Starting low carb two week induction type thing - tomorrow - anyone in??

[mrsmalumbas]

Have just bought and read the India Knight book and have been reinspired to restart my low carb ways - Anyone care to join me?

I do know this way of eating suits me, I have done it before, I don't get hungry after the first few days and I do lose weight. I was "sort of" doing this for a couple of weeks before easter and lost about 4lbs, felt good but fell off the wagon over the weekend with easter eggs, wine, simnel cake etc!

Am planning a 2 week induction type event starting tomorrow morning (I am loathe to call it a "diet") to get me back into the swing of things. It would be good to have a buddy or two.

I don't cut out caffeine these days. Or milk ( just use a tiny amount in my drinks). I did all the things by the book (atkins) the first time round but I've found my own version now and it seems to work for me. I also eat nuts and berries and ryvita when on induction . Dr A would be turning in his grave.

I will also admit to sharing a bottle of Cava last night with DH. Bad bad orm!!! But it's very low in sugar apparently. Champagne even better - but can't afford that.

Thanks. Really must make it work this time
breakfast - 2 eggs scrambled
lunch - ham and cheese
tea - 2 lamb chops, cauli and leeks.
Must drink more wtare.

wtare is the new upmarket water for the discerning dieter

well, i like it oggy!

You are fairly fading away Oggs!
Went to the gym today - hoping the exercise will be the difference this time.

Hello! I have just started reading this book and also need to lose 2 stone. It struck me that changing what I eat needs to be a bit like giving up smoking, ie a permanent change that I embrace joyfully, or it will not work. I love cooking and food so am slightly nervous but for various reasons am setting a start date for early May. Any tips?

Hi yellowmama. I agree with you about viewing it like giving up smoking.

It's a good idea to clear as much high-carb food out of the cupboards as possible. If, like me, your house is full of carb-fuelled teens, try to clear a bit of cupboard space for your stuff.

Also try to plan meals so you have leftovers - I found the hardest thing was finding bits and pieces to snack on but as long as there's a bit of leftover chicken or similar, it's easier.

And, if you like it, decaff coffee with a spoonful of cream tastes luxurious and seems to quell carb cravings (for me, anyway.)

Personally I found it easier to get used to low-carb if I had equivalent kinds of foods - so mashed cauliflower with a bit of cream cheese instead of mashed potato. Roasted veggies (courgettes, peppers, aubergines, mushrooms and other low-ish carb ones) in olive oil help keep me off the roast potatoes.

Drink plenty of water if you can - apart from anything else it reduces ketosis breath...

My only other tip would be: hang in there. During the first few days you may find you want carbs and you're a bit headachey and irritable, but if you stick with it your appetite decreases because of the higher proportion of fat and protein in your diet, and it gets much easier.

There are lots of low-carb recipes that are delicious. I'm always banging on about this site but try here for ideas.

Good luck!

Hello yellowmama
So that you don't miss out on stuff like spag bol/curry etc replace rice/pasta with ribbons of courgette (I do it with a potato peeler) or shredded cabbage. It really does taste good.
I always make sure I've got cheese and cooked meats in the fridge for snacking on. Celery sticks with paté is good too. Though tbh I never feel the urge to snack and if anything have to remind myself to eat.
You're right about getting in the right mind-frame before starting. It can make all the difference.

Down another 1lb.

I agree its really important to have the right food in the fridge. I always have some hard boiled eggs - great to snack on with mayo, or to add to my lunch to cheer it up.

Todays menu
B/fast - cheese and tom omlette
Lunch - left over veg from last night with cheese
Dinner - salmon and salad

Today is Day 1 of of low-carb induction diet!

I had lots of high carb foods yesterday in a bid to say farewell pasta, garlic bread and chocolate bars!

Now I'm off to a breakfast of poached eggs and tomatoes!

Breakfast - boiled egg and sesame ryvita with butter. Cooked 2 eggs but didn't want them
Lunch - home made ham and tomato soup and some cheddar
Dinner - don't know. Probably chilli with just a handful of kidney beans, salad and greek yoghurt.

Recipe please Orm, for your ham and tom soup (I'm a soup addict and love comparing recipes).

Breakfast/lunch - a spicy peperami and 2 babybel cheeses (I know, I know..., but had to rush out this morning to drop dd at school and go on to do the shopping. Have only just got back so had to grab something while I was out. Did drink 1l of water while out though.)
Tea - will be prawn cocktail salad with chillies and avocado (looking forward to it already)

I use the stock from boiling a gammon/ham joint. Add a tin of tomatoes, some leeks/onions, some of the ham, and some green lentils (shhh.... not really allowed I know), chillies. Boil for a while and then stick in blender.

Mmmm. Sounds yummy. Similar to one I do with celery rather than lentils.

Talking of almonds, did anyone try those low-carb cookies? I take them to work, along with some berries and a flax seed muffin for snacks. Does anyone else work in a low-carber's nightmare? People bring biscuits, cakes and chocs into the my office every day!

I've just had roast beef, caulimash and veggies. Lovely.

I don't have to get up early for work tomorrow so am planning bacon, eggs and salad for breakfast.

Sally I think I'll have to try some of that cheese and onion sandwich filler...

Hello everyone - can I join??

I've been doing the induction since Monday and so far I'm finding it OK. I have bought some Atkins shakes for emergencies which have really helped me out - these are OK for induction aren't they?

I have still been drinking coffee though, I can't possibly give that up, it's my only vice! I drink a venti filter from starbucks every day but then often don't have another one, possibly a diet coke - is that ok?? I have been having 3/4 coffee and 1/4 skimmed milk, should I cut that down?

Not weighed myself yet but currently have a BMI of 30, and I'm getting married next month, ABROAD, so have to shift half a stone ideally before then. Is this do-able?

Thanks in advance - v helpful thread!

Hi auntyspan! If you stick to induction you should be able to shift half a stone in a month without too much problem. The Atkins shakes are best avoided unless they're the only option though, as some low-carbers say they can stall their weight loss. The Atkins company recommends them, but that's a money-making enterprise. Nuff said...

Milk is quite high carb - have you tried having a spoonful of double cream in your coffee instead? It's low-carb and lovely if you like your coffee rich!

Hi sally - the cookies aren't really crunchy. They're quite soft and crumbly I'm afraid. When I'm really desperate for something crunchy I have a small packet of vegetable crisps (the ones with parsnip and beetroot) but they're still not that low carb. I saw a recipe for making cheese crisps where you basically cut thin slices of cheese and nuke them in the microwave or bake them in the oven till they're crispy. Haven't tried these yet, though.

I've never tried pork scratchings - do they really smell that bad??