CAD/CALP Support

[Meeker]

I had suggested a CAD support/focus group forum, and it was suggested that I start a CAD thread first and see how it goes.

I can't think of an issue right now though, so I'll tell about my CAD experiences.

I was following Atkins starting 09/01/01 and lost 12 lbs in a month and then it slowed so much that it was probably less than 1/2lb a week. My resolve faltered and I was unable to be consistent enough to test what was causing the problem. Since October I've been bouncing back and fourth between 174 and 181.

I wanted to start over, but I decided to read Protein Power to try to give myself more information/motivation. I went to the library to get PP, but it was checked out. Rather then drive to the other branch, I decided to read CAD first.

I thought it sounded too good to be true and was very skeptical. So I came here and did keyword searches on CAD. I read some of the old threads and realized quickly that the tips being given on CAD were not what I had read. So I went back to the library and got CALP. This explained everything. I understand now how CAD works and why I wasn't losing weight.

I've been on CAD for less than a week and seem to be losing weight already. I will not get my hopes up though until I get below 174.

For me, what is making CAD work so far, is the knowledge that I can have that cookie, if I really want it, with dinner. It was so much easier to snub the doughnuts this morning, knowing that I can eat one later if I want to. Of course by then I won't want to. I was the pressure of NEVER being allowed to do what I want that was causing me to give up hope.

Plus I learned the damage that anything sweet can do to me, even just a nibble. I would think that a little piece of frosting had no carbs and couldn't hurt me. I didn't realize what just a taste does to my body chemically.

Would anyone on CAD like to share, ask a question, or give me some advice?

[wawtigress]

hi, I picked up the Cad/Calp books yesterday and read them. I've been on atkins for 28 days . Lost 10 lbs on the induction but nothing since. I retain water from all the salty foods and pork rinds and nuts Etc. Also all the artificial sweetner in the muffins,bread etc. So I had toast and bacon because i had to go shopping (toast was atkins) and I had an advantage bar with water.when i got home and started reading. I had tuna salad with pork rinds for lunch. After reading the book, I went for the reward meal at supper. I had Sonny's barbecue, fries and bread and coleslaw,diet jello c topping for dessert and nothing else. this morning I had lost 1/2 lb. So I'm going to try for 2 weeks and see what happens. lots of luck to you. You can check my journal T-Z. Wawtigress

[Meeker]

Good. I will check out your journal. I went back to 180 again last night and I'm really disappointed. But I'm going to be more patient this time and do the weight averaging like they say to do. I haven't seen 181 like I did a week ago and I really need to chill out. Say I have only lost 1 lb... yea, I lost 1 lb? I have a hard time looking at the bright side sometimes.
Maybe I need to cut down on coffee/cream too.

[wawtigress]

hang in there. I like the concept better than protein power or atkins which i was on.I was very satisfied all day on the protein i had before my dinner. then enjoyed my reward. Eating a large salad before the rest of the meal made me eat only about a tablespoon of the other items on my plate . I'll list what i had to-morrow morning on my journal. If i lose 1lb a week ,I'll be very happy.I didn't have the swelling today like i've had.Wawtigress

[wawtigress]

Looks like i'm out here all alone but that is okay, I've lost 2 lbs in the past week and feel absolutely fantastic. I enjoy my meals so much better on CAD and it is a way of life i can live with.see you around. Wawtigress

[Squeezle]

Hi! I just found this forum - what a great site! Anyway, I have been on CALP more or less for a year. I have PCOS and needed to do something to reduce my insulin. My insulin resistance is so bad my doc actually thought the lab had made an error in my test results! I have had minimal weight loss, but that is due to my still-high insulin - I'm working on that with meds (Metformin) - but in the meantime, I feel soooo much better. It's indescribable! My blood pressure is now normal; my cholesterol is low-normal with very high "good" cholesterol; I have no more mood swings; I have energy all the time; and the best reason yet - I have been able to go off all prescription anti-depressants! So, in so many ways other than weight loss, this plan has been a god-send to me.

Recently, I have begun restricting wheat at RMs - It's not long enough to guage whether this will help weight loss or not, but it can't hurt.

Glad to have found another CAD/CALP forum! And best wishes to all of you with it. I love it!

