I get that VLC programs are frowned upon here. I read Goddesses sticky message. Ok. Accepted...

Anyway, I'm sort of hitting the wall with my first low carb WOE (Kimkins), and experiencing quite a lot of evening hunger...I mean serious stomach growling, painful hunger. Days are great, no problem! Here's my Fitday if anyone cares to look. It was a blazing successful start but I'm not actually losing anything at this point. Just sort of dinkin' around with the same pound and half each day. I NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT!

I have some health issues (cancer survivor, existing precancerous conditions, very high cholesterol, high triglycerides, hypothyroidism, GERD, possible latent BGF issues (dilated bile duct), total surgical menopause).

All of which absolutely mean, for me, the healthiest eating I can manage.

I try to use organic whenever possible. Won't touch aspartame, jury still out on Splenda, but will maybe use a bit if needed. I have an organic garden out there just busting at the seams, and a large fresh herb patch. I use stevia for sweetening as much as possible. I try not to use processed foods at all.

That's my eating philosophy in a nutshell right there.

I tried Atkins about 6 yrs ago and gained 6 lbs and didn't feel too well on it, so I gave it up and did Medifast. Lost about 15 lbs, and gained it all back in about a year .

The high fat diets just scare me. Low carb, low fat appealed to me thinking it would mean more vegetables, but when I get what I think is a moderate amount of veggies...whooopsie, gone over 20 carbs for the day. Bye bye ketosis. Not good.

So I'm just here trying to figure out what is a good program for me, a good fit. I was checking out Protein Power. I have DANDR but can't find the darn book--it's here somewhere. I'm sort of disinclined to try it - but then again I'm trying to keep an open mind about all the LC eating plans at this point.

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Hi Steph....thats my oldest daughters name Stephanie...steph for short. Anyway...Nice to meet you. I know you will find the information you are searching for on this site. It has helped me tremendously. I am at a stall right now...166 or 167...depends. I am not sure what I need to do at this point either. But hang tight...we will get answers! Well...I do know on thing...I need to start back on an exercise program. Just been so crazy busy!! Good luck to you....It will happen!

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LISA

Hi Lisa,thanks for the warm welcome! Growing up I was the only Stephanie in my school. Now they are everywhere

I'm really getting a lot out of reading this forum. Time consuming but worth it.

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Welcome, Steph. glad to have you with us!

We do try to be supportive regardless of what plan someone chooses; different plans are right for different people. But I will be honest, though: anything that dips under 1000 calories a day does worry me because of the risks and complications that go along with a very low calorie level, maintained over a long period of time. That's what that sticky was about. Personally, I tend to favor approaches that allow you to eat when you're hungry. I'm funny that way.
that's why i was attracted to low carb initially. i hated doing straight low fat because i was always hungry, so i'd get fed up at a certain point and raid the fridge. not helpful!

But it's challenging to find your path, I know. With your additional medical concerns, I do hope you're working closely with your primary care physicain while you're in the process of selecting your strategy. i am SO not qualified to give advice about special dietary issues, so i won't try.

A couple of thoughts, though: If you're wanting a low carb plan that's lower fat. you may want to investigate south beach, which is more moderate carb, moderate fat levels.

i don't know a lot about protien power personally, but have heard good things about it.

if you do try atkins again, be aware the difference between the older version of the plan (from the 70's) and more recent version include subtracting fiber from carb count for effective "net" carbs. with the later versions and net carbs, more veggies will be allowed. the only caveat about atkins: the new book allows specialty products and such, but from personal experience and observation, the more natural the food is, the better you'll tend to do. sounds like that's already where you're at, however.

even with a plan that works pretty well for you, however, you can expect it to take some time and experimentation, since every body is different. sometimes, it take exploration to figure out what causes issues for you personally, and what doesn't. so

i also recently suggested johhny bowden's "living the low carb life" to someone else looking for a plan, since he does a rundown of several plans with info about each of them.

keep posting here as you're thinking your way through it; the folks here are great about helping! while we can't tell you what exactly is best for you, we can usually help with ideas!

peace out. and welcome to low carb eating.

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EatSmart Nutritional Scale Review

Thanks Goddess.

I hear ya about being hungry all the time on low fat. I think that is why low carb appeals so much, because some reasonable fat is allowed. The low carb-low-fat diets are just too restrictive. Yes, you lose some weight at first but I'm seeing many who simply stall out at about 3 weeks.

I think physiologically that is when the body goes into starvation mode...which some deny exists but I personally believe it now.

I read a synopsis of PP and I'm impressed. For one thing, it was developed and is run by two doctors. That gives me some assurance.

My doctor seems fairly ignorant (as so many) about nutrition, darn it. I may ask her outright for a consultation with a nutritionist when I see her next week. My oncologist and the GI guy all were even less inclined to give me any sort of decent answer when I asked them about helping myself through better nutrition. Rats.

I have the South Beach book. I guess I oughta read it, huh?

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Hi Steph

Welcome to LCE! This is a great place to learn about various LC plans and to get support.

My latest change up has been to restart from scratch with Atkins Induction. I just started an exercise plan a week ago and can tell a difference already. I had slowly let less healthy food choices take over and was sitting around rather than getting moving.

I hope you find what works for you soon. Keep coming back and posting as you continue your LC journey.

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Welcome, Steph.

I've done Atkins for several years, hit a stall, tried Protein Power (I love their books, they explain the science behind low carb so well), but I had a stall of over a year, so I tried just cutting back on the carbs and fat, not low fat, just lower than what I've been eating, and it's gotten me losing again.

Eating as natural as possible is a fantastic way to go, if you can get the foods. Right now we are eating some fresh veggies from a tiny garden, getting more squash and tomatoes than the 2 of us can eat! So, some of it is getting frozen for winter eating. I can tell the difference in how I feel when I eat as fresh as possible.

Low carb is an individual experiment. Each of us has to find the "magic" formula that works for us. What works for me might not work for you. Some can get my with 50+ net carbs, some of us can only have 20 or fewer in order to lose. Some can chug-a-lug heavy cream and still lose, some of us have to measure it carefully or we'll stall. Some can eat bowls and bowls of veggies and still lose, some of us have to be so careful not to go over our CCL that we have to be extremely careful how much veggies we eat. Some can add fruit, some stall at the thought of fruit.

And, of course, drink your water! It's vital, it's as much a nutrient as the protein and vitamins and mineral we need every day. Don't skimp on the water. Get at least your 8 glasses a day.

I hope you've gleaned some good advice here, that you find your own lc path, and that you have a very successful low carb journey.

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Nita