DH struggling with Atkins, please help!

[disneyeveryyear]

I have been on Atkins for a little over 4 months and have lost 37 lbs. and am loving it. Not only do I look better, but I feel better.

Last MOnday I convinced DH to try Atkins for his health. He needs to lost about 75 lbs, and suffers from Type 2 Diabetes.

He has been faithful (I think) and hasn't eaten any carbs (other than allowable foods). He says he is constantly hungry (I told him to eat until satisfied) and he is still crabby.

His problem is psychological. He is a carb addict and is psychologically missing his carbs, not necessarily physically missing them.

He also says he is having a problem with the lack of variety. I don't understand this. We have had chix, beef, pork, pizza toppings, hot wings, etc. He is already oding on salad (never happens to me). His work schedule lent itself to a lot of sandwiches for lunch and a couple of dinners a night. Now he is having trouble adapting to what the kitchen fixes for lunch. Even though he is GM and could ask them to fix something special, he normally just east employee lunch, or a salad if that doesn't work.

Tonight he ate a Russell Stover candy. I didn't have the heart to tell him no, you can't have that for 2 weeks of induction.

He hasn't weighed yet. I am hoping that it will give him a big boost to see how much he has lost. Also hasn't tested blood sugar yet. Need to do that soon.

Sorry, it is so long, but I am afraid he will quit. He says he is in it or the long haul, but if he isn't satisfied, he won't stick with it.

 

[DoeWDW]

Make sure he's getting enough fat. Fat, combined with protein, in the diet will generally make you feel fuller than just protein alone.

Maybe Atkins induction is too strict for him - could you help him eat only 60 grams of carbs a day? It would be an improvement over his previous way of eating but allow him to get used to the foods.

You might want to check out the South Beach Diet, which allows more low-impact carbs. Many people here on WISH are having great success with SBD.

Sometimes baby steps are easier than a big change. Maybe he'll commit to drinking more water or eating a healthy breakfast for a week so he can feel successful and then you can add more meals to his plan?

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[webray]

Is he still getting caffiene in any form by any chance...that gives you fake hunger pains.

He just may not be ready to commit to this new eating plan...gotta be ready in your head before its gonna work.

 

[nancyj_pa]

I agree with Doe. He may need more fat. Does he like chicken salad, egg salad, tuna salad, etc.? I cook up a dozen hard boiled eggs a week and lots of chicken for chicken salad. I take it to work in a container for lunch along with a hard boiled egg. That usually fills me up. He can snack on these items if he feels hungry. If he needs some crunchies, have him try some macadamia nuts. Just a few satisfy me most evenings.

Only he can make the decision to lose weight. He may not be ready yet. Let him read the Atkins book or Protein Power and get his mind ready. Good luck to both of you.

 

[nativetxn]

How long has he been following this way of eating? The first week is tough.

Has he been checking his blood sugar at home? My husband is typeII diabetic and it was testing his blood sugar that convinced him that Atkins was the right plan for him.

Make sure he is eating enough fat and his appetite should become greatly diminished.

 

[DaddyDon]

Yes it is a big change! He has to want to do it for himself,not for you.With that being said all you can do is support him and try to lead him in the right direction,Want to get a man not to do something? Harp on it till the naggs come out of his ears,At least my wife knows how far to push any change that i dont want.No im not saying you are nagging your dh! But he and only he has too want to change,Love him, Hold him,let him know you want him in your life and that includes a new way of eating.Noone really likes change ,even if its for his own good,Even if it lets him live a extra 5 years with you.Understand men like to think it was there idea, Just some of my thoughts,it may not help ,but i wanted to throw it out there.GOOD LUCK

 

[disneyeveryyear]

Thanks for all of your thoughts.

DH loves chix salad and tuna salad, so I will try to make some of those this week for him. Also, egg salad is a favorite for him. Of course, not making a sandwich will be hard for him.

Tonight he planned to cook "breakfast" for dinner. He couldn't stand the thought of more meat, so it was going to be eggs and ham. I, on the other hand, really don't want to see any more eggs . I ended up eating left over Hooters hot wings and he found some fajita chix to brown up and add to his salad. Then he had a russell stover candy again.

He is really frustrated that he can't eat an apple, or other "healthy" things. He has never been a big meat eater, so that is kind of hard for him.

We'll keep plugging along and I will try to encourage without nagging.

He still hasn't checked his blood sugar. I am dying to know. I need to call his Dr. and have him prod him into coming in for new blood tests - but don't tell DH .

Thanks again.

 

[disykat]

I am not a big meat eater and couldn't bring myself to try Atkins. When I read South Beach Diet I decided to give it a whirl. Being able to eat beans really helped me.

