Hello, Im new and was wondering...

[pete4]

Hi All,
I’ve been lurking around here picking up some info since I decided to start this low carb approach on Monday (3/3). I am new to this and all diets, I’ve always been heavy but managed it through exercise alone. Well, I hit 275 and on a 6 foot frame I realized I had better do something, so I started a new commitment to exercise. I decided to try Atkins as well. I skimmed thru a book at my sisters a few weeks ago and it got me thinking; why not? So here I am. I can’t believe I’m telling you all this but it may give you an idea of how new to this I am. For the last couple days I have been a bit disappointed that my urine was not even a little purple. I have been reading about people who are peeing purple and was hoping I was on the right track. (embarrassed grin) Well, I’m obviously not the sharpest knife in the drawer but I think I’m on the right track. I was at the gym last night and I weighed myself. I know you are supposed to only do it weekly and I should have waited until Monday but I was there and the scale was there and I climbed on. I have lost 12 pounds in 4 days. Now I’m thrilled to be losing but is that too much? Is there a danger to losing too much too quickly?
Assuming the answer to that is no I have a couple other questions.
What is the rule about diet soda? I have seen differing opinions. Is it the Caffeine or the artificial sweeteners or both? I would like to drink a Diet Dew occasionally, could I try a decaf Diet Dew? I don’t miss/need the caffeine, I just get tired of all the water.
Also, there is some discussion on cheese. I have been eating more than the 4oz daily recommendation. Could someone explain the cheese thing to me. I like cheese and have had no ill effects from it, should I still cut down to the 4oz?
One thing I’ve noticed is that I really don’t have strong cravings for sweets except right after I’ve eaten. I seem to be craving dessert I suppose but I am actually full from the meal, not stuffed but full, but I still would love some sugar. Is this normal? Will it subside?
OK, I know there are a lot of questions up there. I greatly appreciate any and all answers I may receive. I look forward to joining you all here in the future.
Pete

[Iowagirl]

Hello Pete!
First bit of advice is - read the book, don't just skim.
Second - there is a period of adjustment with this way of eating (didn't say diet - diets are temporary) and sugar cravings are perfectly normal (aspartame can trigger those too - diet soda). How far have you reduced your carbs? How are you keeping track?

Hang in there - do your homework and welcome! :wave:

[lkonzelman]

YES READ THE BOOK PLEASE. There is so much to understand besides 20 carbs a day and 2-3 cups of veggie a day.

Also - peeing purple NEVER HAPPENS. If you buy ketone sticks and pee on them - pink through the color purple means that you are in ketosis (see reading the book) and that means your body has changed over to fat burning mode.

NOTE: sometimes the sticks don't show any color but you still lose (i.e., sometimes the sticks show purple and you aren't losing)... so don't worry too much about that.

Here is the site with induction allowed (http://atkinscenter.com/Archive/2001/12/15-464579.html) foods to keep you on track.

All the best.

[DunkyBoy]

I recommend using fitday.com to track your food/carb intake. It's a great tool especially for starting out. I'd also recommend using consistancy when weighing yourself. Use the same scale, weigh at the same time of each day and try to wear the same clothes (well, not THE SAME clothes, but the same amount of clothes :p ).

I weigh myself first thing in the AM when I wake up, this way I'm controlling all the variables that can occur during weighing (as mentioned above).

We cannot stress how important it is to read the book, then read it again. I'm going into Maintenance and I'll still pick up the book, flip to a random chapter and read it to refresh my memory.

Also, take those supplements! At least a multivitamin, but also recommend extra Calcium and Magnesium as multivitamins don't tend to have 100% of these. L-glutamine is good for those sugar cravings.

Avoid Caffine if at all possible, it has that energy rush effect that you are trying to overcome by cutting out sugar and carbs. Your source of energy should be your fat reserve and if your body is used to getting a shot of caffine, it will be harder to switch to Ketosis.

Good luck.

Duncan

[lattegrl]

just have to say thanks for the laugh- i needed that! :D Purple pee...but hey when i first started using this site i thought sticky was a person ;) i wondered how he always had the most recent post because he was always at the top of the threads...anyway...
IMHO- the diet soda- if you just have one OCCASSIONALLY - have what you want- be concerned of the type of sweetner and caffine if you are making it part of your daily diet :)
one of my desserts that got me through a few tough nights of induction was diet jello w/ a little bit of heavy cream-dont give into the sugar craving every time by trying to fake it out w/ fake sugar but do treat yourself here and there. this diet isnt about willpower its about changing the way you eat- you will be amazed that the sugar cravings will dissappear!