Diet advice--this no-carb thing is driving me NUTS

[huskerlaw]

Ok, here's the situation. I started the Atkins diet on Monday morning. My overall goal is to lose about 15 pounds (or more if possible) by the middle of July. I don't even know if that's realistic. Except that, 3 days in, I've lost 6 pounds.

But here's the thing. I'm craving fruit in the worst way. Not even BAD food, just a freakin' handful of grapes! And honestly, if I see another egg, I'm going to hurl. I'm totally a carnivore, but this animal products only thing is ridiculous. Granted, it's only for a total of 2 weeks, then the fruits and veggies come back.

So. Have any of you succeeded with Atkins? Do the cravings go away after a few days? Did it work? Have you kept the pounds off? Did you revert back to regular eating habits?

And, failing that...any advice for losing 15 pounds in 6 weeks?

Oh, I've also added a mile-long jog, 5 times a week.

Thoughts? Advice?

[YellowRubberDuckie]

1. Your kidneys and your brain need carbs....

I'd cut out processed sugars and drink more water. 20 grams of fiber and at least 2 miles a day doing something....
:shrug:
Duckie

[huskerlaw]

3. Yeah, that's why

the no-carb (or, really, very-low carb) thing is only for 2 weeks, the carbs do come back slowly after that. From what I've read, this diet isn't medically dangerous, provided the "induction" phase only lasts the prescribed 2 weeks.

I'm not so worried about damaging myself in any way, I'm just sick of the food choices (after only 3 days).

[KG]

2. eat some fruit. quell the craving.

heck i was a stoner on a low carb once. quell the cravings, then get back on it.

tho IMO atkins is severe for just 15 lbs. it's better for folks that have a lot of wieght to lose. you could probably allow some more carbs and still lose the weight.

[huskerlaw]

5. that's kinda what I'm thinking...

but the point of the no-carbs for 2 weeks is to retrain your body and jumpstart the metabolism...that does seem to be working, and I don't want to ruin it over a handful of grapes...but then again, I'm SICK of meat, cheese, and eggs.

Gah.

[Left Is Write]

44. The exercise will jump start your metabolism...

If you've lost six pounds in three days, a lot of it will be water. You just can't lose six pounds of fat in three days.

[supernova]

4. The cravings will die down

in a few days. That's what happened to me. If you have to, you can eat splenda sweetened stuff just to take the edge off.

[huskerlaw]

7. Thanks!

Good to hear. I grabbed a 6-pack of Hanson's diet soda yesterday. No carbs, no sugar, no caffeine...sweetened by Splenda, and I have to admit that I almost couldn't choke it down...it was too sweet!

(this coming from a girl who was addicted to regular Pepsi 3 days ago)

[supernova]

10. Another option

is to eat a bite or two of really good chocolate, the 70% kind. It has some fiber and very little sugar.

Glad you're kicking the soda habit. :thumbsup:

[huskerlaw]

15. Good idea.

You know, if nothing else comes of this, I swear...I'm never re-addicting myself to Pepsi. Now that I've broken the caffeine addiction, I'm done with that shit.

[Flaxbee]

82. do be aware of an unpleasant side-effect of Splenda:

terrible, terrible runs. Not everyone has the same reaction, but I learned the hard way that some people can't handle Splenda. Was miserable for days until I did some research and figured out what was going on... so don't drink a lot of any Splenda-sweetened product at once until you know your system can handle it.

[Shakespeare]

86. uh, doesn't do that to me at ALL, and I use it every day--I believe you're confusing it with olestra

That's the fat substitute they were using for awhile in chips and such. THAT stuff gives you the runs, but Splenda doesn't.

[Flaxbee]

91. no, actually, it's Splenda -- I won't go near olestra

there are many different wellness sites and health blogs where people have listed some of the side effects they believe started when they ingested more than just a passing dose of Splenda and stopped when they stopped eating/drinking whatever it was that had Splenda in it:
****************************
Based upon information supplied to us by our visitors, we note the following possible side effects from consumption of sucralose:

bloating
abdominal pain
gas, sometimes painful
nausea
heartburn
diarrhea
headaches
migraines (severe headaches)
heart palpitations (fluttering, irregular heartbeats)
shortness of breath
depression
anxiety and panic attacks
spaced-out or drugged sensation
joint pain, especially in the knees
dizziness



Now, none of this will appear on any FDA info page, but sucralose got the same rush-rush through FDA approval that aspartame did. In any case, I cannot tolerate Splenda... and I know a few others who also stay away from it, mostly for migraine reasons.

