So now into Week 9.

I've gone from 16st 7 to 14st 6 as of this morning so have lost over 2 stone in 9 weeks.

Apart from the two weeks induction which I stuck too to the letter, I can't say I've followed the Atkins plan to the letter since. I don't count my carbs but still have a very low carb intake.

I eat pretty healithily now compared to my past yo-yoing weight.

My diet consists mainly now of:-

Breakfast - Meat, whatevers handy to be honest as I'm on the way out to work no time to delay. Any tips here would be grateful as its hard to stomach meat first thing in morning.

Lunch - Mainly a salad with some meat or fish (smoked mackerel, tuna etc), occassionally have some mozarella.

Evening Meal - Again fresh meat/fish with 1 or 2 vegetables, don't weigh stuff out by the cup or anything just eat enough so I'm full.

Snacks - I've become hooked on pistachios, I generally snack on things during the day at work, I'd have like 2 handfuls of pistachios, perhaps a packet of pork scratchings.

Drink - I don't drink alcohol often as it is so thats not been too hard to avoid. Still drinking water, I have the occasional diet coke or diet dr pepper, 1 glass max every other day or so. And about 4 cups of decaf coffee a day.

Exercise - Play Squash and Golf once a week, during the day just general things like not using lifts and escalators, brisk walk at lunchtime etc, basically don't have time to fit any more phy ed into my routine.

Also during these 9 weeks, I've had one big night out where we had a marvelous Thai dinner, I didn't bother about carbs that night and had a good blow out. Had zero adverse effects too, in fact 3 days later I'd lost weight again. Also the other night I had Enchiladas, which apart from the tortillas is fairly atkins friendly.

So there it is, I've read the OWL phase of the book but I really don't want to spend my entire time counting carbs. I've kind of figured whats good and bad for me through doing the diet itself. Its taught me alot about food in general.

My only concern is that I'm perhaps missing something here, if I don't keep following things to the letter am I going to encounter problems? healthwise...

I'm finding that if I count up the carbs I'm taking in its still relatively low, certainly alot less than 100g and I doubt if I go over 50 at all in a day.

I'm happy and healthy but I'd just like to know if theres something I'm missing. This is the first 'way of life' I've found that actually suits me as a person and has stopped my yo-yo weight loss/gain so much so I've got wardrobes of clothes available to me now!!

All advice/comments etc appreciated

Hi there,

Seems like it's going OK so why worry?

I have a similar attitude to yours- keep the carbs low but can't be bothered weighing etc.

I take a vew supplements- cod liver oil, potassium, vitamin C- and eat a LOT of green vegetables (I'm addicted to spinach).

I also have the occasional treat in the form of Green and blacks chocolate, or sweet of some kind, and a 'blow out' on occasion (still lower carb than before- I don't like feeling bloated which I do if I eat too many carbs).

I generally try to keep carbs under about 80-100 a day and that seems to work so why worry. I have put on weight a bit since I started resistance training but I expected that (measurements the same or less).

I know what you mean about the diet suiting you- I feel the same, I never feel deprived or hungry. it's definitely a way of eating rather than a traditional diet.
Best
Alison

Hi Matt

It sounds as if you are doing great and things are working well for you. Well done. It is that sort of lifestyle change that will help you to keep the weight off as well.

You do not mention if you are taking any vitamin supplements. If you are not I would recommend that you take a basic vitamin and mineral supplement to cover all eventualities.

Secondly your menu strikes me as being just a little to low carb. There are not a lot of veggies there as I only see you eating them with your evening meal. I would suggest that you add a piece of fruit to your lunch if you do not want veggies. I eat one or two plums at the moment and also a handlefull of grapes in the evening. You might want to include a medium size apple or small orange, but beware of bananas. Kiwi fruit, strawberries, etc are fine. Just don't go overboard and don't eat fruit in isolation as it is pure carbs. Either eat with a meal or with protein/fat source such as cream or cheese.

