Weight loss on Atkins induction

I'm not following any Atkins regimen, but I am on a ultra low carb / high protein diet at a very low calorie level.

First I have known for some time that I am protein biased (my body craves protein, not carbs). I don't have much of a sweet tooth and if I had to choose between an extra portion of steak or dessert, I would almost always choose the steak.

I've been doing my diet for about 2.5 weeks and haven't gone above 50g of carbs yet (mainly its between 30-40g).

Since my own tastes and make-up is preventing me from having some of the cravings people here report (I'd probably have them if I went to a low protein diet) - I can at least tell you what I've been satisfied eating - lots and lots and lots of green vegetables. I eat about a pound of salad for lunch (14g of carbs) about 1TB of vinaigrette and 4oz of lean protein. When I'm looking for something to gnaw on I'll eat a whole Cucumber - and for dinner I pound more than a few servings of steamed broccoli or asparagus.

If I feel the need for grains, I will air-pop a 1/4 cup of popcorn, spray on a mist of canola oil for the salt to stick. I'm definitely not staying at dietary minimums on sodium - but I'm drinking a ton of water and I'm not retaining water.

I am a huge proponent of being in caloric deficiency and that a calorie is a calorie - as long as you are maximizing your nutrients. I'm protein biased, have enough fat storage to last me some time and am embracing a very low metabolism. Being at a low caloric intake has educated me on what foods create satiety and give me the most energy. It's like being your own science experiment.

I am about to finish my second week of induction. I lost 8 pounds my first week with carb reduction and increased exercise. As the second week is ending I'm finding I'm having more cravings than the first week- I'm not sure if that's normal for the second week or not, but I'm trying to power through it. Good luck!

I had cravings for the first three weeks. Mostly bread cravings. Just power through, as you said, they go away and it gets much easier. I found making sugar-free jello helped me for my sweet tooth and flax seed muffins are great for my bread cravings. Its not exactly but meh...it does the trick.

Good Luck!

I'm on week 1 of Induction and am down 4+ lbs in the first 5 days. I'm very motivated and am determined to stick to this. With that said, I need some easy recipe ideas. I'm afraid that boredom could set in very quickly. I'm pretty much eating eggs for breakfast, salad for lunch and meat with steamed veggies for dinner. Love to have some yummy ideas that can keep me on track!

I tried Atkins about 3 years ago and was quite successful. Started off at 206 and hit my lowest at 167 within about 6 months. I foolishly began eating poorly again and over the past 3 years packed back on all the weight and then some. I've become depressed, lethargic, and generally discontent. I just turned 37 on Nov 1 and had my annual health risk assessment at work the same week, which yielded some eye opening results. 235lbs, high cholesterol, high blood pressure...overall not good.

So today is day 2 of induction and I'm going back to what I know works. I feel like when doing Atkins correctly, you are eating a variety of whole and healthy foods and eliminating unnecessary processed junk. I have never eaten so many veggies in my life as I did when on Atkins. My energy level is already higher and I have a greater sense of well being...in 2 days. I've added exercise daily as well and plan to continue to do so while increasing the intensity as I get healthier.

My biggest obstacle is moving through the phases of Atkins so that it truly becomes a lifestyle and not a diet. I stayed in the induction phase the whole time I was on it before. Looking back, I should have started to add back in some of the healthier carbs to make everything more balanced. That is my goal this time around...and with life...to find balance.

Health and weight loss is so difficult for me because it's just as much a mental challenge as it is physical...I have to really be ready to commit to my health, since the past few years it has not been a priority and I've let myself go downhill. I'm excited to get healthy and treat myself better. To eat whole healthy foods and get my body moving. Whether you do Atkins or another way method "dieting", I think those two components are imperative.

Oh, and a word of advice for those who are doing Atkins for the 1st time...DO NOT FALL OFF THE WAGON! If you have a bad day, do not let that escalate into a bad week/month...just sleep on it and start again straight the next day. I've had a few failed attempts since my first successful introduction to Atkins and it's just so much easier to stay on track than it is to try to get back in gear after a hiatus.

Just started Atkins yesterday, already experiencing the crappy side effects of headaches and lightheadedness, but I've managed to make it almost 48 hours which is a record for me. I'm shooting to lose about 80 pounds, I know there is a lot of water weight to lose, but my scale is already moving in the right direction. I'm 5'11" and 270 pounds.

I started low carbing in early October. Net carbs less than 30 most days. I am 5'2" and so far I have lost 7.8lbs. I feel so much better since changing my diet in this way. I am no longer feeling sick, bloated, and sluggish all the time. Also, my skin has cleared up completely. I would still like to lose another 4-5lbs. Any advice/support/motivation would be appreciated!