New to Atkins

[July]

Hi, Im new to Atkins and I plan on starting tomorrow ( 7-20-03) Sunday . If anyone is also just starting out contact me.

[Suzeeq]

I am not new to Atkins but if you are looking for support and assistance, all are more then willing to assist. Best of luck with Induction. You can do it. Stay focused and in the mindset. Take your weight and measurements before you start. It's going to be a great day!

I started today, so we'll succeed together!

[Suzeeq]

Checking in with the ladies. How is everyone doing? I hope well. Drop a line and let us know!

Hello, I am also new to Atkins. Today was day one and I am allready wanting to crack! I am a real carb addict with roughly 70 pounds to lose. I am a homemaker and take care of four children all day. I prepare virtually all the meals at our home and I think that that might be the most difficult thing to do now. If anyone has some great advice for me, I would greatly appreciate it! I am tired of being tired, and tired of being FAT!!!

Sincerely,
Lori in Indiana

[Suzeeq]

It's all in the mindset. Re-think how you eat. How badly do you want to become fit and healthy? That is the true question you need to ask yourself. The first three days are the hardest. This is when your body will purge itself of sugar. The cravings will subside. Your not alone. We have all been there. Take this opportunity to teach your children good eating and snack habits. It's one day at a time in the beginning and then it will become second nature to you just like eating food in the past. I don't think about it anymore. It's simply not an option. You want to loose 70lbs. What put it into perspective for me was that is 14 5lb bags of sugar in the body! I didn't want the extra 10 in mine. I have 2 left to go! Kind of silly but try carrying around even 2 of them all day. That's hard! Think of how hard you heart is working to do this.

Keep us posted. You can do this. Remember, lots of water. It will cleanse the body. No caffeine. Triggers sugar cravings. Stick to protein and you will be satisfied and fuller longer. This truly does work and make sure you take at least 30 minutes per day for yourself.

Good luck!

Hi Susan,

Thanks for your advice. I guess the coffee has got to go??? That one is going to be difficult. I am determined though especially after reading so many success stories on this site. I am finding one thing especially hard right now, I can't seem to think about much of anything else other than food! Food I can have, food I can't have. food I really want right now, planning the next meal hours in advance so I am not caught off guard, etc...
How can someone change that and start focusing back on life so I do not become burnt out? Am I crazy or does this happen to alot of people?

[Suzeeq]

Hi Lori,

I did the same thing. While eating one meal, I was deciding on the next. It's natural. Everyone I have spoken with went through the same thing. Food is an obsession. Agreed? It's a time during our busy day when we can truly sit and enjoy something. Nothing like a yummy meal right! I would be eating breakfast and figuring out what to have for lunch and while eating lunch, figure out, hey what the hecks for dinner! Trust me, this will pass! Once you have successfully made it through Induction and you see 7 or 9 or 11 or 14lbs like I did gone, believe me, there is no stopping you. I look at food from a completely different perspective now. Sure I still crave some of the items I used to have but there are simply not an option. Just like foods I never liked. Liver for example. Have never eaten it and I am not about to start now!

Stay focused on goals. When I have a weak moment, I just pull out the size 4 skirt that's too tight. Stand in front of the mirror and let it all hang out! That will keep you motivated. Believe it or not Lori, losing is the easiest part, maintaining is the hardest. This is not a diet. It's a lifestyle. Here's a moral booster for you. When I started this WOL, everyone in my office said, Susan, YOUR NUTS! Well, I ate my nuts as a mid afternoon snack and 42 pounds later, alot of them have jumped on the band wagon. To date, my office has lost over 400lbs between 26 employees! Impressive! So let's see, that's 80 5lb bags of sugar! Hopefully alot of us have headed off future health problems such as Diabetis. My dad has it and it is awful!!

So stay focused. When you have a weak moment, leave the room, count to 15, drink a glass of water and you will be fine!

PS - I never gave up my coffee. Switched to lite. Half the caffeine and it didn't seem to hamper my efforts. Use Splenda.