[dropkickpa]

95. Yeah, does the ol' migraine thing to me

Beyond tasting utterly awful, it gave me the runs and migraines. I can't handle ANY artificial sweetener.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

6. I did Atkins a few years ago, lost about 30 lbs.

Kept it off for awhile, too, but then the doctor told me it was really bad for my health (way too much cholesterol) to stay on it indefinitely, so I went back to a normal diet. And guess what -- I gained all the weight back. :( Now I've gone more or less vegetarian (meat started to creep me out for some reason -- maybe I OD'd on it while on the Atkins diet), hope eating a lot of fruits and vegetables and going easy on the carbs and sweets will get the lard off.

But yes, Atkins works if you can stick with it.

[huskerlaw]

9. Yeah...

I have definitely heard that you shouldn't stay on it indefinitely (and I have no idea how anyone could!). I wouldn't doubt that your anti-meat tendencies are due to Atkins...I'm absolutely sick of meat at the moment, after only 3 days!

Thanks for the advice!

[idgiehkt]

8. yeast eat sugar

if you have any kind of yeast overgrowth in your digestive tract or elsewhere and don't feed it it will cause the yeast to go crazy before 'die-off', i.e. you will crave sugar like no other and may also have some cognition problems and mood swings. Maybe buy one of the yeast killing products at the health food store, I have used one in the past called "Candistroy" that works great and cuts down on sugar cravings (fruit sugar is one of the purest sugars). (Candi- because the one of the yeasts it kills is candida albicans). When I do one of these (it goes on for about a month, just taking the pills) my joints always feel better too.

[huskerlaw]

13. Oooh, that's interesting.

I would have never thought of that. I'll look into it. Thanks!

[otohara]

65. The Beast Yeast

I did the candida diet for 3 years - still won't eat cantalopes and other yeasty causing foods.

[AlCzervik]

11. the week i was on the south beach diet i had a migraine and general crankiness

it was so bad i didn't think i could go another day and then i woke up on day 5 and the cravings were gone and so was the headache, i was shocked, my life has been about bad carbohydrates so when i stopped craving them it was just surreal.

[huskerlaw]

16. Really?

From what I've read, the first phase of Atkins and South Beach are fairly similar. So your experience is helpful.

Have you stayed off the carbs? Or introduced "good carbs" back into your diet?

[AlCzervik]

21. i eat carbs now but if i have bread then there will be no rice or pasta that day

i've lost 80 pounds in 2 years and i will never go back to my former lifestyle, i just can't do that to myself. Fruit and vegetables i eat a lot of, it's just the bread and pasta that i read carefully with. The South beach was actually the first diet book i ever bought, i've been struggling with my weight for my entire life but for some reason SB just clicked for me.

[huskerlaw]

24. Wow, congratulations!

I almost feel like I need this 2 weeks of torturing myself so that when I can finally add in vegetables and fruit, I'm so happy that I won't even care about sweets.

Atkins is the first diet I've ever tried, as well. I've always been a bit on the chubby side, and I want to do something to tip the scales just a bit the other direction.

[AlCzervik]

28. i understand totally, i was coming up on my 38th birthday and i was dreadfully

unhappy with my weight and my general state of health, pre diabetic sugar levels, high blood pressure and back problems and i swore i would not celebrate my 40th birthday in the same condition. July 9th will be the day i turn 40 and my weight is actually in the "Normal" range, i'd like to lose 10 more but if i don't i'm ok with that.

I wish you much success and good health.
:toast:
that beer is low carb.

[begin_within]

12. I think you need carbs in the morning - if you don't get any, your brain will be glucose-deprived by

the afternoon and you'll get a headache aroud 2 or 3 p.m. At least that's what happens to me if I don't get any carbs at breakfast time.

[huskerlaw]

19. Yeah, I definitely noticed that

The first 2 days were horrible. Today wasn't so bad...as far as the headache goes, anyway.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

14. My dear huskerlaw...

You probably don't want to hear this, but I'm saying it anyway...

