[corriffuniee]

I need some support and advice..... I really want to do ATkins, I need to lose about 10kg asap. But every time I tell myself I am going to start I seem to stuff it up that very same day and eat bread or something..... I don't know why! Any advice?? I get major bread and cheese cravings!!!

[juliannamed]

There are several possibilities that pop into my head as to why you do this...

First of all, it's PHYSICAL. Your body is doing this, it's not you in the sense of "you" not having willpower, desire, commitment. The addiction to carbs is real. If you try to think of it in terms of withdrawal it can make the process bearable. This is why we say we "crave" something sweet... or crispy... or gooey. For you, it's bread and cheese. The GOOD NEWS is that you can have cheese. Read up on insulin/glucose, carbohydrates, insulin resistance, etc. Learn about what's happening to you at a biological level. Once it makes sense, it's easier to say... "Oh, this is hard but I know I can do this." It takes 3 to 4 days of saying no to yourself to get through the worst of it. Every time you give in to your cravings, you takes steps backward. Hang on to the fact that they DO go away.... IF you can get through those first days without giving in.

Secondly... you need support. You need someone in your corner, caring and telling you that you can DO THIS. Lucky for you, you found US!!!

Third... read read read. Knowledge is power. Learn all you can about this way of eating. Arm yourself.

4th... slow down. There is no ASAP in weight loss. We ALL want it off asap... but the reality is that weight loss takes time. Lots of time. Lots of patience. Lots of effort. But what else do you have except the rest of your life?? If you're losing weight for an "event"... please reconsider that goal. If you buckle down and get started you will look the best you can look on that day... which is all any of us could ask for, right? But what about the days after the event? Aren't they (and YOU) worth the same effort? I think so...

So, jump into this with two feet, let us help and get going!

Tril

[corriffuniee]

Thanks Tril, it's really nice to have some support. I've done many diets of years past and sometimes I feel like giving up now.
I actually developed hypothyroidism which is why i gained weight this year. But now with thyroid meds I am in good health and able to lose weight.

10kg is my final goal, but initially I need to lose 5kg (about 11 pounds I think) in the next 3 or so weeks. My job depends on it. I am a dancer and do not want to lose my contract in the show I am in. I need to return to work in about 3 weeks but am currently too big for the stage. I thought Atkins might be the best way to try and achieve this, but as I said I seem to be having trouble getting started.

Thank you though for the support, it is the first time I have used a website like this, but maybe it is exactly what I need!
I will keep posting :wink:

[VipInoLo]

When you get a craving for carbs, treat yourself to something nice! On this diet, you can treat yourself to things you couldn't with other diets. Find something low carb or carb free(induction friendly) that you really like and treat yourself. Go to McDonalds and get a couple double cheeseburgers with just meat, cheese and onions, throw away the bread and eat with a fork. Or as I'm doing RIGHT NOW, get some carb and sugar free hot sauce and make some hot wings. Or some deviled eggs, or whatever else is a treat for you.

It helps me to do this once and a while at least, especially when cravings hit. You'll enjoy your treat, which is acceptable on this diet and not on others, and forget about the bread and sugar. You're having guilt free sausage/eggs/hamburger/hot wings/whatever, enjoy it.

[juliannamed]

dips... okay, now I understand the ASAP thing. It IS important, so what are you waiting for??? Get going! Do you have the Induction foods list? Do you have the right foods available? Can you get rid of the stuff that bothers you the most (like bread)? Give it away, throw it away... just get rid of it. The best defense is a good offense... be prepared. One hint that's saved me in times of cravings is to eat OFTEN. Keep your blood sugar steady by eating every couple of hours (more if you have physical hunger). Have protein AND fat... deviled eggs, cheese, sliced chicken or steak. Add a little veggie to spread your carbs out over the day (having them all at once isn't a good idea). And keep a glass or bottle of water near you all day long. When it's gone, refill it immediately. Do your BEST for the next three weeks and no matter the outcome, you will KNOW you did all you could. You can lose enough to make a difference in the first 3 weeks on Atkins. But YOU don't have any room for mistakes... so read read read and then do do do!!! Also... in the first days you will noticed a marked decrease in energy and muscle strength. Hang in there, it will go away once your body starts producing the enzyme necessary for metabolizing fat. Right now you're using glucose... you need to make the switch to ketones. Once it happens you will feel better, LOTS better.

Tril

[corriffuniee]

Thank you so much..... both of you...... I already feel more confident.

I do not have the induction list..... I used to have the atkins book so basically know it, but I gave that book away a long time ago. To be sure I make no mistakes, how can I get a hold of the induction foods list???

[juliannamed]

Here ya go... the most updated version is on the Atkins website (where I got this) at www.atkins.com. It's in PDF so you can download it and have it.

Here's a link to it:

http://www.atkins.com/Program/FourPh...FoodsList.aspx

Tril

[VipInoLo]

I bought a copy on Amazon for a penny.