OK . First, congratulations on making the decision to DO something about losing weight. And we LCers think that you have chosen a very good way indeed.
I am so HAPPY that you are going to get the book this weekend. It will tell you exactly what to do and what foods you can eat or not. It will also answer lots of questions before they even come up.
Be sure to go to the top of this page and click on the orange stripe for "Low Carb Tips". There is so much there that will help you get started and keep you going for a lon while.
Now to your questions:
Bright yellow urine comes from the vitamin pills you are taking. It's a by-product from the digestion of riboflavin - a B vitamin - so this is perfectly normal and alright.
There will be a change in bowel habits and appearance as you have changed the type of foods you are eating. The Induction phase has less fibre and is very much a diuretic so be sure you drink at least a few quarts of water per day. Maybe even 3.
Many people find that they have less bowel gas as food does not ferment in the intestinal tract when the sugars and starches are cut out. And less indigestion too.
I'd recommend that you not use the bars during the 2 weeks of Induction. I know, some people and places say it's OK. But other people stall until they get off the bars. Check out the article on Sugar Alcohols in the Low Carb Tips area above.
As for your plan, how about reading the Dr. Atkins book first to see how he said to do Atkins? There are reasons that he said to start at about 20 gm of carb and then INCREASE. With over 30,000 patients in more than 30 years of his practice, he must have seen how people lose and how they lose best. And that's all in the book. Be sure to get the latest edition (2000)
High cholesterol runs in my family and I have been on Atkins for much of the last 5 years. My blood work came back last week and I am now "Below average risk" because my cholesterol levels the ratio are so good. Also triglycerides. check out the Cholesterol forum for lots of information. Wait about 3 months or more to check yours as there may be a short term rise at first. Lots of doctors now are considering that triglyceride levels are a better indicator of risk.
If you are in a hurry, go to
www.atkinscenter.com and click on the "How to Do Atkins" link at the top. It'll get you started. But the best thing is to read the book thoroughly and repeatedly.
Use the
above to search for many topics that have been covered at length on this forum. Go to the top of the Newbies Questions index page and read the 'stickie' called Hot Links.
All the best on your losing.