How much weight I lost and how long it took
I lost over 12 pounds in the first 2 weeks. I was too scared to weigh myself before I started because I was afraid I'd be over 300 pounds. I'm using 280 as my starting weight because that it what I weighed 4 months ago. I know it's not the best way to keep track but the actual number of pounds does not concern me. The fact that my pants fit better and I have way more energy after just 2 weeks is what's most important to me. I know the weight will come off if I stick to a low carb diet.
The approach I've used to lose weight
I'm on my 2nd round with a low carb life style. About 5 years ago after seeing vacation pictures and not being able to look at myself I knew I had to do something. While on vacation we had decided to start a family and I didn't want to be a fat dad. I started Atkins the following day and over the next 5 months I lost over 60 lbs. I was back down to my army fighting weight. Then came Thanksgiving and Christmas. Over the next 2 years I ate whatever I wanted and gained every lb. back plus 5 more. I tried getting back into the low carb swing of things a few times over the last 3 years but my heart just wasn't into it. I continued to get fatter. Now I'm ready to start over. I'm at the end of week three and honestly loving it. I don't like being on a diet where I can have almost anything I want but only small amounts. I do much better on a strict diet that eliminates the "bad" food and lets me eat the "good" food until I'm full. One thing I've noticed this time around is that I don't eat nearly as much food per day as when I'm not on a low carb diet. I'd say I've easily cut my caloric intake in half.
Tips and Tricks
- I love to BBQ. Use homemade low carb sauces or hot sauce w/ butter & garlic for your grilled or smoked foods.
- Find a bread alternative to use after the induction period. I just found Joseph's Lavash bread at Wal*mart. I cut each sheet in thirds instead of in half. I have no more than 1 1/2 strips of the 1/3 pieces per day.
- Drink Water!
- Exercise!!!! Start walking 3 times per week.
- Find a good low carb cookbook. I like Extreme Lo-Carb Cuisine by Sharron Long.
- Plan meals and shop for them.
- Weigh yourself only once a week. Sunday mornings for me.
