How do you make it?

[mrjoshua]

i have stopped and started several times on atkins over the past few weeks....how do you guys keep going through induction? do you just steel yourself and force ahead? any secrets? i want to make it, i just don't see how it's possible!!

[Atriana]

You can do it. Set your resolve. Stock up on allowable foods. Get rid of the carby things if you can. Don't let yourself get too hungry. Drink lots of water. Post often, read journals, read success stories. The first 3 days are the worst - it does get better.

[MisterE]

Start with a great breakfast! (I was just gonna list a possible breakfast...but thought what the hell...I will post a "normal" day's meals from my early days...might help you get an idea that this is not a starvation diet!)

Breakfast 6AM)
4 egg omlette made with one whole egg and 3 whites; a little cheddar cheese, some onion and peppers. 4 pieces of bacon.

Snack 9:30AM) cheddar cheese and a piece of salami

Lunch 12:30) Chicken fajitas without the tortillas; salad with bleucheese dressing.

Snack 3:30PM) can of tuna with mayo and onions and celery

Dinner 6:30PM) 1/2 smoked chicken; broccolli, steamed veggies.

For induction NO dessert. But we are only talking 2 weeks or so.

OK. I am not suggesting you or any one else follow my way of eating. It works for me. Very well. I am seldom hungry and when I do get hungry there are plenty of legal foods I can eat.

Once you are off induction I suggest you experiment with the menus you will find on these boards. Mmmm. Gotta tell you this gets better every day!

Good luck!

[JYounginer]

Truthfully, after my month on Atkins, there is one truth that I hold close to my heart. For me to be able to last on this diet, I HAVE TO HAVE VARIETY. I search recipies on the internet daily, I come up with new creations in the kitchen weekly, and I make sure to visit this forum at least once a day to see how everyone else is doing. As for sweet cravings and such, I have found that if I absolutely have to have it, an Indulge or Advantage bar takes care of my cravings. It's really not a bad idea to have them around.

I think that you need to look at why you think you are on a yo-yo course. Is it because of all the cooking involved? Are you giving yourself a variety? Are you letting yourself get hungry? There are simple answers to all of those problems. Let us know if you need any additional advice.

Good Luck!

[mrjoshua]

thanks for all the input...i think my main enemies are time and money...i just can't let go of $3 for an atkins bar...and i don't make the time to cook and do recipes and all that...maybe it's just not the right timing or something, but i really appreciate the ideas and support!

[cs_carver]

It only takes 5 minutes to fry eggs, and it's not like I stand there and watch them. What are you eating now, and where is the time coming from that you spend getting that food?

Even if you're eating at McBurger et al, buy the big burger, skip the fries, and toss the bun. That's a pretty good LC meal right there.

I won't spend $3 for a meal bar, either, except for the occasional LC shake when I'm at the GNC, and I suspect they're not going to be good for me with all the funny sugar alcohols anyway. I've learned to make my own beef jerky. It takes as long to cut up lettuce as it did to go to the store and buy ice cream.

You might want to be more specific about what's "making" you fall off the LC wagon.

[mrjoshua]

wow....that's pretty frank. what's "making" me fall off is that i am a fat slob that has bad habits...all i'm asking for is some hints and support - i don't "need" sarcasm.

[Graceful]

I didn't think I could have made it either. But I did, I am on my fourth week. It has been really hard though. I have 3 kids and a husband that are not low carbing and I still have to make their meals and dish them up icecream every night. It is kinda expensive. I know I spend a lot more on groceries now. I try to go to the food warehouses (costco, sams club) and buy meat there. You get more for the money. When my family is eating icecream or good stuff like that, I just look at it, and think in my head what the texture and taste is like. And sometimes that works. Or I think to myself, I don't need it, I don't want it. But I do want to be thin. Or if you like creamy things (cheescake), just take some cream cheese and add a little splenda to it and maybe some whip cream and there you have a nice little sweet snack. :roll:

[saski]

Mr. Joshua,

You might also try reading The Schwarzbein Principle. There is no induction phase in that plan. You start as you mean to go.

You may not get the same drastic results that many do during the induction phase of Atkins, but you will still get the benefits of a low carb eating plan.

[Atriana]

Fry up a couple of pounds of ground hamburger meat. Put it in the fridge. For 3 minute meals, take some out and cover with pre shredded cheddar cheese. Put in the microwave for a minute or so.
Or, warm the meat in the microwave. Put on top of salad greens with some chili powder or hot sauce. Top with cheese or sour cream. Or, grill a steak. Or hardboil a dozen or more eggs and keep them in the fridge. There is all sorts of things you can do without resorting to full fledge cooking or buying expensive prepared foods.

