Beginning Induction Today

[Joe Tattoo]

Hello, All
I am beginning induction today, February 2, 2011. I am male, 61 years old, 6'1" tall at a weight of 276.6 lbs. Because I'm getting on in years I am going to attempt to achieve a weight of 185 lbs. I haven't been that weight since my late teens, but I believe that less weight will be kinder to my joints.
Wish me luck!
Joe

[Shingi]

Welcome to the Atkins way of life, and to the forum! It is a really great, healthy, and effective eating plan and if you follow it to the letter, you will soon see great results - and the great thing is it will not only be weightloss that you notice, but an improvement in your general health and wellbeing.

All the best of luck Joe!

[Tiggs]

Hi Joe and welcome - good luck. Keep logging in and posting.

[Joe Tattoo]

Finished up my first week of induction with a loss of 6 lbs. I'm very pleased, and have tried to keep things simple. Breakfast is 2 large mugs of black, sugarless coffee (that's the way I always drink it) and a couple of hard boiled eggs. Lunch is a ham and lettuce rollup with hot mustard and dinner is grilled meat along with a generous salad of iceburg lettuce,4 grape tomatos, some chopped scallions and crumbled bacon bits with a mock Russian dressing of low carb ketchup (just a touch) and about 3 tablespoons of mayo. A snack consists of a 2oz. portion of cheddar cheese, and I drink either water or seltzer, usually plain, but sometimes the slightly flavored 0 carb kind. I've been staying away from my old favorite, orange Crystal Lite, because I don't know how much sweetener is in there, and how much I'm allowed. If anyone can tell me, I'd appreciate it.
My energy is very high, I have no hunger and I'm enjoying my workouts again. I am also a 4 year practioner of Tai Chi Chaun (an excellent form of exersise for overweight people who may have trouble with high exertion) and find my form much more focused and energizing.
Hopefully, I'll post again next week.
Best to all
Joe

[SMS]

Hey Joe, hope its going well in week 2.
You mentioned "sweetners". Is it the same one as in Diet Coke? I don't do Diet Coke - it goes right thru me. And normal coke, normal lolly water is sugar city.

[Joe Tattoo]

I don't know if the artificial sweetener in diet coke is the same as the one in crystal lite. I've been sticking with water and seltzer.
Lost 1.5lbs on my second week, but I sabotaged myself over the weekend going to dinner with my wife for Valentine's day. One glass of merlot turned into half a bottle, and I did NOT send the bread basket away as I should have.
Well, I've learned not to berate myself too much over such slips. The important thing is never giving up, and going back to strict induction the next day. I'll do my utmost to stay on track this week

[Polynesiangirl]

It happens Joe.
I have done the same, I don't keep wine in the house for the very reason
Keep it up.

[benshad61]

This does happen to all of us Joe. When it does you just get right back on track.

Nice to spend Valentine's Day out with your wife. It was a treat for both of you. Nights like this are necessary and keep us sane.

I did the same thing last night. My eldest son and I went to see the movie THE KING'S SPEECH which my husband and I had enjoyed on the week-end and I wanted to see it again.

After the movie we had dinner and my husband joined us. I enjoyed a lovely glass of Chardonnay.
Today, it is back to the Atkins way of living. The wine was delicious and the grilled chicken Caesar salad was "Atkins friendly." No buns or bread! YEAH! No guilt either for the wine. I enjoyed every drop!

Back on track today and nice memories of last night. We only live once and we all have an "expiry date." LOL!

Jo

[Joe Tattoo]

Well, week #3 is in the books with a loss of 2lbs. I feel great. High energy, no hunger, and the portions that were barely sufficient 3 weeks ago are now too big and serve as lunch the next day. Probably the best part is that the way my clothes are sagging, I'd swear that I've lost double the weight! The urge to cheat has become almost nonexistent. Guess I'm in the Atkins zone.

[Joe Tattoo]

Lost 2 more lbs. Had to go to an out of town wedding a couple of weeks ago which slowed me down considerably, but the morning we left the hotel, it was bacon and eggs for breakfast and after 3 days on induction, was back to a nice purple keto stick feeling good about life. Have lost about 13.5 lbs in the last 7 weeks. A bit slower than I'd like, but it's a marathon, not a sprint, right? This week, got to add back my all time favorite, pistachio nuts! Have started with 30 nuts an evening, and nothing makes me feel more decadent than munching nuts in the evening. Have been doing Tai Chi twice a day, every day, and all in all, I feel wonderful. No obstacles on the horizon until Memorial Day weekend the end of May. Hope to drop 10 more lbs. by then.
Best to all
Joe

[benshad61]

Keep up the good work Joe and it is best to lose slowly and you are more likely to keep the weight off. Enjoy those pistachios! Remember "one day at a time!"

Jo

[Joe Tattoo]

Haven't posted in a long while, but I've been following my diet, working out consistently and losing about a pound a week. Since last Feb. 2, I've lost about 32lbs. Still have a way to go, but the diet is so easy and satisfying that I could literally live this way forever. Have hit a few snags in the last 7 months, but I've found an easy solution that works for me. If for some reason I find that I must break from the diet for a meal, a day or a weekend, I plan how long I will stray, and then, without fail, the following morning I get on the scale. When I see that weight gain of 1 to 5 lbs., it gives me the resolve to go back to phase 1 for about 3 days, get myself under control, and get going again. Often, a short break even speeds my weight loss over the long haul. However, if I don't get on that scale, I know that a full blown binge is starting, and I am in danger of destroying all my good work.
The nicest thing right now is how friends and family are commenting on how different I look. I know that the battle continues, but, wow, those words are nice to hear.
Best to all
Joe

[Aradasky]

Joe, it is so good to hear from you! I hope you come on more often because it sounds like you have really learned how to LIVE with this way of eating. You have a lot to teach those of us who are just starting. Congratulations for your hard work and the very good results....

[Joe Tattoo]

Hit a landmark today. Since I began in February, I have lost 40 lbs. I'm not setting any speed records, but I feel full and satisfied, am working out regularly and have a positive outlook on life and the future. I know you've all heard it before, but remember that we all slip up. If you do, don't let it turn into a month long binge that destroys all your hard work. The next morning, after that delicious pizza and chocolate cake, get your butt on that scale, see the 2-5 lb. increase, and instead of beating yourself up, pat yourself on the back for regaining control, go back on induction for several days, and realize that a slipup is not the end, but a chance to grow mentally stronger and learn that most difficult of things, moderation.
Until next time
Joe

[Aradasky]

Joe, what inspiring words! Thank you so much. As I said before, it really means a lot to me and I am sure others to have you here showing us the way. BlueHex helps keep us on the straight and narrow, and you tell us we are human after all.

Thank you both for your words of wisdom and experience.