Terrified...

Oh.2.B.Fit · Fri Jul 04, 2008 3:29 pm

Hi everyone =)
My name is Niki, and I am about (I THINK) to start SB. I have been doing Atkins since Feb 1, 2007. I have done it without any cheats and have LOVED it. It has really, really worked for me. My highest weight that I have SEEN is 350. I weighed in the 300's for 20 long years (since my late teens). I am now in a stall (I believe a "mental" stall...long story short...I have been very depressed over my body and all the lose skin, but that is a whole other topic) since October, and my weight stays between 235-245. The reason I started Atkins was to get my diabetes under control, and all the weight loss has been a HUGE plus. My diabetes has been under control and the Dr.'s took me off all my diabetes meds over a year ago. My A1C is normal now too. The reason I am switching to SB is my cholesterol is out of control *sigh* I am scared to death (I mean so scared I cry when I think about it) to go off of Atkins and try something new. I have so many worries and so many questions. I bought the SB book and read through it and bought a lot of the things I need to eat last night.

A couple quick questions I have are...do you think doing SB will make my sugar levels go up again??? When I say I was on Atkins, I was HARD CORE Atkins. I have cooking videos on line with my daughter, a whole blog dedicated to Atkins and recipes that people have been following for over a year now. I haven't gone above 30-35 carbs in a day, I haven't had grains or beans, or brown rice, no pasta, no nothing in 17 months. I have kept my carbs low for fear of the diabetes. I saw a nutritionist last week, who gave me a list of all the things that I shouldn't be eating with my cholesterol so high. Well, it was EVERYTHING I eat on Atkins. We talked and I agreed to try some different things, but was scared. I called her yesterday and asked her what she thought if I tried SB and she said she liked it A LOT more than Atkins for me. She wants me to have 15 carbs at every meal (she said really 30, but she would be happy to see me with 15 per meal) the thought makes me shiver. I am not trying to be difficult, I am just scared. Do you think introducing these foods that I haven't had in so, so long are going to make me just want more and spiral out of control??? Is it okay that I have the blue SB book and not the new 2008 version (I think it's "Supercharged" or something like that...lol)??? The reason SB came up in my mind to try was that one of my Dr. had said when I started Atkins that it was great for me because I had the diabetes and so much to lose, but it may be hard to do "long term" (it hasn't been hard for me...I could do it forever and be happy, but my cholesterol would end up killing me). Anyways, he said if it ever got that way I should switch to SB, that it was another great way to lose.

I also LOVE Dr. Jonny Bowden who has written lots of great books on eating healthy and on low carb. In his book "Living the Low Carb Life...Controlled Carbohydrate Eating for Long-Term weight loss"" he rates SB as high as Atkins and say's it's a GREAT way of living.

I'm very, very confused =( on top of being very, very scared =( There is so much more I want to say, and ask, but this is long enough already...sorry. Any advice or suggestions I would be so, so thankful for. And thank you so much for reading my long post.

DebbyC · Fri Jul 04, 2008 4:09 pm

{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}} I dont' have any information to offer you, except that with the determination you had with Atkins and the obvious determination you have of being healthy - I think you'll be okay here! There are people [who will be along I'm sure, sometimes holidays/weekends are slow!!] who will have more information for you specific to your questions.

If I may suggest - go to the phase 1 discussion and read the "please read before posting thread". Among other things, it has the up to date, complete food list, a meal template to help you start planning and specific information about diabetes, Atkins, etc. Then go to the recipe/food discussion and the recipe summary thread to get an idea of what people love to eat on this plan.

good luck!

muffintop · Fri Jul 04, 2008 6:43 pm

There is no reason why blood sugar cannot be managed with a high carb diet. It is not uncommon for female diabetics to have 10 servings of starch per day and still be perfectly stable. SB will pose no problems for you.

