Ima cuttin' out the carbs! (comments welcome)

[vettechick99]

OK, I really hesitated posting on the board because I'm not your typical WISH'r. I'm not looking to lose any weight...I just want to get healthy and I think I need some support.

I'm 29 years old and my entire life I've been underweight. My mother, a weight loss counselor, ironically never taught me good eating habits. She just wanted me to eat and eat lots. So here I am - almost 30 years old - and I eat like a college student. On Sunday, I was out of town visiting a friend and I had crackers for breakfast, pizza and breadsticks for lunch, and spaghetti with garlic bread for dinner. Healthy, huh? I would say this is a somewhat typical menu for me. I think the reason I don't gain a lot of weight is a mix of having a fast metabolism and that my stomach is small. I don't eat large portions.

So the reason I am here and looking for advice and support is because I'm on a constant sugar roller coaster. 95% of what I eat is protein-low and carb-rich. So if I'm not eating, I'm thinking about eating. I have a pesky addiction to certain foods - foods I just can't keep in the house or I'll eat them til I'm sick (Baked Cheetos is my Kryptonite ).

My diet leaves me feeling sluggish and guilty and while I'm underweight, I do have some fat pockets I'd rather were not there (all that extra fat has to go somewhere). So today I am starting Atkins...not to lose weight, but to break myself of the carb addiction. I feel that if I can break myself of carbs now, when my metabolism eventually slows down, I won't be freakin out.

Thanks to everyone who posts with advice and encouragement. Kicking the carb addiction is gonna suck, but I'm ready for the challenge!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

good luck--these journals are awesome for support!

 

[pearlieq]

Hello and welcome!

Best of luck to you on your quest to be healthier! I swear there's no difference between carbs and crack--luckily there's a great supportive community here with lots of good advice and encouragement.

Here's a little to get you started!

 

[vettechick99]

Thanks blueeyes and Perlieq!

I'm starting to think being hungry is like being drunk--it affects my decisions and gets worse and worse at it progresses.

Pearlieq, I just found your journal and pulled out this quote. This is soooo true! Except for me, it's not only bad decision-making...when I'm hungry I start to get cranky and hot & bothered (and not in the good way!). It's like PMS or something!

Good luck with your goals!

 

[lizdotcom99]

Allison,
Forst off, welcome to WISH, you are going to love it here!! And i have to admit I giggled when I saw you post here....I LOVE your perspective....especially as seen in your trip reports!! Of course I also freaked when I saw a journal here for you as I have seen so many of your pics and were the last person I would ever think of as a WISHer....and as jealous as I am of that little body of yours, it is refreshing to know that the "little" people struggle with food issues too....not happy that you are struggling mind you...just nice to know that we all have our cheetos to deal with!!!

Good luck witht he carb killing thing!! It is a tough one for sure!! But, if I can do it, anybody can!!! SUgar and white flour were my best friends for a very long time. The first few days are going to be especially hard!! This I know to be true. The headache is killer and it is crazy to think that sugar and flour can have such an addiction to people! Good luck with the headache and kniow it does eventually go away!!

Next bit of advise, especially since weight is not an issue for you. There are so many great lo carb treats out there that are great substitutes for those times when you just need something! I highly reccomend Bryers Lo Carb icecream. The chocolate is especially good!! Another thing that I have found that is a great lo carb substitute is the lo carb wraps....it certainly does help for some of those bread cravings!! I usually make very yummy quesadillas with lofat cheese, salsa and the wraps.....again since you aren't doing this for weight loss, I am sure you can have some of these things, just remember moderation is key.

And for the times you just have to have some pasta, wheat pasta is pretty good!!

Good luck in getting your carbs under control. It is amazing to find out the differance that carbs or lackof carbs can do to a person. I am a total differant person now that I have cut my carbs. You can do this! it just takes a bit of will power!!!



Should you need any great recipes, feel free to ask away. I have found some that I really enjoy and are healthful and tasty.

 

[vettechick99]

I am a total differant person now that I have cut my carbs. You can do this! it just takes a bit of will power!!!



Should you need any great recipes, feel free to ask away. I have found some that I really enjoy and are healthful and tasty.

Thanks for the post! This is pretty crazy, but I'm only halfway through day 1 and already I'm cranky and having hot flashes. Is it in my head or a physical reaction?

I would love any recipes you have! My biggest issue with Atkins is that I really don't care for meat all that much. In fact, I pretty much eat around the meat in my spaghetti & meat sauce. So finding foods/meals that are protein heavy without being meat-heavy is going to be a challenge.

