Spanish lifestyle for weight loss

[ninasan]

Hi to all. I'm new here, been reading lots of threads. I've been on Atkins for 4 weeks today, but don't seem to be losing much. I've only lost 3 lbs after upping and downing. I'm still on induction, although I have cheated a few times in the form of nuts and seeds, but I didn't have all that many (dont feel prepared to leave it). I don't have a whole lot of weight to lose (start weight 148.5 lbs., today's weight 145.2, goal weight 120 lbs) Here is my typical menu:

Breakfast: 1 serving flax bread (recipe from here), 1 egg and 1oz. cheese omelet, 1 cup tea with 1 tablespoon cream and saccarin (don't have spenda here in Spain)

I drink 1 glass of water every 2 waking hours

Lunch: 2 cups salad greens w/olive oil and vinegar, 6 oz. meat, fish or poultry (panfried or broiled)

Snack: 2 sticks celery w/2 tablespoons cream cheese, 3 oz, low carb lunch meat
or
1/2 avocado, mayo and tuna

Supper: Home made mushroom soup: 1 cup bouillon, 4 muchshrooms, dash of cream, 4-6 oz meat fish or poultry

I thought the weight loss would go faster. I know it isn't good to lose fast, but this slow? I'm almost 48 and have been on different diets on ond off since I was 18. But I never weighed more than 130 lbs when I was younger. I have two children, and lately the pounds were piling on. With my height (5'1") I was starting to look like a blowfish! Plus, I'm not getting any younger, so I decided to lose the weight for the sake of health (and to look good too!) I'm fairly active, love to hike (this summer I walked about 100 miles on the Camino de Santiago) I would appcreciate some feedback/thoughts/advice.

Many thanks, Nina

[Aradasky]

BlueHex has given you some sage advice. Also remember that if you are to succeed and stay healthy for the rest of your life,, this is a new way of eating. It takes time to dig out the old habits and toss them away. As you loose, be it slower than you like, think of it as being in a school to learn to live the rest of your life as healthy as you are now.

[Aradasky]

PS. It is good to see y ou hear and I hope you continue to tell us about your progress and more about Spain! Where is Spain do you live?

[ninasan]

Thanks Bluehex and Aradasky for your support! I see you two are very involved in this community, giving great advice!

I have to say, the beginning was tough, but I am getting past that. What I would like to know is when I can move on to the next fase: OWL. Am I ready? For some reason I don't think I am.

I will include more water, maybe a glass each waking hour? Is that too much? I didn't used to drink that much water before the diet, but now it isn't a problem, as I have become more thirsty.

I don't have the Atkins book, but I have read A LOT about it on the website, and other sites and blogs (Dr. Eades, etc.) so I think I have a lot of information to help me understand this process.

By the way, I have about 20 lbs (or more?) to lose, but I guess that isn't very much either. But it seems like it to me. Being small, the weight really shows. I live in the mid pyrinees, tiny hamlet(15 inhabitants!). Very nice, sunny, mountainous and beautiful! Where do you live?

Anyway, thanks again, and good luck to everyone here in their own wieght loss battle!

[Aradasky]

Nina, sounds like you are very well informed, that is good. In the beginning you are much more thirsty but that levels out. I would just be sure to get at least 64 0zs of water a day. I do drink more somedays, as I have several cups of herb tea in the afternoons. How often you drink a glass of water depends on two things, how big the glass is and how close you are to a WC! LOL

Any weight you have to lose is enough to get you to understand the best way to do it and the best way to live after to mantain. You are on that path. Good for you.

As far as OWL, I went to level one after about a month because I wanted more veges. I am still there and will be until I am about 10 lbs from my goal, then I will start the rest of the levels.

It sounds as if you live in a wonderful spot!!! I live in Santa Barbara, California, also a warm sunny spot. LOL

[ninasan]

Figured out how to add the weight ticker, Yay!

[ninasan]

Hello all!

Just wanted to let you know I'm still here struggling (actually this WOE is not much of a struggle!). I've been good on the carbs, keeping them under 20, but I'm still kind of hungry, so I decided to go up another 5 grams to see what happens.

It's been 6 weeks since I started Atkins and I'm kind of stalled. I really haven't been keeping track of my measurements, been relying on the scale, but I know that can be deceiving.

In any case, I feel pretty good, have energy, I've been meaning to start excersizing but I do move around a lot at work and at home (so I think I'm fooling myself into thinking that's enough). But the scale isn't budging (at least I don't seem to be gaining!)

As far as the diet I do eat some macadamia nuts every once in a while, buy technically I'm still on induction. I've been including more water (around 80 oz) daily.

[tracy5447]

you are doing great, dont worry too much about the stall, it will work itself out soon.

[tracy5447]

how do you do it, i want one! lol

[ninasan]

Hi Tracy, thanks for the support! As for the weight loss ticker go here http://www.weight-loss-center.net/we...s-tickers.html and follow instructions. Then you have to copy and paste the url for your ticker on your signature in lowcarbsite.com settings. I had to google it to figure it out! You also may have to. Good Luck!

[ninasan]

Hi all, haven't posted in a while. Not much to report. Weight is not budging (I've been good though). But I DO seem to be losing around the waist (very slowly).

I guess I can't complain, I'm usually not hungry between meals, I can go longer without eating than before low carb, less snacking, etc!

Not doing much exercize (is that spelled right? it looks weird!) Last week I walked for an hour 3 days straight, but I felt kind of tired the first day, the second day was better...

Now it's that TOM so I'll relax a little (don't feel like doing much the first 2 days), and my goal is to walk an hour every day.

I was doing that this past spring and summer, as I was training to walk part of the Camino de Santiago. I wasn't dieting then and I did feel more fit and lost bulk but not weight. So I figure if I diet and walk, I will lose?

[Tril]

Hi Nina! For me, that's true... diet and I will lose. Diet and exercise I will lose. Exercise only, I will NOT lose. Personally, I now exercise for the health benefits, not my waist line or vanity. I don't ever intend to wear a bathing suit again so I really don't care about that. I care more about being able to ride my snowmobile and keep up (I ride with men, only one is older than me). I care more about being able to walk out if my sled dies.... and that might mean an 8 hour walk. Or more. I care about staying flexible, strong, healthy (mind and body). Exercise gives me what I need, not what I want. Dieting gives me what I WANT... a thinner body. LOL

ps... I spent a few years in southern Spain. Beautiful country.

[ninasan]

Tril, what do you mean yo don't intend to wear a bathing suit again? Why not? I think its great that you want to stay fit to be able to snowmobile (and be healthy), but the added benefit to the waistline cannot be denied! The important things is that you feel good about yourself and just feel good in general (healthwise). Who cares why we do it? The thing that brings us here together is just that. So HURRAH for all of us, we want to feel, look great, and we're doing something about it!

[Tril]

Well... at a certain age it doesn't really matter WHAT you do... a bathing suit just seems like something I don't ever NEED to subject myself to again. LOL

[Aradasky]

Some people complain that when they diet and exercise they do not loose or even gain, but sometimes it is actual muscle we are building. I only wear my swim suit when I do my water aerobics class or swim laps. It is a WORKING suit! Lol And like both of you, I exercise so I feel strong and have the stamina to walk and lift bags of good groceries or my suitcase if traveling. I want to be able to climb the 498 steps of an Itailan tower if I want to. The diet is so I am not uncomfortable in the hot weather, fit into a coach seat, and my legs won't chafe when walking. Exercise is to stay flexible, keep my balance and can get up off the floor when playing with grandsons!

Nina, you have a great attitude. I admire your thinking.