CARB CREEP CHALLENGE

Connorene

CARB CREEP CHALLENGE

My main problem is carb creep caused by eating healthy foods which then leads to eating junk food. Consequently, I have decided to start a 6 week challenge to combat carb creep.

Some people believe that new habits can be developed in 21 to 30 days. I believe new habits take at least 6 weeks to be permanent. This is not about “one cheat will ruin the 6 week challenge.” But rather, if I do cheat, can I get back on track immediately and will the 6 week period need to be extended to permanently change the desired eating habit.

Today is Day 1.

My goal today is Atkins induction to start things out slowly. I first need to get the carb cravings stopped before I can work on stopping carb creep. This whole process might take me more than 6 weeks, but I have to start somewhere.

If anyone is interested in the goal of changing an eating habit, please join me at any time.

Connie

Qarol

I don't believe I understand the challenge. Are you trying the Atkins diet for 6 weeks?

mountainmare

Hi Connie

I've been doing Induction for 25 days now. I am 62 and have seen a loss in both pounds and inches. I'm also doing 30 day shred and other exercise. the biggest problem I have had is a lack of energy in the first week. I am a regular exerciser so that was different for me.
For your six weeks you will be facing the holidays. Have you decided how to handle that. For me I had two planned social events where I knew that low-carb would not be an option. I decided to just go with the flow rather than cancel my fun. It didn't seem to bother my progress.
If you have done Atkins in the past but haven't looked at the new book you might want to pop over to atkins .com. Two things that have changed is that your protein amounts are suggested at 4-6 oz per meal, instead of unlimited. The other thing is calories are 1500 or so.
It is pretty easy to stay in the carb range eating fresh veggies for your carbs and counting net carbs not total carbs. On my food diary I set carbs and fiber so I can count net carbs. I also weigh and measure everything right now until I can get a better idea of serving size.
Keep us posted on how you are doing. I found that after the first week my carb cravings were gone and I have to really be careful to make sure I eat enough calories!!
Feel free to add me as a friend.

Connorene

I probably will do Atkins for 6 weeks because Atkins allows a lot of flexibility as long as I count carbs. Counting carbs is the one thing that I plan on being very careful about. Since I am keeping a diary, I hope to see what I am eating that causes the first signs of carb cravings which is one step away from carb creep. Is it the type of foods I am eating or is it the total carbs in one day or is it a combination of the two? I don't know.

So a part of this challenge is trying to find out why and how I am getting hooked into carb creep.

Connorene

Mountainmare,

Congratulations for being on Atkins induction for 25 days.

I first started Atkins January 2010 and lost a lot of weight. I’m definitely an Atkins veteran, but just can’t seem to stop falling off the wagon. I have looked at the information on the Atkins website and in the new book, but I prefer Atkins 2003.

I am not certain what holidays your talking about, but I have not had any problems in the past from friends or family. This is all my fault, and I can’t blame anyone.

I am also keeping track of net carbs. We had the same idea.

Getting enough protein and fat is not a problem for me because I’m a big meat eater. Also, I’m not buying into that whole calorie thing - my stomach/body is not a calorimeter.

Connie

mountainmare

For me Easter means Bunny Cake. I make a cake in the shape of a bunny, white with coconut. I am still planning on bunny cake, I will just have one piece instead if more bunny cake in the next days. Fortunately I don't like candy...but I do love eggs which are ok for low carb.
I find that this time I am losing more inches than before because I am really looking at a balanced approach with alot more veggies than when I did Atkins in the past.
As for calories--I have to count to eat enough of them, I'm usually low.

Connorene

Bunny Cake - that's cute!

Your exercising is also helping you to lose inches.

Connorene

Day 2

I am allergic to dairy and gluten. I get a runny nose from dairy and a bloated stomach from grains. The symptoms are mild which means I am NOT deterred from eating them.

I have a “real thing” for ice cream. And as Atkins said, if you are allergic to something, you’ll want to eat it. I have also heard that if a person craves ice cream, they have a fat deficiency. But, I don’t think that is my problem anymore.

