I have just started researching the Atkin's diet in the past week. I hope to start it on Monday (12/02/02) full force. The only problem I foresee for myself is pasta. Thankfully I am not very big on bread and potatoes, just pasta and I LOVE to eat lots of meat with my meals! (My sandwiches are usually more meat than bread). I am hoping to get some good ideas from here and maybe make a local friend or two in this Food-filled city that has had some success on this diet!

Thanks for putting up a great forum!

Lisa

Hi Lisa!

Welcome to the Low Carb world! I think that at first it will seem hard to not eat pasta, however you will probably find over time that you feel much better eating less of it. I have found that I have ALOT more energy from cutting down the carbs (mainly breads, pastas and starchy veg). You will also learn about the different carbs, and the importance of low glycemic foods.

The other really good thing about Atkins induction is that it helps you to get a grip on sugar cravings. Once you read up more on insulin and how food effects it you will understand your eating patterns and habits more.

I also suggest using the Search button in this forum to research anything you are curious about, this is an excellent resource for so many things!

Also, I would suggest you use fitday.com to keep track of your eating, as well, posting a journal will allow other members to check in and give you suggestions if you are having any trouble areas. There is TONS of support here, hope you enjoy the journey!!!

Good luck with induction, it is only 2 weeks. YOU can do it!! Also, I would look into comments regarding how long to stay on induction. Some people stay on it longer than 2 weeks, whereas others find that staying on it too long can cause a stall. I would keep checking in, and ask alot of questions!

hope this helps!!

d

I am personally an Atkins person and think you should go through a cheat free induction period. It really is an amazing thing (after withdrawal) to feel your body change and not ever feel bloated anymore, to eat whenever you are hungry without guilt...

Reading your post - I wanted to say is after induction, if you feel the foods don't fit you. You can always try other low carb plans like CAD where you can still have your pasta.

But personally, I have found that by reading others journals and seeing what others are eating that it helps to keep your diet interesting. I am VERY happy with my food on this plan (mostly) and I was bagel, pasta and chocolatholic.

Already just 10 minutes as a member and people are already providing support!..HOW WONDERFUL!

I have to say that information I have found on this site alone is very encouraging! I am checking out things at Fitday.com as recommended.

A bonus/disadvantage is that I LOVE to cook!..I love cooking more than I love eating! So, on the plus side..I don't mind inventing new ways to make dinner. The disadvantage, in New Orleans, (as the locals know)..if you don't make it like Momma made it...it ain't good! Which means lots of carbs and starches! The basis of any good gravy is a nice hearty, brown, flour filled roux made with butter! The only part of that I know I can use here is the butter! I will just have to find new ways to make dinner that's all.

As for breakfast, well, I can have a ham and cheese omlet with bacon for breakfast everday! AND you say I can cook it all in butter!..OH BOY!....

Now, I think my problem is going to be locating those "hidden carbs" that every one is talking about. Hopefully, after inspecting Fitday.com they can help me to realize where some of those are! That is an amazing site!

As far as the journal, well, i am going to do my best keep it up. I always start out so well, and then up losing it, (which I know from Weight Watchers that food journals are VERY important as a key to losing weight.)

I have just been diagnosed with diabetes in the last two weeks. This runs in my family, as does obesity. I am miserable and unhappy about how I look, how i feel, and now about my health! (Not to mention more worried than ever!) I am hoping that every thing that has been said about the LC WOL is true! I feel this is a diet i can truly follow. I can skip alcohol easily, I love to drink water over just about any beverage, and i enjoy the fact that I get to try new foods and ways of cooking!

So...(after thanksgiving) I am going to dive in 100% and not only get my feet wet, but soak my entire body and change it!

Thanks again!..Lisa

Welcome Lisa

I had a hard time with pasta, I even made my own
What I do now is, I julienne some crisp romaine ,I put my favorite hot sauce over it with grated Parmesan .
Think of sauteed prawns in garlic butter.
Pene

Welcome Lisa!

You already have been given the best advice, start a journal. the difference in doing one here is that you will make friends that will visit every day and inspire you to keep writing. Enter what you eat...and be warned, if someone sees you making a boo-boo, you may get told...lol.

Visit mine when you get one going and I'll keep checking on you. I too LOVE to cook, and saw Low Carbing as a new challenge to be creative. Funny enough once I got going I realized that many of the things I have created in the past actually were low carb, or could be converted to low carb without a lot of change.

Reading the other journals will give you tons of great ideas on menu plans, tips and recipes. Also how the rest of us deal with the challenges.

Good luck on your journey....and do drop by my journal!

Sam