Hi I have been going through this sight trying to get the encouragment to start one of these and get the information and help that I need to make this work. I started the low-carb on St Pattys day after counting calories since Jan 2 and not going over 1500 a day, usually trying to keep it at 1000-1200. Wow that was hard. I tried this several years ago and had success with it and now I am in need of losing a lot more weight this time.
I have a couple questions if someone has the time to help me out.
1-Salads-is there a limit on lettuce? (I usually don't use more than a tsp on a big ole salad as I dip the lettuce instead of putting the dressing on the salad-you can eat a lot more lettuce without the carbs of dressing this way)
2-I see that everyone has the low carb bars as a no no, I have a very busy schedule in the am- am suggestions as far as a breakfast quick meal to go?
3-the drinking water- does it matter if you drink say all the water in the afternoon to get your amount in for the day? I can suck down lots of bottled water sitting at my desk but not so much at home at night.
Thank you so much for your information and I would love to hear any suggestions that anyone can offer. Thank you Ginger

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Ginger
Starting weight 3-17-07 223
Current weight 214.4
Total lost -8.6

Hi Ginger and a big warm welcome!

Are you on the Atkins programme? If so then you should be currently on Induction, this means that you should be eating no more than 20 grams of carbohydrates a day, with the majority of them coming from vegetables. So you can eat as much lettuce as you want as long as you don't go over your 20g.

I too think the bars are a no no. I do much better with the shakes, but bars can really cause problems. Plus they are not very natural or wholesome really are they? When I am VERY busy I tend to eat breakfast in my car on the way to work, or at work. If you know you are going to be eating in your car then maybe the evening before boil up some eggs (I peel when I am stopped at traffic lights) or maybe roll up some slices of ham and cheese, they are yummy and easy to eat whilst driving. You could alwasy make a one minute muffin and eat that too.
I don't think that drinking all your water in the afternoon is a problem, I too drink most of my water at work as it is easiest when I am sitting at my desk, I do try and spread it throughout the day. For example, if I have a meeting, I take my bottle with me and make it a point of finishing it during the meeting.

I suggest you get a copy of the Atkins New Diet Revolution Book, I have mine by my bed, it is very useful and enlightens your understanding of this eating plan.

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DANDR

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

Thank you Dandr;
I will get that book this weekend, I have one that is 4-5 years old so I am sure they have many new ideas now. Thanks for your information, I just went to the recipes and printed out several that I thought looked good, one was the 1-minute muffin. I have been trying to limit my carbs to 5 (but I was taking off the achohols when figuring it-so sure that I was eating way more than the 20 recommended) a day since I really wanted to jump start the whole weight loss thing, and I have lost 6 pounds since the 17th which is great, since I only lost 3 the whole 2.5 months on counting calories- and was hungry most of the time. Never hungry on this one, I am not a big meat eater so that is my toughest snag with this one and I do not like eggs much at all but looking at the receipes looks like they have come a long way in the past couple years. I am going to have to start. Have a wonderful day! Ginger

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Ginger
Starting weight 3-17-07 223
Current weight 214.4
Total lost -8.6

Welcome, Ginger.

You shouldn't have to limit your lettuce; however, I think that a person can eat only so much lettuce; it's self-limiting. I use Walden Farms dressings that are 0 carb. You can find them in some stores, or at netrition.com, or other places on the web. A also make my own ranch dressing from the Hidden Valley Ranch mix. Or make your own vinaigrette. There are lots of recipes out there for 0 carb dressings.

The bars are not a good choice except for the rare time when you can't get a meal and really need something. For breakfast, try Maggie's cereal, or the one-minute muffin. I make my cereal a little different from Maggie's. I use equal parts whey protein powder, soy protein powder, flaxseed meal and coconut flour. Put a scoop into your bowl, add hot water to the consistency you want, and sweeten (or not) to taste. Put on cream, or half n half, or Hood's Calorie Countdown milk. I also use the cereal mix to make my one-minute muffin (OMM).

And there are some breakfast casserole recipes on this site that are absolutely amazing. Remember, you can eat anything for breakfast that you'd eat at any other meal. Nothing says that you have to have bacon & eggs, or cereal, or muffins, or any other traditional breakfast item. Eat what you like.

Oh, yeah! If you can get some low carb tortillas, like La Tortilla Factory tortillas, you can make breakfast burritos. Yum!

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Nita

I'm with Nita on the lettuce - never heard of anyone getting fat eating lettuce!

As for b-fast, here's another idea that I've been doing. On Sundays (or whatever day works best in your schedule) I cook up a huge batch of scrambled eggs (usually 18 eggs w/ water to scramble them, and I cook them w/ mushrooms, onions, sprinkle in some bacon bits and cheese for flavor). Then I just keep them in a plastic container in the fridge all week. In addition, I make a 1-Minute Muffin. (However, I am going to start making those 6 at a time using a silicone muffin pan, and wrapping and storing them in the fridge, too.) That way, in the morning, all I have to do is nuke the eggs and muffin to warm them and I have a quick, filling, yummy b-fast without all the hassle and dishes.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!

