Hello

I'm fairly new to low carbing having dabbled in it before, but mainly trying all the typical routes to weight loss (low cal, low-fat, etc.) and, predictably, failing for the last, oh, 25 plus years .

I just began Atkins induction last week, so I'm on Day 10. Haven't lost too much weight yet, around 3.5 lbs. but feel so much better physically. I have about 60 lbs. or so to lose so I'm hoping things will kick in better soon.

I'd been checking out all the other Atkins boards (Atkins, LC Friends, Active Low Carbers) and stumbled on a link to your site. I've been lurking for a couple of days now and it seems like a really nice place to land - not too terribly busy and super friendly.

So, just wanted to say hello and looking forward to finding success - finally - with lce.

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~~lavender~~

LC/JUDDDD
(Ticker total loss since 3/30/09)

Lisa! Glad to have you with us. sounds like you have a very good start. i'm thrilled you have a plan and it sounds like you're doing your homework. those are two predictors of success.

i would caution you right off the bat to lay off the scale if it bugs you, okay? as long as you're feeling good and moving in the right direction, then you're doing something right.

if you have an extensive history of dieting, which it sounds like you do (and many of us share, by the way), losses often tend to be slower than for those that don't. early losses in the first few days of induction are often a significant percentage of water weight (as is true of starting any diet-related losses). So it's not like you're any worse off if you don't have the water to lose.

Since the goal (and only way you'll be able to maintain) is by incorporating some level of carb restriction from here on out. So the race is more or less irrelevant.

Now, I say this with full knowledge that we all want it off yesterday already, especially if we've been battling it a long time. i hear ya, sister. but the fact is that bodies do things the way they darn well please, so your job is to learn how it functions and what it seems to like, y'kno?

patience is what i'm saying. and if you feel good physically and you are losing something, then rejoice, for all is well in low carb land.

it also helps to have a variety of ways to measure your progress. we often lose inches at different times than pounds, so grab your tape measure. some people check ketostix, although that's hardly a requirement. Look to how your clothes are fitting and how you feel physically in general. having ways besides the scale that you can help confirm you're doing well and encourage you when needed is very helpful.

if you're a serial scale hopper, limit it to once a week.

to maximize rate of loss, however, do your best to stay on plan, drink plenty of water, and however you can, add some kind of movement into your routines. LC actually makes exercise more effective because you don't have that store of blood sugar to burn off before hitting the fat. So the two are a killer combo.

Anyway, that's enough random tips for the day. Happy low carbing!

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Welcome, Lisa.

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Hey y'all, thanks for the welcome!

Thanks for the tips, Goddess. Yep, I agree we all want it off yesterday! I do have a history of dieting; can't think of a time in the last almost-30 years when I wasn't on some type of diet. I have yet to find anything that has worked at all. Lose a few pounds and even if I don't gain it back, the losing stops dead. And I don't mean for a few days or weeks. It just stops. Thyroid always test okay (even though there is further testing that could be done).

So, although I do want lowcarbing to work and have really enjoyed being on it, I am really hoping I will start seeing results soon.

I've been an exerciser for years, so that's in place. I aim for 3-4 days a week, more if I can, usually with workout videos, dance videos, or my elliptical and throw in some light weight work, too.

I virtually drink nothing but water and do get enough of that.

I took my measurements at the beginning of the year and although I wasn't going to do it again until Feb. 1, I did take a waist/hip measurement - down an inch on both .. yay!

Staying off the scale is hard because staying off is what helped get me to this point (and higher). I have started just weighing every few days, trying to get back to once a week. I know the scale lies!

I am in ketosis, my stix finally getting past the "trace" to the "small" level. I can also see in the mirror that changes are happening. Clothes aren't really any looser yet and that's the thing I like as much as seeing the numbers go down!

Now, I've been reading lots on leaving induction, extending it out; the pros and cons. Plus I have DANDR. So here's a question. Since I pretty much switched from PP to Atkins (virtually no loss on PP), should I go ahead and go into OWL? PP had higher carbs and I really didn't lose anything, so I'm debating on staying on induction or not. I know in the end it's up to me, but y'all are pros at lc'ing and I'm still pretty much a newbie so I'd like your input!

Congrats, btw, to you both on your weight losses!!