Oh.2.B.Fit · Fri Jul 04, 2008 7:26 pm

Thanks so much Deb and muffin =)

I already printed out the new food list and I think that will help. I may go return this SB book for the newest one since the food has been changed a little.

I appreciate all the help and support...thank you!!!

ouizoid · Fri Jul 04, 2008 11:36 pm

Oh 2 B--I know you from another LC site--I switched to SB from Atkins, and was also terrified--but I want you to know that it was the best thing that I could have done--there were some adjustments and a little bloating at first as I added beans and milk on P1 and then some fruit on P2--but my stall is over and I am dropping weight--come on in, you will like it at the Beach. . .

hellyd · Fri Jul 04, 2008 11:58 pm

I'm new to SB too... but I read your post and thought about it... and my advice to you would be add things very slowly. Unless you go from one extreme to the other you shouldn't experience any problems. But definitely stick to the low glycemic carbs. lol Don't go out and eat a hot fudge sundae... that wouldn't be good. :lol:

Oh.2.B.Fit · Sat Jul 05, 2008 11:15 pm

Thanks everyone for all the great advice and help. I have decided to stick to what I'm doing (but adding more veggies, grains and beans which I should have done a LONG time ago), after getting advice from another Dr.

I wish everyone much success on their weight loss journey.
Have fun on the Beach everyone!!! And thanks again for the help!!!

Peace ^_^V

Oh.2.B.Fit · Sat Jul 05, 2008 11:18 pm

ouizoid wrote: Oh 2 B--I know you from another LC site--I switched to SB from Atkins, and was also terrified--but I want you to know that it was the best thing that I could have done--there were some adjustments and a little bloating at first as I added beans and milk on P1 and then some fruit on P2--but my stall is over and I am dropping weight--come on in, you will like it at the Beach. . .

Hi *waves*
I'm sooo glad you found something that is working for you and that you enjoy!!! Good luck sweetie!!! Keep in touch and let me know how things are going for you. This sounds like a great plan so I'm sure you'll do GREAT!!!

Niki~

nygirl22 · Mon Jul 07, 2008 2:47 am

You will be fine. SB is a very healthy way of eating. Keeping your blood sugar levels stable is a BIG part of SB... basically what it is all about. So you should not have a problem with that. Just make sure that you read the book and understand it thoroughly, and also (as was mentioned) read the stickies (FAQs you can find at the tops of the forums). Also read the FAQ about transitioning to Phase 2 (can find this within the Phase 2 forum - Phase 2 FAQ) which will also probably give you ideas on how to transition from Atkins. I wouldn't be worried about adding beans (in 1/2 cup portions per meal), nonfat or low-fat dairy, and lots more Phase 1 veggies. And also as was mentioned, make sure to add the Phase 2 carbs (fruits and whole grains/starches) slowly - one per week. This way you can see how certain foods work for you.

elleelise · Mon Jul 07, 2008 6:43 pm

If you were successful on Atkins, I see no reason why you won't succeed at SB. I mean, perhaps ease into it slowly if you're worried about gaining weight/spiraling??

For example, add Phase I foods that are Atkins restricted (certain nuts, beans, certain veggies, etc...) and after you're comfortable with that, then add in NF milk, etc.... Once you're comfortable with those foods, slowly add in low GI fruits, and work your way into Phase II, like most of us have to do.

You'll do great. Remind yourself that you are in control and that fruit & WG breads are not what made you overweight and they will not make you overweight. Carbs aren't the enemy.

:)

Also, maybe start up a journal on here, to get feedback as you're transitioning into this. There are some really insightful, intelligent people on here who will be able o give you support and feedback.

You can do this!

Kimboroni · Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:09 am

Lots of good advice up there.

One thing to think about is that I don't think Dr. Atkins ever meant for people to be afraid of carbs. The idea is to keep adding carbs in small increments until you get up to a more balanced level. For some reason, people seem to get really stuck in that Induction or Nearly Induction frame of mind. I think he would support what you're doing by moving to a better balance of foods.


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