You need to eat the way you can for the long haul...

Diets do work, in the short term...

But then you come off them, and back to your bad habits you go...

I know you want to lose significant pounds quickly...but it's not worth it, IMHO...

They went on slowly, and that's the way to take them off.....

That's how I did it...

Good luck...

:hug:

[huskerlaw]

17. I knooowwww...

*insert whiny voice*

But I want to be cute in my pictures in Europe, dang it!

My plan was to do this crazy thing for a few weeks, break some nasty habits, and then slowly add in good food. Alas, I'm not sure that I'm going to make it 2 weeks! Argh.

[Left Is Write]

67. Okay, that's an easy solve.

You're going to look cute in your pictures in Europe no matter what!

Add some intensity to your daily jog (intervals, perhaps) and some weight training, and you will have begun to reshape your bod before your trip. :)

[huskerlaw]

70. Hahaha

Oh, I wish that were true!

I appreciate all of the helpful advice you've contributed to this thread...I'm definitely taking notes.

PS: I stopped by the grocery store on the way home and bought out the fruit section. Screw it! ;)

[Lex]

18. Ummm, hello? You can eat fruit on Atkins. In fact, why aren't you?

Have you read the book the thoroughly?

[huskerlaw]

20. No, you can't...

not in the 2-week induction phase.

After that, you add it back in slowly. But for the first 2 weeks, no fruit and very little vegetables.

[Lex]

22. If you can't get past the 2 week induction without fruit

I doubt it's the right diet for you. It's just not for everyone.

If you make it though induction, start adding in berries which are low carb, high fiber fruit.

http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/lowcarbsuperfoods/a/berries.htm

[AlCzervik]

23. let me give you a little hint they don't include--the first week i was on i bought

a box of Mike and Ike's and some berries, i ate them sparingly and still lost weight, it may have slowed me down and ounce or two but for my own sanity and everyone's safety it was really for the best.

[huskerlaw]

25. Hee hee

fair point...a few ounces or your sanity? Sadly, it kinda does come down to that!

[flvegan]

26. Diet advice? The Atkins "diet" is shit.

If you want professional advice, send me a PM. I won't post it here.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

27. Heh. That's pretty much what my doc said.

And why I gave it up. But now I'm fat again. :(

[Lex]

29. Doctors are clueless about nutrition. I don't think they take any nutrition

classes whatsoever in med school.

At least that's been my observation.

[wildhorses]

94. the doctors i know are pretty open minded about

this...the data is showing that it is working...

i must work with some common sensical doctors:shrug:

[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[flvegan]

60. I got your PM, but the above "deleted message" of mine

makes me a little cautionary about doling out professional advice here, regardless.

Sorry. Consider me stifled here. Send me an e-mail.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

63. Delete - wrong place

[huskerlaw]

30. Check your inbox.

Thanks! :hi:

[flvegan]

31. Now check yours.

[dysfunctional press]

33. i had to give up dietary starch altogether

it's not so bad once you get used to it.

[supernova]

34. Me too, and wheat

I've about decided I've got a wheat gluten sensitivity. I feel much, much better when I don't eat that stuff.

[dysfunctional press]

80. i've got a condition called ankylosing spondylitis....

and it's not so much the starch itself that's the problem- it's the pullunase-g enzyme that the klebsiella bacteria uses to digest the starch in the human gut that causes a big share of my problems.

everything from pasta and rice to cookies, popcorn, and bananas- if it's got starch, i'm not eating it.

[prolesunited]

35. If you really want to kick start your metabolism

Add some weight training three times a week. The muscle you build will burn up calories at a much faster rate when your body is at rest.

This article has a pretty good explanation:

Johns Hopkins’ researchers say that while aerobic exercise burns more calories as it is being done, the metabolism slows back down to normal after about half an hour. Women who perform resistance training, however, burn more calories for two hours after their workouts.

For best results,…a combination of aerobic exercise and working with weights is needed.

Loss of muscle mass typically begins in one's 30s or 40s and continues, even for women who take hormone replacement. As muscles shrink, fat takes their place, and that process leads to a slowdown in metabolism and weight gain even if caloric intake and expenditure remain the same.

