Greetings, and thank you all for routinely contributing and helping others such as myself with information in regards to Atkins and other lifestyle ways of eating.

I started over a month ago and I have to admit that I have NEVER been as rigid on what I ate before – I followed the induction phase to a T. I never cheated but did have a glass of wine during that period. Anyhow I was very excited 3 weeks after starting and finally stepped on the scale (I refrained for 3 weeks) and I was shocked to find I had lost only 2 lbs. I was totally disheartened. However the next week I lost what must have been almost 11 lbs so I can attest to the fact that it may take longer for some to start but when the engine starts it REALLY starts.

Anyhow my question is one that I am having a serious problem in answering -- that is portion size or more importantly, what is a correct portion size for various meals? See, I have gotten such conflicting information; in some articles or even with the Atkins books I have it says to "eat as much as satisfies you". I know that one of the major problems I had before was definitely portion size. I live as part of a society that covets All You Can Eat restaurants and places that give you triple burgers for the price of a single burger. I mean if you are spending your money you will obviously take the triple even if you can't finish it. It's a totally feeding on our need to get the best deal but simultaneously killing us.

I noticed that when I cut my portions I instantly started losing weight again. Now what is a portion? I figured that if I was making a salad (what I make for lunch each day) that has maybe radicchio, half a tomato, some green peppers, some cheese (parmesan) and finally either a chicken breast (usually half of one now) or half a can of Tuna and about 6-7 green olives all lovingly covered in olive oil, red wine vinegar, and tons of black pepper… I figured it couldn’t get better than that. Before I was having the same salad but I would make one that was HUGE and essentially all ingredients were doubled. It’s really hard for someone like me to understand how such a salad could prevent you from losing weight since it’s SOOOOOO much better than what I was eating before. Thus to end this saga, this 3 part mini series, I just wanted to ask some advice on how to make sure I am not eating TOO much. That’s my last problem. I test myself each morning with those KetoSticks and I am always moderate which is 40 mg/dl or about a dark pink but not quite purple yet. Obviously I am losing weight but I want to make sure I am burning the fat and not strictly from having reduced my portions to the point that I am hungry and don’t feel satisfied for fear of overeating. Anyhow have a fun or simple way to judge how much chicken or how much salad or how much of this or that is enough for one meal?

Thanks for everything

Claudius