I hope that you continue to lose those last 20 pounds which might take a bit longer to go.

By the way, I think you need to update your profile as I make your current weight 202 pounds.

Hi Matt,

I am doing exactly the same as you.
After following Induction to the letter I have not measured or counted carbs since but are eating a small amount -except for the occasional binge on hot x buns ()
I also reached target quite rapidly but I am now toning up by doing weight and thai boxing.
I am amazed on how easy it has been to follow this diet and how flexible it is.

Good luck at reaching your target!

I'm at a similar stage to you Matt - into my 9th week now and losing steadily. I try not to overthink and just do each day what feels right. I know I'm missing out on some things I probably should be having but will address the situation once I get to the weight I'm aiming for. That doens't mean a return to my bad old ways, just a more balanced and healthy diet. First though comes the weight loss.

I take three different tablets a day. I take a fish oil supplement twice a day, plus a multi-vitamin and also a garlic capsule. Have been feeling great since doing so.

As for your breakfast question... why not try the Keto cereals if you can afford them? About £5 a tin (9-10 servings per tin) and absolutely delicious. Like you I was beginning to tire of meat in the morning and these cereals have been a godsend. The fibre provided by them has also made me feel much better inside and more regular with my visits to the toilet.

Anyway, keep up the good work!

Solaris

Thanks for the comments all, you're dead right I'm barely eating any carbs at all.

I have however started eating more fruit, as I only really get vegetables with evening meal as I'm getting a little tired of salad for lunch I tend to munch on more MEAT!!

I'm kinda skinny now as is, I'm 14.5 stone, so I'm not sure I really want to hit 13stone, just going to see how it goes if I can get to 14stone then that'd be cool but theres not alot of need as I'm racing through my 'wear when I'm skinny' clothing wardrobe as it is. One good thing about this diet, all the clothes you get to wear again that have been gathering dust :P

I do take a standard multi-vitamin every day and I'm going to go to the Doctors for one of those health check things just to make sure I'm not doing any adverse damage to myself

Thanks again for the comments, this has been a great way of life and I'm so much happier/content with my eating now and no more yo-yoing!!

Hi Matt

Glad things are going well. Isn't it great to be able to get into those 'skinny' clothes.

Glad things have worked out well for you.

its great to read a success story like yours, esp as yr not counting carbs and weighing things out, i hope i can do as well as yoy, congrats.

I sometimes have a small tin of roe for breakfast for a change!
Kippers and smoked haddock would be a change too if you don't have candida!

Well done - its good to hear of success. It sounds like you've cracked it. I agree with you about feeling like I've found something that is a permanent way of life rather than another diet. Once you've got your head around not having potatoes, bread, rice, flour and sugar then it's fairly easy to manage. I did find it hard at first to reprogramme the automatic expectation of toast for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch etc. I think if you can lose weight without weighing and measuring then it feels less like a diet.

If you've had such success and you're pretty much at target, I would relax and enjoy this new way of life and the new skinny clothes.

Just wanted to say well done as well ... 2 stone in 9 weeks is fab!!!

Hope that you enjoy buying a new 'skinny' wardrobe, it will be great in summer not to cover up the bulges!!!!

Lindy

Great what Thai Boxing camp are you training with and isnt it great exercise and self defense!
I did a little karate when I was much younger and thought all those fancy take downs and blocks where the bomb till I started Thai Boxing.
I am with Phraya Pichai by the way.
http://www.phrayapichai.com

Hi matt

Its great that your continuing to do so well, i know what u mean about trying to eat meat first thing in the morning,sometimes i have the low carb bread toasted, either:

TESCOS OWN LOW CARB BREAD,6g FOR A SMALL SLICE ( in a clear bag)
or
NIMBLE CARBS SO LOW 7.6g FOR A SMALL SLICE( in a yellow bag).
I know its still high on carbs, but it helps me not to cheat, maybe this will be of help to you,
I hope you had a great wkend
take care