Above you say you are a totally different person sans carbs. How do you feel different and at what point will I feel different? Days?

Or *gasp*...weeks? Thanks!

 

[lizdotcom99]

Above you say you are a totally different person sans carbs. How do you feel different and at what point will I feel different? Days?

Or *gasp*...weeks? Thanks!

Yes, I am totally a differant person sans carbs!! I used to be a rollercoaster of a sugar/carb buzz......hyped up on sugar and great when it was the high I was on......crashing terribly ater the fact and the sugar crash came. Now I do not struggle with that anymore! I don't get the shakes or feel light headed. I don't have the need for the sugar rush either. In the past afternoons were the worst part of my day...definately needed something to get me through the afternoon....usually sugar for a quick wake up. Not any more!! I also try to eat more often..smaller meals or snacks....just more frequently....and I definately eat because I am hungry...not filling a sugar need.

That is the biggest differance. Of course I just feel so much better all teh way around! I am sure some of this also has to do with a lot of the walking I have been doing.

I can tell you though, after having a carb binge, I do feel horrible the next day! You really can tell you have had carbs. Definately sleepier and sluggish and over all craplike feeling!!

One of my very favorite lo carb things is the spinich pie that I make. It comes out of the South Beach Cookbook. Supoer simple and very tasty. Easy to make and keeps very well for a few days in the fridge.....and a total veggie dish!!

16 oz. cottage cheese (I use lofat, but I am watching my weight)
10 oz. package frozned chopped spinich thawed and drained
1 cup mozzerella cheese
4 eggs slightly beaten
roasted red peppers to taste ( I use about a 1/2 cup)
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese


Mix all of the iongredients well and pour into a greased pie pan. Bake 40 minutes at 350.

I am sure you can add other veggies of you would like. This makes a great lunch the next day too!!

Another thing I love to do is to take some lo carb wraps and make grilled cheese with them. I usually take a wrap and put it in a pan, add cheese and whatever veggies I am in the mood for! Today was an avacado, cheese and slasa wrap! Quite yummy!! The wraps I get are only 3 carbs per wrap....cheese is usually minimal carbs if any....some veggies are more carb rich than others, but I am usually pretty leinient with veggie carbs...unless of course it is potatoes or corn.....

I will go through my cookbook and try to find some things that I remember being fairly meat free...but tasty! Do you do chicken? Lots of good chicken recipes!

Anyway, hope that helps! Oh and sugar free jello is also a great little snack item that is even better with a little cool whip free or whipped cream on it....

I never got hot flashes.....who knows if it is the carb thing or not.....but I am a firm believer that carbs are truely an addiction!! So it very well could be a withdrawal symptom. It really would not surprize me! I have been lo carb since the begining of the year. I felt some effects early on..within the first few weeks! 3 months into this, I feel great!! I hope your withdrawal symptoms are short lived!! Again, if I can do this, you can too!! The first week is the hardest....is does get easier and become a way of life if you let it!! Good luck! I am rooting for you!! Tomorrow is going to be hard too..and the next day as well, but after that is should get easier...just make sure you have some locarb options readily available to snack on!!

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Allison!

Welcome to the WISH boards! I recognized your name from your awesome trip reports and thought I would stop by! You are an excellent writer!

I started South Beach Diet over two weeks ago and I just had my first major carb binge tonight. I have to tell ya~ I feel horrible now! I even did an extra 44 minute workout this evening to help combat those carbs! Whew!

When I first started SBD, I didn't think I would make it. I love my pasta and potatoes! However, it was much easier than I thought it would be. I had a horrible headache the first few days, but then it subsided and I started to have more energy.

A great place to get some low carb recipes is www.lowcarbfriends.com. I found a great recipe there for crustless pizza! I also have a pretty good recipe for Shrimp Alfredo if you are a seafood lover.

The first couple of days might be tough, but hang in there, Allison! You CAN do it!

 

[vettechick99]

I am a firm believer that carbs are truely an addiction!!

You said it! I have to tell ya that I'm feeling really, really bad right now. I woke up feeling so tired, even though I got 9 hours of sleep. I sat up in bed and immediately felt light-headed. Then when I brushed my teeth, my hands were shaking and I started sweating. This is not fun! So I made a hot tea with cream and splenda and had two low-carb waffles with butter and sugar-free syrup. I scarfed them down in hopes of feeling better. But I suspect I'll feel like this most of the day. Good thing the bed is only 20 steps away, I give super props for those working outside the home or those with kids going through this!

