I'm not looking for any magic answers - just need to get this out.

I'm 8 days in, and have lost 4 lbs. First time I did Atkins, I lost 14 in the first two weeks. I don't see another 10 coming off in the next 6 days :P

Here are the facts:

-I want to lose a total of 25 - 30 lbs (First time around, I wanted to - and did - lose 60+)
-The first time I did Atkins, I was still using caffeine and still smoking - both of which speed metabolism.
-I got my period over the weekend (instant weight-gain)
-I was eating walnuts until 2 days ago when I realized I can't eat them in small doses and was wasting ridiculous amounts of calories on them.
-I had a Guinness over the weekend (just one, I swear!)

Seeing the facts in front of me really helps me from being too frustrated. Reading the obstacles and the things I was doing wrong -- no wonder I haven't lost as much as I did last time!

I'm definitely not going back to smoking, that's for sure. Caffeine on the other hand ... I've been soooo tired since I quit smoking. Like, I could fall asleep at my desk if I closed my eyes for a few seconds. I started taking a multi-vitamin, but I'm thinking that some caffeine would help me, too. Just a cup of coffee a day. What do you think?

Thanks for reading, y'all. Just having somewhere to get this out is a huge help.

From everything I've seen, the weight comes off slower when you begin again. 4 lbs. in 8 days is great! When I first tried Atkins, I lost 3 lbs. in 2 weeks.

Plus, if you lose it too fast, it's just gonna come right back on quickly. Are you measuring?

I wouldn't think a cup of coffee would hurt you.

I know you'll get some other thoughts from others. Just hang in there, it does take time. Unfortunately!

__________________
~~lavender~~

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

hi gigi,
Congrats on those 4 pounds gone!! That's a good start, really.
If you are doing Atkins induction, then nuts and seeds are not allowed during this time.
However, when you move on to OWL, you can add them back in.
I think you are very SMART to realize nuts(walnuts) are a food that can make you lose control. I find if I have to *work* a little harder when I eat nuts, I can generally do OK...like pistacchios, for instance. I buy them roasted, in the shell, and measure out one serving. By the time I have finished opening and eating them, I'm good to go and don't find myself dipping into the bag for "just a few more".

On the caffiene; it can increase your appetite and can raise the blood sugar. I never gave up my coffee, but I did cut waaay down to one 12oz mug in the mornings, and have my breakfast within 30 minutes to an hour of drinking my coffee. It's a YMMV thing, I think. Just pay attention to what your body tells you...if you find your appetite is increased during the day after drinking coffee, then it might be a good thing to give it up.

Atta girl!!! Hang tough on that one!!

You can do it!!!

hth
s

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It's the restart thing, I think. I'm going back to low carb for the third time (3 times a charm, right?). The first time I lost weight, I dropped 10 lbs the first week. This time, and the last, 3 lbs. From what I've read, this effect is NORMAL for most people who low carb, stop, then low carb again. You can still lose weight on it, but you don't have that big dramatic drop right away.

Realistically - that first week's big drop is typically just water weight - you really can't burn off that much fat that quickly. 1-2 lbs a week is basically the "safe" range. As long as the scale is going in the right direction overall and you're eating healthy and feeling satisfied by what you're eating, you're doing good.

I've never given up coffee when I low carbed (that's just healthier for everyone around me), but I have cut it back significantly - 1-2 mugs of coffee in the morning, and maybe a diet soda during the day (down from 5-6 diet sodas a day).

(I also look at it like this: In 3 1/2 weeks, I've lost 6 pounds. That's 13% overall of what I want to lose - sounds like a much bigger number that way!)

Sue
herboudoir.blogspot.com

I think 4 lbs. in 8 days is FANTASTIC! As long as you are losing......that is all that matters. Even if I lose only a half pound since the last time I got on the scale.....I celebrate my loss. Be glad! You are doing great.

katlupe

Thank you all for the support! I know 4lbs is a great loss - and like many of you said, ANY loss is a great loss... I guess I just needed to be reminded.

You're off to a fantastic start! I'm impressed by the positive healthy changes you've made - quitting caffeine and smoking.

I quit caffeine well over a year ago and, once I made it through the 9 days of withdrawals, I haven't regretted it for a minute.

Keep up the good work!
~Tracy

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Began Atkins on 2/1/2009. .