 

[nativetxn]

<b>disneyeveryyear</b> I'm surprised that your dh doesn't have a home glucometer. His medical insurance should cover the cost if his doctor says he needs one.

How long has your dh been eating this way? It is only the first two weeks that there is no fruit allowed. After that we added strawberries and other berries back into our meal plans. My husband ate an apple just yesterday. After induction you increase your carb allowance slowly, 5 grams a week to whatever number does not cause him to gain then back down 5 or 10 from that number to slowly reach goal.

It is only refined carbohydrates that need to be avoided completely, especially if he is type II diabetic.

As far as making sandwiches is concerned, my husband and I use romaine lettuce leaves to hold our sandwiches together. You really taste the yummy tuna or chicken salad, or the bacon, lettuce and tomato better than when you use bread. Your dh might want to try that and see if he likes it?

Katholyn

 

[disneyeveryyear]

Katholyn,

Yes, he has a glucometer, but he has never used it faithfully. I am not even sure where it is right now.

He is feeling a little better today. He has been so crabby lately I was ready to tell him to eat some carbs so I could be happy!

Today, though, he admitted that he has been suffering from a severe case of constipation. Luckily he "broke through" this morning, but it was very uncomfortable he said.

I have not suffered at all from constipation. What do those of you who face this problem do to correct it? He has never suffered from this before (take my word for it).

I am hoping if we can get this under control, maybe he'll do better.

Still hoping to find out blood sugar level and weight loss, but I have promised not to nag. I'll have to wait and see.

 

[nativetxn]

My husband uses the FiberCon tablets for those issues. Actually we buy the store brand which costs less and is just as effective.

 

[disboo]

My doctor recommended Metamucil powder. Take enough to keep you loose That might be once a day or three times a day. Basically, you can take metamucil forever - we all need fiber! I had a lot of constipation at the beginning, and it is aweful!

As far as sticking to the plan, it is up to HIM, not you. The few times my husband tried to help me with my bad habits (eating too much, smoking) it made me resentful and tempted to do the opposite. I stopped smoking on my own, and now I ma sticking to Atkins on my own (and he is pleased as punch!)

All that said, remind your husnabd that he only needs to try Induction for two weeks, then make a decision about staying with it. We can stand anything for two weeks, right?

Atkins has been right for me - good luck to both of you!!

 

[disneyeveryyear]

When I met DH after work, he informed me that he is going back to WW and quitting Atkins. It seems he stepped on scales this afternoon (I would never weigh then), and had gained 6 lbs. in one week.

He is going to try WW. Don't know if he is going to attend meetings or not. I just have to give him some space I guess. Cooking now will be an even bigger challenge. Me on Atkins, him on WW and kids filling in the middle.

Oh well, I am staying strong!

 

[tiggerlover]

I am sorry I don't have any advice as I do not know Atkins, just wanted to offer some {{{HUGS}}} and patience for you and a little **pixie dust** for your DH.

 

[DisOrBust]

I think I know what the problem was/is. If he is Type 2 and continuing with his oral meds his body is still producing "more" insulin and also being "more" receptive to it (This is explained at an elementary level but I think you guys know what I mean ) Wite insulin comes "to low" blood sugar and HORRIBLE hunger wich is you bodies normal response to to much insulin. If he really want to try Atkins a good start would be blood sugar testing 2 hrs after meals to see where he is. Talk to his MD his meds may really need to be adjusted for hime to be sucessful. I also think the SBD may work well in his situation. Don't give up and can always start again!!

 

[DaddyDon]

Never give up Hope.!!!!!!!I too never weigh in at the afternoon,thats too much like setting yourself up for a let down.Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.Maybe he can find a diet more suited to him,Atkins works for me but that doesnt mean it works for everyboby!Maybe your family doctor can help you in the rite direction.Again you are in our thoughts and prayers

 

[disneyeveryyear]

Thanks for all of the good thoughts, prayers and PD.

So far I think he is happier back on WW. He is such a carb freak, that I don't think he ever really dedicated himself in his head.

That's okay, but cooking will now be my challenge. Tonight he and the kids had spagetti and garlic bread (he had two small pieces that totaled 6 pts - he quickly threw away the rest of it). I had salmon, salad and green beans. When I started to dish up dinner, I realized I had never cooked green beans. Oh well, I'll figure it out soon enough!

I thought about going on WW with him (for about 3 seconds) and then I remembered that I didn't have the motivation the last 4 times on WW, and this is working, so I am sticking with Atkins!

 

[imgoingtodisney]

Good job sticking with Atkins, Bev! You need to do for yourself what you know works.
And good job w/DH on Weight Watchers. Again whereever he has the most luck. (Wish I could get my DH to go on any type of diet)

Looking forward to meeting you in less than 4 wks!