What's shocking the hell out of me is actually feeling this way! It just goes to show you how addicting sugar can be. I never felt like I was eating them for a fix, but that I just liked the way they tasted over other foods. Sneaky b******s!

So I'll list what I had yesterday so that I can keep up.

Breakfast:
Earl Grey Tea with milk & Splenda
1 oz of cheese
Handful of nuts (didn't realize I couldn't have any!)
Glass of water

Lunch:
Mixed Greens Salad w/ low-carb italian
Tuna salad with celery
Glass of water
Glass of Crystal Light

Snack:
Atkins Butter Crisp bar
1/2 bag of Atkins Nacho Cheese chips

Dinner:
1/2 portobello mushroom with mozz cheese
Salad with ranch
Glass of water

Now that I look back on this, it wasn't a huge amount of food. Surprisingly, I ate at 5:45 and wasn't hungry all night. Usually I eat at 6:30-7 and I'm starved again at 9 or so.

Thank you all for your words of encouragement! I told DH that if this works and I break myself of the carbing, he's gonna do it too. After seeing me this morning, he was less than enthused.

But quick question: When I finish Induction and go into my other phases, can I reintroduce breads and other starches? I honestly don't think I can go on forever without bread and the occasional bad carb.

By the way, that's a great recipe, Liz! DH loves spinach and I just bought some, so maybe I'll try it tonight. And we love chicken, so I need to be on the lookout for some recipes. toystoryduo, I'll have to check out that site you sent, thanks!

 

[septbride2002]

Welcome to Wish!!! A few questions for you:

Why are you doing Atkins if you do not want to lose weight?

What sort of meats/proteins do you like?

I think it is great that you want to be healthier and beat the carb addiction. It is very real. However - I'm worried that you will start losing weight on Atkins which isn't something you want to do since you said you are already underweight.

By the way - I've read your trip reports and enjoyed them very much. I feel like I already know ya!

~Amanda

 

[vettechick99]

Why are you doing Atkins if you do not want to lose weight?

What sort of meats/proteins do you like?

I think it is great that you want to be healthier and beat the carb addiction. It is very real. However - I'm worried that you will start losing weight on Atkins which isn't something you want to do since you said you are already underweight.

I appreciate the questions! I'm keeping up my calorie intake (yesterday seemed low, but it's really kind of average for me), but I have to cut out carbs b/c they literally consume my whole day. Like today, its 11 am and I've had two waffles with butter and sugar-free syrup, a half cup of tea and working on a glass of water. If I had had a bagel instead, I'd be hungry right now (hauling a$$ to the fridge no doubt ), but surprisingly I'm not hungry. But in a few minutes I'm gonna grab a snack anyway so I don't get irritable by lunchtime.

I've asked DH to keep an eye on me weight-wise, hopefully I won't fluctuate or go down. As for meats, I really love filet mignon or most any kind of steak, chicken, shrimp, scallops and sometimes salmon. I dislike ground beef unless it's heavily seasoned.

I guess my whole reason for being here is to straighten out my eating habits and going carb cold turkey (mmm, turkey...) is what I need to do. I already feel tons better from this morning, so maybe my withdrawl symptoms won't be so long and arduous!

By the way - I've read your trip reports and enjoyed them very much. I feel like I already know ya!

Oh gosh, I hope that's a good thing!

 

[lizdotcom99]

Glad to hear you are feeling a bit better!! This, as you are finding out, takes time.....and you will feel much better pretty soon!!

I am trying to understand if you are doing induction or not? I could be totally off base here, but I am thinking you do not need to do indiction, since that is really more of a weightloss tool than anything. Besides, it looks you you are eating more phase 2 foods than that of induction. Induction is mainly meats, cheeses, eggs and a sparse amount of green leafy veggies....no "fun" locarb foods. And since you are not doing this for weight loss, I really see no reason why you wouldn't just do phase 2 or even 3 on occasion. The whole idea is to cut carbs, not lose weight. So phase 2 and 3 do allow things like low carb waffles, low carb bagles and other such foods. Nuts included!! I think you just really need to think about what you are eating and where you need to be in your carb intake.

Just cutting out white flour and sugar will make a HUGE differance!! You are alredy feeling that now. I still have some popcorn, cous cous, low carb breads...I just don't have it everyday.....all day. I think you are on the right track. Of course for the first few weeks, I would really expiriment with the carbs you need....I personally could never make it on two low carb waffles...I need my protien in the morning....but we are all so differant. Find out what works for you and go with it.

