........about portion.......

[picaboo]

...I read here that poeple are saying to each other : post what you eat and what is your portion size....and I tell you what youre doing.
What portion are you talking about ?....Does Atkins in all his (old) books mention anything about portions sizes except carbs...is he not always advocate...eat till you feel full but not stuff?......and eat - when ever you are hungry?............

[oow-woo]

Personally, I believe that it is very easy to misinterpret what Atkins had to say in his book(s). Everyone grabs onto that 'eat until you're satisfied, but not stuffed', paragraph. I believe that during the first week or two of induction (depending on how much wt. you have to lose), a couple of things happen. First, since you have significantly reduced your carb intake (sugars, highly processed foods etc...), AND at the same time have replaced them with proteins and fats, your body automatically begins to take in smaller portions (as long as there are no cheats ). When this happens, as you already know, your body goes into ketosis and hopefully, one's appetite is naturally reduced when this happens. Therefore, without even realizing it, you really in effect are eating smaller portions. This is not to say that you need to start heavy duty calorie counting/ and serious portion control. However, in my own case (and once again, each of our bodies are programmed a little differently--metabolisms are all different), I had a real problem not..1. watching the amount and type of fats I was eating, and I also needed to watch portions.
In the beginning if you have a lot of wt. to lose, your calories will be higher, but as you begin to lose, you will see that you really do need to watch the fats/portions you are eating.

Carol

[susies1955]

I don't ever remember reading or hearing Dr. Atkins say eat until full. He said eat until satisfied. There is a big difference between full and satisfied.
He also is quoted as saying:

"I never said calories don't count. I say carbohydrates count more. There's no doubt that a person will lose more weight and faster on 1500 calories 10 carbs, than 2500 calories 10 carbs."

So even Dr. Atkins advocates 'control' not only in carbs but in intake.

Susie

[Lisa Rae]

Pca..I always am the one who says to list portion size. Why? because it gives you a good indication of why someone may be having trouble. For example..if someone posts that they are follwing the list and having 3 meals a day..yet not losing...well lerning that they think a portion is 3 oz steak..may indicate a problem..or if they post their eating 14 oz steaks all day..that also can be information that will help when giving advice.

Most people comming to low-carb have no ide what a normal portion is! they either have been doing a restrictive low-calorie plan..where they may be used to not eating enough..or they have been binging..where they are used to eating huge meals.

it's tur..atkins says to eat untill satisfied.but many have no idea what that is when starting. And reality is..we don't count calories..but they do count!

[Diana]

I also mention Portion size! Meats no more then 3-4oz (the size of your palm, measure out salads.... EVERYTHING!

Eat Slower, drink water before a meal and remmeber to wait a good 20 min after you finished if you think you are still hungry. Remember the brain needs a good 20 min to "catch up"

[picaboo]

......................Thank you all so very much !


Its...ONLY...my second week.

This morning.........
...I did my 5 miles jog and I barely was able to finsh half of it!
It was not my legs nor my heart....it felt like...(?).....Air-Baloon that all the air is going out and its feel feel like- like...I have nothing in me.........(never happen before)

I am doing my running for many years...(am 48 y old)...during the week- depend on how lazy I am: and the weather of cours (need something/one to blame) :-)...at the Gym 2-3 times...all budy lifiting- for 30-45 min)

Needless to say here....that with all my Milege 's running collection ....Im still - ((( FAT))) = H- 5.5 W- 205 pounds.

On my first week Ive lost -only- 2 pounds....(water?)
So.... Im taking your advice here... and I am trying portion size...will see how that will work for me..........already feel hungry (an hour after lunch...have glass of water)

It feels like no matter what I'll do those "lovely pounds" cant leave me.

.........(taking birth control : Microgestin Fe 1/20 )


*(Bad english?- sorry- not an English speaker)

[Bees KneesII]

I have to say that 3-4 oz of meat sounds kinda meagre to me and I don't want to have to measure/weigh/count everything... which is one of the reasons I chose this woe. I often eat more like a 6oz portion of meat and seem to be losing fine.

I just wanted to put my opinion here so that not every newbie will believe they have to be that restrictive.

I do agree that there is a big difference between 'satisfied' and 'full' and of course we should aim for 'satisfied' and yes, it sure is hard to tell in the beginning sometimes! Once you get the hang of it, tho it really feels good to be just at that satisfied point where you can carry on with your life and not have to go lay down and vegetate for a while.

Elissa

[oow-woo]

Just a thought. One other thing you might want to consider is having your thyroid checked. I know for me, I was told for years that nothing was wrong with my thyroid (even though I couldn't lose wt. no matter how much I exercised, dieted, etc...). Also, I was tired, falling asleep in the middle of the day, dry peeling nails, cold all the time etc.... I was finally diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (an autoimmune type of thyroid disease). As women approach the 40-50 mark it is even more common to have hypothyroidism.

