Atkins Advantage Shakes Routine

[delynmonet]

No weight loss to report yet --- staying steady . . . that's good, but I am losing inches and lost 5% more body fat - down to 37%!!! I lost 1/4 to 1/2 inch off the thighs, and 1/4 inch off the hips - I guess that accounts for the 5% down.

So, even if the numbers on the scale read the same, don't assume that the fat deposits aren't being removed elsewhere!!

Checking my journal from last year - on Jan. 9, 2006, I was weighing 160 lbs., accordingly, I am 11 lbs lighter and lovin' it. My body fat was 40% then, and now 37% - success in so many ways.

I am having a Shake for breakfast as I write, and am still counting down . . . .

[robinkay]

I weighed in today at 179.5. I'm down 5 lbs in 4 days. I think using shakes as a meal replacement helps to keep calories down.

[delynmonet]

Originally Posted by robinkay

I weighed in today at 179.5. I'm down 5 lbs in 4 days. I think using shakes as a meal replacement helps to keep calories down.

Robin,

Congrats on the 5 lb loss!! That's wonderful! Yes, I tend to agree with you on that one. Everyone's body is different but lowering calories and carbs in one way or the other will definitely have an effect on the body.

I am still at 149 but the inches have been falling off and I am experiencing a drop in my body fat level. Also, I am now noticing that the closer I am getting to my goal, the weight takes a little more time to come off. That's okay with me, as long as it goes!

Again, congrats on your 5 lb loss and keep up the good work. I wish you much success in your journey!

[noirebfly]

Originally Posted by robinkay

I weighed in today at 179.5. I'm down 5 lbs in 4 days. I think using shakes as a meal replacement helps to keep calories down.

Robin,

That's wonderful. Congratulations. How often have you been drinking the shakes? One meal? Two meals?

[robinkay]

I've been doing the shakes for two meals and eating solid foods for one meal.

[delynmonet]

I am still maintaining at 149 . . . . I added cheese as an occasional snack within the past two weeks and noticed that I am in the same spot (give or take a few ounces). I was lurking through the boards and noticed this thread about "Cheese." Never had a problem with weight loss while eating cheese the very first time around, but apparently my body has changed . . . even with eating nuts. The thread is interesting . . . so I will remove the cheese (as I did the nuts) and I should be back into losing a little bit more rapidly. My clothing's really loose fitting as I know that inches are going. . . . But, just in case, I will stop eating the cheese and I should be down to 148 very soon, as it has taken more than the normal 7-10 days to lose a pound or so for me.

Please read the thread as it may be of help to others who cheese (and dairy) like I do!

http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/sh...95#post7994195

Still counting down to 140 . . . . !

[DEBI IN OHIO]

I will probably get scolded for this, even though people say Walmarts prices all the time..........if U drink Atkins advantage shakes U MUST get to Target before Saturday.........on sale and 2.50 coupon on boxes.....

[delynmonet]

Originally Posted by DEBI IN OHIO

I will probably get scolded for this, even though people say Walmarts prices all the time..........if U drink Atkins advantage shakes U MUST get to Target before Saturday.........on sale and 2.50 coupon on boxes.....

Thanks for the heads up, Debi!!! I know I can't get there before Saturday but for those who can, GO FOR IT!!!

[delynmonet]

After many days of maintaining, and a little rollercoastering (due to water retention - salt from the cheese), . . . .

Drum Roll Pleeeaaazzze - I am in HEAVEN at 147!!!

This past long weekend, for a few days, I substituted several ounces of the delicious Monterary cheese (my snack) with a meat and egg (with cheese) omelet as suggested by one of our LCF's - HarleyLady. She stated in her post that that's how she lost her last 10 lbs . . . well, it works!

You can read her post here:

Trying To Maintain, Help!

Daily I am still drinking the two Atkins Shakes, until the end of this month, which will make a 90-day cycle of the plan.

Still counting to 140!!

BTW, thanks HarleyLady!!!

[slim@40]

Hi! Congratulations on your weight loss! I am very interested in your plan. Could you share with me what a typical evening meal is for you? Are you eating any low carb snacks or do you just have 2 meal-replacement shakes and dinner? Thanks!

[delynmonet]

Originally Posted by slim@40

Hi! Congratulations on your weight loss! I am very interested in your plan. Could you share with me what a typical evening meal is for you? Are you eating any low carb snacks or do you just have 2 meal-replacement shakes and dinner? Thanks!

