Hi everyone!

I just started Atkins on Saturday & have a couple of questions...
Is it ok to have Crystal light in the induction phase? The info that I have read seems to say it's ok but apparently the bottled has splenda & the mix has Aspartame...can I have aspartame? I know that sounds silly but really want to do it right. Also, what do you think about the carb bars? I bought some that weren't Atkins & then found out they have some kind of peanut oil. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Ally

Hope I did this right!

Hi Ally, welcome to the forums!

To tell you the truth in induction you should be drinking water and having no pre packaged food. It is better to keep it clean and simple for the first two weeks at least.

Drink your water, eat fresh vegetables from the allowable list, and cook your own meats from the list, don't buy anything pre-cooked. Once you have done your first two weeks you can then think about reintroducing other things, but simple is better.

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DANDR

Starting weight: 196 lbs
Current weight: 149 lbs
Goal weight: 130 lbs

Thanks for the help! I didn't know that! I hope I haven't messed up my first 2 days. Oh well, I'm water bound! Any other suggestions? I really need some help with this one. How much weight loss is a realistic in induction? I can't find anything appx. but have seen many stories that make me want to do it even more!

Thanks

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Ally


Started Atkins 5-21-05

Allyj, be sure and get the Atkins New Diet Revolution book, read it through, and follow it to the letter. In there, you'll see average losses for induction--it does differ for everyone, depending on lots of different things. It will also tell you what foods are allowed on induction.

Welcome to the board and to this wonderful way of life!

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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 Ally!

Ditto the great advice above...
While *officially* you can have those things, it really is better to stick to water.
And please don't set yourself up for disappointment. There is NO *normal* amount of weightloss on induction. I've seen people lose 18 pounds in 2 weeks and others lose 2. It varies for each person and loss during induction is NOT an indicator of future success with this woe (way of eating). The person who only lost 2 pounds stayed with it and reached her goal LONG before the person who lost 18.
My favorite advice?
"EXPECT NOTHING" but better health and the weight you lose is just icing on the <ahem> low-carb cake!
One more thing: read, read, read & post here often. Those are two *guaranteed* keys to success!
I truly wish you the best,

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Summer

As noted above, weight loss during induction varies widely, depending on how much you have to lose and your own individual metabolism. It could be anywhere from 2 to 20 lbs.

The only thing I'd add is that there are certain pre-packaged foods "allowed" during induction - mainly products sold by Atkins Nutritionals. For the best results, I'd advise you avoid those products entirely and stick with fresh foods. The Atkins bars are notorious for slowing weight loss. The Atkins shakes aren't as bad, but they can enduce food cravings, which is exactly what you don't want.

Eating natural foods (allowed vegetables, eggs, cheese, and meats) and drinking a good amount of fresh water will most likely give you the best possible results during induction. Don't go hungry, though. Be sure to have plenty of snack foods on hand. Celery and sour cream make a good, quick snack. Ditto for real cheese sticks and hard boiled eggs. A little sugar-free jello with a dollop of homemade whipped cream (not the Reddi-Whip, which has sugar), is a delightful snack.

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

welcome ally! as par for the course, you've gotten some great advice. read the book, avoid the bars, drink your water and don't worry about the scale.

on the aspartame, some people can tolerate it without problem and others find it creates slowdowns in their losses or headaches and the like. a lot of things are like that, really...kind of a learning experience what your body responds to and what it doesn't like.

on the crystal light...i personally would only allow myself something like this as a "treat", after the water is done for the day. it doesn't count as water!

and any of the bars, atkins or not, are the #1 source of stalls that i see around here. some of us can manage with them, but i would toss the ones you have in the freezer for a later phase of atkins if i were you, and even then, use very sparingly. many of these have sugar alcohols that they subtract from the carb count. except #1. for many, their bodies process sugar alcohols just like sugar, and #2. even if you don't, too much sugar alcohol is likely to give you stomach cramps and...uh..."gastronintestinal upsets." of the unpleasant variety. no fun!

good starter tips -

take your measurements! it's very important, because there will be times when the scale might not show progress but the inches will drop. for some reason, a lot of time they don't drop at the same time...

move about a bit. whatever excercise you can get is a good idea. i didn't stress it out at the beginning, but gradually up your activity levels.

