Hello, I just started Atkins on Dec. 1 (for probably the 4th time)... I don't know why I ever stop doing Atkins, because it really does work for me. I suspect it has something to do with the fact that all my friends are so thin and ALL of our activities revolve around eating. Its hard for me to resist temptation! But, this time I need to stick to it not only for my looks, but for my health; I have a lower back problem (and I'm only 21) which gets worse as I get heavier. I'm hoping to get down to 120 from 165 (I'm 5'4".. is this a realistic goal?)

Well, this post isn't just about my profile! I need some advice on what to do when on vacation. I am going to Italy for 3 weeks to visit family, and I know its going to be hard to stay low carb... being that the family will probably be cooking for us the magiority of the time.

What do you guys suggest? I'd appreciate any help you could give me! Thanks!

Lisa

Hi Lisa! Welcome back to a heathier woe. It's great that you can recognize what works best for you. I think that depending on your frame, 120 is realistic. 120-128, I believe is the actual range. But on this woe you will build more muscle so it may be closer to the higher end. Don't go by the scale... go by how you look and feel!

as for a trip to Italy... Wow! sounds like great fun! Focus on site-seeing and anything else.. not all the bread and pasta. I would eat lots of salads and cheese, etc... It may be best to explain your special dietary needs to your host so they won't be offended when you decline the high-carb meals.

Meat, cheese, salads, a bit of wine, eggs and bacon for breakfast, avoid the bread and pasta. You could tell them you have developed an allergy to flour, so they won't pressure you to eat forbidden stuff.

Barb
Atkins-3/14/03
174/146/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Knowledge is POWER

Lisa
Italy is not in the third world.

you can get just about all the food stuffs you need.

and best of all the Italians cook with olive oil and butter.

one more thing it is only on the TV that the Italians eat pasta and bread in Italy it is different lots of FRESH meat.

just wish they would finish building that thing in the middle of Roma LOL

BigLez Soon to be Littlelez

If you have never made a mistake then you've done nothing

Hey everybody.

Thanks for your advice about how to approach the family with my needs.

Lol, I know Italy is not a third world country; I'm Italian! I was just worried about offending my newly-met relatives by declining their hospitality. In my family, bread, tomatoes and pasta have a really special place in our hearts...as you can well imagine!

Thanks again. I so happy to know where to go for answers now!

Cheers,
Lisa

Yeah, saying "I'm allergic" could work, or "My doctor has me on a strict diet." It's always good to alert whoever is cooking ahead of time so they can accommodate you. Have fun!

-WRITE GIRL

Oh, how I can sympathize! We spent 3 weeks in Europe at the end of last year (and beginning of this year) and I gained 20 pounds.

Relax. I’m not trying to freak you out! LOL BUT, it IS a challenge.

Luckily, you’ll be visiting family so I think that will be much easier. As tourists, we had a hard time finding reasonably priced proteins in Italy so we ate the cheaper (but WONDERFUL!) carbs most of the time.

As said above, concentrate on meats, veggies, and cheeses and take only small portions of breads and pasta. Most likely, you WILL offend the new in-laws if you don’t partake of the goodies but I would just keep my portion sizes down and nibble. Don’t scarf it all in one bite and try to fill up on the meats and cheeses first, then you’ll be full enough that you don’t even want much.

The allergy thing is a really good idea but that might be tough because if you DO want to have a bite or two now and then, you’ll give yourself away.

A story about your doctor telling you to eat less “starches and sugar” is probably best. That way, if you do decide to have a bite or two, you won’t have people thinking you’re going to die because you just ate something you’re allergic too.

I travel all around the world and I’ll tell you, Europe is the toughest. I gained more weight there in 3 weeks than I did on 2 trips to Asia combined! LOL

If you go to Venice, do me a favor and go to Gelateria d’Oro and enjoy the most fantastic dark chocolate gelato you’ll ever have. It’s on the main footpath between the Vaporetto stop for Rialto and Ca d’Oro. It’s amazing! Changed my idea about what ice cream should be.

Good luck (you’ll need it!)


Member since 2001

http://www.ilovelowcarb.com

We had a few days in Venice during the summer and I stayed on plan the whole time (except when I had ice cream....). I ordered ham or sliced egg salads at lunchtime, and steak or other meats in the evening with green veggies. I did drink wine. As we were in a hotel, there was no problem about offending hosts. Breakfast was harder as there was no natural yogurt, I had hard boiled eggs and cheese - not much fun, but it sustained me well enough.

I didn't notice any inches gained and as we were extremely active I might even have lost weight. We continued our vacation on a cruise ship for a week and low carbing was almost impossible as the choice was terrible and bland and I gained there, but it all came off when I got home. I found Venice easier for low carbing than the cruise, the salads were delicious and very fresh and the evening meals filling. I didn't feel deprived at all.

Good luck! Wish I was going to Italy....
Clare