Squeezle (Lori in Brisbane, Aus)

[wawtigress]

Hi, I hope I got your name right.Forgive me if I didn't. I switche over to Cad/Calp because I couldn't handle all the salt on the other diet and the imitation food as I call it . I have felt so much better since I changed and back to normal foods. I did atkins induction and lost 10 lbs but went another 2-3 weeks and nothing and I was worried about my blood pressure.then I switched to this diet and tomorrow is my last day on the entry phase. Hopefully , I'll have lost 1-2 lbs. I keep the chart so I will know how i'm doing .You can check out my journal t-z if you would like. Please keep in touch. You can probably give me some important info. I'm thinking of getting the GTF chromium and take it for my insulin just in case. My daughter is changing over also to this diet and try it for a couple of weeks . She too was on atkins and lost about the same amount of weight then nothing and she can't stand the soy flour ,etc. and his diet is expensive. I've never been to the health food store so much.Keep up the good work and let us hear from you. Wawtigress

[Squeezle]

Wawtigress,

Thanks for your welcome! I was also on Atkins too - for 6 months. I ended up with a net GAIN of 2kgs by the end of it, so that was not successful for me. I also found it to be very depriving - I love to be able to eat a "normal" RM on CALP and thus, for me that is why I have been able to stick with it longer than any other WOE I have ever been on. This is why different plans have been developed - there is no "cookie-cutter" solution for everyone!

I would be pleased to check out your journal. I am considering starting one here too. I feel I have the "rules" of CALPing down very well since I've been doing it for so long. I am also a member of 2 other CAD e-lists, one moderated by a woman who is a personal friend of the Hellers, so she gets answers to questions straight from the horses mouth, so to speak. :)

So nice to "meet" you! :wave:

Squeezle (Lori in Brisbane, Aus)

[wawtigress]

I ended my 2 weeks entry an lost 1 1/2 to 2 lbs. I haven't did my average yet. But I'm pleased. If I can lose weight and eat a decent meal once a day of real food then I'm happy. It would be great if you started a journal as a long timer so we can see how you do it. keep in touch. Wawtigress

[kezza]

fancy meeting you here, Lori!
i just wrote you a message about this thread but I can see you have found it!
Hi eveyone else.
Does everyone else keep journals?
Hope you don't mind if I pop in for visits/ ideas/ inspirations?
So far I going well. I think the scale is going downwards. I just have to do that average thing for the week in a couple of days!
see ya
kezza :wave:

[wawtigress]

Keeping the weight chart is very important. My weight went up and down but by averaging ,at the end of the two weeks ,I had lost 1 1/2 lbs and another llb this am. :roll: Wawtigress

[kezza]

Just dropping by to say 'g'day' and just wanted to say that I'm REALLY enjoying this CALp diet.
It seems so easy and simple and I've noticed that the shopping bill is lower since I don't need those special low carb snacks I was consuming on Atkins.
I hope everyone is going well!
see ya
kezza :wave:

[wawtigress]

kezza, you're right about all the expensive items on the other diet (atkins). I noticed a big difference in not having to buy specialty items.Wawtigress

[kezza]

Another thing I have noticed about my shopping list is I Do need to buy a lettuce every few days and maybe an extra cucumber but that is still cheaper than buying the following;
-diet drinks
-diet choc bars
-speciality cheeses
- nuts
-extra cold cuts of meat
So if I spend more money on salad and veges that is fine!
I'm still ahead!
see ya
kezza :wave:

[wawtigress]

Hi everyone.after the battle with the white bread,my weight has dropped back to 186. So if you have a culprit out there ,find it and do away with it.keep up the good work everyone . CAD/CALP does work if you follow the rules.I feel great and no hunger pangs.Happy dieting day to all.Wawtigress

[Squeezle]

WawTigress,

I had to laugh at your Battle with White Bread! :p I have this vision of you and the Pillsbury Dough Boy duking it out! I was having my own War with Cereal recently, but that is not from being physically triggered, that is an emotional one and I have figured out how to solve the problem....get out of the house during the critical trigger period!!

You are totally right when you say do away with the culprits.

Best of luck to everyone on continuing success!!

[kezza]

Hi guys,
I have written what is below in the Countdown to 250 thread and in my journal but it might help other people on CAD/ CALP so I'm putting a copy here too.
The diet is definately working for me. I'm down to 262.4 pounds.!

Anyway...Obviously I'm really happy about the diet but I have have observed some possible pitfalls :thdown:

1. I REALLY have to be vigilant about the length of my Reward Meal. I glance up at the clock at the first taste of food and note the time. The time has to start if I taste the food while I'm preparing it.

