Update from the UK

"Alan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I posted a couple of weeks ago - so here's an update which I think is a
bit more encouraging.

I've cut my alcohol consumption to virtually nil. Carbohydrate
consumption very low - no bread, no potatoes, no flour, no chocolate,
no cakes, no biscuits, no pasta, no pastries, no rice. I've even
thrown out all the carrots from my fridge.

Diet now consists mainly of good quality meat/fish/poultry. Nuts.
Olives and olive oil. Cheese. Eggs. Avacadoes. Salad greens and
leafy (not starchy) vegetables. Small amount of fruit but favouring
berries rather than tree fruit since I understand that they contain
less sugar. Not eating bananas, oranges, peaches, etc.

Sounds good.

Quoted message said:

Not much butter or cream. When I fry, I tend to use olive oil rather
than butter - and most of the butter I ate previously was spread on
bread so obviously as one diminished so did the other. I have eaten
perhaps 2-3oz of butter in a month.

I like to use olive oil whenever possible as well.

Quoted message said:

I have lost weight and inches. In a month my waist has shrunk by
around an inch and my watch strap is a little looser (for what it's
worth).

Hehe. 'Got something against scales? Well, not a big deal as long as
you're paying attention to other gauges showing weight loss. I think a scale
in conjunction with a mirror is best for me.

Quoted message said:

My calorie consumption is around 2000 per day (previously I
reckon around 3000). Moreover, my appetite is nicely in check - I
don't feel hungry at this sort of level.

Not feeling hungry all the time is a good sign that you are doing the diet
correctly. Keep in mind that as you get closer to a normal weight you're
"feelings" of hunger may have to change somewhat, as it becomes more
difficult to lose the last few lbs. The rate of loss slows down the closer
you get to an ideal weight. It depends on what your goals are in regards to
fat % you want to be at.

Quoted message said:

The headaches and light-headedness that I experienced in the first 10
days have completely disappeared.

That's good. I know you were concerned about that before.

Quoted message said:

Now the last posting I placed saw lots of people asking "which plan is
this - is it Atkins, South Beach, Protein Power, etc.?" The honest
answer is that perhaps it's none of these things precisely - it's
simply my view on what is a sensible eating plan.

Many people don't follow a set diet book, but rather use the basic
principles. Some like 1 diet over another because it seems to suit them
better. Some diets allow more fruit and whole grains, which would be more of
a moderate carb, rather than a low carb diet. Your weight loss or
maintenance phases will be comprised of foods which work well for you and
decided by you.

Quoted message said:

I have the Atkins
book and although I guess it's similar to that, I'm tending to shy away
from butter and cream (rightly or wrongly).

Even though people pick a diet, each person tweaks it in their own way.

Quoted message said:

I've also - for reasons unrelated to any of these - had a blood test
and a urine test in the last week. All normal. Liver function is
fine, no sugar in the urine and a "trace" of ketones (whatever a trace
means).

It just means that you're using fat as fuel. More ketones in urine is not
necessarily better. More ketones could be that you are not drinking enough
fluids. Trace is good.

Quoted message said:

My doctor was perfectly happy with all of that, which I guess
is reassuring. At some point soon I'll get my blood pressure and
cholesterol/triglyceride levels checked.

Grateful for any comments - does this seem like decent progress or
should I expect more?

Everything sounds fine. Are you doing any exercise? Exercise is good for
body function as well as for weight loss.

Quoted message said:

Alan.

Thanks Tom. Re: scales - well I've been very busy recently and
although I could quite easy buy a set, I haven't been anywhere near the
shops for the last week or two. I'm sure I will get around to it
eventually.

Exercise - yes, sporadically. I walk quite a lot (went on a week's
walking holiday about 2 months ago), but I should do more vigorous
exercise. I'm currently searching for a tennis partner since my usual
companion is injured at the moment.

For some reason as a little experiment this afternoon I ate a small
piece of chocolate (and I MEAN small). Not the expensive stuff - low
in cocoa and high in sugar. Almost immediately I felt a very strong
urge to stuff my face with the stuff - a very strange feeling. I
resisted quite easily though (I haven't come this far just to throw in
the towel).

Have just eaten two lettuces, shredded, with grated cheese and a little
olive oil based dressing. Quite nice.

"Alan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Thanks Tom. Re: scales - well I've been very busy recently and
although I could quite easy buy a set, I haven't been anywhere near the
shops for the last week or two. I'm sure I will get around to it
eventually.

Scales are good, but not needed for weight loss. I'm sure you'll get by.

Quoted message said:

Exercise - yes, sporadically. I walk quite a lot (went on a week's
walking holiday about 2 months ago), but I should do more vigorous
exercise. I'm currently searching for a tennis partner since my usual
companion is injured at the moment.

Good to hear. Weight training is good too, and you don't need a partner.
If you don't have access to a gym, you could do push-ups, chin-ups, and one
legged squats for a general all around workout.

Quoted message said:

For some reason as a little experiment this afternoon I ate a small
piece of chocolate (and I MEAN small). Not the expensive stuff - low
in cocoa and high in sugar. Almost immediately I felt a very strong
urge to stuff my face with the stuff - a very strange feeling. I
resisted quite easily though (I haven't come this far just to throw in
the towel).

Low carb foods tend to be more bland, so you don't usually over eat as
much. With sweet or other good tasting foods, it is to easy to over-indulge.
Keep some boiled eggs (or other LC snack) on hand when you have cravings.
Decide first if you are truly hungry, or just have feelings of snacking.
Many people snack too much by habit and are not really hungry.
Be careful with what you experiment on. You could end up binging and
gaining back the weight. I know you said you wouldn't let it happen. It's
tough at first to give up favorite foods and snacks, but in a few weeks of
having none, you'll likely find you're not craving them anymore.

Quoted message said:

Have just eaten two lettuces, shredded, with grated cheese and a little
olive oil based dressing. Quite nice.

That's good. When you get bored of eating the same things over and over,
spices help quite a bit to create a different tasting salad.
Good luck.

Quoted message said:

*** This post originated in alt.support.diet.low-carb -- it's appearance
in any other forum is deceptive and unauthorized. ***

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

I have lost weight and inches. In a month my waist has shrunk by
around an inch and my watch strap is a little looser (for what it's
worth). My calorie consumption is around 2000 per day (previously I
reckon around 3000). Moreover, my appetite is nicely in check - I
don't feel hungry at this sort of level.

The headaches and light-headedness that I experienced in the first 10
days have completely disappeared.

Well done, Alan!

--
Saffire
205/134/125
Atkins since 6/14/03
Progress photo: http://photos.yahoo.com/saffire333

*** This post originated in alt.support.diet.low-carb -- it's appearance
in any other forum is deceptive and unauthorized. ***

Alan said:

I posted a couple of weeks ago - so here's an update which I think is a
bit more encouraging.

Your approach to LCing is like mine....just take the basics and use
common sense. Good Job!