Hi, I started Atkins around Feb 2011 and w/in about 6-8 mos I lost around 60 lbs then I kinda stalled and statyed there for a few months then I switched to the paleo diet (still low carbs but you can eat all of the fruit you want too) I lost another 10 lbs in about 60 days so I decided to switch back to Atkins. I have had a really bad day today and I have went over my calories bc I binged on some cookie dough and chips...ugh. I have not done that im sooo long! But I logged it and I will have to make up for it starting tomorrow. I know Atkins works and the only thing I am dong diffrent htis time is logging my food. So, that shld only help...best of luck to every one!

I have seen some MFP members w/low daily carb allowances...how do you get that to change?

Unfortunately, plenty of veggies usually knocks you above the 20 carbs per day. Also, you are not supposed to cut fat in induction. You need something to go on. If I go low fat...I feel HORRIBLE.

Help! I'm so confused! I've read here that I should stay away from bars and shakes during induction. Is that true? What's the basis? I've been using those as my snacks (1 bar and 1 shake per day) and lost about 6 pounds week 1.

Opinions and Advice welcome!

If the bars and shakes are working for you- then by all means, keep using them. Some people find that their weightloss isn't as great if they use them, but this has not been a problem for me. just keep doing what works for you. 6lbs in the first week is pretty impressive.

Below are the guidelines for doing Atkins Induction right. From the Atkins website.

The Program: Phase 1

How to Do Induction Right. Many people see remarkably fast weight loss on Induction. Others find it slow going. Whatever your pace, you’ll need to follow the rules precisely to achieve success. This applies equally to those of you who are working on improving blood sugar and insulin levels or lipids. Otherwise, you could become frustrated before you’ve had a chance to see what the Atkins weight loss program can really do for you. Abide by the following guidelines and you’ll soon be well on the way to successful results:

1.Eat either three regular-size meals a day or four or five smaller meals. Don’t skip meals or go more than six waking hours without eating.

2.At each meal—including breakfast—eat at least 4 to 6 ounces of protein foods, including poultry, beef, lamb, pork, veal, fish and shellfish, eggs, cheese and a variety of vegetable proteins. Up to 8 ounces is fine if you’re a tall guy. There’s no need to trim the fat from meat or the skin from poultry, but do so if you prefer. Just add a splash of olive oil or a pat of butter to your vegetables to replace the fat.

3.Enjoy butter, olive oil, high-oleic safflower oil, canola oil, and seed and nut oils and mayonnaise (made from olive, canola, or high-oleic safflower oils). Aim for 1 tablespoon of oil on a salad or other vegetables, or a pat of butter. Cook foods in just enough oil to ensure that they don’t burn. Or spritz the pan with a mist of olive oil.

4.Eat no more than 20 grams a day of Net Carbs, 12 to 15 grams of them as foundation vegetables. This means you can eat approximately six loosely packed cups of salad and two cups of cooked vegetables per day. Remember, carb counts of various vegetables vary, so be sure to check them.

5.Eat only the foods on the Acceptable Foods List for Phase 1.

6.In a typical day, you can have up to 4 ounces of most cheese (but not cottage cheese or ricotta), 10 black or 20 green olives, half a Haas avocado (the kind with a blackish pebbly skin), an ounce of sour cream or 2–3 tablespoons of cream, and up to 3 tablespoons of lemon or lime juice. The carbs in these foods must be counted in your 20 grams of Net Carbs.

7.Acceptable sweeteners include sucralose (Splenda), saccharine (Sweet’N Low), stevia (SweetLeaf or Truvia) or xylitol. Have no more than three packets a day, and count each one as 1 gram of carbs. This is because, while these sweeteners contain no carbs, they are packaged with fillers that do contain a little carbohydrate to keep them from clumping.

8.To satisfy your sweet tooth, you can have sugar-free gelatin desserts and up to two Atkins shakes or bars coded for Induction (Phase 1).

9.Each day, drink at least eight 8-ounce portions of approved beverages: water, club soda, herb teas, or moderation—caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee and tea. This will prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. In this count, you may include two cups of broth (not low sodium), one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

10.Take a daily iron-free multivitamin/multimineral combo and an omega-3 fatty-acid supplement.

11.Learn to distinguish hunger from habit and adjust the quantity you eat to suit your appetite as it decreases. When you’re hungry, eat until you feel satisfied but not stuffed. If you’re not sure that you’re full, wait ten minutes, have a glass of water, and eat more only if you’re still unsatisfied. If you’re not hungry at mealtime, eat a small low-carb snack.

