Rocking This Week

It’s now been 7 full days since I have started my Atkins program. I am pleased to report that in 7 days I have lost 4 pounds. Honestly, it has been easy. The first two and a half days sucked and I had a raging headache for 36 hours but I woke up on day three and started feeling much better. Surprisingly better. (I must state that I have has a stupid cold for three weeks now but from all I read I believe the headache was the no-carb flu.)


I think I may begin to track my carbs with an online calculator (probably Daily Plate by Livestrong) to ensure not only am I staying within my carb range by also that I am not over or under doing it for calories and I am tracking my water. I imputed today’s menu and realized that I may be underestimating the carb count in many foods. If I am going to do this, I want to do it correctly.

In Atkins, they recommend if you have over 30 pounds to lose you (which I do) to begin in the Induction Phase which limits you to 20 carbs a day. This phase is to last a minimum of 2 weeks but if you like the results and do have a bit to lose to stay in it as you see fit. I am going to do at least one more week of Induction, maybe two. 20 carbs a day is challenging but it is not unreasonable. The program also dictates 15 of those carbs are makeup of the foundation vegetables so get nutrients and fiber into your system.

What I find the hardest is not being able to eat unlimited vegetable. But what that has taught me is that most times I am not that hungry. I don’t need to eat 2 cups of broccoli because I can. I am trying to eat to satisfy me, not to eat till I am stuffed. Another major drawback is not being able to have a large supply of snack foods. Snacks are non-existent at this point unless I want to eat Atkins processed food (which I don’t) or spend time making my own (again I do not). I want crunch. I want chips and salsa, pita chips and hummus - something that makes a sound when I eat it. I am in no way suffering because of this but it’s funny what we have trained our mine to want.