I’d Like to Teach the World to Eat

I’d like to Teach the World to Eat

Sing to the tune I’d like to Teach the World to Sing, as performed by New Seekers.

I’d like to teach the world a diet
A diet that I love
Grow thin like me, lose pounds they’ll see
And show what Atkins does.

I’d like to teach the world to eat
In perfect health they’ll be.
I’d like to teach them low carb-ly
And keep them company.

Twenty Three Steps to Goodbye

Martha Brentwood stood stoic against the first arctic gale of the season, as she waited for the number-seven to carry her to Saint Ann’s Cathedral for the sixth time in two years. A trip she never got used to. The harsh breath of winter bit at her as rabid flecks of crystalline powdered snow threatened to bury her where she stood. Her mourning-black Cashmere coat was faded by time, and it did nothing to cover her bare hands, but she didn’t shiver, she didn’t blink, and she didn’t move. Her heart was warmed by the precious memories of Anna, as she recalled their first encounter at the fourth street USO where they both worked so many years ago…Lost in her memories she hadn’t heard the number-seven slide to a halt in front of her—she was somewhere in time.

A barrel chested man bounced off the bus with the grace of a younger man. His chiseled features, leather skin, and gray hair—all marked by time, gave him the look of distinguished charm, contrasted only by his simple black slacks, and weathered pea coat. Blinded by the snow he stumbled to a halt mere inches from the statuesque beauty before him. Her soft-powdered-pale skin was nearly lost in the backdrop of winter’s fury. But her sea-green eyes and luscious ruby lips cast a luminescent glow like a watch keepers lantern meant to guide lost sailors home. He knew this beauty, and rusted memories of a love long past broke free from their moors as he recalled a four day furlough, a sailors first kiss, an enchanted honey moon, and a sobered divorce sent first class mail from Normandy.

“Martha—Martha, are you ok dear?” Martha was pulled back into the ferocity of the storm as her memories faded back into the shadows of yesteryear.

“Excuse me, do I know you?” Martha asked.

“It’s me, your ex-husband, John Brentwood.” As frozen tears of remembrance welled in her eyes, John asked, “Where are you going, Martha?”

“I’m going to say good bye to an old friend at Saint Ann’s.”

“Me too,” John said, “but why are you standing here?”

“I’m waiting for the number-seven to take me there,” Martha said with a tremble in her voice.

“Martha, honey, you’re standing in front of Saint Ann’s.”

Startled by this revelation, Maratha’s knees buckled and John reached out to her. As they clasped hands, the cold-cheap -gold bands they had given one another over half a century ago were reunited. But this reunion was cut short by the somber chimes of funeral bells.

They turned, facing the marble steps of Saint Ann’s, solemnly remembering why they were there. It was Anna who had introduced them all those years ago, it was Anna who had brought them together on this day, and it was Anna they were going to see. Arm in arm, walking silently, they faded into the storm as they climbed the last twenty-three steps to good-bye.

Atkins: The Short Version

I am not going to reinvent the wheel by telling you all about the Atkins diet, but I will give you the short version.  Atkins is a lifestyle plan that will help you shed pounds, become healthier, and help you reach your weight loss goals in an easy to learn easy to follow eating plan.  I have been on this plan since January 2, 2009 and in two and one half months I have dropped 35 lbs, lost several inches off every area of my body, and went from a size 42 pants to a  size 38.  I also went from wearing X-large shirts to large shirts.  In addition, my energy is up, and my blood pressure is under control without medications.

But more importantly, I get to eat great food, and am never hungry.

Atkins is a low carbohydrate diet based on the principle of burning fat for fuel as you limit your intake of bad carbs, and increase your intake of good carbs, protein, and fat.  By limiting carb in-take the body goes in a state of ketosis, which is the optimal state for low-carb dieters to be in, when in ketosis your appetite becomes suppressed, and your craving for starches and sugars  are drastically reduced.

I no longer have cravings for any of the foods that made me fat in the first place.  ie, pizza rolls, fast food, chocolate, ice cream, Doritos, etc…

Atkins is flexible, but  it’s  not a one size fits all program.  You will learn what works for you and what doesn’t as you move through the four phases of Atkins…

The four phases:

Phase 1: Induction

This first phase of Atkins is meant to eliminate or drastically reduce your food cravings, and put your body into Ketosis where you will start burning fat for fuel.  This phase will last a minimum of two weeks, but some people choose to stay on this phase longer.  This is the hardest phase of Atkins, but it will jump start your success. This is what you will do on Induction:

• Limit carbohydrate consumption to 20 grams of net carbs.  (Carbs minus fiber equals net carb).
• Satisfy your appetite with foods that combine lean protein and fat, such as fish, poultry, eggs, lamb, pork and beef. While eating limited amounts of hard cheeses .
• You will get eat 12-15 grams of net carbs from veggies.
• Drink at least eight glasses of water daily.
• Take multivitamin/mineral and fish-oil nutritional supplements.
• It is also recommended that you exercise .  ( I don’t do much of this, but don’t tell anybody)

After at least two weeks, you will move on to OWL.  This is the phase I am currently on.  This  is the phase that you will lose most of your weight and learn the most about your food, and how your body reacts to certain food.  Feel free to experiment on this phase of Atkins.  You will stay on this phase until you are within 10 lbs of your goal weight.