One of the things I will need to monitor during these 6 six weeks is my carb carvings when I eat dairy and gluten products. However, I do plan on restricting them considerably.

Connie

Sharonks

Peeps. Since I was a kid that has been what Easter eating was about. Somehow those diet peeps just aren't as good.

smsinger75

Good Luck, Connie!! I am also trying to keep the Carb Creep away. I did not do so well over the weekend. Generally I do pretty well. I have passed the induction phase and still in the losing phase. Lost 3 lbs last week. Lost a total of 20 lbs and almost 20 inches in 6 months.
That being said....I am here to support you if you like. Friend me if you want. I do have some easy low-carb recipes I can share if you want. Just let me know.

Hugs~
Rena

Laceybaby1967

For me Easter means Bunny Cake. I make a cake in the shape of a bunny, white with coconut. I am still planning on bunny cake, I will just have one piece instead if more bunny cake in the next days. Fortunately I don't like candy...but I do love eggs which are ok for low carb.
I find that this time I am losing more inches than before because I am really looking at a balanced approach with alot more veggies than when I did Atkins in the past.
As for calories--I have to count to eat enough of them, I'm usually low.

We do that too!!!!!

zumbamommaof4

Day 2

I am allergic to dairy and gluten. I get a runny nose from dairy and a bloated stomach from grains. The symptoms are mild which means I am NOT deterred from eating them.

I have a “real thing” for ice cream. And as Atkins said, if you are allergic to something, you’ll want to eat it. I have also heard that if a person craves ice cream, they have a fat deficiency. But, I don’t think that is my problem anymore.

One of the things I will need to monitor during these 6 six weeks is my carb carvings when I eat dairy and gluten products. However, I do plan on restricting them considerably.

Connie

superstankazz

CARB CREEP CHALLENGE

My main problem is carb creep caused by eating healthy foods which then leads to eating junk food. Consequently, I have decided to start a 6 week challenge to combat carb creep.

Some people believe that new habits can be developed in 21 to 30 days. I believe new habits take at least 6 weeks to be permanent. This is not about “one cheat will ruin the 6 week challenge.” But rather, if I do cheat, can I get back on track immediately and will the 6 week period need to be extended to permanently change the desired eating habit.

Today is Day 1.

My goal today is Atkins induction to start things out slowly. I first need to get the carb cravings stopped before I can work on stopping carb creep. This whole process might take me more than 6 weeks, but I have to start somewhere.

If anyone is interested in the goal of changing an eating habit, please join me at any time.

Connie

Good luck! You've certainly got the right attitude
I am on day 8 of Atkins induction, I have been doing a good job at keeping my carbs under 20 a day, I haven't gone over, and my ketostix are turning dark purple but I am not losing any weight! I'm going to keep trying and stick with it! Changing an eating habit sounds like a fabulous idea! I am a caffeine addict! I need to ween myself off.
You can add me as a friend if you like, I need more low carbers for support!

superstankazz

Peeps. Since I was a kid that has been what Easter eating was about. Somehow those diet peeps just aren't as good.

LOVE your profile pic! I have spoiled rotten dachshund of my own. Yours are adorable!!!

Connorene

Day 2 is finished.

I had 16 net carbs. While I can't say that everything I ate today was on Atkins "induction," I did keep my carbs low.

It usually takes me 4-5 days to get into ketosis and past the tiredness.

The thing that I am proud of is that I resisted coffee today at work. Last week, I was starting to get back into the coffee habit. For about the last 20 years, I have not been able to lose weight if I drink coffee everyday. So, I am very happy that I got past it today.

Connie

Connorene

I learned something new today. Black pepper has carbs in it and garlic powder has a lot more carbs than I thought. Both of them have 2 carbs per 1 teaspoon.

