There is soooo much conflicting advice given at many sites so I thought I would just save some valuable time and ask some questions here.

1~ How many carbs is not enough to ingest in a day?

2 ~ Ketone Sticks, do you use them?

3 ~ How do they actually work with weight loss programs?

4 ~ How long can one stay on the induction period.

5 ~ I drink one cup of regular coffee each day. Does this affect the low carb diet?

6 ~ I drink at least 2 liters of water each day. Is that enough?

7 ~ Which artificial sweetener do you use and why do you prefer it over another.

8 ~ I am walking briskly (for my age anyway) at least 3 times each week. One mile at least. Is this enough?

9 ~ For those with treadmills, how do you keep from being bored out of your mind?

10 ~ What is your favorite piece of advice to a new low carber? I mean besides "Don't give up !!".

That's enough for now.. don't want to wear out my welcome too soon yannow..

Thankes bunches,
Carolyn

__________________

Restart 06/01/08 = 192
06/09/08 = 190.4
06/16/08 = 188.6
06/23/08 = 187.6
06/30/08 + 188.6
First Mini Goal 07/01/08 = 187


"I'm gonna "Make it After All" (Terry Joe Terrell)

Carolyn, you have asked a lot of questions. As you have stated that you are not following any specific low carb plan, it makes answering some of your questions problematic. I am following the Atkins approach, so my answers will be from that perspective.
1~ How many carbs is not enough to ingest in a day? A low/controlled carbohydrate WOE is not a "NO carb" lifestyle. The objective of the Atkins approach is to learn the level of carbohydrates you can consume and lose and then maintain your weight. That level will vary by individual. However, whatever level of carbohydrates works for you, those carbs should primarily come from fruits and vegetables. I think that it would be difficult to keep up a healthy level of eating on much less than 20 grams of carb per day.
2 ~ Ketone Sticks, do you use them? Never have used them.
3 ~ How do they actually work with weight loss programs? They provide a visual confirmation that your body is in ketosis, or fat burning mode.
4 ~ How long can one stay on the induction period. I stayed on induction level of carbs for 9 months. The question should not be how long a person can stay on induction. The more appropriate question is how long should I stay on induction. The answer to that question varies by individual. A low/controlled carb WOE is not a race to lose weight. It is about learning healthy eating habits that are sustainable for you long term. I like the Atkins approach because it offers a seamless transition from weight loss to weight maintenance. To learn the lifetime eating habits that will sustain your loss, you must move out of induction and learn how various foods affect your weight loss as you move through the stages of a low carb lifestyle. As you only have about 30 pounds to go, if you were following the Atkins approach, I would recommend that you move out of induction after 2 weeks and begin the OWL phase.
5 ~ I drink one cup of regular coffee each day. Does this affect the low carb diet? It shouldn't.
6 ~ I drink at least 2 liters of water each day. Is that enough? It depends on the individual. Look at the "Gallon a Day" challenge thread.
7 ~ Which artificial sweetener do you use and why do you prefer it over another. I use a variety of artificial sweeteners. However, my favorite is liquid splenda because it has 0 carbs and the concentration of it enables me to obtain maximum sweetness without unnecessarily diluting/adversly affecting a recipe.
8 ~ I am walking briskly (for my age anyway) at least 3 times each week. One mile at least. Is this enough? It depends. With your health issues, I suggest you discuss any exercise program with your doctor.
9 ~ For those with treadmills, how do you keep from being bored out of your mind? N/A
10 ~ What is your favorite piece of advice to a new low carber? I mean besides "Don't give up !!". Pick a low carb plan and follow it. Learn what works for you and more importantly, what doesn't, and modify your plan accordingly.

Good luck!

__________________
Henry

Henry ~ Thank you so much for your answers. I am perhaps thinking that maybe I should pick up a book on Atkins and read it from cover to cover and decide if that is the plan I should follow. I have known many that have used it with great results.

I appreciate your taking the time to reply to my post.

A big ol lady hug to you,

Carolyn

__________________

Restart 06/01/08 = 192
06/09/08 = 190.4
06/16/08 = 188.6
06/23/08 = 187.6
06/30/08 + 188.6
First Mini Goal 07/01/08 = 187


"I'm gonna "Make it After All" (Terry Joe Terrell)

Carolyn, the more exercise you can do, the better off you'll be. I am a long-time non-exerciser, I really do hate exercising. And I have arthritic knees that sometimes prevent me from doing much walking, or standing still, for that matter. I bought a Gazelle, and it has been the best piece of equipment I have ever used. It's easy, doesn't wreck the knees, and gives you a good workout. Actually, when I don't work out, I find I have more knee problems than if I exercise regularly. I have a tv, vcr and dvd player in the room, so I watch movies to pass the time. We have an eclectic collection, and lately I've been putting in old science fiction and monster movies. Perhaps I'll eventually get to some mystery or romance movies, too. It really makes the time pass by quickly.

