July Challenge - 72 Atkins

[Feelin'Great!]

Originally Posted by DebE

Disneyland *and* a family get-together!?

Wow, verbqueen! That is such an inspiration--I am gonna have you in my mind as an "I-can-do-it 'cause look what temptations she just went through!" I have been reading your posts, and they have been such a help, I registered to post tonight. Cheering you on from a distance!--Debbie

Hi Deb, Off Topic here...I see you're in Missoula and I wonder if you know some of my old friends. It's a long-shot, but I'm compelled to ask. Do you know Janine Glessner, Sharlene Keller, or Cindy Sprague? Sharlene and Janine are sisters. We all grew up together in Southern California.

[verbqueen]

Hey, DebE! I missed your post earlier. Thanks for the kind words and I'm so glad you registered. Post often--it helps!

[Feelin'Great!]

Originally Posted by lil daisy

Hi everyone, Well, I have fallen off the path......but, it is pretty serious. My daughter is getting married August 8th.......my dress that was fitted 2 months ago....omg....I need to get on it.
I had lost 100 lbs on atkins and I love this woe......motivate, motivate, motivate.
You guys are the best ....I am hoping for 15 lbs.
Any help would be appreciated!!
Thanks, Mary

You want to lose 15 pounds by Aug 8? Wow that's an ambitious goal. But, I want to too! I doubt it will happen for me, but I figure if I hit it HARD...and eat CLEAN, something's gotta give. I've already lost my water weight...and I haven't started exercising yet. My losing is going very slow. I'm going to kick it up notch and work my brains out (and my body, of course!). Make sure you measure, that might be the only place you lose between now and the 8th...which is really more important! Good luck!!!

[Feelin'Great!]

Originally Posted by verbqueen

And I forgot to mention that I'm down 3/4 a pound this morning! A few more ounces and I can change my stats to 16 pounds lost!

Also, I slept well last night and didn't wake up with "rumbly tummy," so I think I'll keep up the coconut oil before bed and see if it works for me.

Do you use a digital scale? If so, are you happy with it? Do you think it's pretty accurate?

[verbqueen]

Yep, I have a digital, and I'm very pleased with it. It seems to weigh exactly the same as my doctor's scale.

Oh, and it can't be cajoled into coughing up better numbers no matter HOW much you lean to one side, or get on and off it.

[dbglasgow]

I was not getting enough fiber during Induction on the new program and I was feeling it.. I don't remember having a problem with constipation my first time around with Atkins and now that I've switched over to 72.... my system is becoming more regular. I'm still tracking all my food on ftiday so I can see just what I'm eating and I'm still not getting any real fiber so why is it different?

One more question... many include the heavy cream in your menu. Is there some real benefit to using it or is just to satisfy a sweet craving or what?

[DebE]

It's good to read your posts...sometimes you ask 'my' questions!

I moved in March from Eastern Montana, so I don't know many people in Missoula. I will keep your friends' names in mind, and maybe--you never know...I know how hard it is to keep up with people from the past.

cya-Debbie

[DivineHealth]

We got a digital scale a few months back. I like it much better than our old one. It is definitely accurate, and, as verbqueen said, it can't be cajoled no matter what

I don't measure myself. I find it to be very subjective. How can anyone know the precise place they placed the tape on their leg or waist or hips each time? And how much pressure? It doesn't take much to move it 1/2 inch or more.


I spent most all day in the emergency room today.... I had chest pains. I knew in my gut it wasn't heart related, altho my heart feels like it is being squeezed... alot of pain. Turns out I have pleurisy - an inflammation of the lining of my left lung. It makes it swell, so it presses against the ribcage. That is why there is so much pain when I breathe, cough, laugh, bend down, etc. They said it is viral, so only an anti-inflammatory and pain meds are what they gave me. Ughhh...

[verbqueen]

Originally Posted by DivineHealth

I spent most all day in the emergency room today.... I had chest pains. I knew in my gut it wasn't heart related, altho my heart feels like it is being squeezed... alot of pain. Turns out I have pleurisy - an inflammation of the lining of my left lung. It makes it swell, so it presses against the ribcage. That is why there is so much pain when I breathe, cough, laugh, bend down, etc. They said it is viral, so only an anti-inflammatory and pain meds are what they gave me. Ughhh...