(Oh, and BTW... DANDR stands for Dr. Atkin's New Diet Revolution; the person who responded is Alcmene.... it gets confusing, I know. )

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Mada
221.6/193.8 <--- ONEderland! /sz 8

Ginger- The one minute muffin is a very popular choice around here! It's also very quick and easy.

You do need to know that limiting your carbs below the 20 grms a day recommended for Atkins induction will most likely NOT speed your weight loss. In fact, it's entirely possible it could slow your metabolism down and make it harder for you to lose weight. Low carb is not no carb. You are best off getting your carbs from veggies, which are almost never the problem when it comes to weight issues.

However, there are lots of other, less taxing ways to keep those losses on track.

Getting a new copy of the book is a great start! The only caveat I would add is that some of the newer versions of Atkins books promote the lc bars and other prepackaged foods. (I understand the desire for convieneice, but this stuff really can create problems. The bars are very, very often a problem. Shakes tend to be less problemmatic for most.) However, regardless, you will almost always do better eating real food than the lc specialty or especially lc junk food.

On sugar alcohols-those are another of the those items that frequently cause major slowdowns for people. There is a nice article here about them from our site founder that i s very helpful. While I understand the attraction, I find that I do much better if I stay away from 'em. And overindulgence in them can sometimes cause some nasty gastrointestinal side effects.

Drink up your water! It's often recommended to drink 1/2 your weight in oz. of water a day. That takes a while to work up to, but as you do it, it gets easier and you find yourself craving it...go figure.

And finally, as you get into your groove with your eating, adding a little exercise to the mix can make a huge difference. One of the nice things about low-carbing is without all that sugar in your system, your body starts to burn fat quicker!

Be sure to measure and note how your clothes fit. These things change sometimes at different times than the scale, and it's very helpful to have lots of ways to monitor progress and to feel good about the steps you're taking.

While it takes a while to quit worrying about the speed of losses, it's easier when you quit. For lc to work for you forever, you have to alter your habits forever. Otherwise, you'll simply regain any lost weight. So think in terms of making new habits for a lifetime, and try to focus on your postive changes more than how long the scale is taking.

Peace out.

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Fat Baggage- Is Yours Packed?

Thank you so much for all the insight, I did go to the page that has all the reciepes on it, and found several that I intend to try some of them soon, the 1-minute muffin is something that I will try as soon as I can find all the ingredients the store I stopped at last night didn't have what I needed so shall stop at another one this weekend.. Look forward to any ideas and knowledge that you might pass along.. Thank you!!!! Ginger

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Ginger
Starting weight 3-17-07 223
Current weight 214.4
Total lost -8.6

Ginger,
WELCOME!
You have received some great advice already, but I would like to add something about the water... While it's ok to drink most of your water while you are at work, you still need to spread it out. In other words, it's NOT ok to gulp down several bottles of water in a short period of time. You need to give your body time to absorb what you are drinking and not over-dilute your system! There IS such a thing as water toxicity, but this usually only occurs when one drinks very large quantities of water over a short period of time.
DO try to get in a minimum of 8-12 glasses per day (or half your weight in ounces), but DON'T consume more than 32 oz in one sitting! Try to drink it over several hours' time. Not only is this safer, but it's FAR more effective in helping you shed the weight, too!
Hope that helps,

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Summer

Thank you Summer, I guess that answers my question, I do drink about 60 oz throughout the day starting at 8 am but then around 5 it seems to not be so important, but I have found out that I must drink even more water than that so I must push some into the hand in the evenings also. I like the cystal light or the sugar free kool aid so I am sure that I can add more to the day. Thanks Ginger

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Ginger
Starting weight 3-17-07 223
Current weight 214.4
Total lost -8.6

I have made yet another adaptation of the flax muffin, will post the recipie when it is perfected. You will love it!

Also, cannot wait for pumpkin season, there is NOTHING that can beat a pumpkin flax muffin.

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DANDR

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

I am having problems finding the flax stuff, looking this weekend in the city other wise might have to go to the internet.... Can't wait for your new receipe... have a great weekend all... Ginger

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Ginger
Starting weight 3-17-07 223
Current weight 214.4
Total lost -8.6

Found the flax seed and made the muffins they were interesting, not good but interesting and if you want some bread I guess that they will do. I would maybe add some cinnamon or some other flavoring next time as they were a bit bland,
thanks
Ginger

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Ginger
Starting weight 3-17-07 223
Current weight 214.4
Total lost -8.6