Hilary I thought I recognized you!

Kim:

Just tremendous, absolutely! I am very impressed. You only have 20 pounds to go, so you are certainly doing the right things to get there.

Since you're beginning induction, I just want to re-stress what I have many times, and that is to make sure you are eating enough. The pushups and exercises like it work multiple muscle groups just like you said, and those muscles will require protein. Therefore, as you begin Induction, make a fattier piece of meat the foundation of each meal. I would even say, eat the meat first (until you're about 75% full), your controlled vegetable portion second and then if you're still hungry, eat some more meat until you are full. This should keep you going for 5 to 6 hours without having to resort to snacking. If you eat this way, you will have the greatest success on Atkins Induction.

Also, keep your menus sort of short. Variety can make it hard to tell what's working and what's not. Fattier cuts of meat and vegetables. Go with chicken thighs over chicken breasts. Eat the skin too, very flavorful. Then, after a week, let's see how much you lost. Vary the meat the next week, and if you're still losing at the same rate, we'll know how to begin the second phase of Atkins. Doing it this way will help you establish control over your weight loss. It will also help you establish your safe zone so if you stall or you get off track, you can retreat to these safe foods and you can resume weight loss.

As Rule 1 clearly states, you can eat liberally of fat and protein but you have to control those vegetables. When I say "fat", I'm more talking about fattier cuts of meat. Obviously there is fat in salad dressings and creams and oils, but those may contain carbs so you have to watch it with them, despite the good fat they contain.

I would venture to say that if you do Induction in the manner I'm describing, your 20 pounds may not take too long to reach.

Good luck and keep me posted.

All the best,

Charles