Oh no! That must've really scared you!

I made my husband take me to the emergency room two years ago because I had a strange pain in my chest. Turned out to be acid reflux. I was embarrassed, but better safe than sorry.

Hope you get over it very fast.

[verbqueen]

Today's menu:

B: (surprise! not bacon!!) large scoop of chicken salad, half-caf with CO
L: filet mignon with butter
D: salad of lettuce, shredded beef, shredded cheese

Later I will have herbal tea with coconut oil, but not as late as I did last night. It gave me indigestion.

[verbqueen]

No loss for me this morning, but I guess I can live with that after two days in a row of pretty good losses.

Hope everyone has a great low-carb day!

[DivineHealth]

Hey all

Only .8 of a pound gone this morning. I thought for sure I would've lost a whole lot more since I didn't eat much because of being at the hospital most all day yesterday. I had some leftover grilled shrimp for breakfast at 7:30... then didn't get anything to eat until 4:30, I had two small grilled chicken legs. I had about 1/2 cup of the leftover hamburger pie later on. So, only about 2 carbs for the day and only about 600 calories total. Felt for sure there would be a swoosh. Oh well.

But, TOM greeted me last night.... maybe that is it. Gee, busted up knee, pleurisy and TOM to boot.... ain't life grand

[verbqueen]

Bet anything your whoosh comes tomorrow. TOM complicated things, as it always does...

So Divine, have a BETTER DAY today, please!

[BellaHMB]

Hi All,

I have been maintaining since May 2007, but every so often the lbs creep up and I need to get back to induction and then levels 1-3 or so to take them off. Right now Im up 5,
so it's not a major deal but they tend to multiply! And, I eat on plan all the time but tend to eat too many nuts which and daily oatmeal. I know I should just leave them out of my diet!

Thanks
Bella

[verbqueen]

Wow! Two years of maintenance. That's impressive. I only hope I can say that some day.

I'm sure you'll have that extra 5 gone in no time--you obviously know how to do it! Have a great, on-plan day, Bella.

[Nell]

Originally Posted by dbglasgow

One more question... many include the heavy cream in your menu. Is there some real benefit to using it or is just to satisfy a sweet craving or what?

Hi. I know the answer to this one from reading Atkins years ago. It's for either making cheese sauces or to replace using milk in tea or coffee. He did suggest decaf coffee I believe. (I overlooked that part, lol)

[dbglasgow]

Wow Bella... 2 years? That's awesome, you are an inspiration.

I'm down 1lb today and feeling great. It may actually be a little more than 1 lb. but I don't have digital scales yet...hope to pick some up when we travel home to the States next month. This is day 4 for me on Atkins 72... I'm down 3 lbs in 4 days.

Does anyone have any suggestions about getting enough fiber?

[DivineHealth]

Originally Posted by dbglasgow

Does anyone have any suggestions about getting enough fiber?

Make sure you get in some nice salads. That seems to be enough for most people fiber-wise.


BTW, are you guys missionaries down there?

[dbglasgow]

Originally Posted by DivineHealth

Make sure you get in some nice salads. That seems to be enough for most people fiber-wise.


BTW, are you guys missionaries down there?

Yes, we are missionaries... we have been here 5 years. It was when we moved here that I stopped following the Atkins WOE and gained back 20 lbs of the 40 that I had lost in 2000. I am determined to stick with this now... I feel much better when eating this way.

Will you please describe what you call a "nice salad". I'm in my first week with Atkins 72 so keeping carbs very low. I have ordered a copy of the book but I will not get it until I go home next month. It's my understanding that we are much more limited on what veggies we should eat in a salad. Tonight at dinner I am having about 4 oz of grilled chicken brushed with heavy butter and a side side of lettuce, cucumbers and mayo.. but this gives me less than a gram of fiber. Thanks for you help Divine.

[DivineHealth]

Originally Posted by dbglasgow

Will you please describe what you call a "nice salad".

Lately we've been using a lot of fresh spring mix greens instead of just iceberg, romaine or redleaf. We also put in a tiny bit of chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans or sunflower seeds). We figure we may get an extra carb with the nuts, but it makes it tastier and gives extra fiber. We also throw in cheese (bleu or parmesan).



God bless you in your work for Him

[BellaHMB]

Thanks for the welcome!

