Shaky Resolve as I enter 1st weekend

[irene1703]

Hi all

I am at the start of my first weekend on Atkins and my resolve is wavering. I have that Friday night head (give me treats) on. My only consolation at the moment is it is almost bedtime (tick, clock, tick).

My worry is for the next two days. Being haunted by my usual fast food junket of the weekend is quite daunting. My biggest fear is coming off the rails. I have tried so hard this week. At the end of day five (today) my headache was no where near as bad as the past four days so I see an improvement. Also, my digestion is in superb condition and I felt that immediately. I suffered from constant heartburn and a noisy tummy. But not this week!

I would be heartbroken if I wasted my good work but I feel the need for something. Although I never usually seek out sweet things I feel the desire now. I was never tormented by chocolate or sweet things. Bread was (past tense?) my poison. Anything savoury and I was a goner. So why sweeties now?

I found a shop that sells Splenda. I am only at the beginning of induction but could anyone tell me if I can do something fabulous with low carb and Splenda? I may not need to use it but the thought of needing something immediately and not being prepared will only lead me to the sweetie shop.

Never has an eating plan given me such a mix of emotions/desires. When I lay down each night I am so proud that I did it for another day.

Does anyone know how to perform a 2 day self induced coma?

[pepsi max]

hi irene
have you had a look at the sweet treat section of the recipes.theres some gorgeous things to make there.

christine

[LittleAnne]

Hi Irene

That first weekend is always an ordeal in the mind and probably does not turn out so bad. Make sure you have plenty of low carb treats in the fridge and other places so that if you feel like a snack then you can have a legal one. Eating something will make you feel better whether its a hunk of cheese, some slices of cooked meat, cold sausages, prawns, chicken wings. All these things have zero or low carbs (watch the sausages).

Keep your focus. If you go out, eat meat and veggies. Love a curry, just no rice or naan. Also Chinese, but again no rice or sweet and sour.

Glad you are already experiencing some of the good things about low carbing. More will follow, including weight loss.

Have a great weekend.

[Ebbie.B]

I am now addicted to sugar free strawberry jelly and whipped cream!!
(Thanks to Lynda!)

[irene1703]

thank you for your swift response. I will go now to the recipe part. Can get chicken drumsticks at Asda tomorrow. In fact, have some in the darkest recesses of the freezer.

It is really heartening to know that, when one is weak, there is someone there to bolster you.

Although I work in Glasgow City Centre, no food joints tormented me. The mere thought of a weekend with my own willpower though, now that is daunting.

Thank you so much and here's to a very quick weekend!

[irene1703]

Made it to Saturday. Breakfast of sausages (3?) bacon (1) and fried egg. Feeling good! Feeling positive. Day 6 and at last the headache has gone. God, it was a stubbord besom. Husband on it too and is telling me someone told him about Dr Hillary on GMTV saying we should come off Atkins during this hot weather. I cannot figure out why the hot weather should have much to do with anything. Heavens, but it is hot.

Also, am slightly more quick tempered than usual. Not angry as such but more impatient and intolerant. Anyone feel that before?

[SarahWeb]

irene, what your husband is talking about, i sthat on Atklins because you eat more meat than carbs, meat is harder to digest on the bodies - therefore its supposed to raise your temp whilst digesting it. therefore in hot weather the added temp of your body combined with the higher temp outside could be nasty - this is only if you don't drink ALL your water and more :)

To be honest I haven't noticed a difference I am just doubly making sure that I drink all my water and then some :D

I have been pretty mad this week myself, TOM next week which is what I put it down to - BUT maybe its us getting rid of all that nasty crap in our bodies :D

Enjoy Glasgow - lovely city I have many friends there - but don't get to travel up there that often!

[irene1703]

Hi

Get it now. I have been drinking plenty this past week. I was worried that Atkins and hot weather were making me feel so rubbish and I would either have to wait for the snow or chuck it.

Mentioning TOM, I was so absorbed in this Atkins stuff I forgot. I have mid-cycle mania probably. How strange. I seem to analyse everything that has been happening this week. Not sure what is normal and what is new.

Glasgow is beautiful at the moment. Normally the sky is so low it almost touches your head....but put some sunshine on it and it transforms the joint. It seems to add an extra dimension. Too hot to venture into the city. Too scared of eating joints also.

Today is my chance to get it right, Atkins wise, as it is shopping day (hip, hip). Spent this first week eating things like sausages, burgers, etc so now is my chance to put some zing into it. Am getting a wee bit scunnered with salad vegetables though so will need to thing of other stuff. The plate always looks as thoughs something is missing (potatoes, pasta, rice, bread). Hunger is not the only thing, cravings are harder to fight. Here's hoping.........

[Paulie-M]

Hi Irene,

You seem to be coping very well. Enjoy your traditional Scottish breakfasts whilst you are in Glasgow. I'm afraid you can't have the black pudding or the tattie scones though:).

