I am having issues removing my desire for coffee in the AM. .No sugar, just black and one cup. How does this effect my diet? I am going on two weeks with some weight loss. I am 31yrs old, 5'10'' , 170 and need to drop about 12lbs or so. I have done this diet in the past with amazing results and drastic changes in mood and energy (to the better). This time around with the same diet the results don't seem to be as drastic as I would have liked. My mood and energy have really improved but the weight loss has really been minimal (2lbs). Could coffee be my downfall here?

Thanks, Vincent

BTW. I am new to the site and very excited to have discovered it!

First of all, welcome. I, for one, have never given up my beloved coffee every morning. I do, however, count each cup I drink, even black without splenda, as 1 carb. Also, I make certain immediately after my coffee I begin my water ritual and my morning coffee is the only caffeine I allow myself to have. This being said, drinking coffee which contains caffeine according to DANDR is forbidden... but I have never had a problem with it so (YMMV). During induction I did use the 50/50 coffee.... Maybe you should try limiting your coffee intake in the morning.... I used to drink a pot of it each morning and all day long.... now I only allow myself four cups.

__________________
196/135-135

vincent:

lots of folks report that subsequent "runs" with low carbing often isn't as dramatic as the first time. that, coupled with the modest amount of weight you have to lose, would probably explain the slow-ish losses. while it's not as exciting as the lightening fast losses, it's working and you're feeling good, right?

on caffenie, people report different results. i didn't give up caffiene personally. some people do. it can stimulate appetite as i recall. you could try ditching it and see if it makes a difference, as there's a big difference from person to person how things affect them. but i would guess that your leisurely pace of losses is probably more about the other factors than the single cup of coffee.

__________________

EatSmart Nutritional Scale Review

I'm a coffee drinker, too. I try to limit it to 2 cups a day. As far as I can see, it doesn't affect weight loss, so long as I drink lots of water, too. But, as I've never given it up, how would I know for sure? I guess I'm okay with slower weight loss if I can keep my coffee . You are already so close to goal, it would not be unusual to experience slower weight loss. Just be patient - exercise, eat right and drink the water. Who cares if it's slow, as long as it's moving in the right direction and you feel good? Common wisdom says that slower weight loss is more likely to stay off, so there are benefits to a slower rate of weight loss.

If you havent already, keep a record of your measurements. A lot of peole report a reduction in measurements, even when the scale isn't moving that much.

__________________
~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

Vincent:

Welcome, and I echo the messages above. It's never as good as the first time where Low Carb is concerned--you just dont lose as fast once you've gone off and come back.

As far as coffee goes, I gave it up, but that was more for PMS/mood reasons and so I would increase my green tea intake.

There is some evidence that caffiene is related to insulin production--hopefully soemone wiser in this matter can give a link to the details.

Anyway, I seriously doubt one cup of coffee is the reason for your slow loss. You only have 12 pounds to lose, so that is the more obvious reason. Those last 10-12 can take months and months.

You only have 12 lbs to lose, you've already lost 2, you're feeling better, just stay the course, get some exercise and be sure you're dinking and following the low carb rules. THe weight will come off.

Good luck and welcome!

__________________
Renee
1/19/04
261/220/160
41 lbs off
60 lbs to goal



Race to 199 Challenge
Labor Day Challenge: Focusing on the Journey
Personal Goal: 199 by 12/31/05

Welcome to the forum. Lots of good information and experience here.

I restarted Atkins in January. This time around, I believe that the addition of plenty of fiber to my daily nutrition has been the key to a steady loss. I'm now quite close to goal, and several pounds below the point where I thought I'd reached an Eternal Plateau in the middle of last year.

Whether you use a cereal, like flaxseed meal, or a supplement (in addition to your veggies, of course) try to include fiber in your daily nutrition.

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Welcome, Vincent ~

I agree that one cup of coffee in the morning is not likely to inhibit weight loss, but Dr. Atkins does recommend cutting out all caffeine, and I wouldn't presume to argue the point.

Although 2 pounds doesn't seem like much, it is >16% of the weight you want to lose, so you're actually off to a very good start. You might want to consider posting a few daily menus so the experienced folks here can see whether there's anything obvious holding you back. The first thing that comes to my mind as a red flag is pre-packaged "low-carb" foods, including the Atkins brand, especially any type of bars, bread, or candy. Some people can introduce that kind of stuff down the road with no problems, but it's definitely not recommended for the early stages. You want to "eat clean" as much as possible, with minimally processed foods.

