This site looks great! I really need this kind of support and feedback. I actually started eating low carb in july 02. I am on steroids for crohn's disease and have had a difficult time with weight. I gained 25lbs since started on steroids in 11/2002. Lost 10 pounds on induction in july and have maintained. I keep telling myself I'm going back on induction but I cheat. Any suggestions and support are welcome.

Welcome TRW.
I was on Prednisone (a steroid) for asthma the first few months of low carbing. It can certainly make it harder to lose weight and harder to stay on programme as steroids can also stimulate your appetite.
I've been off the Prednisone for almost a year now, thanks in large part to low carbing.

Good luck to you.



Always eat your veggies first!

I too am restarting induction phase. I did well the first time, but ended up finding out if I cheated, then increased the water I did ok. Of course I know I am only fooling myself, and have decided to really go back to induction and stick to it. After years of having the Dr. put me on weight loss pills and only gaining, I think this is the only plan that will finally work for me. I will be here alot for motivation and to read tips. I do wonder if anyone here is using any antidepressants?? My Dr. put me on Prozac, suggesting that it wouldnt affect my weight loss, but I saw no progress while on it, (she put me on it as I was so frustrated trying everything to lose weight, and was staying up all night worrying about ridiculous things) the only thing it did help was the sleeping. I took myself off of it after reading in the Atkins book how it would hamper my diet. (Of course now I am not sleeping!). I go back to the Dr. next week, and will let her know that I did go off, but wonder if anyone else has had this problem?? Im off to eat my veggies and drink my water!! Also, any tips for induction for someone who abhors any egg dishes?? Am I left with meat and lettuce??
Thanks for any tips!!! Im crossing my fingers for this diet!

I WOULD LIKE TO START INDUCTION "AGAIN" TODAY. I DO NOT HAVE THE COURAGE OR RIGHT MIND SET TO GET IN GEAR. I FEEL MISERABLE AND KNOW THAT THIS WORKS, I JUST CAN'T GET STARTED. I TOO AM ON ANTI-DEPRESSENTS-ZOLOFT. DR SAYS THEY DO NOT CAUSE WEIGHT GAIN-WRONG! I AM LOOKING FOR SUPPORT TO GET STARTED AND KEEP ON TRACK. CANT EVEN PHATHOM THE THOUGHT OF EGGS. I HAVE SO MUCH MORE ENERGY, AND FEEL SO MUCH BETTER, JUST CAN'T GET ON TRACK.
ANGELA

OK, here's my schpiel for newbies:

You've chosen the BEST website for LC support. We are all in this together. We are ALL carb addicts. My weakness has always been French or Italian breads, cakes, cookies, potatoes and pasta. I did not think, in the beginning, that I would be able to do this. I am here to tell you I AM DOING THIS. I thought my cravings for these foods would be insurmountable. I scoured the internet for LC recipes. I read the book of my plan choice, Dr. Atkins New Diet (DANDR) I went to www.atkinscenter.com and read every article I could get my eyeballs on. I armed myself with KNOWLEDGE. I went to past posts here and read others' posts in order to see what people have struggled with and to get veterans' advice on how to do this successfully. I cleaned out my pantry and replaced it with allowed food. I cleaned out my fridge and stocked up on staples of this WOL (way of living.) I didn't exercise much the first couple of weeks. I just didn't have the energy and I suffered from headaches. I now know that I needed to de-tox and my blood sugar wasn't too happy with the lowered levels, but I adjusted. My body adjusted. I just had to give it time. I accepted that I wasn't going to lose weight overnight. The weight didn't come on overnight, so I know I won't lose it overnight. I am doing this for the rest of my life, so however long it takes, that's how long it will take. I like the fact that I can eat like a QUEEN, not go hungry and still LOSE weight. I love trying new recipes, so I now have a renewed interest in cooking. I had gotten into a rut and made the same old same old, night after night. Variety IS the spice of life. Here's what I have learned about this WOL and about myself through my journey and what you have to do to succeed:
1) Follow the book of your plan choice and the advice of LC veterans and read everything you can here and at other LC websites or other books-----KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
2) Drink TONS of water-for detoxing, flushing, hydration, to pevent headaches and balance
3) Take it one day at a time
4) Set small , reachable goals-imperative for success
5) Exercise AS SOON AS you feel up to it and as often as you can, even if it is just walking. Go to Target or Walmart and buy some 5 or 10 lb dumbells and come up with a routine of 8 different exercises, keep a journal and add 2 more repetitions the next time you do your routine.
6) Decide that you are going to do this the rest of your life, this is not a diet, it is a lifestyle change!!!!!! If you only do this temporarily, you will go back to the way you lived before and gain the weight back.
7) Create a notebook of recipes, articles, before pictures, journal your feelings and your goals.
8) Take beginning measurements and record them in a journal or at the Low Carb Tracker here at the top of the site.
9) Use a food tracker program, either here at the Low Carb Tracker link or at www.fitday.com. The tracker link here allows you to input your food intake, your stats, etc. It is imperative that you track your food intake for at least the 1st three weeks so you can evaluate what you consume to see if you have a correlation between loss and consumption., i.e., if you are not losing, you can look at what you are eating and change things.
10) Come here often for support. We have all been in the same boat you are and are here to help YOU. I personally want each and everyone of you to succeed. There is no greater feeling of satisfaction and acheivement than to take control of your life through this WOL!!! I am doing it, and I want this for you too!!!
11) Yes, post your menus so we can evaluate it for you.
12) Weighing daily will show minute fluctuations and can be discouraging. Only weigh yourself once a week!!!
13) Expect stalls every now and then. If you expect them, they won't come as such a shock. I seem to stall every 3 weeks. This is my pattern. Learn what your patterns are and then just ride them out. I think it has to do with the dreaded TOM!!! (curses being a woman sometimes, )
14) expect some detoxing symptoms: headaches, diahrrea or constipation, fatigue, nausea. These symptoms usually disappear after the first week or two. Pamper yourself, don't try to do any strenuous exercise and sleep whenever you feel you need to and when you can. After that, kick it up a notch and start exercising and try to build up your exercise regimen.
15) Do your homework, look up recipes here and at other lowcarb sites.
16) Clean your pantry, cabinets, fridge and freezer of foods you will or could cheat with.
17) Do NOT use Low-carb bars or shakes in the beginning, they will stall you.

I think I have rambled on enough, but there was a lot to squeeze in here. I couldn't leave anything out. If I have forgotten anything, I am sure other Vets will chime in and add to what I have said.
THE BEST OF LUCK TO YOU!!!! (I will stop now, my fingertips are raw, LOL)



Barb Keith
Atkins 3/14/03
174/151/135

Barb

Anti-depressant folks! Just a word of encouragement--my friend is on an anti-depressant (not sure which one) and she has lost a whole bunch of weight eating low-carb. She is all tiny now, and she's only been serious about it for a few months. She is, however, very strict with herself, very disciplined...She didn't start out with more than 30 lbs or so to lose, but if you have more to lose that just means you should lose it faster! Good luck! (I need it too...)

"It ain't no sin to be glad you're alive..." -Bruce Springsteen

For those sleepless nights, find a good calcium supplement, like coral calcium or a chelated calcium(perferable in liquid form) and start taking it an hour or so before bed. Most of us women are starving for calcium, and you would be amazed at what a differnce it will make. You'll be sleeping like a baby in no time.

Good morning & Welcome!

Who said breakfast had to be eggs?

I love having leftovers for breakie such as grilled pork chops or salmon or part of a leftover steak.

Also, tuna salad or chicken salad rolled up in a lettuce leaf is excellent. Or you can use them as dip and celery can be your "dip stick"

Another alternative is meat and cheese roll ups. The trick is, finding a quality deli meat such as roast beef or turkey which won't have too much sodium. I wouldn't do this every day but once or twice a week will add some variety to your menu.

This morning, I had a fajita! Leftover from 2 nights ago dinner. Strips of beef with peppers and onion, melted cheese, sour cream, and guacamole wrapped in a large romaine lettuce leaf.