Phase 2: Ongoing Weight Loss (OWL)

The first week you’ll increase your daily carb intake from 20 to 25 grams.  The following week you’ll move to 30 grams of Net Carbs per day, and so on.  You will increase your carb intake until your weight loss  slows to one to two pounds per week.  This is purely an individual choice.

During OWL, you’ll find out how many grams of  net carbs you can eat and still lose weight.  You’ll also discover your own Critical Carbohydrate Level for Losing (CCLL).

During OWL, you begin to add a wide variety of nutrient-dense foods back into your diet-such as more non-starchy veggies (e.g., asparagus and broccoli); berries, including raspberries and strawberries; nuts and seeds, such as hazelnuts and almonds; and soft cheeses (e.g., cottage cheese

Phase 3: Pre-Maintenance

When you’re within 10 pounds of your target weight, it’s time to move to Pre-Maintenance.  You’ll stay on Phase 3 until you hit your target weight and maintain that weight for one month.

Each week during Pre-Maintenance, you’ll add 10 grams of Net Carbs back into your diet until you’ve reached your goal weight.  Once you’ve reached your goal weight and have maintained it for at least one month, you will have found your ACE, or Atkins Carbohydrate Equilibrium. This will be the place that you neither gain nor lose weight.

Phase 4: Lifetime Maintenance

Once you’ve maintained your goal weight for one month, you will move on to Lifetime Maintenance.  In this phase, your average Net Carbs will range from 40 to 120 per day.  This number will depend on how your body reacts to food.

I’ve met people on the Atkins forum who eat 120 net carbs a day.  That’s a whole lot of food. I don’t know how they do it. But you gotta love a diet that let’s you eat like a pig.

Now that  you’re  ready to begin, if you want more information I suggest getting Dr. Atkins book Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution, 2002 edition or newer, also referred to as DANDR.  Also, check out the Atkins website at http://www.atkins.com/Program.aspx.  This is where I have found most of this information and it is a great place to learn and get support.  I also suggest you join the forum and seek support from those who are going through the same thing you will be.

I use the forum for support, to gain invaluable insights from those who are sharing my experiences, as well as from those who have been doing Atkins successfully for many years.  There are great people on this forum who are more than willing to help you, answer your questions,  and cheer you on.  I am honored to call them my friends.

When you stop by make  sure you tell them Whyguy sent you and that I said hello .  http://community.atkins.com/index.jsp

While my blog will mostly deal with my writing, I will devote a portion of this site to Atkins.  I am not affiliated with the Atkins Company, but I believe in it so much that I am willing to endorse it and give it my support.  As with any diet program, you should consult your physician.

If you have any question for me about Atkins feel free to leave a comment and I will share my experiences with you.

Yeah, I know, I said I would give you the short version, but as you get to know me, you will discover that brevity is not my strong suit.  So sue me.  LOL

Terry Elkins (whyguy)

P.S.  I will be adding tips and strategies that you can use for to help your increase your success on Atkins.  I am currently working on gathering 100 tips to help you succeed on Atkins. Also, I will be posting Atkins succes stories in a section called Snap Shots.  If you would like to be a part of this contact me on this blog page or at telkins7@comcast.net.

I will be posting this soon so make sure you subscribe to my blog and book mark this page.

 

I almost forgot, are you ready to change your life? Come on, what do you have to lose besides those extra pounds.

Friedrich Nietzche: Monster

“Battle not with monsters, lest ye become a monster, and if you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”  Friedrich Nietzsche

What does this mean to you?

Terry Elkins (whyguy)

Do you smell like Butt? Ketosis: The Dark Side of Low Carb dieting.

What is Ketosis? In simplest terms, ketosis is the state you are in when your body is burning fat for energy. People on low carbohydrates diets want to be in ketosis;  when they’re in Ketosis they know the diet is working. The problem is, being in Ketosis has one serious consequence. Stinky Breath…and I mean S-T-I-N-K-Y. The following is my top ten lists for knowing when you are in ketosis: