Lynne: Low Carb Fan

[Rindaloo]

A friend recommended this site, so here I am I restarted Atkins a week ago, I havent been an angel but the weight IS heading in the right direction. I am planning to reintroduce some carby things in the form of gluten free foods such as rice, rice vermicelli. potatoes and oats, as and when. But that's a way off yet. For now, I feel its most important to stay focussed, which isn't so easy with a non-Atkins husband who's hobby seems to be 'diet sabotage', ho-hum. I will be 60 at Christmas and know I look old (especially at 9am without any makeup on). I think losing the ski slope chin would do me some good, as long as I don't get a dose of lizard-swing-neck. Apart from appearances, it will do me good to get shot of some weight. I am not fit, the heat really affects me and I am not happy feeling so sluggish. I know that this WOE is right for me. As to whether I am right for this WOE, well.......

 

[Busybusy]

Hi there Lynne - it's really friendly on here so if you need anything just give us all a shout, plus there's always lots of fan menus for inspiration.

I'm sure you'll reach your goals, just take it one day at a time. Good luck on your Atkins journey x.

 

[Rindaloo]

Thanks Busybusy, a friend recommended this site to me and I must say, its lovely. Is it UK based??

 

[Rindaloo]

Been busy busy with friends and then catching up with things at home. Have tried to be good but have had the odd slip. Today has been an 'us' day. Took dogs for a walk. Did a bit of 'surfing', & found this, which could be helpful if anyone is having difficulties I don't need this -yet, any failings are known by me, but in the future -maybe.

 

[slaj]

Hello Lynne and welcome, will take a look at the link, thanks for posting it . Good luck with this woe

 

[Rindaloo]

Thanks Sandra Guess what! Yesterday someone (who hasn't a clue I am eating differently) said he could see I had lost weight! -This was a day after my husband said same. Its times like that, that make you smile with that good feeling that you CAN lose weight and you ARE being rewarded.

 

[Rindaloo]

Not sure if I am being fanciful BUT , last night I touched my chin throat area and it seemed to me that it felt less big. THAT area is what distresses me the most, so any improvement is very much appreciated, I must say. :bliss:

 

[Rindaloo]

OK, I know its not huge but it just goes to show how you can go wrong without realising. I went round a friends (hot day). They offered a drink and I asked for water. They said they could do a lemon drink. I asked what was in it, and I was told, just lemon and soda water. "Oh, yes please". It arrives looking suspiciously artificial. Turned out it was a lemon squash mixed with soda. So, I imagine I have flipped right over my limit on carbs. I am grateful it was only a small glass....

 

[here_i_go_again]

OK, I know its not huge but it just goes to show how you can go wrong without realising. I went round a friends (hot day). They offered a drink and I asked for water. They said they could do a lemon drink. I asked what was in it, and I was told, just lemon and soda water. "Oh, yes please". It arrives looking suspiciously artificial. Turned out it was a lemon squash mixed with soda. So, I imagine I have flipped right over my limit on carbs. I am grateful it was only a small glass....

Hi Lynne,

Just thought I'd say hello I have the same atkins book as you. Have yet to finish it but I'm getting my head round it. How are you getting on? What have you been eating?

 

[Rindaloo]

Hiya. I have been trying to be good, but have failed a few times. I Love the book, I prefer to stick to one that Atkins actually wrote, rather than newer versions. Though I am on induction level of carbs, I am eating some things not allowed on Induction. Yesterday I had almond porridge. I often have Mims for breakfast. I am not so keen on a fried breakfast. I really have to be in the mood for that. Last night I had veggies and chicken with a cheese sauce made with just cram and a small amount of strong cheddar. It was delish. I sometimes make things from the Atkins cook book (though I have other books too). I often find I have to ad more sasonings than they say. But that's just my taste. I made the Oriental Beef Stir Fry from the Dr Atkins New Diet Cookbook. It wasnt bad, but it wasnt the real deal because I didnt have shitake Mushrooms, celery or Sake. So, I am going to try to get sake and celery, but I doubt I will find sake, as I live in Turkey. I have looked for Sake substitute, not found one I can use yet. I am pretty certain I can get the mushrooms, so I have made a shopping list.

I have Dana Carpender's books too. ALso a few others. I just love getting ideas from them, but often have to improvise due to lack of availability. I use Fitday to keep tabs on what I have eaten. Fitday is greeat but often the diet ticker jams, and if I log out and in on Fitday for another country, it magically begins working again, but not for long. Very frustrating. Do you have favourite recipes??? Have you got a favourite cook book.

I love DANDR because it seems like he is talking to ME. I first bought the book in 2003 and it was immense. Changed my whole thinking. When I lost it (when we moved house), I HAD to buy another copy.

 

[here_i_go_again]

It's my 4th day today and finally feeling better. Felt pretty rubbish the last 2 days with headaches and feeling extremely tired.

I'm not overly fussed on the mims but try not to eat too many anyway as they can stall. I've used them to make a cheese and ham toastie which was pretty good when I fancy some 'stodge'. I don't own an atkins or low carb cookbook. It's just myself and daughter to cook for and she's a very much 'meat, fish & veg' girl which is good news. However she's not into sauces or spicy food so my meals are pretty straight forward. My favourites are cauli mash with grated cheese and pepper, bolognaise or chilli with lots of pepper, mushroom, onion etc and salads. I LOVE salads. Mainly because I can have lots of mayo, otherwise it wouldn't be the same.

I'm not a breakfast person. I don't like eating in the morning, or certainly not too early. I've just had my breakfast which was 2 frankfurters with some grated cheese. Haven't decided what I'll have for dinner yet as need to go shopping. I do need to experiment with food more to stop me getting bored. Have you tried stir-frys? I thought they'd be easy to make but all the sauces have sugar in them. Any idea what I could use instead?

Lucky you living in Turkey. I've been there a few times. Last year we went on a flotilla holiday and it was amazing. The people were lovely!

 

[Rindaloo]

I'm glad you are over those initial days, that can be daunting. in 2003, I read DANDR before I started the WOE, so I knew it wasn't anything bad (I think this is where a lot of people go wrong and bleat "Atkins made me ill" -HAH ). I am a diet book freak, they give me great pleasure. I cant necessecarily stick to the recipe closely, but it gives me ideas. I am not a breakfast person either. So I need something to tempt me. I make mims with a couple of teaspoons of cocoa, so its yummy. I sometimes make one and blob a spoon of diabetic cherry jam on and cream, as a dessert, if I have the carbs to spare. Sometimes I have yoghurt, and from what I can make of it, its not as carby as it says on the tin, because the process of making Yoghurt reduces the lactose.

Yes, I grow my own beansprouts, and when they are ready, I make a stir fry. I use soy and five spice powder. I am guessing it could be sweetened with Splenda but I dont bother. Some recipes I use Xanthan Gum to thicken, but you have to be careful because if you overdo it, you end up with a goopy mess that isn't pleasant. SO, I have it in a shaker, I use a tiny bit and mix in well and then add more. The art s to wait a bit to see if its going to thicken more.... Please don't think I am good at this, I often realise when enteing my foods into Fatsecret, that I have blown it with the carbs. Usually when I have done oven roast veggies. I so love them but the onion, red peppers and tomato IS a bit high. I console self with the fact its still healthier than what I was eating before.

One fave meal when I was in UK and could access bacon, was a chopped salad and good tomatoes with a blob of mayo (maybe mixed with dijon mustard), topped with fried bacon (basically a bread-free BLT). I can do it here, with fried spam when someone comes visiting and brings me a tin, or I use spicy sausage instead. -Sometimes fried halloumi cheese too.......

 

[here_i_go_again]

I totally forgot about halloumi.........typical when I've just got back from Tesco ha

I don't weigh or measure my salad/veg which I should really try to do but it's such a faff, that and recording it online to see if I'm doing it right. As you say though, it's a damn sight healthier than the cr*p I was eating before!

 

[Rindaloo]

I agree, entering the data is a total chore sometimes. I try to make myself do it because it keeps me aware of where I might be going wrong.

I LOVE halloumi

 

[here_i_go_again]

Ive got myfitnesspal but I'll have a look at the fatsecret one. Means I'll have to start weighing everything :cry:

 

[Rindaloo]

Fatsecret is like Facebook for dieters, LOL There are groups to join depending on your WOE and challenges. Plus the weight tracking and journals. One problem I have had is that the ticker often jams and it seems the best way is to log out and log back in on a different countries, Fatsecret. There is a UK one, a Canada one and a US one. They are all the same once you are in and your password and username is the same on each.

 

[here_i_go_again]

oh wow that sounds great. I'll go have a look now. thank you

 

[Rindaloo]

Well, I have now achieved 20 posts, so here is 3 photos my husband took in JANUARY 2012 when I weighed 226.2lbs. Later, I photoshopped them together into a depressing demonstration of what I have turned myself into. Its a brutal photo and the shocking thing is that i faffed about trying on and off for over a year, losing and gaining weight, only to end up back at 226.2lbs on 14th May this year. How dismaying is THAT!

WORSE, I began on Atkins in 2003!!!! I messed up so many times. I am wising up (late developer). So, here's to a less chunky future. Please note the ski slope jaw line which I hate, I am pointing it out because weirdly it doesn't show up in my Avatar but believe me, it IS still there, just getting smaller slowly and more wobbly........

 

[Rindaloo]

Ooh was I blind? -There's a Blog section!!! Hmm, to live in blog section or Atkins Diaries....... I think might stay here

 

[here_i_go_again]

I think I need to do the same as you. It will certainly encourage me to keeping going. Well done putting them together........I wouldn't have a clue lol.

I think most just use diaries don't they? I didn't know there was a blog section either