Actually, I know I did.

I've been doing Atkins for about 2.5 months now. The beginning was REALLY hard. The first couple of days I was tired and just couldn't keep myself functioning. After that period I was feeling REALLY good. I had energy, I didn't really feel the need to eat (but I ate anyway), and when I tested myself with the ketosis strips I was always in the deep purple zone.

But things changed, and I don't know what to attribute it to (or maybe I do and am just in denial). I am a college student, and having just changed my major to a much more demanding one, and having friends around me that can (and will) eat whatever they want, it's been hard for me to be completely faithful to Atkins. I've been back and forth in Induction, sometimes reducing my carb intake to 10g per day (bad, BAD me, I know). In fact, I've either been completely in Induction or totally out of it due to cheating; I've never been in Ongoing Weight Loss or Pre-Maintenance. And now I'm quite scared because I've only been having 15 or so (slipped up and thought bringing it back to Induction again would be a goog way to get back to Ketosis), but when I test myself with the strips, I'm slightly pink! Which means that if I increase my carbs by 5 I'll probably be out of ketosis, and I might as well kiss Atkins good-bye! Is there any hope for me? Have I completely screwed up? I haven't gained significantly in weight (in fact, I'm still at my 142), but my stomach is back on an extended visit. I don't even know where to start with this, or whether I should just give it up. I don't think I could survive on 20 carbs for the rest of my life...could I?

Atkins 08/23/03
160/142/115

1. the good news is that you're working on the assumption that the color of the ketosis stix reflects how "deep" you are in ketosis and how well you are burning fat and this assumption is false. the color of the test strips can be affected by time of day, time of month, how much water you've been drinking and many other things. my first advice to you is to give the stix a break for a while. your clothes and your body are all you need to know if you're going in the right direction.

2. so if i understand aright, you've gone from 160 to 142? That is awesome!!! and you're still in ketosis, which is excellent.

3. how tall are you? 115 is a pretty low weight. did you arrive at that in conjunction with your doctor? make sure that you've picked a realistic and health goal weight.

4. what to do next:

as you clearly know, 10g of carbs a day is not enough. you've made the mistake many of us have made at one time or another (join the club!) of thinking that if 20g works well, 10g (or zero for that matter) will work better. Nothing could be further from the truth for several reasons:

a. as you point out, a carb level that low is unsustainable long term.
b. it's not healthy long term - on Atkins you should be INCREASING carbs, not DECREASING them as time goes on
c. cutting carbs as low as you have been, alternating with cheating, is a recipe for disaster both for you self image, your health, and your long term success.


As I'm writing this, I'm thinking that perhaps a more lenient style of low carb eating might be right for you?

Perhaps the South Beach Diet? I think that given your living arrangements and the fact that you sound so frustrated, it might be a better choice for you?

But either way, I hope that you are able to relax a little, and enjoy the journey more. and NO! you should not just "give up".

Hang in there - you'll find what works for you. It's taken some of us 20 or 30 or 40 years to figure it out. You've got an early start!

give it some thought, and let us know how you are doing.

be healthy AND happy,
LCandrea

Ok, I'll let go of the keto sticks. They seemed like such a good idea before, but yes, they're almost as addictive as the scale. And I HAVE changed up my routine somewhat, aside from the eating. I guess I forgot to take all of that into consideration.

I'm pretty short (5'4"), but if I got down to 115, my BMI would still be in the healthy range. Right now, though, I'm not even concerned with the pounds. I'll take 130 if that's where my flat stomach and slim thighs happen. I just want to look and feel good.

I like this WOL. When I'm on it I'm ON it, and I count my carbs, and measure my food. It just seems like I'm so weak that I get caught up in the temptations of college (going out with friends, not many low carb choices in fast food chains, etc). And my late (late) nights have me trying to fuel myself so that I'll stay awake. And blah blah blah, whine, whine, whine, the story goes on. That's why I thought raising my carb intake might help me out a little bit. But...

I think what I'm most concerned with is being able to go up in carbs and stil stay in ketosis. I'm afraid that I've damaged myself so much with the up and down and back and forth that I won't be able to get too far out of Induction before I'm not losing weight. But I'm going to go up, drink my water, work myself out, and hope that I still get some results.

I guess I have a lot to think about, including the South Beach Diet. Thanks so much for answering, LCAndrea! It helped a lot. And I will keep you posted.

Atkins 08/23/03
160/142/115

That's what I'm here for

Agreed. The color of the sticks doesn't matter. Ketosis is like pregnancy. You either are or you aren't pregnant.

They are very handy for letting you know if you're IN ketosis. Using them as a measure of ketosis is a measure of how DEEPLY you are into ketosis is a lot trickier and not all that reliable. I use them daily just to be sure that I'm in ketosis.