Weight training can reverse this process, putting back muscle (which uses more calories and takes up less room than fat) and diminishing fat stores. So even if you lose no pounds, by strengthening your muscles you can lose inches and sizes.
http://www.ynhh.org/healthlink/womens/womens_7_02.html

BTW, hate to burst your bubble, but much of that weight you lost was water retention as carbs hold the water in your body.

Any weight loss is going to come from sensible eating and an active lifestyle. It took me nearly a year to lose 35 pounds, but I've maintained that weight loss for the longest time in my life by combining cycling, walking, weight training, yoga and pilates.

At 44, I have my 30-year-old body back. It should be a matter of health, not looking cute in your clothes. Once it is, the rest falls into place.

[huskerlaw]

58. Muscle = good

Got it. Thanks for the advice.

Unfortunately, I'm well aware that I've only lost water weight so far. *grumbles*

[Orangepeel]

36. You are supposed to eat veggies

IIRC, 2 cups of green things and 1 cup of non green things. You can also eat things that only have one or two "net carbs" like macadamia nuts.

[huskerlaw]

38. Yes, I've been eating the veggies

it's really more the fruit that I'm having issues with.

[AlCzervik]

37. the one thing i forgot to tell you is that on SB is there is vegetables during the

first 2 weeks and lots of them just not starchy ones.

[huskerlaw]

39. Yeah, I think that's the biggest difference

With Atkins, it's 3 cups of green veggies per day. After all that meat, the vegetables taste amazing, I have to admit. ;)

[Redstone]

40. For the last time, THE ONLY THING THAT COUNTS IS CALORIC INTAKE!!

Calories are a measure of ENERGY. If you ingest fewer of them than you expend, you lose weight.

You do NOT need a "diet plan." You do NOT need to worry about "carbs," for Chrissake.

Eat no more than 1500 calories a day of WHATEVER you want to eat, get some exercise, and you WILL lose weight.

Trust me on this.

Redstone

[huskerlaw]

42. I'm getting that...

I just have to get past this "I want to lose it NOW DAMN IT" thing.

Intellectually, I know that all you said is true. I just have to accept it, I guess.

[Redstone]

55. That's why a REAL "how to lose weight" book would never sell. It would be too short,

because the entire text would consist of the words: "Eat less. Exercise more."

Only four pages if you put one word on each page.

Redstone

[Left Is Write]

57. Well...

That basic premise is correct, as long as people don't take to extremes. Spoken by a person who used to eat far too little and exercise far too much. :)

[Redstone]

62. OK, the book should have one more sentence:

"But don't get obsessive about it."

You're right, people do that. Glad you don't anymore.

Redstone

[dropkickpa]

96. An old fav comic strip

[Lost-in-FL]

56. You are right...

but you can eat too "few" calories and still not lose weight.

Great example: I am doing diet and weight training. I complaint to my trainer that I wasn't losing weight (was eating 1700 calories a day). He recomended me to have a metabolism test which I took. The test found that in order for me to lose weight I had to eat between 1900 to 2100!!!! Freaking 1900 to 2100!!! For a FEMALE!! That's a lot!!! I still have problems eating that much. As soon as I started eating, the weight started to come off again!!! Now, now... I have to repeat the test in 3 months since the more I lose the less calories I might need. I will have to cut my calories eventually, if I stop weight training or if I lose more weight (need less to maintain the weight). It is all about how your body is using the fuel which unfortunatelly we do not know since we are all very different. :hi:

[Left Is Write]

64. My trainer wants me to eat 2250 calories a day and do no more than 20 min of cardio a day.

He doesn't want me to lose weight, though. Still, I'm a pretty small female, but I manage to burn through quite a few calories.

I was doing 30-60 minutes of cardio a day, sometimes as much as 70 or 75. My trainer told me to cut that back, and he's got me doing 30-60 minutes of strength, core and flexibility training 3-4 times a week.

It's been years since I had a trainer, and this one is also a good friend. He trains Mr. LIW and talked me into a training program too. It's good - I was in a rut.

[Lost-in-FL]

68. My trainer makes a funny face when he mentions Cardio...

He used to be 350 lbs and now he is a lean machine. I have a lot of respect for him since he is a great inspiration and he knows what he's talking about (he lived through it all when it came to weight loss). The only reason he does cardio is to keep a healthy heart but he is one of those who believe that Cardio is USELESS during the first stages of weight loss. Only weight training can prepare your body for weight loss and to prevent injuries to the joints and bones when you start cardio specially for the very overweight. So far he's been right about everything he has taught me.