2. I need to have that pre-reward meal salad organised so I can eat that first

3. I need LOTS of salad 'fixings' in my fridge and need to stock up several times during the week.

4. I need to make sure that any snacks/ other meals are at least half protien and half salad/veges

5. I have had to get rid of all my diet drinks (not recommended on CALP)

6. I have to be really honest with myself to make sure my Reward meal, AFTER the salad, is 1/3 protein, 1/3 carbs, 1/3 salad or veges. It is easy to pretend the meal is balanced but you have to count drinks and dessert in the 1/3 carbs!!

But I have noticed some positives :thup:
1. I'm drinking more water...because I can't have diet drinks.

2. I'm not feeling too deprived when the family eats carbs. I just make sure I save a bit of it for my reward meal.

3. The grocery bill got cheaper!

So I'm off to start week 3 now and i will still stick at CALp, as I promised, for all of January and then kept on it or go back to Atkins.

I hope you are all well and a happy belated birthday to you, wawtigress!
see ya
kezza :wave:

[wawtigress]

your right on about the rules even tho they don't seem like rules to me. Once you get used to how to eat ,it's easy. And I'm never hungry. Yesterday I went to Ryan's Steakhouse and ate from the Mega Bar. I had no problem keeping to my diet and plenty to eat.In fact I ate at 1:00 PM and never ate anymore for the day and the lbs and especially the inches are coming off.WAwtigress

[kezza]

Yes, I'm enjoying CALP too. I'm not that hungry and I don't feel deprived if the rest of the family are eating carbs because I can eat them , in moderation, at my reward meal. YAY!
My clothes are looser too so that is inspiring. :thup:
My Mum lives thousands of kms away from me inMelbourne, I'm looking forward to seeing her in a few months...I'm sure she will be pleasantly surprised to see a smaller me!
see ya
kezza :wave:

[cogin]

Hi! I have been reading this board and am glad to read about others on CALP.I have been following this wol for 5 mo. now and have lost 30 lbs (even after my Christmas regain!) You people are all doing so great! CONGRATS!
There are days when it is difficult to drink eneough water -too lazy, not thirsty... you know the stuff!!I find this is a very important factor .I will have at least 2 liter daily. I usually have one liter in the evening while at the computer or in front of the television. This keeps away most munchie cravings also. I find I have become addicted to hot water, though in the mornings love black coffee. As for meals I am not a breakfast eater, so I often have a brunch of scrambled eggs or an omllett about 11:00 and have my reward meal at supper time. I have a friend who thinks it's sinfull to be able to eat so well and consider yourself on a diet. OH WELL!!!
I have been lax about the salad, but I definatley feel better when I do have it.I am also asuming that's why I have been loosing slowly. Any Loss is better than a gain in this game!
Do any of you find the journal helps? and do you go back and check where you were few months ago??
Have a good one!

[wawtigress]

hi Kezza and Cogin , Yes, I like this way of dieting. I probably need to drink more water. I consume 60-80 oz. of water a day .It is difficult to drink more ,as it is i stay in the bathroom.I drink black coffee when I first get up in the morning.Then I drink water the rest of the day. Sometimes Iced tea unsweetened decaf at dinner. I hope I'm getting enough water.As for the journal,it would be nice if you did do one. It would help us see what you're doing and 30 lbs. in five months is great. Keep it up. I also wonder if it has anything to do with not eating breakfast and having brunch later in the morning.I think I will try that for a while and see what happens.HAVE A HAPPY DIETING DAY.Wawtigress

[Lindalouky]

I started CALP on March 1. As of this morning I have lost 7 lbs.! I realize alot of this is probably water, but it is so rewarding to get on the scale and see a difference! I have friends that are doing Atkins and they are losing quick, but I worry about their longevity--I can't imagine never being able to eat mashed potatoes again!

I have been eating 3 strips of bacon in the morning, a salad for lunch, and salad, plus balanced RM in the evening. In the past two days, I added a diet soda in the evening with RM, in addition to my carb. Still losing!!

I just hope it isn't just water weight!

Keep up the good work everyone!

[Libbyfcr]

I just read this thread from start to finish..... so I can't quite remember who it was that I wanted to address. sorry about that.

Someone mentioned getting on the scales at night. eeewww!!
I always get on the scales first thing in the AM because that is when you weigh the least. Before you eat or drink anything. I think I always weigh 5 lbs more at night than in the morning.