Best wishes for your continued success.

Sky
Atkins since 8/02
196/144/under 150

Wow, thanks for all the feedback. I am so excited that I really don't have to give up that morning coffee. I would really be a wreck without it. Does diet cola fall under this heading as well? For the first time in my life I have developed a tast for diet sodas. This is a huge step!

Here is a list of my daily diet

Morning: 2 eggs and a piece of bacon
Brunch: Cheese stick
Lunch: Salad with sliced egg, olives, onions and cheese and a can of tuna
Dinner: Chicken or Fish dish with side of grilled mushrooms.
Dessert; Sugar free jello

My wife is a very tolerant vegitarian so most of the year we don't eat meat, so am always looking for options other than a meat dish.
I feel like I have always eaten a very balanced and healthy diet but as of late my occupation has kept me traveling and it is amazing how easy it is to pack on the pounds in a matter of weeks. Thanks again for all the help and support!

Diet coke falls in the same category as coffee, I think. Some do, some don't. Pepsi makes a caffine-free diet soda, and maybe Coke does, too. My feeling is to try it for a while and see how it goes. Then, to test it, you could stop for 2 weeks and see if it makes a difference.

Your menu looks pretty good to me; yummy, in fact. I think you could benefit by adding a more green veggies. Do you use a salad dressing? If so check the label - some dressings have sugar and are a source of hidden carbs. Balsamic vinegar can be high in carbs, too.

__________________
~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

I have done it both ways. It makes no difference at all. I understand the logic behind removing caffeine (it supposedly can alter blood sugar levels), but based on my experience, and the experience of so many that have brought this up on the forum before, I think this is one part of Atkins book that might have been flawed.

And quitting caffeine is a major cause of induction headaches.

My suggestion: quit it, if you can, during induction, just to avoid any uncounted carbs. Coffee does have some carbs, some types of coffee more than others. Dry-processed coffees, like Sumatra (which I just drank one pint of) will have more than wet-processed coffees, like Colombian, because more of the fruit is left in contact with the bean during the dry curing process.

__________________
**************
"And so, in my State of the—my State of the Union—or state—my speech to the nation, whatever you want to call it, speech to the nation—I asked Americans to give 4,000 years—4,000 hours over the next—the rest of your life—of service to America. That's what I asked—4,000 hours."

Welcome, Vincent.

I never gave up my coffee when I started this way of eating. I don't sweeten it, but I do put some heavy cream in it. I've always counted the carbs in the coffee and the cream.

Hope you'll make yourself at home.

__________________

Welcome, Baltimore! Well, I am going to be the picky one here.

Diet soda: Is it Splenda-sweetened like Diet Rite? Or Coke sweetened with aspartame? That may make a difference. Avoid aspartame . . . including in your jello. There's a recipe on this site for making your own sugar-free jello using unsweetened Kool Aid mix and Splenda. It's called Barb/Charski Jello.

Try adding some vegetables to your breakfast (celery sticks/green or red pepper strips).

Go light on the cheese and onions.

Add a salad to your dinner.

Told you I was going to be picky! Good luck and please visit often.

__________________
Alida
5'1" ~ 59 years old
Highest weight: 165
Atkins 7/10/2004
160/126/125
RE-DO, January 2008:
167/162/135

I agree with alida.. you do need salad for dinner...I can't eat a lot of cheese mainly because it affects my cholesterol... but I never gave up coffee,,,, never intend to. I like it, and I'm being stubborn, but its my one vice.

__________________
In the cookies of life, we are the chocolate chips.

And I agree with LouG (forgot to mention it). I did not give up my coffee, either. Although I do mix the grounds half decaf half regular prior to brewing. Usually drink 24 to 36 ounces each AM. Can't take much cheese, either. Occasionally I will have a "heavy on the cheese" dish like Marcie's Brie/Cauli Mash. These are choices I gladly make. Weight loss a little slower? That's OK!

__________________
Alida
5'1" ~ 59 years old
Highest weight: 165
Atkins 7/10/2004
160/126/125
RE-DO, January 2008:
167/162/135

Hey everyone, thank you all so much for the feedback. (as I sit and sip my freshly brewed coffee:bear: ) I will try to add more greens to my diet. I have never been a big eater, and since going on this diet I am just never all that hungry. I was told however, that I need to eat more since this helps with the process. Is this fact or fiction?


-vincent