I hope this helps.

LCE Member since 2001
http://www.ilovelowcarb.com
Low Carb & Loving it!

alright i see what youre saying but could youtell me exactly what i should eat for breakfast lunch and dinner because im afraid im going to do it wrong.
thanks!

I know... those sample menus in the books and many on line sound like things made by a crew of head chefs. You have to really dig to find something 'normal' and easy to prepare.

I have developed a new love for sugar free Jell-O (in pre-made cups of course) and strawberry mousse, a recipe I found on the old site it tastes like la crème yogurt (Can you say -LOVE-). I like eggs but I get tired of them all the time.

Fall 2002- 193
LC since August 2003
183/176/150

Munchie,

Last night I had Sharron Long's "Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo"

I browned and cooked 3 Chicken breasts in a pan. In another pan I heated 3 cloves of garlic. Then added 2 cups of heavy cream and heated til it was just starting to get hot. Then I added about a 1/2 cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese and 1 tsp. of Xanthan Gum (health food store) I let it cool slightly and blended it with a stick blender. (nice and smooooooth)

In another pan I steamed broccoli florets until just tender.

On a plate I placed the browned chicken breasts and broccoli over which I poured the sauce.

I also had Bacon Green Beans. Brown a tBS of chopped onion in bacon grease (or just cook some bacon and crumble it.) Add the beans (about 2 cups-frozen or fresh) Heat til beans are hot.

Tasted like a meal from a fancy restaurant. YUMMMMMMMMMMY!!!



Barb
Atkins-3/14/03
174/151/135
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."

i dont really like yogurt or strawberry mousse haha i know i'm very difficult....but i really want to get this right and lose weight fast...so i need to know what to eat for breakfast lunch and dinner....i dont need snacks im pretty dedicated so if you could help me out thatd be awesome....thanks

Let me encourage you to get going on induction. You can do it! I am finishing Week 1 -- me, the Queen of no willpower and I have lost 5 pounds. Just got back from taking the kids to DQ and guess what, they ate ice cream and I ate a salad and didn't even want a taste! What a difference results make in our resolve to stay with it. I celebrate your beginning. Will you celebrate mine? You can do it!

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!

I'm not a breakfast eater at all. During induction, I did eat a couple of eggs, scrambled with butter, just so I wouldn't start the day on empty (I'm past induction now, so some mornings I just snag an Atkins shake and slam it on the run as I head to the office... not recommended for induction though). On weekends, I do a fritatta that uses up just about any leftovers from the previous week and is always a bit different, depending on what goes in the pan
For lunch, I do a thing with sliced turkey, dijon mustard and cucumber spears that is incredibly tastey! Recipe below. If I'm going out for lunch, most of the sub shops will let you order their sandwiches as a salad. Watch out for the dressings since they have hidden carbs... vinegar and oil is usually 'safe'.

For dinner we usualy have a nice portion of meat, we love beef but also use chicken and pork pretty liberally as well, and a salad and perhaps other veggies. Hubby makes a knockout blue cheese dressing that's excellent for salads or to dip veggies in... we also use it when we make buffalo wings. HMMMMmmm sound like maybe I should post some of this stuff to the Recipe forum!

Turkey rollups:
Sliced turkey
cucumber peeled and cut into spears (quarters or sixths work well)
dijon or spicy brown mustard

A typical portion is about 4 rolls for me and 6 for my Sweetie.

Lay out the turkey slices and put a modest amount of mustard on each
Place a cucumber spear on the short edge of the turkey.
Roll the turkey slice around the cucumber spear and place seam side down in a container (sandwich bags don't work very well for this, a square plastic container is best)
Can be eaten either with fingers or with a knife and fork.

Ginger
159/149/135

Life is NOT a dress rehearsal

ChubMom,
you mean to tell me you lost 5 pounds in a week! thats awesome...tell me how you did it...breakfast, lunch, and dinner PLEASE!!! i need to get motivated and i know if i have a set meal plan that i could follow it...thanks a bunch
`munchie