Going up and down in carbs a little won't hurt your metabolism. Having a big carb blow-out is bad for your health and for your weight, not to mention morale, but it's not likely to hurt your metabolism.

The idea of OWL is to increase your carbs up to the point just BELOW where you would fall out of ketosis and then to stay there. Increasing your carbs gives you more wiggle room.

**************
"Sometimes I think you have to march right in and demand your rights, even if you don't know what your rights are, or who the person is you're talking to. Then on the way out, slam the door."

Yenohamk,
Don't stress too much, you have enough to worry about being in college.

I have a few questions for you:

1. Where are you living, i.e., dorm, apt., frat or sorority house......

2. Do you have a fridge?

3.Do you know you can adapt your eating out?

4. Do you have access to weight machines at the gym on campus?

I realize college life can be a little difficult with this WOL if you don't know where to start. If you have a fridge, can you have some pre-cut veggies at the ready with some yummy full-fat dips available? If you go out with friends and have "fast" food, you can always remove the carby items from your food, i.e, no bun, no breading etc. You can always get a salad just about anywhere. Just watch that the dressing isn't LOW-FAT (added sugars) You can always stock a little fridge with string cheese, veggies, cream cheese etc. As was said before, don't worry about ketostix color. If it's pink, it's all good.

If you eat more carbs in the form of veggies and other allowed foods, you do get your energy back. When you do, try to get to the gym, if you have access, and do some weight training. Lean muscle burns fat much more efficiently. It might ADD weight on the scale, but it really slims you down, tones and firms everything up. AND if you can walk everywhere, to and from classes additionally, you can up your carbs safely without any dire consequences. Doing this WOL is about finding balance. And, of course, in order to stay fit and trim, you have to recognize this WOL as a lifetime commitment. I surely wish I had known about this WOE 20 yrs ago or I wouldn't have gotten into this shape now. You are lucky to have found this WOL (and this website) now, at this stage in your life.

Hang in there, and do what's right for you, and it's all good!!!!!



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

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>
Going up and down in carbs a little won't hurt your metabolism. Having a big carb blow-out is bad for your health and for your weight, not to mention morale, but it's not likely to hurt your metabolism.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks, Doctor Insomnia. I hope that's true. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to up my carbs because of the rollercoaster I've been on. But I've increased by 5, hopefully I'll be able to tell what's going on with me in the next week.

To answer Barb Keith's questions,

1. I am currently living by myself off-campus. This helps me a lot because I can eat in peace from all the naysayers. I mostly cook for myself.

2. I do have a fridge, and it is stocked right now.

3. I know there are ways to get around the carbs when I'm eating out, and I should stand my ground. I've only been out to eat maybe three or 4 times with friends, but the place that we go to is the cheapest (heaven for a college student) and has no alternatives to their myriad of pizzas. Any other place usually has a salad and I will get that. But the pizza place is popular because it's cheap and good. If I say that I'm hungry, and they suggest that place, I'm sort of backed against a wall because I already said I was hungry, y'know? But I swear, I WILL NOT GO THERE ANYMORE!
Another problem with the whole eating out thing is that I go over to my friends' places and they cook. What do they like to cook? What's easy to cook? Pasta, rice, etc. They're still on that WOE, and it's hard to explain to them why I won't eat it when they saw me downing the pasta last year.
Basically, it all comes down to me being a wuss and not standing my ground. But I have to. It's dangerous to be playing with my health like that, and I'm seeing the results.

4. There are weight machines on campus. I'm off campus, but if I make the effort, I can get to them, and an indoor track. I think it's easier to just walk around my neighborhood, but I get swamped with work and forget to take time for me. Changes will be made.

What should I do about nights that I have to stay up all night? I know you're not supposed to go more than 6 waking hours without eating something, but does that apply when you are pulling all-nighters? If I do eat something, how should I calculate that into my daily carb count? As the day before since I'm still up? Or as part of the next day since it's the next day? Are there any alternatives to caffeine to help you stay up?

I apologize for the novel, but I do appreciate the feedback. Thank you!

Atkins 08/23/03
160/142/???

It's good you live alone and can be your own master of that castle, anyway.

As for eating pizza, I just eat the tops. I usually request a garbage pizza with LOTS of stuff on it. I get really full fast eating it that way.

As for going to friends' for dinner, offer to bring a veggie dish. That way at least you know there will be at least ONE dish you can have along with any meat they might make (if their budgets allow)

As for all-nighter eating, have meat and veggies. Burger and salad, pork chop and broccoli. When you make dinner, make enough to have later on too. Or, make yourself a soy shake if you can stand soy milk. I have been able to find unsweetened Westsoy brand soymilk. It doesn't taste like anything, really, and then I add cocoa powder, fake sugar, vanilla and cream. mmmm mmmm good and filling. Soy milk is pretty low in carbs. You've been lc'ing since August, so you should be on OWL by now. Don't be afraid to eat during an all-nighter. When you're hungry........eat.



