Hi! Okay, here's my deal:
I started induction in early October, was good for a week and lost those first 5lbs, then it was my birthday and I cheated a little (c'mon, my birthday ). For the next couple weeks I stayed generally low carb but had some BIG sugar binges (don't miss the bread, just the sugar). All in all, however, people are saying that I look thinner.

Now I'm back on induction for real (since monday...okay, tuesday). Those 5lbs are gone again (3 came back before) and I've lost an inch on my waist (haven't measured anything else yet), but nowhere nearly as dramatic as the first time around.

Here are my questions:

1. Some days I have up to 5 eggs (3 for breakfast, 2 for snacks) is this too many? I work for a Dr. and she's concerned about cholesterol, especially since I had high chol. when I was about 12 (mom made french toast every morning). Should I be worried?

2. I finally read the first part of the Atkins book through, and now I'm worried that my cheese and coffee (w/ about 1 tbsp. cream and one sweet n' low) intake might mess me up. At most it's 3 coffees a day, and I'm trying to limit myself to 3-4 ounces of cheese but I'd really like more.

3. I'm worried about eating too many veggies! I got into the habit of it trying to do weight watchers, and though everyone says eat more, I measure what I do eat and the allowed amount seems like nothing. A cup of spinach is tiny, and between veggies w/ the eggs in the morning and wrapped up w/ turkey and cream cheese for a snack I seem to much my quota pretty quick (but people on this board talk about having a "huge" salad).

So I guess what I'm asking is, where's the best place to take my wiggle room?

Also, I bought some Girardelli flavored coffee, thought it would be a good sweets substitute, but the ingredients only say "natural and artificial flavors". Does anyone know where I can find the info? How about "french vanilla" etc. coffees in general (not made w/ syrup), how are those?

Wow, sorry the post is so long, but thanks for any help!

Wow a whole inch on your waist! Great job! Seems to be working just fine for now.

I think while on induction if 5 eggs keeps you on plan, stick with it. I think you will need to rethink this though as you become more comfortable with the plan. Maybe for your snacks have only the whites of a hard boiled egg instead and sprinkle it on your salad. My doctor asked me to keep my egg intake at 6 a week so maybe ask your boss how many whole eggs he/ she thinks is okay.

Is your coffee decaf? Remember to count it as 1 carb for every 8 oz, 1 carb for each sweetener packet and .4 for 1 T cream. For me I like to "save" my carbs for other stuff but do indulge in a soy decaf sugarfree vanilla and hazelnut latte a few times a week.

No idea about the flavored coffee and what it contains. maybe try a search on the Net?

regarding the salad intake. When I was on induction my 3 cups of lettuce came nowhere near the 20 grams and I wondered how on earth I would reach my 20. Anyway, I started to be a little more lenient with my vegetables as far as adding more variety in to the bowl. I think it was okay for me. Watch your body and see if eating as many veggies as you are ia affecting your fat burning state. only you know for sure your body's reaction.

The best place to take your wiggle room is in the water department - drink as much as you can stomach and then the lettuce department but add a little mayo based dressing to it for substance. I also noticed a significant decrease in my appetite after the first week.

Great job on this week!

Keviport
Sandy, Utah
205/180/145

My opinoin, for what its worth, is that you should enjoy your 5 eggs a day and feel free to eat 5 cups of salad greens if thats what you want.

If it doesn't work out for you then cut it back. This isnt a race, and you shouldnt feel very deprived. Get your blood work done now and get it done every 3 months, if you see your cholesterol go up then you know that you should ease up the eggs, but if you're like me, your blood will improve, eggs and all.

Welcome, PenVsSword!

Here are some things to think about, re the issues you've raised:

1. The eggs are not a problem, indeed, most saturated fat is not a problem PROVIDING that you're not ALSO eating "normal" quantities of carbs. If you're likely to be jumping off plan as you were previously, you won't be getting the lipid profile improvement that is usual with this way of eating. If you keep your carbs consistently low, you are likely to see a dramatic improvment in your lipid profile. The total cholesterol number may rise a bit, but doctors now know that the total number is not a very good predictor of anything. What you're looking for is a lowering of triglycerides and a lowering of the HDL/Total ratio - now labled the "risk ratio" in many lab reports.