[Marebear]

Hi mrjoshua :)

I'm just doing general low carbing, I never did do a 2 week induction, but I do "protein days" where I just have protein. So I can't quite feel your pain, but here are my thoughts anyway ;)

I guess I would just have to echo what's already been said here. Have plenty of legal foods and eat whenever you are hungry. Most days I eat 6 times a day and sometimes 8. I can't let myself feel deprived or I want to cheat. I know it costs a little more, but what I am saving in not buying ice cream and chips help make up for that.

I like to cook a lot at a time and then eat that for few days. Like yesterday I grilled a ton of chicken so I would have it for several meals. I always grill extra meat and cook extra veggies so I have quick snacks when I am hungry. When you get done with induction (and there are probably some recipes for induction) there are a lot of various casseroles you can make. I like to cook them and freeze portions and have my own "lc frozen dinners". That's one thing I wish someone would get marketed.

A lot of what you do need the first few days is an iron fist - at least I did on my protein days. It is hard to start a new way of eating and to stop eating the carbs. Write out your goals as to why you want to lose weight. Look at this often. Read success stories. Distract yourself with doing things you enjoy.

Good luck!!
Mary

[aneredac]

Hi mrjoshua

I just finished 2 weeks induction. I found that if I didn't keep my carb intake up close to 20 gms. I would get cravings. I was having a hard time getting in enough carbs, so I did choose to eat a LC bar. There are several on the market now. I found some that were only 1.59 or so.
THey have made all the difference in sticking with induction for me.
I am going to try to reduce my dependence on them now as I increase my carbs now that I am moving out of induction.

I can relate to feeling like a big fat slob. I have felt like that at many times in the past. I am still large, however I feel better about myself than I have in the past.

I also have a hard time cooking.
Tonight, when I made my supper, I cooked a steak for tomorrow and some chicken that I can eat over the next few days, and make into chicken salad.
If I don't have food prepared ahead of time, it gets very hard to get myself to eat.

I hope things work out for you.
Rena

[TheGoddess]

I wish I knew...Ive been trying for 3 yrs now... day 16 once again :)

[Nat490]

YOU just have to make up your mind! Do I want to live or do I want to die. I want to live so induction was no problem for me. Once I made up my mine this is what it going to be. I have a house full of people who eat differnt then I do. So all the goodies are still in the house. I am very lucky not to have the cravings like I did before I started Atkins.
Bacon, eggs, steak, chicken, salad are the main staples for me. You can buy cooked chicken from the deli at the market. They sell roasted chicken, just cut it up and put it over a salad in the evening with dressing. Open a can of tuna, mix with mayo and a little onion. Eat it with pork rinds. Where there is a will there is a way.
Egg salad, deviled eggs only take a few minutes to put together. They are good for snacking and don't cost 3.00 dollars a bar.
There are all kinds of recipes within these treads, I search the treads daily for new ideas as not to let my way of eating become steal and boring.

If we can do, so can you. You just have to want to do it. It's like not smoking, if you don't want to give up smoking then nothing is going to work for you. You have to want to quit!!

Good luck
Nat

[pattie]

HI THERE
Oh how well I know how you feel....but I can not explain it very well. I read a lot before starting Atkins. One day it struck me..I have to do this for me and no one else. Induction I was warned about feeling hungry for about 4-5 days. So I just said "I love the me inside more than the me outside". I poached turkey breasts with Onion, bullion & garlic.
Had that (and still do) in the frig when I get hungry. Please stay the course..YOU can do it. Drink Drink Drink..I only allow myself water until I have met my days reccomendation,then add tea or a soda. Keep it pure and simple...i.e the lc bars are not reccomended for induction..in fact they can cause a mental addication for sweets and stall weight lose...and then the ball is no longer in your court. I know 2 weeks seems like a long time...but eat until you are satisfied do not go hungry...clean the house of all carbs if possible. I love to have chicken wings around. A nice treat is about 2 oz. of brie or camenber cheese take the top off, chop up 1 oz. sundried toms in oil,place on top of cheese,sprinkle with slivered almonds(1Tb.) back in oven for 5-7 min at 350 degrees...use this when I crave potaoes(which now is gone:))
Just think there is a new exciting you just dying to come out;)
Hang in there do it for you!!!
Best wishes we all understand how you feel
Hugs :bhug:
Pattie

[lesley07]

Water.....Water.....water......and some cheese keeps me going. Just make sure that you have plenty of legal LC snacks. That is what helps me get thur :)

[carlab68]

If you are really having problems the first thing to do is remove every single thing that is not low carb from your house. Fill your house with loads of low carb foods. Write out a meal plan for two weeks. Plan extra in case you get a case of the muchies. Prepare in advance as much as possible. Cook up a bunch of chicken and burgers, etc...

