Hi----

I am John Smith.
Ready to start induction tomorrow.
I need to lose 100 pounds, and stop feeling like I will drop dead at any minute.
Reading Dr Atkins book, I still have some questions.
If I dont crave sweets, can I still have one cup of black coffee in the morning?
Can I have caffine free diet coke?
What about green tea?

Sorry if these questions seem a bit trivial, I want to do everything right.

Thanks, I'm new here.

Hi John,

The Atkins book says to avoid caffeine because it can trigger insulin spikes if you are actually addicted to it which in turn can cause you to have cravings. I for one never stopped my coffee, and I have usually about three to four cups in the mornings (black) and it hasn't ever caused me any problem. I also love to drink tea with a touch of Stevia but everyone is different and you have to do what works well for you . If you get any cravings from drinking the caffeine you can always substitute decaf coffee or tea to be safe. As for the diet sodas, again it's the caffeine issue, you could possibly drink decaf sugar free sodas but Dr. Atkin's does state that some people stop losing weight when they eat or drink too much artificial sweetener (I use Stevia instead). I have read some journals here where people are drinking the diet sodas and seem to be doing fine, I would just be aware and if you can't lose or stop losing weight, cut them out altogether.

There's a limit of 3 servings of ANY sweetener per day. The diet coke won't help you on your journey... but WATER will!

You should aim for a minimum of 64 ounces of WATER per day, and you might aim for 1/2 your current body weight in ounces (work up to it!)... once you've had all your WATER, then you can see how the diet soda works for you.

Many people never give up their caffeine...

Welcome aboard, John! Nice to have you with us!

You have received good answers to your questions. Caffeine does seem to stall some people, but not others. If the Diet Coke you plan to drink is sweetened with aspartame, that, too, causes problems for some people, but not everyone. All you can do is try these products and see how they affect you personally.

I'd like to invite you to join those of us in the Triple Digits Club. You can find us here:

http://forum.lowcarber.org/forumdisplay.php?f=49

Welcome aboard John! You'll find many helpful people here with plenty of answers as you've already received. Good luck.

Thanks, good to be here.
I started today, feel good so far. Breakfast was a cheese ohmlet
with sour cream. I went out so I didnt trust their bacon or ham.
I had decaf coffee, not bad. I like it black.
I also went shopping at Ralphs.
I ditched the diet soda for diet rite soda. Nothing in it, and good taste.
Try Ralphs mayonase. No sugar or trans fat. Also bobs roquefort salad dressing. Almost nothing bad, no sugar, 1 gram of carbs.

I stopped my blood pressure med today. Dont worry, I check it my self and it has always been very low with meds. If it goes up, I will pop a pill.

All the suplimental fiber I found has a lot of carbs. What do you guys take?

Kestone strip was normal this morning.

I will keep walking two miles per night for now.

And will join the tripple digit club.

Thanks again and good luck!!

Mr. John Smith...

Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life... The good thing is you are given a chance to create yourself helathy and slimmer today... so sieze that chance.

These forums are full of insight and support... That alone will help you on your journey but you will only get out of it what you put into it... so create your success.

Start a journal and write about your journey.... it'll help us be able to support you better and you to look at the road you are traveling.

T-man

Wish you the best on your weight loss journey. I've been able to skip the coffee, but the soda has a hold on me...lol. It sounds like you are going to do great to me.

Hi John!
Make water your first and foremost beverage would be my advice, I drink one 12 ounce cup of coffee per day, once in a while 2! That is with cream(1/2 & 1/2) and splenda, and an occasional diet mountain dew, the rest is water, water, water, let's keep it real, If I am in this for life, I am gonna have caffiene, I work nights, I have too LOL!
Would I lose faster, probably....if you can give them up I say good for you and go ahead, it is good to do that, I am not that good

I'm shouting here...

You should never stop taking a medicine without discussing it with your doctor.

Period.

End of discussion.

Day two.
Feeling fine. Just a little tired last night, I work till midnight, but thats normal for me.
Off cafeine completly. Decaf is fine with me. Diet rite cola, one a day.
About 100 ounces of smart water per day.
BP 137/79 all night. Thanks for worry. And you are right!
I figured 18 grams of carbs yesterday.
Hope to get to know you all better soon.
Thanks for the help and concerns.

Smart water? LOL

Smart water is the best bottled water I have had.
Try it, its great.

I have never heard of it or seen it.

I am in southern california. Maybe not in your area. Should be on google. Also try sparkletts fluoridated, has a purple top. Has a real good tast.
Has anyone heard of the Vita-mix, or other juicers?
A guy in the store was demonstrating it this morning. Said it leveled out all the bad sugars and was good for Atkins people.
What do you think?