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~~lavender~~

LC/JUDDDD
(Ticker total loss since 3/30/09)

Lavender. I can't tell from your profile how much weight you are trying to lose. The length of time you stay at induction level of carbs is a function of many things. I had a lot to lose and I stayed at induction level for nine months before moving on to OWL. Even after induction, I only increased my carbs by 5 grams per day every 2-4 weeks. If you are satisfied with the variety of foods available to you at the induction level and have a lot of weight to lose, I would not hesitate to stay on induction longer than 2 weeks. As I started Atkins with the idea that if it worked for me I would have to follow it for the rest of my life, I used the induction level meals and dishes as the basis for my menus as I progressed into owl, updating and altering them to accomodate additional allowable foods as necessary. Those induction level foods and dishes are still a staple of my menu planning after 5+ years as I view LCE as a WOE, not a diet. I found that by staying on induction longer, it helped change my outlook and facilitated the long term adjustment to actually enjoying the new dishes that became a regular part of my diet. In many respects Induction is the easiest of the steps. It is a lot harder to hit a specific carb number than it is to limit yourself to a maximum of 20 carbs per day. That is why I found that when I began increasing my daily carbs, I did so gradually so that I could more easily adjust my meals, like adding 1/2 cup of onion to a dish. Then as adjusted, that dish was incorporated into my meal planning and the transition was smooth. In some respects, Induction is like a safety blanket. However, eventually you must move on if you are to truly convert LCE to a WOE. You will know when you are comfortable with moving on, just make sure that you leave enough time and additional weight loss to go through the remaining steps of the program so you will end up with a sustainable weight loss and a new healthy WOE. Good luck.

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Henry

Welcome, Lavendar! It sounds as though you've made a fantastic start.

We all need to find the level of carbs we can handle and still continue to lose. Mine is very low, basically induction level. Adding more just stalls my losses, mostly due to getting older and a slower metabolism.

Every one of us is different, so we each have to carve out our own path. It's a big experiment, and a very interesting journey.

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Nita

Lavender, Sounds like you are doing your research, good for you! I stayed on induction for 4 months the first time I did Atkins, with great results. I still try to keep it at 20g a day but have modified it somewhat to add in some things that I like to eat. Like Nita, I seem to have a slow metablism and I can stall real easy if I am not careful. Best of luck and much success!

ok, i'm going to repeat myself here: if you feel good and you ARE losing any weight, you ARE seeing results. you'll serve yourself better by acknowledging and being happy with the progress as you make it as opposed to being disappointed it doesn't match your preferred rate.

it sounds like you have a lot of good habits to work with. i'd just caution you to watch how you're thinking about it and what it takes to keep you happy, ok?

peace out.

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Wow, thank you all for the kind words of both welcome and encouragement!

Henry, everything you said are the things I've been thinking about. Induction does seem to be a bit of a safety net for me. For the most part I am satisfied with my food choices. But there are days when I'd like to have just a couple more carbs to play with. I have about 65 lbs. I'd like to lose. Could probably stand to lose a few more than that, but I'd be thrilled with 65.

And yes Nita and Nicola, I'm in the menopause throes and slow metablolism has always been a problem!

Goddess, you are very correct . I AM seeing progress and am working very hard to get passed the "I want this weight gone yesterday" mentality! That said, I was thinking of you last night when I caught myself in the mirror in the bathroom and noticed more changes. I thought about your other post - those little changes, despite what the metal monster says, means I'm making progress.

Pressed for time, but wanted to pop in and say hello. Thanks agains, y'all are great!!

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~~lavender~~

LC/JUDDDD
(Ticker total loss since 3/30/09)

good! those little changes do indeed add up and that's exactly how the journey progresses...keep up what you're doing, and keep giving yourself those pep talks, too.

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Welcome Lavender! I can't add anything to the advice already given. I'm basically a newbie myself. Good luck!

katlupe

Thanks, Katlupe!

I've decided to do another week, at least, of induction. Mainly, because last week I wasn't able to get a lick of exercise in. Looking forward to getting some in this week.

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~~lavender~~

LC/JUDDDD
(Ticker total loss since 3/30/09)

Welcome Lavender Gal!! Keep up the good work and you will be amazed how well LC works. I plan on staying on the induction at least until April or longer as it gets my mind focused on doing LC properly. When it comes to OWL, I tend to lose a little ground but I don't beat myself up because tommorow is another day to do it right.

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Every meal is a feast, everyday is a parade and everypaycheck is a fortune!!

Welcome , Lavender. Great group of people here to support you.
Good luck!

Kit

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Have a great day, Kelly

Thanks, Rick. After this week I'm sure I'll be debating with myself whether or not to continue with induction or move on to OWL. If the scale moves I may stay on it a bit longer (yes, Goddess, I'm continuing to look at my other changes! ).

Thanks, Kitkat (love that name!), it does look to be a great group!

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~~lavender~~

LC/JUDDDD
(Ticker total loss since 3/30/09)