Now it all makes sense why I struggled with 1 hr to 1.5 hr of cardio and diet and nothing ever happened. Would starve myself to dead for nothing. I wish I had done all I am doing now 10 years ago. I am very happy with the results but I am also doing my part. It is hard work to stay motivated I tell you that much but I am a happier healthier person. Diet only works when you make it part of your everyday life.

[Wapsie B]

41. Kicking carbs has been difficult for me.

I'm going through a weight-loss program through one of the hospital clinics here and I did well for awhile then the carb-cravings came back, especially sugar-cravings. I asked the Dietician about how to control sugar cravings and was just told to eat a balanced diet. To say that I was underwhelmed at that answer is putting it mildly. I've just gotta be more aware of the carb thing and just cut back cold turkey.

[huskerlaw]

43. Carbs suck.

That's my conclusion for the evening. They are evil and they suck.

As does being chubby. For me, personally, anyway.

[Wapsie B]

46. Yes they do.

Hell, I'd love to be even chubby. But I'll get there. 30 down, 70+ to go
You will too, each in our own way.

[Left Is Write]

47. No, no, they don't.

Simple carbs are not so good (well, they're GOOD, but not so good FOR you).

Complex carbs are wonderful. Real whole grain bread, shredded wheat, oatmeal, blueberries, spinach....delicious AND good for you.

[huskerlaw]

53. Ok, the carbs I'm used to SUCK.

;)

I would actually kill for a warm slice of real whole grain bread right now...sigh.

[otherlander]

45. No fruit?

That doesn't really sound healthy... :scared:

I have to agree with Redstone and flvegan here... Wouldn't it be better to focus on less total calories, and replace animal/refined foods with plant foods/whole grains?

[huskerlaw]

50. For 2 weeks...

otherwise, I completely agree...not the least bit healthy.

I'm inclined to agree with them as well...hence why I came here for advice! :)

[pitohui]

77. no it wouldn't, everyone has tried to "eat less" and this never works

it is like preaching abstinence from sex, it ain't gonna happen unless the person is genetically abnormal anyway

our bodies are programmed to crave carbs and to eat as many of them as possible when they are available because back in the day sweets/fruits would only be available seasonally

we don't live in that world, haven't for a few hundred years now

we've seen an unprecedented rise in obesity, worldwide, since the low fat, high carb diet has been pushed -- eating all the delicious wonderful whole grain you want is endless because the craving just doesn't stop

you gotta eat fat to trigger satiety

as for whole grain, start monitoring how your glucose levels respond to whole grain, you may be in for a shock, my husband has a bad result even from eating that most harmless of foods, brown rice

we were evolved from omnivorous scavengers and hunters, we are not harmless little rabbits and cows who can survive in good health munching on grass -- grain (grass) is not a natural food for humans

[LeftyMom]

48. The jog should do wonders for you metabolism.

Eat the veggies. Lots of veggies. And unrefined starches wherever possible.

Keep track of what you eat. It's harder to cheat when you have to be honest with yourself about it.

15 lbs in 6 weeks isn't really a realistic goal for healthy weight loss. A pound a week is generally doable, more is possible for a lot of people. But also keep in mind that all that jogging is going to add muscle if you're normally pretty sedentary, and that muscle weighs more. So if you're firming up, losing inches and feeling healthy, that's more important than the scale.

PS If you really want to do a radical dietary change for weight loss, The McDougall Plan works. I lost a 45 lbs on it in a bit over 6 mos, although I was also walking a lot. His approach is pretty much the polar opposite of Atkins.

[huskerlaw]

51. Thanks.

I agree with everything...and really, I'm not so much worried about the scale as I am about fitting into clothes better. So muscle is perfectly ok with me (besides, muscle helps burn calories, right?)

I'll look into The McDougall Plan, but I'm beginning to realize that radical diet change isn't really my thing. ;)

[LeftyMom]

54. Sounds like you don't really need it.

Just eat better (not less, unless you're eating past fullness, just better) and be more active.

This time of year there's tons of fresh produce out there at the farmer's markets and it's all so cheap! Just go nuts with what's seasonal and prepare it in reasonably healthy ways, and you'll be healthier for it.