Carol

[picaboo]

oow-woo-Carol Thank you....and I think, you are very lucky to find that out.
Yearly check up for me, will be about a few months -so Im not sure I would like to advence it...as long as I FEEL so-so very healthy & strong and beautiful person :-))) (even with my fat- Depend on the day) :-)
.....................knock 3 times for me......... :-)))))

[Lisa Rae]

Just want to mention..I was not the one that suggested 4 oz of meat

I only speak of portions for this reason. I lost very well for well over a year and not counting calories just carbs. I never ate products (frankly..the only ones around at that time we're on-line and way too much $$ for me) At some point in my second year..the lbs just wouldn't go. I re-inducted...nothing. Eventualy I had to look at calories after trying just about everything else. What I realized is..as I lost..I naturally had been lowering calories by way of eating smaller meals. This was not a plan..but something that came naturally to me as I lerned to listen to my body. I think people who are new to low-carbing may not have this tool yet..and thus..paying attention to how much (or even little) your eating can help.

When doing Atkins..I stuck to no more then 6 oz of protein per sitting. For me, this was a good amount of protein..but not so much as I was stuffing myself at meals with extra calories. I payed most attenetion to this at dinner..as it is the one meal I can sit and eat..and thus..would tend to overdue. If I stuck to my 6 oz protein..along with my veggies..eating slow..I usually felt satisfied after. If I was still hungry..I wuld have a glass of water...wait 20 min then re-evaluate. Rarely did I still feel hungry after doing this. If I did..I'd take anothe small protein portion..and enjoy.

I didn't set an amount on protein..because I think each of us are diffrent. 3-4 oz may be enough for one person..where as 6 worked for me. I only mention portions..as something to notice and pay attention too.

[picaboo]

Lisa .... I thank you so much taking your time here for me.

I really appreciated it all of you here responding to me...always great to know you have some support/understanding....:-)

Sunday monring.
....had time to go threw old Atkins book....and there is a big paragraph on the question :

....." Q. Don't calories play any role?"

....." A. There's no question - of coures they do. A 1500-calorie, ten-gram diet. will take more weight off- and more quickly- then a 2,000 - caloreis ten-gram diet. If the carbs levels remain unchaned, then the extra calorie intake does make a difference. People who eat out of force of habit and don't cut their quantites lose more slowly becaouse of their high calorie intake.
If you can cut down you on your quantites, you better off to do so............On this diet there is a new level it takes to satisfy........try eating less and you'll find you are just as comfortable as when you ate more on the high carbs diet........"


..............................................

[oow-woo]

Pic- isn't it interesting how we all seem to learn more each time we read the book? I think its a great idea to reread every now and then. I would continue to work with the Atkins plan for a bit to see how well you do. If you're losing a lb or so a week, definitely continue. However, if you find you are just not making any progress (as long as you can honestly say you are following it properly and exercising/drinking your water), then you may want to give Lean for Life a shot. As I said, for some strange reason, that was the only lowcarb plan that worked for my 'weirdo' metabolism -- and believe me, over the last 5 years, I've tried several (for a few months on each) to no avail.

Carol

[picaboo]

Carol Thank you so much....and....let me LOL...just becouse its so much me :-)))........sorry to say - I dont know what is Lean for Life...?....

This Sunday morning Ive lost : 1 pound = 3 pounds for now...so will see....felt very much discomfort around night time and went to bed like that (hungry?)...
Maybe...I must get use to that....if I want to cut my size's portion.........

[oow-woo]

Pic- LFL is just another lowcarb program. There are a lot of them out there now -- just seems for some odd reason, this was the better one for me. You seem to be losing, so you know what they say....'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'
Just FYI, there is a Lean for Life Board on this site too...

Carol

[picaboo]

....carol ....I will check it here - thank thank thank :-)

With all my "big" honesty :-).....first I need to deal with some issues - no matter what diet it is :
....... Portion sizes ! (calories DO matter) :-)
........Eat slow !


(have this wired thing that sometimes before a meal- I think Im not that hungry but then when I sit down to eat, I feel SO hungry- and then I eat fast- make any sence?)... :-)

[oow-woo]

Try drinking a large glass of ice water right before you sit down to dinner. That should help to alleviate that 'starving' feeling in your stomach. Then try...really try to put your fork down between bites and chew s-l-o-w-l-y. Some of it may just be out of habit or perhaps some stress?

