Hi all!

I have never posted on a forum before, but I need help so here goes....
I started Atkins Induction two weeks ago, and the first week went well- lost 5.5 pounds and two inches off my waist line. I was so excited! Second week comes to an end and have gained two pounds back and added an inch back to the waist. What happened? Is it because I lost so much so fast the first week? Is this common? I stayed under my 20 carbs, but I did use carb bars (carb solutions)for breakfast four mornings each week. Help me please as I don't want to fail.

Hi there!

Welcome to the forum

First off.. don't get discouraged! If you are doing this to lose weight, remember that you didn't gain it all in a week, and you won't lose it all in a week. Just STICK WITH IT and enjoy life! Enjoy all the great induction food you can eat! Give it a couple months and THEN look what the numbers say!

My favorite motto is becoming "don't get hung up on the numbers" (I don't even have a scale -I tossed it out a year ago when the numbers started dictating my mood for the day)

There are SO MANY things that can make weight fluctuate from day to day - water, muscle, last night's dinner, crumb under the scale .

A lot of the people here are starting to advise cutting out the bars, and look for any "hidden" carbs that might be sneaking in.. I found myself snacking on meatballs and slim jims - hey they were meat! But they had some "hidden carbs" so out they go!

Try to stay with the most natural form of the induction foods as you can, and soon enough you will start to see the magic.. if not in the numbers, it will show in the way you feel, the way your clothes get lose, your feet stop swelling, your face starts thinning.. you will see it just stick with it!

Thank you so much for the encouragement. It is hard to feel confident when trying something new, especially when there are so many critics of this "way of eating". I just don't want to gain again. I was the master of the YoYo diet once and do not want to go back. Being close to my chart weight is still new to me as I had been overweight all my life, well until a year and a half ago.
I am really starting to appreciate this site. Thanks to all that share their experiences and struggles.

[This message was edited by liftmyburden on 09-02-03 at 03:59 AM.]

Welcome to a great site.

I was eating too many bars and it really impeded my weight loss. I still eat them, but only occasionally. I keep them around in case of emergencies. Like when everyone else is eating a high carb food and I start to feel deprived. The bars are really not made for induction.

You may want ot think about doing 1 more week of induction foods. This way it will also get rid of the bar cravings. I had to detox my cravings again .

I understand the fear in eating all of this great food and gaining weight. We have been convinced for years that fatty foods were a no-no. It does take some getting use to.

Good luck to you!

Susan ( AKA Northwest)
207/178.5/160

You have not failed - you have done remarkably well. Low carb diets are naturally diuretic - that is one reason why you have to drink so much water and preferably take a potassium supplement. Some of that loss in the first week was water loss and in the second week your body stabilised. Well done - don't let it discourage you - it'll all work out.

I am a newbie and just read some of the post and I am encourged that this site is going to help me becasue of the reply I just read for the person that said they lost then gained. So I am looking for any suggestions I can get, so far I have not have not strayed to far, except I am having trouble cutting down on the diet soft drinks, I am drinking water, but I am also drinking diet soft drinks. Any suggestions on helping me drink more water. I use to gag when I drink water, but if I drink the bottled water, I do much better, so I buy it by the case, however, I have the problem where I would rather drink some kind of brevage than to eat. I have over 100 lbs to loose so any suggestions is greatly appreciated.

Hi,

This is my first message. I too have been on the Atkins diet for a week, lost 5 pounds, and then gained 1 back on the 8th day(today). I'm glad to see I'm not alone in thinking something went wrong. I think I might have had some hidden carbs some where as well, because my cravings for carbs have been strong today compared to the last few days.

Go Longhorns!

I LOVE THIS SITE!!!

Thanks again for the encouragement. I think I will take your advice, Susan, and go "all-natural" for a week. You are right; I am finding it very hard to eat full-fat foods. They have been no-no's for so long. I did weigh again this morning just to see if the 2 pound gain was still with me- it was gone! Water retention I guess. That still puts me at a zero loss for the second week, but I am hopeful that "detox" will get me back on track.

You all are so great! Thanks for all the encouragement.

Sheikwil,
I don't know what to tell you as I have no problem downing my water. I drink over 160 ounces a day. I am fortunate to have water filteration through the 'fridge door, so water is easily accessible. Just keep forcing it down, you'll get used to it after a while.

I highly recommend the "all natural" approach.

With the exception of Splenda, everything I eat is considered "whole foods" - fresh meats, fruits, and veggies, cream, cheese, and yogurt. No bars, no shakes, no mixes.

It may not work for everybody, but it sure as heck works for me!

Emelia

"We can only learn to love by loving." - Iris Murdoch, Irish writer
294/208/174 since 25-Nov-01