I have to say it's been fun but I have not seen any solid results since I started low carbing in July. At first, I weighed 137 pounds and I lost about 8lbs working out and eating healthy low fat. A friend was doing Atkins and I thought I would try it to see quicker results so I read the entire book. First week of induction in July,I lost 4 pounds and then nothing and as the weeks progressed I kept losing those same pounds over and over again.
I'm beginning to think this diet is only for those who have a lot to lose. I am 5'1, petite frame and weigh 125 pounds. My goal weight is 115-117lbs. The scale just does not move and I work out every morning. It's also hard because after a work out, I'm tremendously hungry and at times I can eat tons of cheese and feel yucky about it afterwards. That can't be good for you. Health reasons..My period has become irregular, I'm shaky and dizzy at times, have heart palpitations and my cholesterol (ldl) is up to 115. I have always believed in good healthy foods like oatmeal, egg whites, less dairy food,low saturated foods, whole grain bread and pasta and I truly miss it.
BUT, I really really wanted to believe in this diet!! I don't mean to discourage anyone who is seeing results but I must say I'm quite disappointed. I was truly enjoying all this bacon, cheese and butter but I do not feel right eating it because it really is not good for you. I will continue to watch my carb intake of course, I cannot keep obsessing over carbs and food any longer. Good luck to all of you though!

This WOE is not for everyone.

Did you read the book? If you had you would know it is not only bacon cheese and butter. In fact if you post a menu laden with bacon and cheese, the members will tell you to cut back.

You are supposed to eat lots of veggies and begin on nuts and fruits after induction. YOU HAVE TEN POUNDS TO LOSE!!! Sure, heavier people are going to lose faster, it is only rational, but you have little to lose so it will take time. You are working out everyday, maybe you are gaining lean muscle and you are closer to your goal weight than you think. Are you following Atkins they way it should be followed....

Did you add more legal carbs each week? Going up 5 g per week?
Are you drinking lots of water?

You shouldn't feel shaky dizzy and tremendously hungry, perhaps you are not eating Enough?

Before you say this eating is really "not good for you" please inform me as to how this is? And what studies you have to support this. Of course if you are stuffing your self with pounds of butter and greasy bacon, it will not have much benefit, this plan does not want you to eat those foods. Maybe in the beginning ONLY so you get a handle on your eating and cravings but later stresses better choices. I never felt better on this diet. And I have only lost 8 lbs in 4 weeks. I was a skeptic too so that should tell you something.

Maybe some of your problem lies on how you look at dieting. You said you cannot keep obsessing over carbs. Who needs to obsess. As with any new way of eating, you keep tabs on it in the beginning to understand where your intake is coming from but it becomes second nature after awhile. Of course, it looks as though your "healthy low fat" eating has helped you so maybe that is for you. If you like this way and want lower fat, perhaps you could try the south beach diet. In my opinion, I wouldn't say low fat is healthy if there is now an epidemic of obesity in the world. Ask anyone if they have tried a low fat diet before and failed, I guarantee you the answer will be yes.

I wish you all the luck in everything you do. Congrats on your weight loss so far. You seem to have the drive and motivation and I am sure you can do it. Good luck

~Steph

Hon have you seen the South Beach Diet, not nearly as much fat and more carbs are allowed.

I understand your frustration I'm a Type 1 diabetic and wake up with low blood sugar so I end up eating sugar and blowing the diet for a day, and have to start all over. I'm not losing at this point either, but My blood sugars are better so I'm sticking with it for that reason.It is really frustrating sometimes I do understand.

Look into South Beach you might like it.

Just remember to eat ENOUGH healthy fats. So many women eat low fat and get thin and think they are healthy when in fact, their body is using their own bone and muscle tissue to feed itself. Hence, they weigh less but are very UNhealthy.

Keep in mind that you are only 10 pounds from goal and you are working out alot. Being close to goal means that it will likely take much longer to get to goal. Many people say that they lose fast at first and then slow down the closer they get to goal. Some have said it took as long as several months to lose the last 5-10 pounds.

And working out builds muscle. Muscle is VERY good for you because it raises your metabolism but, it does weigh more. So, if you're only looking at the scale, you'd think you weren't doing well when in fact you are. Be sure to measure yourself as well. You may well find that the scale is staying the same while your waist is 1-2 inches smaller.

If you're really hungry after a workout, don't gobble the cheese, have a piece of chicken or some tuna salad. You don't have to eat cheese to low carb.