12.Don’t starve yourself, and don’t skimp on fats.

13.Don’t assume that any food is low in carbs. Read the labels on packaged whole foods to discover unacceptable ingredients; and check their carb counts (subtract grams of fiber from total grams). Also use a carbohydrate gram counter.

14.When dining out, be on guard for hidden carbs. Gravy is usually made with flour or cornstarch, both no-nos. Sugar is often found in salad dressing and may even appear in coleslaw and other deli salads. Avoid any deep-fried or breaded food.

Link --> http://www.atkins.com/Program/Phase-1/How-to-Do-Induction-Right.aspx


Hope this helps!!

Thanks so much for the reply lleabrooks! I stay below my carb count and try to stay below 1200 calories and am exercising 5 days a week. Hopefully these good results will keep on coming! Good luck to you!

in the beginning, no i don't think the calorie count matters much. anything you lose will just be water weight anyway.

after you're into ketosis (3 weeks+) your appetite will lessen a great deal, and you will notice that your calories will go down too.

most days i can barely break 1200, and usually around 800-1k. eating nuts will help if you're too low though.

I did this diet for a month and lost19 lbs. fell off the wagon big time this las couple of months, with summer vacation. I want to start again so I would like to join this group for support.

How do I modify the setting here so I ban make keep track of net carb or take the measurements like 60% fat, 35% protein & 5% carbs. Pls help, thanks

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Welcome!

Wow.. Just getting started and finding the 20 carb limit nearly impossible to achieve. Congrats to those who are making that work! I'm planning to keep at it and hopefully get there too.

Hi everyone!!! I started 5 days ago and down 7 pounds. The first 2 days were very hard.. but now it seems ok. And I'm not even craving so much junk food. I think the hardest thing was my sugary-french vanilla coffee every morning! AHH! Egg omelets are my BFF's now.

My short term goal is to lose 20 pounds by the beginning of Sept... so I've got 14 more to go. Lots of luck to all of us!

I see a number of newbies her in the last few days so I'm going to plug my blog post in hopes that it helps you get through some rough spots.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/LowcarbNY/view/the-science-behind-rapid-weight-loss-during-the-1st-week-or-so-of-low-carb-i-e-induction-and-why-it-eventually-slows-down-348757

Oh yeah, how long will I have breath like horse****?? I can barely speak to my patients and colleagues, and husband!

Oh yeah, how long will I have breath like horse****?? I can barely speak to my patients and colleagues, and husband!

Altoids mini's

my breath tends to be worse if im not drinking enough water. I try and get 115 oz. a day, but on days I don't I can smell the ketosis much stronger on my body and breath...yukky....:sick: but it's kinda worth it...so ....lol yay?!:drinker:

I agree. I only have breath issues if I don't get my gallon in. I know it's a lot, but it makes a HUGE difference. My skin is really benefiting too! I live at a very high altitude that is dry and I go through a bottle of lotion a week. Since I've been drinking a gallon a day, I only need it morning and night. I know it may not sound like a big deal..... trust me, it is! I also think my increase of fat has helped my skin too.

Water trick for who may be interested:

I get pebble ice from our market butcher. Have you had the tiny ice from places like Sonic in your drinks? I love the stuff and will drink/chew it all day. I noticed it's the same stuff that our butcher uses in his display case. He sells it to me for $2.00 a 10 lb bag. I buy 6 bags a week and we go through every bit of it. I actually get freaked out if we are getting low (ridiculous yes, but it is that important to me!) I did make sure it came in NO contact with any meat/fish stuff, The machine is even in a different room due to health code. I love it and my whole family is benefiting huge! :drinker:

I gotta second the little sugar free peppermind altoids....I'm sure my coworkers and patients are much happier...lol.

The one before that written by Dr.Atkins in 2000, is the best I think.

hello sicchi and other atkins fans.

does anyone know the name of this book? i wanna find it on amazon, but there are about a zillion choices.

thanks! i am stalled on week 3/4 induction and i think it is the net carbs that is doing it. too many veggies/fruits.

rusty

I am on day 13 of induction and haven't lost weight, but I have lost some inches. My food diary is open, I started atkins on July 24th and really do like eating this way. I might have to lower my calories b/c I am never hungry and may be eating too much. I have been in ketosis every day since July 26th too.