I also try to drink at least 100 ounces of water each day, in addition to coffe and tea and other drinks. You'll find that the more water you drink, the more you want. I used to order coffee or tea when we ate out, but now I just order water.

I use FiberFit for my sweetener, which I get from netrition.com. It's liquid Splenda, but a less concentrated version, with fiber added. A teaspoon equals 8 teaspoons of sugar. I really like it in my tea.

Some people are not affected by caffeine, and can drink pots of regular coffee each day; I went to decaf because I feel better when I am away from the caffeine. I still have an occasional cup at work, or at our kids' houses when we visit, but I feel much better without the caffeine.

Advice? Pick your plan, read the book, make a shopping list and don't buy anything you can't eat, don't eat faux foods but stick with fresh foods, ask lots of questions, share your sorrows and successes.

How many carbs? That will vary with individuals because we each have a different metabolism. While I do best at a very low carb intake, others can eat 50 - 100 a day and still lose. And, I lost faster when I was younger; this go-round is really slow, but I'm somewhat older, too. But, as Henry said, it's not a zero carb way of eating, it's a reduced carb way of eating, and each of us has to find out what our own maximum level is. It's a lot of experimenting, and that number will change as our bodies change, as we age, as we deal with stress, etc.

Never feel that you are wearing out your welcome, and always ask questions if you just can't find an answer. And start a journal; you'll get lots of visits, lots of support and encouragement, which we all need in this journey.

__________________
Nita

You folks are awesome... I will get busy on that journal really soon.. I had an idea today.. LOL I absolutely adore listening to Terry Terrell sing gospel, so I am going to take my CD player into the sunroom where my treadmill is and listen to his CD's twice daily. That way I get to sing with my bud and work out twice. Each CD is about a half hour long, maybe a bit more. I will only do it one time if I walk outside for a mile though.

I think I have an Atkins book here somewhere.. need to dig around and find that pup.
You all are getting me so pumped up.

Thank you so much.... I gotta feelin that this is gonna be a fine family for me to join.

Blessings,
Carolyn

__________________

Restart 06/01/08 = 192
06/09/08 = 190.4
06/16/08 = 188.6
06/23/08 = 187.6
06/30/08 + 188.6
First Mini Goal 07/01/08 = 187


"I'm gonna "Make it After All" (Terry Joe Terrell)

1~ How many carbs is not enough to ingest in a day?

Strange question. My answer would deal with dietary fiber and excretion issues. Basicly, you want enough to keep you regular.

2/3 ~ Ketone Sticks, do you use them? How do they actually work with weight loss programs?

Not any more. I used them at the start to confirm that I was in ketosis. I used them after eating particular items to make sure it didn't kick me out. Now, I can tell when a food has caused me problems (headaches) and I've got my wife to tell me my breath is awful so I'm pretty sure I'm in ketosis

4 ~ How long can one stay on the induction period.

As long as you need to. But why do that to yourself. At a certain point, there are diminishing returns and it actually pays (in terms of weight loss) to move into OWL. You should really only need to stay in induction until your sugar detox is over.

5 ~ I drink one cup of regular coffee each day. Does this affect the low carb diet?

I don't drink coffee and I kicked caffeine as a habit on my particular plan. I don't know whether it's helped me that much or not, but I know my source of caffeine was coke/mountain dew and that was not helping me on the weightloss front.

6 ~ I drink at least 2 liters of water each day. Is that enough?

I doubt it. (of course, at least 2 liters could mean an average of 5 liters) but 2 liters is probably on the low end of what you want to be drinking. If you really want to see the weight come up, make the default drink water and drink something different (coffee/diet soda) only twice a week. Add in half an hour to an hour of cardio a day (or at least every other day) and the low carb WOE and the weight will FLY off of you.

7 ~ Which artificial sweetener do you use and why do you prefer it over another.

Splenda - It's the sweetener least likely to kill me

8 ~ I am walking briskly (for my age anyway) at least 3 times each week. One mile at least. Is this enough?

Well, how long does it take and what does your heart rate do. Your ideal workout heart rate is going to vary by age and resting heartrate, but if you exercise in that range for half an hour every other day, you will see results.