I know that everyone is different and that low carb may not be for everyone, but it IS a healthy way to eat. Perhaps you might try reading a book other than Atkins? The Schwarzbein Principal would be a great one for you. She is a little more balanced in her approach to food and does include some pasta and rice in her meal plans.

Think about it. Good luck.


Member since 2001
http://www.ilovelowcarb.com
Size 24(start lowfat)/Size 18(start LC)/Size 14/Size 8

Perhaps you don't need to lose 8-ish more pounds. Perhaps you need to just tone up what you do have. If you're working out 30 mins a day, you're building muscle, which weighs more than fat.

(296/223/135) 04/01/03
The Downward Spiral Begins

Steph
Yes, I did read the book and followed the program exactly. When I say butter, bacon and cheese..that is not all I ate. I used butter on my veggies and cheese on my burgers or casseroles. I actually ate bacon & eggs..something I never ate before I started the program.

On Induction, I stayed at 20 grams a day and followed all the induction rules- no nuts, shakes bars etc...and all I really lost was water weight. When I introduced more carbs I kept regaining the weight so I kept going back to induction and counting those freekin 20 grams of carbs over and over again which has been really fustrating. I've come to the point where I feel I'm obssessing about everything I put into my mouth- almost like an eating disorder, reading every ingredients on the labels and just driving my self nuts. So, mentally, this might not be good for me either. I have been reading about the South Beach diet and I might just switch over. It is much healthier and you can actually have some fruits!!!! Thanks for your feed-back though -this is a great forum! Whatever works for all you guys!! Seeing results and feeling great is what matters most!!!!

livinlowcarb

Yes the southbeach might be just what you need! I wasn't being harsh in my post. I just wanted you to know that sometimes we have to be patient. I know all about frustration!
If you followed it to a tee, maybe you are right and this just isn't for you. And I understand how you may feel eating all the so called bad, greasy foods because we were used to eating low fat foods for so long. I don't eat bacon much because eating that bothers my stomach, but I find when I use "hidden" fats I feel better. I will drizzle olive oil on my salads and cook my veggies and meat in it. I don't know what it is about the bacon, but it just doens't sit well with me. I bet if you cut back on your cheese, you would start losing...sometimes that stalls people!

Anyways if you do choose to switch to southbeach and found this forum helpful, you can still come here for support and encouragement because other people on here are doing south beach too. My mother is doing it and she loves it! Good luck and let us know how you are doing

~Steph

From what I know, that is why you didnt lose the weight... You kept going back to induction! Everyone here has told me that that is a mistake... You become carb sesitive if you dont add the carbs.... You are treating your body like a yoyo which I have done my whole life...(which is why I am having the hardest time losing the weight) But I plan on sticking it out. In this woe I have never had to cook so much or buy so many veggies before! Which means all those processed foods and prepared foods are out! That right there is healthier plus you can add berries and low carb fruits along the way and once you lose the weight you can have much more in the terms you are looking for...fruit, grains etc... But that is later...To lose the weight it is a process.... I think you are not following correctly which actually isnt healthy....Induction is meant for 2 weeks...its a cleansing detoxing jumpstart to this woe... I have heard good things about the beach diet too....so whatever appeals to you more...But I can not help address the reason its not working for you...Its because you arent following it to a T...Plus you really dont have much weight to lose which makes the process a lot longer...Gotta have patience.. I keep telling myself the same thing as we want a overnight success...But I really do believe in this woe as I have seen first hand how it has changed many lives... Good luck to ya!

hey steph
you weren't being harsh...I welcome your feedback..no hard feelings. I will visit the SBD section of this forum. It definitely sound like something for me. I'll keep you posted.

Amanda,
I did induction for 2 weeks and started upping my carbs slowly and regained the 4 pounds I lost on induction so that is why I kept going back on induction. The Atkins books says it is safe to extend induction if needed beyond 2 weeks. I will try the SBD diet and keep you posted though. I do need to have more patience !!thanks and good luck to you!

livinlowcarb

I know a few people who are looking into SBD.. That would be better than going back to lowfat diet...(IMHO) I hope I didnt sound like a know it all to you as I too still have many questions as well...Ive done this for a month and am on my 5th week...Im waiting for a whoosh! Please let us know how you do if you do SBD.. I know Atkins says that its fine to stay on induction longer or go back when you need to...but what I have heard is that many people who have done that have a harder time keeping the weight off and ever upping thier carbs without a gain or stall. This family has kept me from going back to induction even though many times I have been tempted!!!