[Lost-in-FL]

49. Get protein shakes to calm the "sweet tooth"

I am not on Atkins but I am in a very low carb diet (only getting carbs from very little amounts of fruits and lots of fiber and vegetables).

Introducing protein shakes in my diet made a huge difference since I for one enjoy them and two, it takes the double guess when I am hungry and can't make up my mind on what to eat. High protein diets are the way to go BUT you must introduce weight training and going easy on the CARDIO (for the first 2 weeks) to really notice the difference. You'll be amazed. CARDIO ONLY training kills the building block of your metabolism which is muscle so you should start incorporating Cardio training very slowly. Start at least 2 times a week for 15 to 30 minutes and weight training 4 times a week for 45 minutes. That has worked for me. I have lost over 40 pounds in 8 months, losing my first 30 pounds during the first 3 months. I DO NOT work out longer than one hour, 5 days a week and I EAT CLEAN HEALTHY FOOD. The only pre-packed meals I use are my protein shakes.

Those 6 pounds you lost are WATER so beware of getting too complacent or overconfident. Also, the cravings for sweets will STOP once your body gets used to use REAL fuel and not poison such as HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup = Poison) et al.

You can find great protein shakes that are high in protein, low Carb/Sugar (1g sugar!! and 1 carb!!) and Low fat. Some of them are awesome but of course you get what you pay for. The best ones are expensive and they mix extremely well. If you don't like the powdered one you can get the ones already pre-mixed like the Myoplex Light.

http://www.supplementwarehouse.com/viewitem.asp?idproduct=46966

Here's the one I use. They are only 118 calories per scoop (per 8 onz fluid) with 26 g protein, only 1 Carb and 1 g Fat. It tastes yummy!!! I like the Strawberry flavor which i mix with ice water. No lumps at all after mixing for 10 seconds!



Lastly, you will lose weight with knowledge and not gimmicks. Here's a great site you can learn how to lose body fat/weight and be healthy. http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/bbinfo.php?page=GoalSetting

[huskerlaw]

52. Thank you.

I'll definitely consider the shakes!

[doc03]

59. Drop that ridiculous Atkins diet now!

I tried it myself and thought it was great for a couple weeks and I lost about 10 pounds then I hit a wall where I just couldn't loose. Then once I get off it you are craving carbs so bad you just go nuts and gain back what you lost in a couple days. A friend of mine went on the Atkins and went from
320 down to 260 in just a few weeks. The guy went on a 2 week vacation and I swear he gained half of it back. A few months later he went on it again with the same results, he dropped 60 pounds in a few weeks then he stopped the diet again he kept loosing and loosing. After getting down to about 230 he went to the Doctor. He had liver cancer he died about a month later at 150 pounds.

on edit: Here is what I have done to finally get control after 45 years of dieting. I started working out 3 days a week, I do 30 minutes on the Cybex machines and 45 to 60 minutes on the stairmaster, arc, stationary bike or elliptical machines. When I want to loose some weight I will eat 1700-1800 calories on my workout days and 1200-1300 on my off days. Now that summer is finally here I will ride my bicycle 15 to 25 miles instead of going to the gym..

[huskerlaw]

61. Yeah, that's basically the conclusion I've come to...

No more Atkins. (now what do I do with all the freakin' eggs and meat in my fridge? LOL)

I'm stopping at the store for some fruit on the way home tonight. ;)

On edit: I'm really sorry to hear about your friend. :hug:

[Lost-in-FL]

66. Lots of vegetable quiche and a healthy BBQ!!!

Eggs are great! but should not eat more than 2 yolks per week if you have high cholesterol.


The best thing about diets is that you can get away with having a BBQ everyday.