9 ~ For those with treadmills, how do you keep from being bored out of your mind?

I've got mine in a well air-conditioned room in front of a television. Well, I did. I can't wait for it to get here. I also go for walks out doors when the weather permits. - Also don't over-exercise. I mean, it's good for you, but if you stop due to boredom, it's not.

10 ~ What is your favorite piece of advice to a new low carber? I mean besides "Don't give up !!".

Water, water and more water. You'll see great results early on. Stick with it. Prepare to succeed each day. If you give yourself the right options, you'll do great.When you get bored with your diet, come talk to us. We'll help send you in the right direction for interesting low-carb meals.

__________________
Sven
305/218/200
Start Date: 1/1/06

Welcome to low-carb eating.
The food's not bad here.

Hello Carolyn. Welcome to LCE.

On your questions...

1~ How many carbs is not enough to ingest in a day?

I'd never go below 20 a day, counting carbs as carbs - fiber grams. This is induction level on Atkins, and seems sufficiently restrictive.

2 ~ Ketone Sticks, do you use them?

I have before. They just confirm you are supposed to be in fat-burning mode (or have eaten a high concentration of fat recently). They are more a confirmation than anything else. If you do use 'em, cut them in half lengthwise to double your investment.

3 ~ How do they actually work with weight loss programs?

Answered above.

4 ~ How long can one stay on the induction period.

For Atkins, he says you can stay on it indefinitely. Usually, though, when you see someone doing this, it's about trying to lose more quickly-which I understand but isn't all that helpful-and/or a fear of moving to the later stages of the program. The strenght of Atkins IS the later stages of the program, since it deals with lifetime maintenence, which is a huge issue for most of us. I recommend that people move on after 2 weeks, unless there is a compelling reason not to do so.

5 ~ I drink one cup of regular coffee each day. Does this affect the low carb diet?

Probably not.

6 ~ I drink at least 2 liters of water each day. Is that enough?

Usually, I see recommended 1/2 your body weight in oz. of water. If your losses are slow, upping your water often helps.

7 ~ Which artificial sweetener do you use and why do you prefer it over another.

I use many. Splenda is readily available, but powered has more carbs and calories. I order some online from Netrition (Fiberfit, Stevia, Polydextrose, DaVinci Syrups), and mix 'em up in recipes. They have different properties and add different things to the recipe.

8 ~ I am walking briskly (for my age anyway) at least 3 times each week. One mile at least. Is this enough?

You know best about how you feel. Exercise is an ongoing proposition, and your level of endurance will likely change as you go. Just monitor it and see when you feel ready to do more/different stuff.

9 ~ For those with treadmills, how do you keep from being bored out of your mind?

For all my exercising, my mp3 player is my best friend!

10 ~ What is your favorite piece of advice to a new low carber? I mean besides "Don't give up !!".

Wow...there are many. I have an article on my webiste with fav. advice, but the site is down at the moment. :(

However...I guess the biggest indicator of success I see here is attitude. If you have and keep a positive attitude, you'll be able to weather the slowdowns, tempations, and minor issues that crop up along the way. Understand it is a learning experience, and you will eventually become the expert on your own body and what works for you and what doesn't. Focus on what you want and why you want it, and the means will become available to you along the way. Create short-term, behaviorally-focused goals-i.e. not losing X pounds by X date, but exercising X times a week and eating on-plan X days a month, etc. That way, you have total control over reaching your goals, and you get the losses as a byproduct of the positive habits.

Celebrate every single success you have and do your best to feel good about your efforts, however small you may think they are. Every step in the right direction counts, and success is them best motivation there is.

Good luck!

__________________


Fat Baggage- Is Yours Packed?

Incidently, my site is back up, so here is my list of Fav. Newbie LC'er Tips.

__________________


Fat Baggage- Is Yours Packed?

WOOOO HOOOO I am on my way... thank you so much!! I 'm still looking for my Atkins books.. lol Ain't old age grand?

Carolyn

__________________

Restart 06/01/08 = 192
06/09/08 = 190.4
06/16/08 = 188.6
06/23/08 = 187.6
06/30/08 + 188.6
First Mini Goal 07/01/08 = 187


"I'm gonna "Make it After All" (Terry Joe Terrell)

Carolyn-If you can't find your old book, the new ones in paperback are somewhere around 6 bucks. Worth the cash if the other one doesn't appear soon.

Good luck!

__________________


Fat Baggage- Is Yours Packed?