Then sit back and analyze why you weren't able to stay on in the past. Were you missing something? Although I'm not a fan of replacements, maybe you could find a substitute to get your through.

Start a journal and post every day that you can. And above all come here and post. Come here before you even think of cheating. We'll help.

[sophotia]

What I think is great now as opposed to 8 years ago when I tried to do this and gave up out of food boredom is that fast food and restaurants are getting used to us lowcarbers. Last night I went to Arby's and asked for some roastbeef in a container with some cheese. No questions asked..they just did it. (Love their Market Fresh Chicken Ceasar Salad too) And this morning went to MC D's and asked for bacon, egg & cheese with no bun and they said "okay" No questions asked..no eyebrows raised. Makes me happy that this seems so much easier this time....plus I have the resolve now that its GONNA work this time. I won't accept failure. Of course there will be setbacks but I'm not failing this time...I need to get this weight off and this time it's going to happen. I've never felt this way before so I can feel the difference inside of me...I have control over food, it no longer controls me.

[Nat490]

WTG sophotia
your right too about the fast food places, but these days I only go to In and Out burger.
I do love Applebee's as well and they are always happy to bring you extra veggies in places of potatoes. Was to a local restruant and they replace the bread, potatoes and so on with the omelette with cottage cheese yesterday for me. Pretty cool.

[hatetocook]

Hi Mrjoshua!

You've gotten alot of good advice here-- I just wanted to add a couple of ideas...

For me Induction is easier when I apply the KISS principle. I use alot of convenience-type foods because I want to be in the kitchen as little as possible. They do cost more but to me it's worth it. My favorites are: Ready Bacon (no fuss, no mess, just 7 seconds in the micro per slice); prewashed, bagged salads & spinach or the salad bar at the local grocery stores and restaurants; individually frozen, pre-cooked meats from places like Sam's Club-- I love the mesquite chicken breasts, turkey mignon & bacon cheeseburgers; whey protein powder so I can make my own shakes; hard-boiled eggs; etc.

That said, I would agree with some of the others who already mentioned that you might want to look into the other low carb plans. Many have had success with them while being happier with the food choices.

GOOD LUCK!!

[jude]

Hi Mrjoshua,

I think the last few words in your original post say it all..."I just don't see how it's possible.".

I think most of us here can relate to that feeling in some way--for me it was a year ago before I started lowcarb when I knew I could never face another low fat starvation diet, no matter how much I weighed. Low carb was a desperate last ditch attempt that I had no confidence in at all.

There are literally 1000's of people here on this forum who will tell you that lowcarb does work, but until you believe YOU can do it, none of that matters.

Don't know about you, but I'm not good with long term goals. I see mountains where other people see hills and I'm defeated before I
start. I like mini goals even if my only reward is being able to say to myself, "I did it!".

So, IMHO, you only need to do two things now. First, close the door on the past--gone, gone, gone! Now sit back, relax, take a calming breath.

Now (keeping in mind that your past eating page is now blank) ask yourself one question..."Can I do lowcarb for one day?"

That little game worked for me when I started a year ago. I just kept saying to myself, "It's only one day, I can do this for one day".

judy

[Incognito]

Great ideas here, and I agree with everyone.

The only thing I can think to add is to look for your food triggers, things that make you want to eat, and either come up with a replacement or avoid them. For instance, every time I sit in front of the television, I think I should have food. For induction, I cut down on my TV viewing until the cravings went away.

It also helped me to not think of this as deprivation. Dr. Phil says it's very important in making permanent change to see yourself moving towards the good stuff and not away from the bad habits. Don't concentrate on how your going to miss the carbs and how hard this is, but focus on how good your body is going to feel at a healthy weight and think of the advantages you'll gain by sticking it out for two weeks. I actually made a list of over 100 reasons I want to lose the weight and why it's important for me. This is good motivation.

Hope this helps.

Cog

[Nat490]

Very good idea Incognito. Never thought of listing pro's and con's. Might try that myself.

I just took my blender and crushed ice and made a snow cone of the shaved ice and added sugarfree syrup over it for a nice cool snack. Was pretty good too.

You also have to be inventive like making egg salad and adding a touch of mustard or tuna with a chopped up dill pickel and eating it with pork rinds for your bread. Maybe a 3 carb Tortilla toasted crispy and a tablespoon salsa and 1 oz melted cheese over it.
These are good safe snacks as well.
Keep bacon cooked so you can nuke it to heat it.
Same with sausage links.
At the market they sell these hamburger patties in a pack of 4 with a pat of butter to cook it. I take a couple of them and cook them and add a couple of large leafs of lettus and a slice of tomatoe. You can add a slice of cheese as well if you wanted.
Hope these quick ideas help
Your
Nancy