Also...about the journaling thing. I love it. I think it is great, however, I don't do an on line journal because I started one a long time ago in a little notebook. It's about 4"x5" and its about an inch thick. I have it with me always to jot things down in. Works great for me.

You all are doing so well...... you are ALL an inspiration.
Thank you.
Libby :wave:

[Libbyfcr]

BTW,
I too lost a lot the very first week. Actually it lasted 3 weeks and since then my weight loss has slowed about 2 lbs a week.

You are doing great!

Libby

[liv]

Hi guys!

Can I join too? I'm doing CAD/CALP and can't seem to get started so far ... I think mt fat cells are terrified to be left homeless and are sending me violent "This'll never work" signals to convince me to give it up ...

But today I'm raring to go and hope to lose a lot soon...

Also I've reached a chicken leg as far as posts go and so am very pleased with myself. Have a good day, all and happy CADDing and CALPing!!!

Nice to have someone to talk to ..

Liv :sunny:

[Firmdiva]

:wave:
wanted to bring this thread to the top since I am new to CALP

[FloJo]

Hey Squeezle:

Would really love to know the address for the site moderated by the friend of the Hellers! Could you please pass it on?
Thanks!
Flo :D

[Rain]

Flo Jo, I don't have the web address but to see it, I've gone to Yahoo and Search typing "Carbohidrate's Addict Diet" and I've found it that way. Hope this helps.

Thank you all for this thread! It's a good one! :)

[Firmdiva]

I think this is the site
http://www.carbohydrateaddicts.com/index.html

[FloJo]

Thanks Rain and Jill for your replies. The website I am trying to find is the one Squeezle said is moderated by a friend of the Hellers:

"I am also a member of 2 other CAD e-lists, one moderated by a woman who is a personal friend of the Hellers, so she gets answers to questions straight from the horses mouth, so to speak." Squeezle

[Dar Babe]

Hi Everyone,

Jill, I'm glad you revived this thread. I've been trying to get back on CALP for six months now but I just couldn't get past the first 3 days. The first time I tried CALP I was just coming off a week of Atkins and I found the diet a breeze so I thought I'd try it again. I am coming off of 4 days of Atkins induction and have started CALP today. I've been struggling with CALP for 3 years now. The first year on plan I lost 30 pounds, half a pound a week. I felt great and was beginning to look great too. The second year I couldn't lose at all and yet I stayed on for a year because I felt so much better. Last year I just, well, pretty much gave up. I couldn't lose and I was doing everything right so I started blurring the edges. A year later I'm back where I started.

I too belong to another Carbohydrate Addicts group but I find that group is much to rigid with the plan. I believe that everyone's body is different and we have to do what works for us as individuals. They would never understand me using Atkins as a spring board to CALP. They would also never understand me using porkrinds as bread crumbs for a cm meal. As long as I'm losing weight I'm happy. (I don't do this all the time)

Looking forward to Calping with you all.
(p.s. I'm a Firm lover too!)

[izdi]

I do not skip to the plan religiously, but have had mostly good days and a few with small slips and only a couple I would call diet disasters. I don't do the salad at the rw meal, and I usually refuse to consider the 1/3 carb idea, but just eat freely during my hour and I have been fairly successful

Week 1: 8 lbs
Week 2: 0 lbs
Week 3: 1 1/2 lbs
Week 4: + 1/2 lb
Week 5: 6 lbs.

So I've lost 15 lbs in 5 weeks, and I can enjoy the lifestyle. I just love the idea of the reward meal, and that gets me through the more rigid complimentary meals.

I love this forum. My 'friends' encourage me and sustain me and even point out things I could do better. It reminds me of the support of Weight Watchers without the inconvenience of waiting a whole week for support and going according to their schedule instead of mine. ( I usually journal at 4:00 am. )

Right now I couldn't be happier with this WOL and it is working for me. One of my biggest secrets of success is asking my Heavenly Father EVERYDAY to help me. He has been my best supporter.

[chocolate]

Hello people!

I was supposed to start last week, but knew that I had too many meals out to get around, so ... here i am : day 1 for me. I'm trying breakfast as my RM cause I can't stand salty breakfast... we'll see how it goes. I've got 2 goals: the first is 125 and then the second is 120!

Good luck to you all and let's keep this thread going!!!!

C.