This means that yesterday I had 18 net carbs instead of 16. Maybe other carbs are sneaking into my diet that I'm missing. I guess I better be more careful.

manda1028

that sucks. i never researched garlic powder. it makes every dish better. ill have to start watching that too!

mountainmare

Connie--are you measuring? A teaspoon is alot of pepper per serving so maybe it is not as bad as you think. Remember that you are allowed to have spices etc on induction.
I had one basil leaf on my egglant the other day--I didn't count it.
You are doing great by cutting out the bad carbs, give yourself a pat on the back!!!

Connorene

I haven't measured them since I found out about the carbs. But, I estimated that I used around 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper - that adds up to 2 carbs.
But next time, I will definitely measure them to find out for certain.

Connorene

Day 3 is done.
Net carbs: 12.
It's too early to see ketones yet because I'm eating too many carbs, but maybe tomorrow.

Resisting the coffee wasn't a problem today. I mention coffee because I think it is one of those things that cause carb creep. Coffee can make me restless or nervous, and I'm a stress eater.

smsinger75

Good Morning, Connie! You are doing great! You are definitely on the right road. The road to success! I hope to message you a few recipes later today. Life has just been crazy lately. That is what happens when you have a teenager and a pre-teen and they are involved in various activities, plus working full-time. Have a great day!! TTYL Hugs~

Connorene

Day 4
Net carbs: 4

I am now in ketosis. Now, I wait to see how my mind wants to cheat a little. I always start out thinking it’s going to be just a little bit of food or just one cup of coffee.

superstankazz

Day 4
Net carbs: 4

I am now in ketosis. Now, I wait to see how my mind wants to cheat a little. I always start out thinking it’s going to be just a little bit of food or just one cup of coffee.

Keep up the good work! Don't cheat now that you're in ketosis

Connorene

Opps I forgot about 2 carbs yesterday, so my net carbs was 6.

I ate a late lunch today at a buffet. I didn't do too bad but I plan on skipping supper. I could only estimate the nutritional content of the various items, and I hope I am not too far off.

Now, I wait to see if I'm still in ketosis tomorrow.

I think my net carbs today were around 19.

PeggyWoodson

Mountainmare,

Congratulations for being on Atkins induction for 25 days.

I first started Atkins January 2010 and lost a lot of weight. I’m definitely an Atkins veteran, but just can’t seem to stop falling off the wagon. I have looked at the information on the Atkins website and in the new book, but I prefer Atkins 2003.

I am not certain what holidays your talking about, but I have not had any problems in the past from friends or family. This is all my fault, and I can’t blame anyone.

I am also keeping track of net carbs. We had the same idea.

Getting enough protein and fat is not a problem for me because I’m a big meat eater. Also, I’m not buying into that whole calorie thing - my stomach/body is not a calorimeter.

Connie

I'm an old Atkins Diet girl. 63yo. In one of the Atkins forums, they suggested I use fish oil for cravings. It worked for me. I took two fish oil capsules twice a day and the cravings have gone. That was in January. I'm still not craving. Hope it works for you too.

Connorene

Peggy,

You are so lucky to have found a solution to your cravings. I already take 2-3 fish oil capsules everyday. Or, are you saying that you take 4 capsules a day? I do eat a lot of fat at meal time, and that helps a lot.

I guess I could try 4 capsules a day. I certainly don't have anything to lose.

Thanks for the advice.

Connorene

Day 6

I'm still in ketosis which means that my eating at the buffet yesterday was okay. I also didn't have any cravings today. I did have some thoughts of having coffee at the office but I pushed that idea out of my mind immediately.

It was a good day.

Connorene

Day 7 and I'm still in ketosis without any carvings. Life if good.

PeggyWoodson

I think the fish oil really helps. And it is so subtle. I started taking it and after a while I realized that the cravings were gone. What a blessing. I'm a binge eater when I get started with cravings and anything that can stop it before it starts is somewhat of a miracle for me. Keep up the good work.

PeggyWoodson

facebook spoiled me. I want a "like" button.:laugh:

Connorene

Week 2 Day 1

Still no cravings, but usually I'm okay the first couple of weeks. It's the third week when I normally start having problems.