For the first 30-60 days, I was basically having the 2 Atkins Shakes and dinner. Just recently, I have added snacks (nuts, Monteray Jack Cheese, 3- oz., devilled eggs, etc.) but since I keep a journal and weigh myself regularly, I saw that my weight loss was slowing down considerably - which is to be expected - but I was stalling, so I removed the 3-4 oz of cheese and nuts out of the plan. Now, I am incorporating the meat, eggs and cheese (I make an omelet) just a few days out of the week (mostly on the weekend).

A typical meal for me is anything that is on the Atkins' approved meal llist: Meat, salad and veggies . . . no starches, no sugar.

I particularly like roasted or fried chicken, broiled or fried steak, salmon, etc. as well as broccoli, cauliflower, lots of salad with mayo dressing or creamy ranch . . .

I drink plenty of water, decaf coffee w/cream . . . take my vitamin supplements, work out 4-5 days a week on the treadmill . . .

Weighing in regularly and keeping a journal are a top priority for me - that way, I can chart my progress, see what I need to improve on or omit out of the plan, if it stalls me or slows me down a little too much.

What works for one person may or may not work for the other, but for a fact, I know that lowering carbs and calories and exercising will definitely aid in weight loss.

[slim@40]

Thanks so much for the info! I'm going to start it on Monday. Shake for breakfast, lunch, and a big (low carb) dinner when I get home from work. I hope it works for me as well as it's working for you!!

[delynmonet]

Originally Posted by slim@40

Thanks so much for the info! I'm going to start it on Monday. Shake for breakfast, lunch, and a big (low carb) dinner when I get home from work. I hope it works for me as well as it's working for you!!

Here's well wishes and high hopes that it works for you! Today, my hairdresser told me that she lost 11 lbs within the last three weeks by drinking the shakes twice a day. On my last visit three weeks ago, she asked me what I was doing to lose weight, so I told her, but I was shocked to learn today that she was doing the plan, too.

She's happy about the weight loss and will continue a little while longer. She's not low carb completely, but it gives her an incentive.

[slim@40]

I had the shake around 9AM and waited until my stomach growled to have the lunch shake. The morning shake filled me up for 4 hours!!! I thought I would be starving when I got home but it's not bad. I just had a string cheese and I think I can wait another hour before I'll eat my taco salad. I'll keep you posted...

[DEBI IN OHIO]

I am not liking the vanilla too much, but with plenty of ice I can drink the chocolate easily...
I work 3rd shift (driving) so theres no heating any food up so,I put the shake and ice in a big cup before I leave for the night....the last 2 nights I drank a shake and had 2 wasa crackers with PB & butter for some crunch....ill let u know how its going

[tibby]

interesting! Don't think I could do it all the time, but it's certainly something to consider doing if I start stalling out again. Keep up the good work, you're close to goal! After that, what are you planning to do to maintain?

[delynmonet]

Originally Posted by tibby

interesting! Don't think I could do it all the time, but it's certainly something to consider doing if I start stalling out again. Keep up the good work, you're close to goal! After that, what are you planning to do to maintain?

To maintain, I plan to continue eating low carb in moderation, which I messed up last year - I will add low carb bread, low carb ice cream, berries, nuts, low carb cereal, but the difference is - MONITOR my weight regularly and, as Atkins teaches, if I see that I have gained (from increased amount of carbs), go back to Induction (or my 2 day Atkins Shakes plan) AND GET IT OFF!!!

I was in the mid-150's FOR SOOOOOO LONG, that I just assumed that I was still in the 150's . . . . then, I stepped on the scale and I was going up, up, up - all I know is that I'd reached 161 ---- that was IT for me.

So, it is CRITICAL that I weigh myself regularly in order to know what's happening with me . . . I just don't want to go through uncontrolled weight gain again.

[slim@40]

I'm happy to report that I'm down 4 pounds!!! I love this plan! The Atkins shakes are so filling. I think it's the combo protein/fat/fiber/vitamins in them that's so satisfying. I seem to be having the same thing for dinner every night...lg salad with tuna or chicken, lots of vegies, chopped hard boiled egg, crumbled bacon, cheddar cheese and Hidden Valley light ranch dressing. Very tasty! I also drink 3 cups of coffee and about 4 T. Half & Half in the morning. Total calories around 1000. Any way, I just wanted to report how I'm doing and I'm going to continue this WOE until I reach goal. Thanks again Delynmonet!

