This is my second time to do low carb; three years ago when I was 40, I did a kind of "combo-Atkins/Protein Power" diet and had SO much success! I lost about 30 lbs, conquered all those carb cravings, and felt great! Unfortunately....(isn't there always an "unfortunately?!") I got a little too cheeky and indulged in too many Nov. and Dec. goodies and started to gain back most of it over the next two years. I also want to add that during the time I was losing, I was never what you'de call completely "clean" lc eating- I had alot of jerky and nuts, cottage cheese, salami, sausage, etc. Switch to present: I have been SO clean, no nuts, very little cheese, I gave up the bars and sf candies after I read (here) how sneaky they were! and I can't get the scale to budge! I FEEL really good, my cravings are greatly diminished, I feel a little better in my clothes, but the weight is sticking to me like glue! I do a fast paced four miles about five times a week for exercise, and I don't really have alot of time for more than that, and I have been using the ketosis sticks as well, but can only get a pink color in the late afternoon.

Does anyone have any insight to all this? Is there truth to the idea that induction only works once? ( or- am I paying the wages of sin for not accepting this as a wol, and not just a "diet" way back when?!) HELP!
Annieabc

Yes and no. While many find induction more difficult the second time around (myself included) it still works. First time I did it I lost 12 pounds. Second time, 8. So, I lost less but I still LOST.

If the stix are going pink at ANY time, then you’re doing fine. Although I must admit, I don’t bother with them. A waste of money in my opinion. Don’t get too upset over what the stix are, or are not, doing.

It sounds to me like you’re doing just right. A steady amount of exercise, eating well, not lc bars, etc. is a recipe for success. Just stick with it. The scale sometimes lags behind measurements. Also, as you lose fat, your body will often “fill up” those cells with water thinking it needs to “save the space” for more fat stores. The body doesn’t realize you’re trying to lose it for good. After a little while, it catches on and finally releases the water. That’s often what is called a woosh. Where a person loses 2-3 pounds overnight. It seems impossible but not when you consider what’s actually happening.

Hang in there and good luck!

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

annieabc
If it worked once it should still work. But as marcie said maybe not as quickly. I had the same experience as marcie. I lost 14 pounds the first time I did LC and 8 the second time. Why not post a few days menus here and see if we can give you a few suggestions. Also try using a food tracker like www.fitday.com. It can often help us see where we might want to cut back on some things.



Rob

Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.
Groucho Marx
310/241/180

You're probably not that far from a weight that your body prefers (even if it isn't exactly YOUR ideal!) and that means it will resist giving up anything. Just be sure you don't under-eat. That will create more resistance.

In addition to the suggestions already provided, here's my two cents. Consider adding a couple days of weight training to your EXCELLENT routine of cardio activity. This will burn a few extra fat calories, build and maintain muscle tissue, and help keep your bones healthy as you enter perimenopause.

Speaking of which, there may be subtle hormonal changes going on right now. This would be a good time to get a baseline check-up with your physician.

Barb L.
Started Atkins January 2003
162/141/130

You guys are great! Thanks so much for your responses. Even as I read again through my own post, I realized that I really DO feel so much better, and I'm not feeling like a slave to the chips, candy, etc., so that in itself is a major victory! I am pretty tall, (5.11) but my body is going to have to give up some of it's 180 lbs.! Thanks again-

Annieabc

Annie, Welcome and glad to have you aboard. Sounds like you are going to really commit this time!!! Consider also, you are a few years older now. The body does resist weight loss the older we get. You may be becoming pre-menopausal too. That is our curse as women.....slow loss. But alas, the good news is....you are eating MUCH healthier. If the loss is slow, remember you are getting HEALTHIER!!!! As for weight training.........that is the way to go. Lean muscle mass burns MORE fat, more rapidly. Go to Walmart or Target and buy yourself nothing lower than 5lbs dumbells. Do an 8 exercise routine. Working the LARGE muscle groups first does more good in the beginning and then working the smaller groups. And being in the pre-menopapausal age group, weight training does more to keep osteoperosis at bay. It also stimulates Human Growth Hormone, which by the way, is what keeps us young. It gets released by the brain when we do weight training. I would consider very seriously about weight training. Just remember, this WOL is a HEALTH choice.



Barb
Atkins-3/14/03
174/146/135
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."