I have been an observer/reader only in this forum (until now) and want to thank you all for the education & support that has helped me drop a few pounds.
I started this Atkins LC diet Oct. 11 and went from 248lbs down to 215lbs. I am 5lbs-10lbs from my target weight but I have stalled the last couple of weeks. I have been working out 5 days a week (20 min. of intense cardio and 30-40 min of intense weight training) since Aug. 1; my carb intake is usually 30 grams and under (all from veggies).
I am 6'-1" large frame
Anyways, I can't seem to shed the last few pounds of belly fat. I'm thinking that I might be putting on lean muscle mass which weighs more than fat....or maybe its just the last few pounds that are normallly really difficult?
Any ideas?

Wow! You've lost 33 lbs in 2 months! That is absolutely phenomenal!

I think you hit the nail on the head. The last few pounds are difficult, and Dr. Atkins said you should be losing them very, very slowly. And you probably have increased your muscle mass, so you that weight could be muscle. Go by how your clothes are fitting, and don't worry about the scales (unless you start creeping up!)

And you probably aren't really stalled, your body is just adjusting to your new weight, and your new muscles! Take it slowly, so you KEEP it off.

It's good to see you, come back often. You probably have lots of tips and advice that could help someone else. In fact, I encourage newbies to start a journal. It really does help, you'll get lots of visitors who will encourage you, and it helps when you go back to see what progress you've made.

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Nita

After losing that weight so quickly (lucky dog!), your body may just be taking a breather. You could just change nothing and see if you don't start losing again in a month or so.

But, for some of us, losing the last 10 lbs. is often frustrating because what worked so well when we were heavier isn't working any more. The diet needs to be tweaked. As we lose weight, our bodies need fewer calories - from not expending the energy of maintaining and carrying that extra 33 lbs around 24/7, you know.

Many of us found we needed to cut back on fats to continue losing. Not to the level of low fat, but significantly. I cut back about 15 to 25 percent on the high fat foods. Over time, I eliminated some foods (pork rinds, breakfast sausage, bacon), and cut back on others (nuts and cheese and cream). I changed from cream to 1/2 & 1/2 and used less in my coffee with no loss of satisfaction. I used less sour cream and dips. I ate chicken more often than beef and pork. That kind of thing.

With all the experimenting (and a little "time off" for vacation), it took me several months to lose the last 10 lbs. But I was happy... happy to be smaller, happy to fit behind the wheel in the car, happy to be more energized.

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~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

Thanks for the replies
But funny thing this morning I woke up and was 3 lbs lighter....strange.
I also forgot to mention that I have been fighting a cold all week so maybe that had something to do with it?
A person has to have alot of patience and not be so into the scale.
I think the reason I am losing so quickly is all the exercise combined with the better eating; oh ya and WATER!!!
I plan on introducing some fruit and maybe some fibre1 cereal in the mornings once I hit my target so I'll let you all know how it goes.
Thx again

Sounds like you're doing very well, indeed, Inxs.

Congratulations.

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