2. Many of us (I'm one) had wonderful results while keeping coffee (full octane) in our menu. Others felt that eliminating it was best. Some have gone to half&half (half decaff and half regular.) This is a YMMV issue.

As to the cheese, in the 1998 version of DANDR, there were no limits on cheese or cream. Good thing for me that this was the advice when I started. I'm a cheese & cream hound - BUT, I also never vary from lc. Many people do better observing the limits in the newer edition. Again, YMMV. (Your mileage may vary.)

3. My personal approach to veggies is this: If it's green, leafy and raw, I consider it free food. This is based on my own blood glucose readings. This is a VERY safe area for wiggle room. No one ever got fat from eating lots of dark green leafy salads. I'm also liberal about LOW carb veggies - green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, etc. Many people have a similar approach. Pay more attention to what you put on it that might have carbs - dressings, etc.

4. Flavored coffee (AND your love of sweets) - Welcome to the world of DaVinci sugar free syrups. These are available in some stores and all over the web. They are delicious in coffee and in dozens of other ways, there is a huge selection, and they're sweetened with pure Splenda. They are a truly zero carb option. (Unlike anything that comes in a packet, which must have other things blended in.)

Hope this helps you sort things out.

Maggie
5'1" ~~ Atkins since '98 (160+)
Maintaining nicely (110 +/-)
~~ Redhead until further notice!

Hi--Love the "50 eggs" joke in your header line (now I need to know, are you a Paul Newman fan or a Dan Bern fan?)

I eat 5 eggs on many days, and the first couple in the morning usually have cheese added, as well as having cream in my coffee. My cholesterol numbers on last check (in September) were better than ever--my doctor actually complimented me on them! I think eggs have been exonerated as far as cholesterol raising goes.

However, I agree totally with what Maggie said--the "magic" to this WOE is in the balance. And let me second her suggestion for DaVinci syrups, too. They're yummy and very versatile. This morning I had the hazelnut in my coffee--wow!

Aderyn

Hi everyone, thanks for responding!

Thanks Maggie for "permission" to eat my greens, I should let my mom know that I was whining to myself about wanting MORE veggies

This morning I actually measured the cream in my coffee and only used 1/2 a packet of sweetener and it was fine - that's good to know.

My health insurance should kick in in Jan. or Feb. so I can get everything checked out, I'm going to donate blood on Monday so if I'm about to keel over they'll probably catch it.

Aderyn, who's Dan Bern? I heard the joke in the movie "Reality Bites" then finally saw "Cool Hand Luke" and feel justified in using it myself. And who isn't a Paul Newman fan? I mean, "The Hustler" AND socially conscious gourmet food? Sigh...

Thanks again!

Remember, the veggies are only limited during induction (2 weeks) butlike Maggie says, if it's leafy green and raw -- Go for it. Congrats on your loss!

LC and feeling better every day!

Atkins since 7/18/03
210/182/140

Guess what? Paul Newman's son has started making social conscious dog food now, with the profits donated to shelters and rescue groups!

Dan Bern is a singer, sort of a more wry Dylan type, who has a CD called 50 Eggs; the title, of course, is also a play on the movie line.

And I couldn't agree more about Paul Newman! What a guy! Handsome, talented, self-deprecating, long-term marriage, socially aware....What's not to like?

Aderyn

Good for you for paying attention to the details. It's important to know what works and doesn't work for YOU in order to adapt this lifestyle for life.

A word about cholesterol...

I eat lots of eggs. Probably one or two every day. Like 'em deviled, especially. I don't hold back on the salad dressing and mayonnaise, and I use 1-2 oz. of half-n-half in coffee most days.

After 10 months on Atkins, I've had my latest lipid profile. Total cholesterol is up quite a bit--from 170 to 240. In the olden days we'd be worried, right? However, my HDL/LDL ratio is a very modest .81 (reference <3.25) and my triglycerides have only gone up a little bit (59 to 67--reference <150) My HDL is quite high, and LDL well within reference limit.

I'm just hoping all those HDLs are carting fat away from my body as fast as I can release it!

Best wishes.

Barb L.
Started Atkins January 2003
162/141/130