Thinking of starting Atkins diet

lisaaellis · 04-11-2003, 06:25 PM

Hi everybody! This is my first post on the site, I was told I "probably have PCOS" on Monday by my gyn, after a few months of her PA telling me I didn't have it and I shouldn't read so much and self-diagnose. I have read a lot and really appreciate this site. PCOS makes so many of the things I have dealt with in the past few years make so much sense and for the first time I feel like I can do something about them all.
My gyn prescribed 500 mg of Gluchuphage for 3 months and said she might send me to an endrocrinologist after that. She did not do any blood testing or insuling testing before the prescription, so my family dr. , my MIL, and my pharmacist all told me not to take it. Also, my husband and I are probably going to be moving soon and our insurance will switch, so I'm hesitant to push for an official diagnosis until we have new insurance, because it won't be covered.

At any rate... I've been reading about the Atkins Diet and think it looks interesting. I have two skinny friends who have lost 10-15 pounds on it in the past few years and they love it. I'm thinking about starting it the day after Easter.. too many good sweets to pass up then! What do you all think? Any ideas or success stories on Atkins? Any advice?

Also, my husband and I are trying to get pregnant and I'm wondering if going on Atkins might help that? Any ideas?
Thanks so much!
Lisa

kadb27 · 04-11-2003, 06:54 PM

Hello!
I am also an Atkins girl. Before my wedding, I was able to lose 35 lbs 6 months and almost keep it all off. It is a challenge and a lifestyle change. Once you get the hang of drinking diet sodas, unsweet tea, choosing something like broccoli or veggies over the potato and passing up that extra cookie, life is good. I have a hard time a lot of the time, because I eat one sweet, then I cant stop!!

I teach preschool and someone is always having a birthday and bringing in cup cakes. I sometimes fall into the "I will stay under 20 grams of carbs until I lose 8 lbs" mentallity and I do it, but then I start to slip and jump back to under 20 again. THis really doesnt help. Be stronger than me!!! Work your self up to a number of carbs that you know you can eat without gaining weight back. My husband does the diet with me, but he is more succsessful at it because he knows how many carbs are his limit. Me... I just cant get the hang of it. If you want a buddy, I would be glad to have one!!!
Good luck!!!

ShelleyLeblanc · 04-11-2003, 08:09 PM

Hi there!
I would love to also have a diet buddy! In fact, I was going to go out tomorrow and buy the book! I am determined that this diet will work - it seems that a lot of the girls on the board are on it and they have been successfull at it!!!!!!
Eventhough we all live apart - these emails and msgs are a great thing - you have constant support !
I will start the diet May 1 - as my five year old nephew lives with me and my husband and with easter and then his birthday party - too much cake!!! can not pass at least a little slice up!!
Take care and keep in touch!

kadb27 · 04-11-2003, 08:14 PM

Go to my profile and send me an email or two.

good luck!

lisaaellis · 04-13-2003, 06:56 PM

Thanks ladies! I'm going to start the day after Easter... ham with "sinful potatoes", Peaches and cream pie... who can possibly pass that up? Plus, it gives me time to cleanse my cupboards! I'd love to have some diet buddies. I'll keep you both posted on things go!
Thanks!
Lisa

ShelleyLeblanc · 04-13-2003, 07:36 PM

Lisa...
That sounds great....I am with you on that! Good luck and here's to us.....

lisaaellis · 04-18-2003, 11:22 AM

Starting Atkins on Monday! I have been watching my carb intake all week long and have already lost 4lbs. without feeling deprived. I think Atkins may really work for me. I notice in only a week of just watching it, I have more energy and I feel better overall. Here's hoping the full deal really works for me.
Anybody else starting Monday?
Happy Easter!

kadb27 · 04-18-2003, 12:07 PM

me!!!!