Keep up the good work.

[vashka25]

Just poking my nose in...and noticed you were looking for sweet recipes.
I have to say that a fav of many on here is the jello cheesecake...

a few quick hints....make sure you blend the cottage cheese really well or you'll end up with little white lumps of it in your cheesecake..
And if you pour it into individual muffin papers you can measure the carbs much more easily than figuring out portions from a bowl (the papers come off easily) Cheers!

Dissolve 2 pkgs Sugar Free jello in 2/3 cup boiling water.
Add 8 oz cream cheese, cut into 4 pieces.
In separate bowl whip 1 c whipping cream (heavy cream) until stiff peaks form.
The cr cheese should be softening by now; to jello mixture add 1 cup cottage cheese. Blend until smooth with a hand blender or in a food processor or blender. Fold in whipping cream and refridgerate.

Entire recipe =
Calories 1860
Fat 180
Carbs 24
Protein 60


Congrats on making it through the weekend so far!!! Good luck!!!

[irene1703]

Saturday night. How proud of me am I? Very.

Thank you thank you to the person who invented the low fat jelly and squirty cream. (Husband, who is also doing Atkins, is eating his now, and he has THAT look on his face.) I was not expecting much but when I had it, well, what can I say, a drink in the desert! I got a sore tummy after though but I think that's because it was cold out of the fridge.

Unfortunately I can no longer enjoy the Scottish breakfast........it was that which brought me to where I am today. Potato scones, soda scones, black pudding, lorne.

I love the sound of the cheesecake but methinks I shall hold off for a bit. Too adventurous for an induction rookie!

24 hours ago I was spoiling for a wee something. Now I feel good again. I find this forum good for fighting a craving because I come on, read some stuff, maybe reply to some and read any responses I get. Fabulous. Who would have thought it.........a computer as a diet aid.

[SarahWeb]

irene - well done for getting through the weekend - me I didn't do quite aswell!! crazy really I OD'd on carbs - but only from cauliflower and carrots !!!

But all it not lost :D I now know to avoid those veggies! (although philedelphia and carrots an celery was yum!!)

I did also :blush: have a few bourbon biscuits! I was at work and had to hand them out and I couldn't resist (bad girl)

Never mind I didn't go over board and I am not beating myself up about this know that it will take me a while to figure out what I can and cannot eat - as I am still in my first week :)

We shall see this week turns out then :)

[LittleAnne]

Hi Irene

Glad to hear that you did well this weekend. It is amazing how the computer helps to keep your focussed. I know it has been a great lifeline for me.

I wish you a great week ahead.

[irene1703]

Posting from work.

Been to Boots to weigh myself. One tiny pound down. Can you believe it? One pound. From Wednesday to today one pound. Bought a healthy lunch but my heart not in it. I am rubbish with setbacks. Am on day 8 of this woe and I am sooooo upset. Where's my landmark drop. May the heavens save me from carbs today...........

[UrbanGypsy]

Poor Irene, that must be so disheartening. :( Perhaps you need to up your fat intake a bit more... I know I notice a profound difference when I'm let my fat intake drop even for a few hours.

Big psychic hugs though... I know its hard not to get disheartened, but it will come off eventually. :bhug:

[UrbanGypsy]

PS: Don't forget he specifically says to weigh yourself naked (er... though probably best not done in Boots! ;)). Your clothes and shoes will be accounting for several pounds...

[pepsi max]

hang in there irene.a pound is a pound,the rest will follow,just be patient and try to relax a little.i agree with you about the computer,it stops you heading for the kitchen and it is a lot of fun sometimes.

[LittleAnne]

Hi Irene

Why not start a journal to chart the ups and downs of your success. You will find it a great resource to look back on in the months to come. I also find mine motivates me to keep on track.

I also expected large losses as the book suggests, but we are not all the same and whilst I lost several pounds it is not coming off for me as quickly as many I know. What is so nice is that after 2 years it is still coming off.

Have a good Monday. Post your menus in your journal then we can see if you are eating enough. If you are not then you won't lost weight either. The funny thing is, you have to eat enough to lose weight. No starving here, whether you feel hungry or not.

[irene1703]

Made it home without a carb attack!

Deflated (in not a good way) but I live to fight another day. I started this last Monday but didn't weigh myself until Wednesday so perhaps some water weight came off then. Who knows! Maybe I will try again on Wednesday. I mustn't let this setback harm my efforts because it has been hard at times and I can just imagine the withdrawals if I do go to the bread bin.

[irene1703]

Thank you all for your words of encouragement. I shall try for another week. I have tried the journal as suggested so here's hoping someone spots something. Please don't say I am not losing weight because I eat too many veg and not enough fat! How weird would that be to a low fat/high carb reject like me.

Anyway, I got by today and didn't sabbotage my aim. That in itself is a huge milestone. You know the stuff, never lost weight, might as well have a mars bar! Maybe my mindset is changing without me knowing.