Hi - I'm a newbie. I do have a respiratory infection and took antibiotics for three days but still followed the induction to the letter and didn't lose. Should I try another week of induction (or possibly 2) and see if I lose? I was very discouraged. I only want to lose about 12 pounds. What is the average 1st and 2nd week loss??

There is no average.. The less you have to lose, generally the longer it may take you to lose it..

Also, your antibiotics can play a large part in it.

Care to post a couple days (at least 2) worth of accurate meals, including beverages, and supplements?

(296/220/135) 04/01/03
The Downward Spiral Begins

My morning meal is always 2-3 egg omlette with bacon or sausage and cheese (all from the list and sugarless) and water

Lunch is either a cheeseburger (no bun) with mustard and more water - perhaps some pickles on the side or salad with ranch dressing (although I did throw some chickpeas on one day not knowing they weren't allowable)

Dinner - chicken breast or chef salad with blue cheese dressing - more water

Discovered I can't drink caffeine free diet coke even as a treat because of the aspertame thing

I even bought some buffalo wings (4 pieces 1 gm carb) so I had eight of those for dinner last night since it was only 2 grams - they were a nice change from cheeseburgers, etc.

That's all I can think of. Oh - I take a multi-vitamin every day!

I would try getting some veggies in there (broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, spinach, etc etc.). Salad is ok, but you should be adding to it with healthier veggies.

Also, does your salad dressing contain more than 1-2g of sugar? What about your pickles?

(296/220/135) 04/01/03
The Downward Spiral Begins

Hi- my salad dressings are all 1-2 g only and no sugar (the book said ranch & blue cheese acceptable ones) I thought veggies weren't allowed the first two weeks. Pickles are dill so they are free. Also, can I eat more than one cheeseburger at a time? Do I have to limit my salad sizes to 3 Cups like the book recommends? I thought cheese was unlimited - now I find out each 1 oz is 1 gm. Thank you!

Ok... Veggies are most definitely allowed - in fact, they're a requirement for good nutrition. No, you don't have to limit salad - if you want a larger one, have one.. Just have it with lower carb veggies (green is best).

Cheese should be limited to 2-4 ounces per day. It all has carbs. Hard cheese have approx. .5 carbs per serving.

Your salad dressing choices are just fine.

You can also have all the protein required to make you feel satisfied. Have one cheeseburger without the bun, have 3, if that's what it takes.

(296/220/135) 04/01/03
The Downward Spiral Begins

Yes, veggies are allowed, most definately!

And yes, the antibiotics probably did slow you down.

Remember that on induction you will probably only lose 10% of the total you want to lose. If you want to lose only 12 lbs., then you will probably only lose 1 to 2 lbs.

Also, some that have that little to lose choose to watch their calories too. In other words, instead of making dinner consist of 1/2 a chicken, have only a couple thighs or a large breast. Instead of having a 16 oz. steak, have only a 8-10 oz steak. Watch the amount of cheese and cream you eat. Eat only 2 slices of bacon instead of 4-6 slices. Instead of 1/3 cup salad dressing, keep it to 2 or 3 tablespoons. I'm not saying you should go on a low calorie diet, but just watch the calories. They do add up fast.

And adding something to the veggie question: I always did better when, even on induction, I made my veggies unlimited. That is, the induction friendly veggies. Basically the green stuff, as well as cauliflower and peppers. Of course, the green stuff like peas and lima beans are not allowed. My thinking was that the benefits of more veggies outweigh the carbs. Subtract the fiber grams and veggies are almost a free food. They can only do you good.

Teri

Hi Teri. Thanks for your response. I got a lot out of it and will keep all of your suggestions in mind! I will do induction another week - if I still haven't lost, can I do another week on top of the first two (the last two being without the antibiotic??

Being sick can make you retain water for some mysterious reason), plus I think unless you are running a fever it can slow your metabolism down. Personally, I find it really hard to lose weight while taking antibiotics, and sometimes even gain a little. By the way--when you said you took antibiotics for 3 days, did you mean the Z-pack which is really an effective 10 day dose? If so, then you have been, or still are on antibiotics for ten days, NOT three!!!

Try to drink as much water as possible to counteract the affects--aim for 1 gallon of water a day!
Hope you feel better...
Jess

Bchel,
First I diddo everything siad, in addition I certainly would not recommend doing induction longer than 2 weeks. It can make your body sensitive to carbs. As it has done to myself and to some others as well. This can creat problems with getting "board" and straying from this WOE.

The veggies are important, not only are they essential for health, they also play a key role in thermogenisis (sp?). Mainly the dark green leafy veggies.

If you do not have the book then you certainly need to get it. It has a lot of vital information in there that you will need as you embark on this WOE. Knowledge is power !!!! Good luck and don't give up!





Tanya
Member since Jan 2002
re-started on 1-3-03
272/185/172<--(next goal)

Hi Jess. Thanks for the reminder re: 10 days versus three. I'll hang in there!