I am right there with you!!
good luck and I am cheering you on~

lisaaellis · 04-22-2003, 04:48 PM

Hi Karen & Shelley,
I started yesterday... no more carbs for me for 2 weeks. My refrigerator is full of good things to eat, and some not so good, like my husband's Easter candy and some leftover cake.
Yesterday, I did good, except that I was shaking by dinner time! Not fun. It made me realize what a carb addict I am!
I am doing better today, although feeling spacey still.
My question for you both is this: How fast is this supposed to work in the Induction phase? I weighed myself yesterday morning at 225 and this morning, after one day of Atkins, weighed in at 221. Is that possible? It seems unlikely to be sooooo quick, although I've heard that if you have a lot of weight to lose, it might come off quickly.
Did you both start yesterday? How are you doing? I hope it's going well for you!
I bought some sugar-free Jello with Cool-Whip, those Atkins chocolate shakes, and some Crystal Light Raspberry-Peach drink. Those may be what keeps me sane! I've been drinking water like it's my job- I'm up to 80 oz. and I have about 16 more for today. (3 full Nalgene bottles).
I hope you're doing well! let me know how things are going!
Lisa

kadb27 · 04-22-2003, 06:39 PM

YEA for you!! Lisa, that is a great start!! I started yesterday evening (i had a cup cake for breakfast monday, and that was my last bunch o' carbs...) I had buffalo wings for dinner. You know those are free right? (I think of my 20 carbs as dollars...

) If you get the non -breaded wings, they are for the most part free. Like .25 carbs each. Bleu cheese, the real thing is 1 per 2 tbsps. The lite stuff is where the carbs is.
It IS possible to lose 2-3 pounds even in the first day, because a lot of it is water. With all the water you drink, you go potty more and flush out water already in your system. It sounds like you are on the right track!! The first time I did atkins, I lost 8 lbs in the first 2 weeks during the induction phase. A lot of it was water, but I felt so much better, and the loss motivated me to lose more. Dont give up hope if you stay the same at the end of this week. Keep pushing on!!
Tonights dinner... PORK CHOPS!! Sprinkle some pepper, onion salt and garlic salt on them and pan fry or grill them. They are soooo good. Publix thinks I am crazy because all I ever buy is MEAT and CHICKEN. Tomorrow I am making a leg of lamb.
And dont forget that jello and reddi whip. The reddi whip has enough fat in it to make you feel full.
Keep me posted!!
ps. I weighed in today at 161. hoping for 160 tomorrow!!

Love!

CanadaCandy · 04-22-2003, 10:06 PM

Can I join you all?
I just ordered the book, and should get it by the end of the week, so I want to start next week sometime.. until then, I am just 'watching it' and drinking more water.

I would LOVE some induction ideas if you have any to share!!!

kadb27 · 04-23-2003, 02:24 PM

Welcome Candy!!

lisaaellis · 04-23-2003, 02:51 PM

Hi Candy! Welcome!
Thanks for the great ideas Karen, I've been making sugar-free jello all week. It's sooooo good and the cool-whip fills me up fast!
I work at a church, and Wednesdays are normally my WORST days of the week, because we have a Wednesday evening dinner and classes for all ages, so it makes it a long day.
By Wednesday afternoon, I am normally ready to crash..
Now, I did sleep in this morning quite a bit later than normal, but I notice I have so much more energy than I normally would.
I weighed myself this morning and was at 220, down 5 lbs from Monday.
My husband and I went to Wendys' last night for dinner.. I had a jr. bacon cheeseburger, minus the bun and the ketchup and mustard, and some Crystal light drink at home. I realized how much junk I put in my mouth normally though because I almost grabbed some of his fries without thinking. I was watching him eat the fries and kept thinking, gross!!
How are you all doing? I have several friends here that are also doing Atkins and have just started it again. One of them recommended pickles, so I bought a big jar and had 2 yesterday.
I have begun to realize how often I eat just because, not for nurishment. Hopefully I can stop that!
Take care!
Lisa

dawn-scot · 04-23-2003, 03:07 PM

This is my second attempt at Atkins this month. In the first week i lost 15ibs, then stupidly came off it for a few days and i have put a lot of the weight back on (sigh!).
So today i have started again- i could really use the advice and support. I want and need to lose 100lbs preferably in the next 2 weeks!! LOL.
Well i have been very good on my 1st day:
Sausages, Steak, cream, cheese, and pate.

wishing us all luck with weight loss.
Thanks
Dawn

lisaaellis · 04-23-2003, 03:13 PM

Hi Dawn- Welcome.
Here's hoping things go well for all of us! I had 2 poached eggs and 2 sausages and some cheddar cheese cubes for breakfast, orange jello in mid-morning, mostly because I was bored, and then a 1/4 c. of hickory flavored tuna, colby jack cheese slice and a hardboiled egg. I am currently finishing my first 32 oz. of water, and getting ready to go refill. We have dinner at church tonight, so I'm going to have a nice big salad with some ham on top.
How's everybody else doing?
Lisa