Hi all..My name is Rose. I am new to this site but tried low carb eating before and lost about 12 pounds. I have about 30 pounds to lose altogether.

I just lacked motivation to keep going the last time and of course put the weight all back on and more!!

I'm going on holidays in 5 weeks and am really determined to get in shape before then. I was hoping to lose 10-15 before then, maybe that's pushing it!?

Do you guys think I have enough time to make a difference? I guess I am just looking for motivation...I was also wondering if I should do induction for 2 weeks or more, seen as I only have 5 weeks?

I have the book and everything so I know milk is a big no-no but does a drop in decaf coffee really make a difference, it's the only thing I can't live without!? Any advice on that?

Thanks for you input, I look forward to speaking to you all soon!

Rose, welcome!

Motivation is the hardest thing about any weight loss program, but once you get going on this way of eating (woe), you'll find that each day gets easier, as long as you stick with it!

Dr. Atkins says you can do induction for longer than 2 weeks. Some people can never get much beyond that point without slowing way down on the weight loss. Some people can begin adding more carbs at the end of the 2 weeks. Each of us is different, and what works for you might not work for me. Some people can lose a pound or 2 a week, some of us are happy if we lose a pound a month or 2. You might lose your 10-15 lbs, depending on your own metabolism. Make sure to get in your exercise. It will boost your weight-loss capability.

Use cream in your decaf. Milk has 13 carbs per cup. Cream is much less, and takes much less to cream your coffee than milk.

__________________
Nita

welcome rose. delighted to have you with us!

on the coffee, many use cream. don't overdo, though, as cream is very high cal. (while you don't have to count calories on lc, if you suck down lots of high-cal foods, it will interfere with your efforts.) after induction, you may also opt for carb countdown milk in place of regular milk, as it's much lower carb. but the thing you're looking for in induction (and the reason why you're asked to avoid the milk) is to get those sugars out of your system, naturally occuring or otherwise. your body is shifting from burning carbs to burning fat and it precipitates many other changes, including (for most) lessened appetite and increased energy levels. you don't want to interfere with that process, 'cause that's where the magic starts, baby!

on the anticipated speed of losses...well, nobody can tell you how fast you will or won't lose. since you have just 30 pounds to lose or thereabouts, it will tend to go slower than it does with somebody for more to lose. but it's an extremely individual process and there are simply too many variables for anybody to give you more than generalities. to maximize your losses, follow your plan closely, stop eating when you are no longer hungry (as opposed to feeling that "full" feeling), eat plenty of veggies, get some exercise in and make sure you drink lots of water!

but the thing you have to realize (as you've already found out) is that when you go back to your old habits, you'll go back to your old weight. so when you ask if you have enough time to make a difference, i'm over here thinking, well, are you not going to do it if you can't manage 10+ losses before vacation?

for this to work for you, you really have to make adjustments in your thinking. i understand that having a goal like losing before a trip can help people stay on track, but you have to make that shift in your head from temporary/diet to permanent habit changes. for goals, i usually prefer the behaviorally based goals, like X days of on-plan eating, X hours total of exercise a week, etc. these are things you have total control over, whereas rate of losses you don't. and if you focus on making the behavioral changes you need to, the losses follow without additional stife on your part.

on extended inductions...there are different views on this. dr. a. says it's ok. personally, i like to see people move on after two weeks if they've followed induction relatively well. while induction is cool in that it's more exciting to see those faster losses you tend to get in the beginning, it's probably the least important part of the program in my mind. induction is the most "diet-like" phase, and dieting just isn't what most people need to learn. overweight people are expert dieters! it's in owl that you really learn what you need to know to stay thin for the rest of your life. plus, it's VITAL that you don't feel deprived and you can integrate lc into your everyday life. this happens post-induction.

i also highly reccomened getting a cookbook or two so you can learn to vary your menu and it will give you ideas for adapting recipes to lc.

the point of my rambling is that for lc to work for you, you have to find your zen, you know? and your zen lies beyond the calendar and the scale, beyond arbitrary "must lose by" dates and anxiety. your zen lies in making habit changes that become second nature to you, and lc eventually is "just the way you eat." your tastes actually change with time, and the foods you used to crave can be yucky. it really does change how you approach eating, and it's incredibly freeing if you let go of the need to control that which is inherently uncontrollable.

anyway, that's my 2.5 cents. good luck to you, dear and i hope you have a wonderful vacation. peace out.

__________________

EatSmart Nutritional Scale Review

Hi Rose. I'm just new here today and in a very similar situation to yours. I'm also going on vacation in about 6 weeks. Would love to be trim for that. I have about 20 pounds to lose. Good luck and hope to see you around. Laurie

Everything goddess said.

I'd like to put in an extra plug for exercise. It doesn't have to be strenuous--it just has to be regular. For instance, start walking every day. If you don't like walking outdoors, get your hands on a Leslie Sansone walking video (they're everywhere, including many libraries) and do it in the privacy of your own home.

Learn to enjoy the process, and you'll never stop.

Best wishes.

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


My Fitday Journal

Welcome, Rosie.

Hope you'll make yourself at home.

__________________