[delynmonet]

Originally Posted by slim@40

I'm happy to report that I'm down 4 pounds!!! I love this plan! The Atkins shakes are so filling. I think it's the combo protein/fat/fiber/vitamins in them that's so satisfying. I seem to be having the same thing for dinner every night...lg salad with tuna or chicken, lots of vegies, chopped hard boiled egg, crumbled bacon, cheddar cheese and Hidden Valley light ranch dressing. Very tasty! I also drink 3 cups of coffee and about 4 T. Half & Half in the morning. Total calories around 1000. Any way, I just wanted to report how I'm doing and I'm going to continue this WOE until I reach goal. Thanks again Delynmonet!

slim@40!!! WOW!!! Down 4 pounds!!! That's just great!! Seems like you have your dinner plan together, too. Tonight, I am going to have a tuna salad with hard boiled eggs - think I will add the bacon and cheddar cheese, since you gave me the idea! I am so looking forward to more of your progress reports. Keep up the good work and you're very welcome!!

[sjmiller]

Originally Posted by slim@40

Any way, I just wanted to report how I'm doing and I'm going to continue this WOE until I reach goal.

And then what?

Atkins is about more than losing... it's about maintaining the loss.

While this "shake routine" may help you lose, you learn nothing about the principles of Atkins.

And eating 1000 calories will, I'm sure, backfire on you at some point... and then what will you do?

Even on maintenance, one shouldn't eat lower than 1500 calories.

Atkins, done properly, is about FOOD.

Oh well.

[delynmonet]

Originally Posted by sjmiller

And then what?

Atkins is about more than losing... it's about maintaining the loss.

While this "shake routine" may help you lose, you learn nothing about the principles of Atkins.

And eating 1000 calories will, I'm sure, backfire on you at some point... and then what will you do?

Even on maintenance, one shouldn't eat lower than 1500 calories.

Atkins, done properly, is about FOOD.

Oh well.

SJMiller,

Thanks for your comment. First of all, this is my personal journal of progress with the Atkins Advantage Shake Routine. I started this routine for myself. If others choose to do it, that's fine. But, I am a well-learned Atkins-ite since November 2001. Yes, it is about FOOD - but FOOD is what has gotten us here at Low Carb Friends - to seek help on what works to lose weight. However, the method of induction, losing calories, lowering carbs within Atkins' guidelines, that someone chooses is of a PERSONAL nature. Once a goal is reached, the same method of adding more food, more good carbs, etc. is in place and a PERSONAL choice.

Meal replacement bars have been designed for that reason - to replace a meal. Same concept but for ME using Atkins Shakes - not for you nor anyone else.

Whatever works for one, may or may not work for another. I have read the book three times and fully am aware of what I am doing for ME. It is for others to make their choice and to learn and know the rules of Induction - which I agree with you 100%. I started the routine to share what I believed, within Atkins guidelines, was going to work for ME to shed pounds, which it did and it is helping me reach my goal - this is my "Induction" phase and then, I will move on to maintain. One thing for sure, I will always monitor the scale, because in maintenance, I lost my focus, assuming that I was always going to be the same weight, and I gained without following Atkins' advice, when you see 5 lbs, go back to Induction and get it off.

Please, though, on this thread encourage and don't discourage - as this thread was not started for that purpose. Or don't add your comments at all. This is not what Low Carb Friends about. Anyone can share what works for them, and as you see, it may help others move stubborn pounds. With this routine, it lowered my calories, my carbs, and coupled with exercise, I lost 14 and have 7 more to go . . . .

[robinkay]

Ouch!

[tibby]

Yeah, well, for some it is a way of life, for some it's just a diet. For some it can be, and is both. Coming on a thread and throwing something that challenging out that bluntly is just rude. And we all know it. I don't blame Dely for her response. I'd have done the same. If Miller was trying to be helpful, it could have been done with out the know-it-all absolutes. Some people can't loose while eating 1500 or more calories a day, and if he/she had done their research Miller would be aware of that. Don't let it get to you Dely, everyone is different, and if it's working for you, you don't have to justify yourself to anyone else. Your posts have stressed why and what you are doing is for you. You've answered all my questions without suggesting that this is the only way to go, and everyone elses the same. Good luck to you!