HI Everyone, I am a "newbie" and have been following Atkins Induction for 5 weeks (since Feb 28). I have lost 15 pounds so far and I have 52 left to go. I have not cheated, not even once on my carb allowance, often only eating about 15 carbs instead of the 20 allowance. 3 weeks ago, I started a fitness routine (I am not new to fitness, I used to be an avid exerciser 6 years ago back when I was *thin*). I am now 36 years old. My exercise plan is 45 minutes of cardio 6 times a week and weight training on the bowflex machine 3 times a week. With this level of activity, I thought the weight would be pouring off me! Last week, I even had a 2 pound gain - talk about discouraging! Am I doing too much exercise? I am thinking that I may be building muscle which I know weighs more than fat, but should my weight bearing exercise be modified or decreased until I get closer to goal weight? The last thing I want is to bulk up! I know I need to be patient, but I have been working so hard at this, and I hear the stories of how weight just falls off of people on this food plan. I am afraid to to go into the OWL phase for fear that I'll gain weight. If anyone out there can relate or have any advice for me, I would GREATLY appreciate it! Thanks, ((HUGS)) - Karyne

Hi Karyne,
Welcome to LCE!
First of all, you have stayed on *induction* waaaaay to long! Move on! You need to be upping your carbs by 5gm per week. This may very well be the reason you are not losing...you have perhaps put your body into *starvation mode*...meaning, you are not getting enough food and your body is fighting desperately to hang on to all body fat for fear of a sudden lack of available energy in the form of carbs. So, you really are not doing yourself any good remaining at the 20 gm level past the initial 2 weeks.

Secondly, you may very well be building muscle which weighs more than fat, but takes up less space on the body...have you measured yet? Keep up you exercise routine, being female with estrogens in your body, you are not going to *bulk up*.

Re-read your DANDR(dr atkins new diet revolution), increase your carbs, continue to exercise, drink plenty of water, avoid low carb junk food with sugar alcohols and glycerine, and stay the course and you should see results.

Please post often and let us know how you are doing

HTH
Shelley

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Shelley


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Welcome, Karyne.

Just a couple of thoughts to add to what Shelley said.

First thought, I've been around low carbing for well over 6 years and the weight very rarely "pours" off of anyone. Fortunately, this is a way of living, not a temporary diet. What I can say, is that for most people, adopting a low carb lifestyle normalizes their weight over time and permits them to maintain a normal weight for the rest of their lives.

Second thought, I wonder if you're eating any of the "so called" low carb products, like bars, muffins, candy, ect? If so, you might actually be having a great many MORE carbs than you think you are. Either way - too few or too many can cause problems.

Hope you'll make yourself at home here.

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Hi, Karyne. All good thoughts and suggestions so far.

You'll need to fuel those workouts, so move up the carb count, and make sure you're getting plenty of protein--preferably fresh lean meats and fish.

Best wishes!

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Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


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