Carol

[picaboo]

.........:-)))))......Nice- Nice....really a good one....I will *defianly* will use it......really nice (cannot stop) :-))))....Needs to last tou for ever.

............................................:-))))

[picaboo]

.........Monday morning.

Came back for my regular running...and....I only could run 10 min !!!!
...something is worng with me here- felt so misrable....like there's nothing in me..........?....?....?.....

(This weekend.... lost 2 pounds= 5 pounds for now)

[oow-woo]

Hi Pic-- Sounds like you might need some added potassium in your diet--perhaps supplements. Remember, on high protein you really need to make sure you get a lot of water/fluids (preferably non caffeinated). I would try eating 5-6 smaller (mini-meals) to keep something in your system at all times so you don't feel weak. Try to have little protein snacks throughout the day.

Carol

[picaboo]

oow-woo-Carol......

Thank you again, very much for your support.
(he he he...what would I do without you...Hey?) :-)))))

I will try to take your adivce for eating small protein during the day...Im taking (if- Im not forgetting)Centrum - a multi one...says on it form A to Z...hope that's ok...would like not to take any (just-just dont like it)..... :-)))))......But - should I ?.........

[cenicienta]

Hi Picaboo,

I actually have the same problem as you do with your muscles while running. I feel like I just cannot go on running about a mile into it or so. This is not like me. Before low carb I could do 5 miles like you do without a problem. I know that some people may disagree with me on this one, but I actually upped my carbs a bit and made sure that I ate a snack about an hour before running. I must admit that I still do not have the energy that I should while running, but I feel much better than I did before. Let me know what works for you.

Jen

[picaboo]

Hi Jen
.......So-S0-So...happy to hear Im not alone here
(thouht its only me...really-really)

...Quete......
"I must admit that I still do not have the energy that I should while running, but I feel much better than I did before. Let me know what works for you....."

.......he he he.....:-)....
My milion$ quetion for myself.....shall I / we :-) have to compromise about it ?....
....- I think - I need more time to find out. Im only on my 13 day- going LC - Im so sure - time will tell us!.........I guess:-)
I know that my need for losing those extra pounds of mine are very storong in me right now...........But - again.......???......

lets keep in touch and maybe with time, we will find out - Ha? :-)))))
............mabe we will get smarter about that...he he he..........
(Today, I did not go for my run - after my yesterday's misery not been able to run10 min!!!)

...................Do keep in touch..........

[picaboo]

....I found something .... will that will help us in some way ???....wish NA will advice us...on this matter.... (but she is not) :-(

"...After you eat, fats are digested in the stomach into their building blocks—fatty acids. These fatty acids are then absorbed into the bloodstream or stored in the body. When you exercise the body uses two sources of fuel: sugar and these stored fatty acids to generate energy.

It works this way: stimulated by the demand from your exercising muscles your body pours sugar into your bloodstream which cannot get into your muscles when you do not have enough insulin available to "unlock the doors" to your muscles. Your body then cleverly looks to alternative sources for fuel—the free fatty acids—to help fuel your muscles since it cannot get to the sugar. The use of fat for fuel results in a byproduct called ketones. These ketones accumulate in the blood and also spill over into the urine. The presence of ketones is called "ketonuria," and further dehydration and ketone build-up can result in ketoacidosis which is a medical emergency. The bottom line is that the presence of ketones in someone with type 1 diabetes shows a dangerous lack of insulin and the immediate need for more insulin. Exercise, at this time, will only burn more fat and produce more ketones. "

.............................................?.... .......................

[Atkins_Nutritionist]

Picaboo,

I hadn’t originally posted to this thread since over the weekend a conversation had developed and you all had such great answers that were right on the money, anything I was going to write just seemed redundant.

But now another issue has been brought up, separate from the portion size discussion, that I would be happy to advice you on. (next time, it would be helpful to start another friend, so that your question doesn’t get lost in the thread).

Congrats on your progress so far. Sorry to hear about your problems with running. It would be helpful for you to post a menu, include portion sizes and what you are drinking and between what meals you are running. I can better advise you when I know more information.

As for the quote you posted, it discusses in friendly terms the physiology of exercise but there isn’t any info that could necessarily help you. And ketoacidosis is not something that you need to worry about. Levels of ketones will never build up to the point that they would in a diabetic.

[picaboo]

.......Thank Thank Thank you !!!...:-))))
...I will post my menue in a new thred..........later........

[picaboo]

...oooops...............

[jadefox26]

HELLO YOU!!!!!! You dissapeared off of the other board and I was worried about you - but I see you are doing just fine over here!!
Good for you honey - nice to see you're still doing LC - I wish you all the luck in the world with it - the people here seem just as nice as those on the other site!
See u around
xxxx