18th, 2004

I found a great book today at Walmarts…it’s a Splenda recipe
book…it’s on the checkout lanes..it has wonderful recipes..it
tells how to make brown sugar and powdered sugar with Splenda and
also has a recipe for BBQ sauce that only has 4g of carbs…I wanted
to let you all know about it..if anyone would like some of the
recipes let me know!!!
Kathy

Today’s foods

Wednesday, August 18th, 2004

Today I only had two meals…. an omelette with mushrooms and cheese
and four strips of bacon for breakfast. Then for dinner, everyone in
the cafeteria was eating spaghetti with garlic bread. It looked so
good…. but I successfully battled it off. Instead, I helped myself
to the meatballs and a large salad with plenty of cheese. Lots of
water today too.
Buuuut…. (There’s always a but, right?) I broke down and had one
half-pint of 2% milk, to the tune of 12 carbs. I think I still came
in under 20 carbs for the day, but was it bad that I had the milk?
I’m an avid milk-drinker and you can bet that when I reach OWL that’s
going to be one of the first things I add back.
~Claire

(no subject)

Tuesday, August 17th, 2004

I already did that email address and when I get there where do I go? Thank
you

Hi everyone

Tuesday, August 17th, 2004

it has been a long time since I have posted…am still doing Atkins
but went into a real bad depression..am doing better now…thank
god..and I didn’t eat over it…Thanksgiving was great…went to my
sons house(he does all the cooking)he fried the turkey(I do not like
turkey)so ate one piece of baked ham…some vegetables…no potatoes
and no bread…I made cranberries with oranges..grinded up and added
splendar…I am down to 175…I was in a tremendous amount of pain
from a Tarlov cyst in my sacrum(lower back)it seems since I have
lost weight the pain is subsiding…haven’t used a can for couple of
weeks…only problem now is I was on pain meds and because I am a
recovering Alcoholic as some of you know(If you remember me)I may
have to go into a treament facility to detox from them…I went to
my meeting this morning and talked about it…my daughter was
chairing the meeting (20yrs sober)and already knew what I was going
through…still have some pills left(my roommate holds them)enough
to get me thru the holidays….although of course I should go now
but I am going to wait..at least I took the first step and let
others know where I am at…
I have been taking in more carbs…stayed on 20 since when I
started July 8th..bought some of the Atkins bread and ocassionally
have a sandwich…today I only ate the meat plain..and tonight I
will have eggs bacon and maaaaaaybe toast….probably still between
20 and 30…its a great way of life for all the new comers…and
Judy I really enjoy your recipe’s…although I tend to be on the
lazy side and don’t really cook to much…
well before this turns into a novel just wanted to say
hello and wish everyone a Carb free Christmas….220/175/150
Barbara From Massachusetts

How much Phosphatidylserine?

Tuesday, August 17th, 2004

Hey Robin,
Could you tell me how much Phosphatidylserine you’re taking a day?
Could you tell me again the results you are experiencing? Thanks a bunch!
Sherry

weekly weigh-in results!

Sunday, August 15th, 2004

Michele~ That is awesome!! Keep up the good work! Sharon

weekly weigh-in results!

Saturday, August 14th, 2004

completed week 4 of induction yesterday and this mornings weigh-in and
measurements resulted in another 3 pounds and 4 3/4 inches lost!!!
for a total of 21 lbs gone and 17″ gone…for good!!!!
michele :)