Low Carb & Atkins Diet

yummymummy2 · New Member Joined: 15 Jul 2010 Posts: 11 Location: England

Hi all

Very nearly back to square one today. Felt very faint as had been in meetings all morning and so grabbed a couple of Atkins bars from Boots. Had one (suitable for all phases), then had my lunch (tuna, olive oil, 2 cups salad) and had the most unbelievable carb cravings (have not had any cravings up until now!). Gave in to the cravings and ate the other bar (which I only noticed afterwards is only suitable for phases 2, 3 and 4).

Even after eating 2 atkins bars and my lunch I still have the worst craving for bread/baked food/sugar and its driving me bonkers!

Have I ruined my induction by doing this? Would it be best to start the two weeks again?

Sad

Tril · Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:11 pm Post subject:

No... you haven't ruined anything. Just consider this a learning experience and move on. Don't "start over"... just keep moving forward.

Those bars do the same thing to me. Some people can digest more of the sugar alcohol than other people. For me, they cause a release of insulin... thus the hunger/cravings. It's probably done the same thing to you. Your body reacted to the bars like you had eaten a regular granola bar... or candy bar. So what to do? Dig deep for a mega dose of willpower and white knuckle it through today. Drink LOTS of water. Eat LOTS of protein rich foods. Exercise. Distract yourself. Go for walk. Do whatever it takes to wait out this chemically induced craving. It will resolve itself soon... so long as you don't prolong it by feeding it more sugar/carbs.

Being craving-free is SO nice... isn't it amazing how we used to feel the cravings all the time and thought it was "normal"???

Hang in there and let us know how you're making out!

yummymummy2 · New Member Joined: 15 Jul 2010 Posts: 11 Location: England

I agree!! I could never ever have just one chocolate bar or piece of cake, once I'd started I couldn't stop, I truly am totally and utterly addicted to sugar.

These past few days since starting Induction my appetite has reduced and the cravings seemed to disappear, it has been brilliant! No other diet has ever worked for me because I just can't control my carb intake once I start. Am really hoping I can succeed at Atkins and feel good about the way I look again, having two children (beautiful as they are) has taken its toll on my poor body and I'm only 28 but I feel 58!

I am drinking water like no tommorrow and have had a black coffee with 1 x splenda, feel a lot better now.

Thank you so much for your advice, really appreciate it

Razz

Tril · Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 2:09 pm Post subject:

How are you doing? Still hanging in there??

Yeah... having two kids does a job on your body, huh? Just wait til you can add "age" to that. LOL Wink

I'm fighting my baby belly AND a menopot!!!

One thing... it can help to remind yourself that your sugar/carb addiction is a chemical response within your body. It's NOT a lack of self control or willpower or character or motivation. It's PHYSICAL. Sugar/carbs make your body release insulin... it's the INSULIN that makes you crave. So control the insulin output and you control your cravings. Fiber and protein slow digestion... slowing the production of glucose... which slows down/reduces the amount of insulin released. Exercise will help combat the need for insulin, so get moving if you can... use up any glucose you might have made... and get back into ketosis faster. Your body is able to switch back and forth... but you don't want to do that since it just makes it harder to lose weight.

You'll be glad you did this at 28, believe me.

yummymummy2 · New Member Joined: 15 Jul 2010 Posts: 11 Location: England

LOL Menopot! Love it! I have that to look forward to in a few years then! Those bars are so expensive aswell, it cost me £3.10 for two small bars!!

Cravings are slowly but surely decreasing. It’s really good to understand the addiction in terms of a physical reaction that takes place in your body as oppose to being weak-willed or greedy. I have been on diets for as long as I can remember and have wasted so much time beating myself up because of what or how much I’d eaten!

Am going to do some free weights and a session on wii fit with the kids tonight to use up any glucose.

Back on track, yay!

Tril · Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2010 4:35 pm Post subject:

"Back on track, yay!"

So glad to hear it! Well done!

OllieEddie · Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 10:41 pm Post subject:

How's it going today? Any residual cravings?

yummymummy2 · New Member Joined: 15 Jul 2010 Posts: 11 Location: England

Hello

No I stuck it out and had chicken and brocolli for dinner, followed by two tbsp of heavy cream sweetened with splenda.

Weighed myself this morning, 5 days in and have lost 4lbs!!!!!! Wooohooo!
So chuffed!!! Has given me a boost to carry on.

My dilemma today is that I had 4 eggs for breakfast, forgetting that I had two hard boiled eggs and salad packed for lunch! So thats 6 eggs in one day...Is there a healthy amount of eggs you should have in one day? Worried I may turn into a chicken! lol

Surprised