[huskerlaw]

69. Except that

I don't have a grill! x(

[Lost-in-FL]

71. You don't need one...

This things ROCKS!!! You can have an indoor BBQ!!



http://www.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=107661&PartnerID=FROOGLE&BannerID=PD677

[huskerlaw]

72. Oooh, hmm!

cool...thanks for the link. :)

[pitohui]

73. the cravings go away real fast, you'll be surprised

you just started monday, give it a few more days, i went on the diet to support my husband and there are no cravings after a few days, in fact, because the high protein/high fat diet promotes satiety you really don't eat as much, i lost a lot of weight i didn't need to lose at first while my husband lost 40 pounds he badly needed to lose, i got back up to my ideal weight by slowly adding back carbs, hubby has maintained the weight loss

just be strong, it's worth it, you soon lose your appetite for fruits and other carbs as well as for bad carbs

hubby can eat only 1/2 serving of fruit a day and maintain his glucose readings, so it's tough, easier to just cut fruit out altogether

there are still many veggies you can eat that are low carb

the jog is not necessary as the diet alone will get you to your goal, hubby is a workaholic and exercise is just never going to happen for him, it's a nice thing to do, well, not nice to your knees but that's neither here nor there, i prefer low impact exercise myself since i want my joints to last my lifetime, why not race-walking or biking rather than out and out jogging?

[KitchenWitch]

74. Look up the South Beach Diet

It has a low carb approach that is not so suffocating.

[huskerlaw]

75. I might do that...

but I just at 5 strawberries and they tasted like pure cane sugar...yuuuuuuummm! LOL

I think I may have overreacted. My eating habits are truly crappy. I think I could lose the weight I want (and in time, probably more) if I just start eating intelligently and get up off my ass.

Thanks though! :hi:

[KitchenWitch]

76. I have about 15 to lose myself - I was good until I caught pneumonia

and was put on all those steroids for my breathing.

Damn I hate steroids.

[pitohui]

78. really? you seriously think the world is full of fat people because they are all lazy?

there is a worldwide obesity epidemic, and plenty of those fat people are smart people who get ahead in school and on the job, they are not stupid or lazy, and yet they are fat

losing weight is not just a matter of willpower, it's a matter of brain and body chemistry if you ask me

years of a low fat diet did NOTHING for my husband but make him fatter

people cannot eat "intelligently" any more than people can reliably practice abstinence, nature did not make us that way

atkins -- a higher fat diet -- tricks the brain into feeling full, it does work, my husband lost 40 pounds in 3 months and has kept it off for some time now

people who rely on willpower and "just eat less" somehow seem to just keep getting fatter and more self-hating

my observation anyway

i would be peeved if i were you and all these folks were trying to sabotage my diet!

[Redstone]

79. Hey, you. Haven't seen you for a while...how've you been?

Redstone

[huskerlaw]

81. No. I absolutely do not think that.

Nor did I ever say that.

However, for ME, I'm chubby because I'm lazy. That's MY issue, nobody else's.

[Richardo]

84. I've had great success with SBD

35 lbs off for about 3 years now. When I start gaining, it's easy to course-correct and get back to the goal weight. Worked pretty quickly, too. :thumsbup:

[AlCzervik]

85. me too, it is literally the only prgram that really worked for me, 80 pounds down

and holding steady, like to lose another 10 but if i don't i'm ok with that.

[Richardo]

87. 80? Congrats!!

In that last pic you posted, you're lookin' good!

[AlCzervik]

89. thanks, i feel a whole lot better too, i wanted to look better of course but that

was a side benefit, my blood sugar and blood pressure and Cholesterol are all well within the normal range and that makes me really happy.

[Richardo]

90. As well it should

My cholesterol count really took a dive on SBD also. :thumbsup:

[nini]

83. strawberries and cantaloupe are ok

you'll get over the cravings soon.

Drink a lot of water.

[AtomicKitten]

88. LIke the late Richard Jenni advised

a sign on your refrigerator that reads, "Stop eating you fat bastard."

Seriously, movement is key. Plus plenty of water and a balanced diet. And never age as it slows down your metabolism.

Good luck.

[Left Is Write]

92. Aging slows down metabolism because lean muscle mass begins to break down.

Keep up with strength training and maintain/build lean muscle mass, and you'll have the metabolism of someone much younger.

[Nikia]

93. My father went on a low carb diet

Without doing an "induction phase" eating some non starchy fruits and vegtables with his meat and lost weight just fine. Maybe, torturing yourself really isn't necessary.

[Zomby Woof]

97. Lisa, you're full of crap

You are *not* fat. :spank:

:P

[SoCalDemGrrl]

98. Try the Zone Diet -you can eat good carbs including grapes and it works

There are some fruits and veggies that are bad carbs like carrots and corn. But

overall it's an easy diet to follow and you're never hungry.