i know it's hard, but DON'T worry about that scale. in fact, if you can control yourself into only hopping on once a week, you'll be very pleasantly surprised. it's normal for your weight to fluctuate several times in a day, and too much scale-time will just depress you with meaningless fluctuations...

take a good suppliment. just helps all-around.\

check out the recipie database here and where ever you can find for ideas. imagination is key in low-carb cooking, finding substitutions for the food you want to eat, not letting yourself become bored, and having "legal" snacks on hand at all times in case you get the urge to munch!

watch your mindset. i know it's 100% normal to be counting the days until the weight is off. i did the same exact thing...for a while. it's also unrealistic and possibly setting yourself up for disappointment. fact is, it took a while to put it on, it takes a while for it to come off. you have to make permanent changes in your eating for this to work, or you'll go back to your old weight.

but for now, just focus on now and the process and keeping your attitude positive, which makes a HUGE difference. the results have a way of taking care of themselves...

anyway, those are my quickie newbie tips. you've got a big leg up starting off on-plan and understanding that following the rules is going to get you out of the gate on a good foot. many eventually adapt their eating over time, but for now, following induction to the letter will insure you get the best possible start in your low-carbing.

good luck to you! let us know how you're doing.

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You've gotten a lot of great advice here! I'm on my 4th week of induction and can vouch for the snack bars stalling you out. Since May 1st I've lost 10 pounds and 10 inches and like Goddess said, they never happen at the same time. When the scale isn't budging, my waistline is and vice versa. I still weigh every morning, first thing, but if I happen to weigh later in the day I pay no attention to the weight fluctuations. It is normal for your weight to bounce around all day long and even from day to day. Right now I am averaging 2 pounds a week and 2 inches a week and have 21.5 pounds to go and at least 9 more inches. I didn't have anything but water and the allowable veggies and stuff the first 2 weeks but have gradually added some things, still keeping them under control. The sugar free jello with whipped cream is a SURPRIZINGLY awesome treat!

The scale will depress you if you put too much into it. The inches are much more impressive. The shakes don't cause cravings for me and work well for my morning breakfasts since I have 2 little ones at home to worry about. I don't have time to make myself much of anything.

Good luck and welcome!
Kim
170/156/146.5

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Kim Awbrey
170/144.5/125

Welcome To My World

Thank you all for your help. You have answered so many of my questions. I have started to walk as fast as I can up & down the road. I just made the 2 mile mark! I am also working on my upper body with 5 lbs. weights (which is harder than I expected) but I have done this for a week straight now. It's funny about the scale thing...I wake up & get on it, I come home from work & get on it & your right it's not doing what I want! I have chalked it up to my upper body work outs - trying to tone my arms & upper body! I hope that's whats wrong...I also blamed it on the baby that he broke it I am so happy to be able to talk with you guys & REALLY appreciate all of your support! It makes it easier to not have to do this alone. I have a 15 yr old son that's very athletic & he pushes me alot, thank goodness but it really helps to know that I'm not doing this alone! The rest of my family could eat the entire fridge & not gain a pound which makes it even more frustrating! I watch them shovel food & not even flinch! My son tried to share his hot fries with me last night (he forgot) & I threw them back as if they were an electric current running threw them I have realized though that they are following suit with the foods that I am eating. I buy them their stuff but I made the egg salad for lunch (2 carbs) & they all loved it. My daughter is drinking alot more water & everyone is starting to get a little more healthy with their choices. Slowly but surely! Thanks again - I will pull out the measuring tape tonight & try to stay off the scale for a bit! I am believe it or not starting to fit into my jeans or it seems - maybe wishful thinking this soon into it but I like to think it is.

Allyj

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Ally


Started Atkins 5-21-05

ally-if you're working out, it is even more important to measure. muscle is much more dense than fat and frequently when someone starts or intensifies a workout program, the scale will not show progress but the body will be shrinking. this is a good thing, and yet another reason not to let the scale rule your life.

if your family is like mine, in time they will ALL benefit from your healthier eating, too. it makes a huge difference.

after a while, you'll be able to trust the process and know it is working for you. and it IS you know. the difference in your jeans is NOT your imagination. you're starting to enjoy some of the successes from your efforts: don't try to talk yourself out of it! enjoy and let it motivate you to make even more progress.

you've got a good start.

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