Yes, 2 plus years of maintenance and it takes focus! I exercise 5-6 days a week
and always stay on plan. The reason I have gained a little (has happened 3 times,
first time it was 12, then 5-6 and now 5-6) is because my portion sizes get too big
and nuts become my friend

Bella

[dbglasgow]

Thanks Divine.. I will just make sure I'm getting in my salads everyday.

[Meee]

Originally Posted by BellaHMB

Thanks for the welcome!
Bella

Hi Bella! i was just looking at your Pics! You & your Hubby are just A D O R A B L E! & you look Wonderful...!
Congrats on the Weight Loss!

[Meee]

i started on July 16th right? and i lost GREAT the 1st couple of days... of course that was Water Weight... i Never Got The Flu thank goodness... ive been eating Totally Legal foods everyday... but all of a sudden on the 20th my weight was 270.8, then on the 21st it was 270.8 again, then the next day i went up to 271.8 and today i was 273.2! What Is This??? i mean i AM still in my first week of Induction and all, but what is happening? is my body adjusting? or maybe because ive been eating Meat & Eggs mostly and a little Cheese and Salad at dinner time... but im Totally Legal i Swear! did this happen to any of you??? im totally confused...
i thought i would just keep going down..............................

[verbqueen]

My guess is it's probably hormones or water retention (or both). The fact is that to gain a pound of fat, you have to take in over 3000 extra calories, and you definitely did not do that. Nor did you eat anything to take you out of ketosis. Therefore, you can be certain it has something to do with the fluid balance in your body.

In any case, I think you should drink just as much water as you can make yourself drink for the next few days. Water in=water out. Also, try to go a couple of days without bacon, sausage, ham or other processed meats, since they're salty, and watch the cheese. Those things won't make you retain water permanently or anything, but they can cause discouragement in the early days as they do cause short-term fluid retention.

And just be patient and maybe try not to weigh for a couple of days, or even a week. The disadvantage of weighing every day is that you see these fluctuations. Everyone has them, but those who weigh once a week just get the big picture, rather than the daily ups and downs.

(But I weigh every day, too! I'm afraid not to! But I try not to take it too seriously when I have a temporary gain.)

[Meee]

Thank You Jessica! i was really worried there... but i DO eat Bacon with my Eggs in the morning... maybe that IS what it is... im retaining water... i didnt even think about that... AND after this week, im was going to cut down weighing every day anyways... im going to make Saturday my regular Weigh In Day... so at least i wont have THAT on my mind everyday... is String Cheese ok to eat? or should i just stick to the LITTLE BIT of Cheddar i eat... i LOVE String Cheese and i like it have it for my Breaks at Work... do you think THAT could be a Culprit? i guess im learning huh? and YOU are a Great Teacher! Thanks Again!

[verbqueen]

I think as long as you keep your cheese down to Dr. A's recommended ounces, you're ok.

My day's menu:

B: bacon, slice of cheddar, half-caf with CO
L: steak picado (steak sauteed with onions, jalapenos and tomatoes. I only ate the meat part.)
D: baked chicken, salad
S: a T. of heavy cream

[verbqueen]

Morning, y'all. Still no loss for me--I'm a little sad because it's the first time I've gone 2 days in a row without losing this time around. But I guess it had to slow down sometime.

I'm going out to lunch with my book club today, but I'll be staying on plan.

Have a great low-carb day!

[DivineHealth]

Verbqueen

Hang in there. It is a bummer when it slows down. I lost 12# in 9 days, then it slowed... took 21 days to lose the next 6#. Still, 17# in 30 days is pretty darn good.....

Just stick to it.... I still am kicking myself for not being consistent these past few months. If I had, I would most likely have already made goal. Instead, I keep losing the same 6# over and over again.

[verbqueen]

You're right, and I appreciate the encouragement. And to keep it in perspective, the last time I did Atkins, back in 2003/2004, I lost 40 pounds and then hit a stall that lasted something like 5 months. What would have happened next, I don't know, because I went off the plan and ultimately gained every bit of it back. So this time I'm staying the course NO MATTER WHAT. I know that for me, for this body, this is the right way to eat. It'll take however long it takes, but that time will pass anyway. It might as well pass with me eating and feeling well, right?

As for you, stay focused on that wedding, and you'll achieve what you want to--I know it!