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

I'm happy to say that after my initial carb scare(s) , we are back in business!

I upped my carbs, exercised, drank my water, and waited a few days to test myself with a keto stick. Purple! So I'm feeling good that I'm still in ketosis. I'm taking it really slow (and staying out of the on campus restaurants). I will keep upping my carbs, and drinking water, though it feels so HARD to get all of the carbs in. I can barely do 20 some days!

I do have a question though. I noticed that when I initially started Atkins I was burping like crazy. It never hurt, it just annoyed me. Then it stopped. Now, for the past few weeks at least, I've noticed that my burping is back full force (It still doesn't hurt too much). And that though my body is burning fat and I'm helping it with exercise and water, my clothes still feel the same if not more snug in the waist. I do Pilates, run, walk, lift weights...any ideas what's going on with my stomach? Could it possibly be bloat?

Thanks In Advance

Atkins 08/23/03
160/142/???

Good for you Yeno....

What are you eating??? Post some of your menus and we'll take a look. Certain foods cause burping, so lets take a look.......



Barb
Atkins-3/14/03
174/146/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."

It's been my experience that being "in ketosis" is like being pregnant....you either are, or you aren't. There are no degrees to it. It matters not whether the sticks register light pink or dark purple. In fact, I would advocate NOT using them as a gauge of weight loss.

Also, to eliminate any confusion, you need to eat foods from their purest forms when starting out. Many people make the mistake of "going on Atkins" and using low carb products (shakes and bars, ad infinitim) and not eating loads of veggies and pure protein (nothing pre-packaged or processed). If you are eating at least 4 cups of veggies per day (no high glycemic veggies such as tomatoes, onions, squash, peas, et cetera) and at least two servings of protein, limiting your cheese intake to 4 ounces per day and drinking at least 100 ounces of water, then you will be assured that you are in ketosis, losing weight, getting healthy, and having plenty of carbs, to boot. I have found that eating thusly eliminates all of the guess work and you don't even have to step on the scale to check progress except for perhaps once each week. Your clothes fitting loosely and your overall feeling of well-being will be your gauge.

My two cents....

April
352 / 201 / 180
5'10", large frame, size 13 shoe
www.geocities.com/aprilreinhardt2

Menu:

B: Either a 3-egg omelet w/ pesto and 2 oz. parmesan; 2 eggs and 2 Boca sausages; or Hot Cereal (less often)

L: Either a romaine or spinach salad w/ 1 oz. feta cheese and either ranch or a vinaigrette dressing, sometimes with chicken

D: Either salmon with sauteed mushrooms and spinach; hamburger patty with salad; or chicken w/ cheese, lo carb BBQ sauce, and green beans or broccoli

S: decaf tea w/ sweetener, cheese (sometimes I went been over the 4oz. a day, but I've been stricter about it)

@ April. Thanks for the advice. Although I don't get 100+ ounces a day (I always thought you should drink 1/2 your weight in ounces, so I drink 64-80+), I do what you've suggested. I don't do the processed thing so much, though I've had a problem in the past (I was using them to supplement an "on-the-go" lifestyle, but sugar alcohols started to mess me up and I wanted to get serious), but now it's pretty much all unprocessed, which is why I find it so hard to up my carbs because the veggies that I like are low in carbs, and in order to get my share I have to stuff myself past full. I hardly look at the scale, and I'm not so hung up on the sticks anymore. I know I'm doing right by myself. I just wish it showed in inches.

Atkins 08/23/03
160/142/???

Your menu looks great. The only thing I can think of that might be causing the burping would be the Boca Burgers which are made mostly of soy. I have been getting gassy and I think it's the soy milk I am using in my coffee. I am going to experiment and leave it out for a few days and see what happens. I plateau every three weeks like clockwork. Now that I am exercising faithfully 3 days a week, I am going to expect a little more consistent weight loss.



Barb
Atkins-3/14/03
174/146/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."

Staying up late and not eating for more than six hours...

Been there, done that, it's no big deal. I snack all the time, so I don't worry about things like that. Good low-carb snacks: walnuts, pecans, almonds, olives, cheese slices. If you're in induction phase, nuts aren't recommended, but if it's hard to maneuvre without them, go ahead.

About the pizza...

Tell your friends you'll eat pizza if you only have to pay for the toppings. They can eat the crust. If they're dumb enough to pay for just the crust, fine.

Taco Bell is a good alternative. Get a steak burrito and slurp it down without eating the tortilla. Yes, I've done this in front of friends. They get used to it. If they don't, tell them to go to hell.

Burgers... Easy. Toss the buns, of course.

**************
"Sometimes I think you have to march right in and demand your rights, even if you don't know what your rights are, or who the person is you're talking to. Then on the way out, slam the door."