Low Carb & Atkins Diet

lizzin · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 11:54 am Post subject: NEW TO DIET AND FEELING TIRED

Hi Everyone

I am new to this style of dieting having always been brought up on the traditional low fat diet! I am 39 and have steadily gained weight since the birth of my children. I need to lose about 20lb in total.

I have read an atkins book and am following his advice but not sticking entirely to the regiments of induction. I have cut out completely all sugar and starchy products. My typical day consists of 2 rashers of bacon & two fried egg for breakfast, a small salad for lunch consisting of iceburg lettuce, 2 cherry tomatoes, 6 slices of cucumber and a lump(about 2oz) cheddar cheese, for dinner I have generally been having chicken, steak or fish with vegetables(no potato) but have had a little carrot, leafy greens,french beans, broccoli, leeks, onions and have been making a sauce using oil, balsamic vinegar a little white wine and sometimes cream & pepercorns.(not all veg at once!)

Does this all seem ok to you experts?!

I have also had a few cups of tea. Some Earl grey, some normal. Most without milk and a few with.

I am also taking a time release multi vitamin from Holland & Barrett once a day.

I started cutting down and trying to do things the atkins way two weeks ago but was away with my work in a hotel for 4 days so it was very tricky! However I managed to lose 2lb. Since last Friday I have been totally committed to low carb and weigh in is tomorrow. I will be soooo disappointed if I have not lost some!

However I have been feeling particularly tired especially in the evenings. Falling asleep in the chair by 9.30! Hubby saying he would prefer me more rounded and awake! Is this common because Atkins seems to suggest I should be full of energy. Also I have been feeling quite full up but today for some reason I am getting hunger pangs.

I have also bought some ketosis sticks and have been measuring and it says I am moderate. Is that ok? Will anything be happening. So many questions sorry!!
Liz

enchilada81 · Established Member Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 31

I also started Atkins without following instructions 100%. I had tea with milk, onions, almonds etc ... I lost a great deal of weight that first week. I often wonder how much I would have lost if I'd done everything by the book!

I also experience the same tiredness you describe. I feel fine by day but around 9pm I get extremely tired. I fell asleep on the sofa a couple of nights ago at 9.30pm. Very unlike me.

The hunger pangs you describe, is it actually hunger or thirst? Are you drinking lots of water? Whenever I think I'm hungry, it's actually a craving for sugar. I'm so used to being able to nibble on crisps/chocolates/cake etc that I just get the urge to go in the kitchen and raid the cupboards. I always say "I'm hungry" but I never am ... I just want to eat something sweet. (So I squirt some whipping cream onto a spoon and eat that Embarassed

)

lizzin · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 2:19 pm Post subject:

Hi
So exciting to get a reply!
Actually I think you are right about the water. For the last two days while I have been at work I have had a litre bottle of water with me at all times and have been drinking it. Today I had not had any when I posted that forum. Now have a big glass with me. It is so hard to remember to do it. Will it become automatic eventually?

enchilada81 · Established Member Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 31

It does become automatic. I have never been a person that drinks plain water but I had to become one in order to do this diet. I now keep a bottle of water with me at all times.

Interestingly ... yesterday I was really busy and didn't bother much with the water. I drank a bit in the morning, a bit in the afternoon but that was it ... funnily enough this morning is the first time since I started this that the scales hadn't gone down. I think it's to do with the lack of water yesterday.

lizzin · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 3:34 pm Post subject:

How long have you been doing diet enchilada and have you got loads to lose? Do you weigh every day? I have not weighed since last Saturday so cant wait until tomorrow to see the results. I do actually feel like I have lost some from my waist and thighs but whether this will be shown in pounds remains to be seen. I did do measurements about 2 weeks ago of my body so perhaps I will do them again this evening.

enchilada81 · Established Member Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 31

I would be interested to hear your results Very Happy

I actually only started this last Monday (22nd Feb). When I started I weighed 11st 11lbs.

I now weigh 11st 2lbs. (That's how quickly the weight drops off). I know alot of that was water, especially in the first few days but I KNOW I have lost inches off my waist and hips. My size 12 jeans are lose on me and falling down (they were two tight for me two weeks ago!) and three different people have asked me if I've lost weight ... so it is noticable.

Even better though, someone said to me this week "You look different ... I can't quite put my finger on it ... "

I said "I've lost a few pounds in weight, is it that?"

They replied "no, but I did notice that too ... you look different though ... you look ... healthy and younger!" Very Happy

I'm so used to people saying "you look pale

, are you ill?" this was a huge shock. Even better than someone telling me I've lost weight!

Sorry, I'm babbling now. I do weigh every day but I shouldn't do. My goal weight is 10st (or 145lbs) Smile

Let us know how your weigh in goes!

lizzin · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 7:32 pm Post subject:

Hi Enchilada

I started 22 Feb as well but not properly as I said I was away in a hotel that week and could not do it properly.
I was 11st 7lb and when I weighed last Sat 28th Feb I was 11st 5lb.
I would like to get to 9st 13lb as that was my weight for years and years so I think that is my natural weight.
I am 5ft 4" but a medium to heavy build, I am not a slight little thing!
I will post tomorrow after the weigh in. Keep everything crossed for me!

merlot · Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 12:50 am Post subject:

My fingers are crossed!!

Toni

enchilada81 · Established Member Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 31

How did the weigh in go? Smile

lizzin · Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 12:24 pm Post subject:

Hi
I lost 5lb so now lost 7 in total which is fab!!
Was at work all day yesterday and then out for a meal with friends in the evening. It was a fixed meal with pate & chutney for starters, I ate that but no bread or toast, salmon & veg for main(no pots)but sadly a rhubarb crumble for pudding!! I also had a few glasses of wine but tried to have lots of water as well.
Today I am back on low carb in earnest as I dont want to undo all my good work!
Dont suppose I will get another 5lb weight loss next week but I hope I will get below 11st.

enchilada81 · Established Member Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 31

yay well done! it's such a good feeling when the scales tell you your hard work has paid off, isn't it? Smile

My short term goal now is to get down past 11 stone too. I'm going to weigh myself next Sunday after a strict (I hope!) week.