Weight Loss Progress

I've lost 2.5 pounds so far, and it's been less than a week. The Induction Phase of the Atkins Diet is like this - you lose fast initially, and then later at a more moderate pace. I'm using this low carb diet program because it worked for me last time I needed to lose baby weight in 2003/04. The Atkins Diet has been improved over the years to include more low fat proteins, however, I go low fat with almost all my ingredients. For me, this is a really easy weight loss diet because I don't get hungry, a little, but nothing close to starving.

The Atkins website has some sample recipes to give you an idea of what the first two weeks of the Induction Phase is like - very low carbs, but tasty meals. After this induction phase, you gradually add more carbs to your diet. You can adjust the amount of carbs to how your body responds. Everyone needs different amounts to lose or maintain their weight. You don't have to begin at induction, but it helps get you jump started if you have a lot of weight to lose.

Starting this diet means no starches such as breads(most), pastas, rice, or food with added sugar for me. I take it easy on the fruits and eat meat, beans, nuts, fish and vegetables. The induction phase includes no fruit, but I decided to continue to eat apples and bananas. In the long term, I know this diet works for me, so in order to keep the weight off, I'll have to give up flour and rice based starches(dramatic sigh). I still plan to treat myself with some sugary desserts from time to time, like cheese cake! I gained my weight back when I became pregnant with my daughter on 2005, and returned to carbs. I've been eating them ever since, for the past four year, and it shows! So, it's time for me to go back to what works, a daily diet of low carb foods.

Browse Atkins recipes by phase.

Tonight I had rosemary chicken and an Asian salad, yum. Last night, a rump roast with seasoned mixed vegetables. Tomorrow night, I'm planning a fish dish. I'll be researching and learning many vegetarian recipes for side dishes and main meals with this diet.

I Googled low carb recipes and found some great ideas for variety and taste. I saw a good number of low carb recipes for breads using soy flour which is new to me. I'll be experimenting with this wheat substitute in the future .

Progress:

I began at 174.6 pounds on Monday morning, and today I weighed in at 172.0. I weigh myself first thing every morning, and take into account the weight of clothing(if needed). I'm 5 6" inches tall and my target weight is 140-145 pounds which will place in a clothing size of size 10 or ladies medium/large . I'm comfortable at this weight...any thinner and I look sickly, and it would be too difficult to maintain at my age and fitness level. Maintaining a weight of 140-145 is doable for me, and this was my usual weight(pre-baby).