I will get some of my really tasty chicken recipes to you!!! I think tonight I am making one of Greg's favorites...parmeasan crusted fried chicken....easy too!!

Just take your boneless, skinless chicken breasts and wash them off...while they are wet, dip in grated parmesan cheese....fry in olive oil until brown, turn and cook through. This also goes well with the spinich pie! And if you think you need a potatoe with this....faux tatoes are yummy too.....steam some frozen cauliflower until it is dead......smash with butter, cream cheese and pepper....yummy!!!

Lots of yummy things to eat when lo carbing! Keep iup the good work and feel better!!!

I will find some more recipes for ya now that i know what ya like to eat!

 

[vettechick99]

I am trying to understand if you are doing induction or not? I could be totally off base here, but I am thinking you do not need to do indiction, since that is really more of a weightloss tool than anything.

Yeah, the more I learn about Atkins, the more I understand the science behind it. So I'm not really sure what phase I'm technically in, but I do know my carb intake is low and I'm not feeling hungry. I definitely feel better than I did first thing this morning, but I know its just my body rebelling. It's used to getting it's way and for the first time, I've shut it down! Booyahh!

I will get some of my really tasty chicken recipes to you!!! I think tonight I am making one of Greg's favorites...parmeasan crusted fried chicken....easy too!!

Just take your boneless, skinless chicken breasts and wash them off...while they are wet, dip in grated parmesan cheese....fry in olive oil until brown, turn and cook through. This also goes well with the spinich pie! And if you think you need a potatoe with this....faux tatoes are yummy too.....steam some frozen cauliflower until it is dead......smash with butter, cream cheese and pepper....yummy!!!

I will find some more recipes for ya now that i know what ya like to eat!

Oh yum, that chicken looks so good! I will have to try it. In fact, I might try it for lunch since I have a breast sitting out that needs to be used.

I'm so glad you mentioned smashed cauliflower...I had this dish at a restaurant in ATL and it was pretty good. Mashed potatos it ain't , but it's not bad considering it's cauliflower.

 

[septbride2002]

Instead of saying you are going to do Atkins - you should really focus on eating whole foods. Stuff that comes from nature instead of things that are processed.

For instance instead of the waffles, replace that with an egg and cheese omelet. I can eat a 3 egg, cheese, green pepper, and ham omelet for breakfast and be full until 3pm on it. You said you were a light eater so maybe make it a smaller omelet -but believe me you will be full.

Snacks: stick to fruits - strawberries, rasperries, and blueberries are very low in carbs and high in nutrients. Any veggie to snack on is a great choice.

Lunch can be a great salad with chicken or wrap lunch meat and cheese up in a romaine lettuice leaf - yummy!!!

Dinner: There are some GREAT recipies for low carb at www.lowcarbfriends.com and most are pretty easy to make. AVOID the ones that call for a lot of low carb products. Low carb products have the same dangers as low fat products - you really don't know what you are eating and the chemicals in those products.

I read a great article last night explaining the benefits of eating Dairy so be sure to get 3 servings of a dairy product a day - milk, yogurt, and cheeses are the best places to derive the nutrients from. Also you may want to take a daily vitamin to make up for some of the other nutrients you may not be getting from food.

~Amanda

 

[Rachie0507]

Welcome to WISH and good luck!! I just started here last week but everyone has been so nice and helpful.

 

[pearlieq]

Pearlieq, I just found your journal and pulled out this quote. This is soooo true! Except for me, it's not only bad decision-making...when I'm hungry I start to get cranky and hot & bothered (and not in the good way!). It's like PMS or something!

Good luck with your goals!

Thanks for the good wishes. I totally know what you mean about being cranky and bothered! My DH, who is the most tolerant, easygoing man in the world will have what I can only describe as a temper tantrum if he gets extremely hungry. I suppose from an evolutionary standpoint it probably keeps us alive, but it's sure not pleasant!

I'm glad to hear you're feeling better. I lasted for about 6 hours on Atkins before I wanted to DIE! I'm sure it passes over time, but I'm a wimp.

Great authority on healthy eating that I am , I would echo Amanda's comments about eating whole foods. Nuts and berries are wonderul, nutrient-rich food which will do more for your body than just fill you up. A smoothie made of low carb yogurt and frozen berries can be really yummy!

I would also echo her comment about being leery of most commercial low-carb foods. My DH is diabetic so I check a lot of these out and most of them seem to be what I call Franken-food. Too many things in there that I can't pronounce!

Hope you have a great evening!