[FloJo]

Wow! Reading all the other journals and seeing the rate of loss is just bringing me down! (Not because they've lost, but because I'm not losing anywhere near that rate.) I've not been eating between meals. I guess it's something somewhere in my CMs that's holding me back. Gotta get it figured out. Almost in tears here. Looking like another swimsuit-less summer. And I so love the water.
OK....Yesterday:

Brkfst:
3 slices bacon
scrambled eggs

Missed Lunch

Supper:
Salad
Sub with turkey and bologna
Piece of meatloaf
Boiled potatoes & carrots
Peach pie with ice cream
Coke

Only had about 12 ounces of water yesterday~~I know, I know!
Thought I could make it through this posting without crying.......didn't.
Anybody got a violin? Sorry about the negative entry.

Almost forgot......I did drink 2 diet cokes yesterday and a glass of tea with Splenda.

[Libbyfcr]

Flo.....
You must be patient. Give yourself time to figure out how things affect you.

Of course you KNOW about that water thangy.....so we don't need to remind you. ;)

Hows your bacon? Does it have added sugar in it? Some people don't do the bacon and sausage very well because of the added sugars. I seem to do okay with it. Anyone else got a comment on that?

Missing lunch..... well, I do that too sometimes. I try to have a little bit of something, even if it is just a salad or LC veggies and a slice of cheese.

Do you have your RM within an hour? Also, try to balance out your Reward Meal like the Hellers suggest. 1/3's remember?

So far my biggest problem was actually eating enough calories. I am never hungry and so for a while wasn't eating as much as I should have been. I upped the calories and resumed my weight loss. Kind of an odd thing to say,."oh... I am not loosing weight, I need to eat more." LOL

Have you been to fitday.com? Lots of folks here love that site. You can list your food and it will add your calories, carbs and everything else. It will give you your daily totals. It is too much work for me to use Fitday every day because of the time it takes, but once in a while I list a day and just see what my carb count is.

I think you are doing a fantastic job Flo..... I hope you keep your chin up and a smile on your face because YOU CAN DO THIS.

:bhug: Libby

[Linnea_One]

Hi FloJo
I'm doing CAD, too. Just started (again) on the 17th. I belong to a few other lists/support groups for CAD, and have read a couple of things that might help you. There was an article you can find here that will encourage you. http://www.low-carb.co.uk/noninstantthin.htm
Also, remember this is CA"lifespan"P We're in this for the long haul.
Some tweaking you might want to try, besides what's already been mentioned. Breakfast needs some veggies in it. Be creative. I've started precooking celery in the microwave and tossing that into my scrambled eggs...yuuuummmm. Also, creamed "fauxtatoes" are wonderful. Cooked whipped cauliflower, with butter, cream cheese, and bacon bits. Decadent!!! And I don't much care for cauliflower, either, but on CAD my tongue has had a transplant of taste buds and yuck has become either "ok" or wonderful. Experiment with the unusual and you'll not only find some knew taste friends, but combat boredom.

[LastHope]

Well, I"ve been on Atkins just over two weeks, and have gained 2.5 pounds.

I have a friend who's lost 11 pounds on CALP, and I've read the book and find that, with a RM, this plan seems to be more liveable...for the long haul. I do believe that the Hellerings have something when they talk about sugar substitues, chewing gum, etc. triggering an insulin response. Just like smelling someone cooking (smelling the cooking..not the someone, LOL)...not hungry before....but once you smell it, you're instantly famished.

I think I will jump on the band wagon. It sure will be nice to know that I can have a small bit of ice cream with my RM, or a latte or something similar!

I'm 36 years old, starting CALP at 204.5, and have a goal of about 140....See you all there! and here in the meantime :roll:

[Rain]

I hope all of you continue to post your success, so the rest of us can come here and find the inspiration we need to keep on trying. I've been off CALP (work, stress, busy schedule, etc) but I need to come back. It's SO GOOD to read about your success! It REALLY makes a difference to see how you guys are doing so well.

The rest of you, hang in there...like I'm doing I guess. We'll still have our moment in the sun! :cool:

[Lisa in MD]

I've been on Atkins for quite sometime and haven't lost much of anything. Prior to that was WW, prior to that was Ediets, prior to that was SlimFast, so something helped me drop the initial 85 lbs or so, but I kept losing interest/being hungry. Atkins kept me satisfied, no rebound weight gain, but I still need to lose weight. I ordered the CALP from Amazon.com, a used book, and am looking forward to getting it. In the mean time, is there somewhere I can read about getting started? Of course I'm impulsive and impatient, both....

:daze:

Thanks so much!