Hi everyone. I just signed up for this site - it looks great. I have been on Atkins for just over 4 weeks and am staying under 20 carbs every day. I am in ketosis - strips are testing very high, but I haven't lost anything for a week. Not inches or pounds. Is this normal? The supplements I take are all approved by Atkins and I try to drink my water every day. Anyone else noticed this? Of course, I am hoping that I will just get on the scale next week and have a huge drop, but I'm getting discouraged.

Time to add 5 carbs. Did you lose initially? A slowdown after an initial drop is not unusual. Have you lost inches?

I did lose inches initially also, but not in the past while (1 1/2 weeks).

OK, I just read a whole pile of stuff on sugar alcohols. I have been using the Endulge bars, usually eating one about every 2 days. I could understand that they might be stalling me if my stix weren't still dark purple, but I am always in ketosis. Guess I will try going back to basics of induction and cut out the bars to see what happens.

Hi Aileen.

I'm with you! I've been through the same thing. My stix were turning, but didn't lose pounds for about 2 weeks (during induction). I made some minor modifications to my diet and can now report losing 5 pounds (quickly). I began drinking more water and I eliminate nuts (whereas I had about 10 pecans per day before). Also, your cycle could be throwing off weight loss. It did for me....as soon as that was over, I lost.

I think we really need to examine our expectations. You hear so many stories of miraculous weight loss, but it doesn't happen as quickly for everyone (me). I'm just happy to see SOME progress.

Also...if you're weighing every day...STOP. I had to because it was discouraging....I see A LOT of variation from one day to the next. I'm really trying to keep it to once a week.

Keep going. I'm going to!

Jana

Jana Berghoefer

Thanks Jana

I am going to stick with it - my sister and her husband are living Atkins - they are converts for life, and love the results. Most important, the way they feel. I do have more energy and feel better so hopefully the weight will follow. Guess I just want it all now! Thanks for your comments - this site is so helpful.
Aileen

Aileen, be patient. And lose the bars IMMEDIATELY!!!! Those buggars have maltitol in them which is most likely affecting your insulin levels exactly like sugar. Are you getting any dairrhea from them? If not, you ARE getting a sugar effect from them. They will sabotage your weight loss. Your sticks might be showing fat metabolism from your food, not your body. Are you exercising? It's a must. Weight loss does slow normally, so don't fret once you tweak your diet. It's a matter of figuring out what works and then sticking to it.

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

Barb -
Wow! I didn't know the keto-sticks could show fat from your food rather than your body. I wonder how to really tell if I'm in ketosis? I hadn't heard that.


Jana

Jana Berghoefer

Barb,
I saw your reply about the candy bars. Are they really bad?? I have one a day. Could they slow my weight loss down or effect me staying in ketosis? Are there any low carb candy bars that you would suggest?
Would love some advise.
Nicole

Be the best you can possibly be.

Thanks Barb
I have cut out the candy bars, and am not eating anything with maltitol. I assume the Advantage bars are ok still - they have Splenda. I have been lucky enough to find great low-carb bread (5 grams per slice). Now I am nervous about eating it - anyone had experience with LC breads and baked goods? The Atkins muffins are great and use Splenda, so I am hoping they will be ok too.
I was discouraged yesterday but managed to keep to 20 carbs, and feel better today. Thanks everyone!

Aileen...you dont want to stay under 20g for to long because that can cause you to stall too... Need to start adding your 5g a week...that is a good way to get the kick start into weight loss again..... thats what happened to me..... wasnt adding carbs...you become sensitive to them and then all carbs are fighting you.... add some more veggies etc etc at least 5 g a week.....

Good Luck!!
Lisa

lc since 8-8-03
298/261.5
want to be 175 at least
"Where every you go There you are"

5 more grams of carbs with REAL food. Not the processed garbage. I did not add any pre-made low carb stuff to my WOL until I was at least half way to my goal weight. I do have an Advantage bar once a week, MAYBE. Otherwise, I make homemade sweet treats that I have found on this website in the recipe section. You still have to control yourself with those. You can't eat a whole lowcarb cheesecake for instance. Just 'cuz it's lowcarb, doesn't always mean it's safe. I have found some low carb breads too and have that maybe twice a week. It's up to you how you want to do this, I just know, this is what works for me.

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

The bars can kick you out of ketosis. (Been there, done that...) However, you would see it on the ketostix if that was the problem.

There are some reports that dietary fat can increase the darkness of your ketostix. I've never experienced that. I seem to get darker colors when I eat low-fat cottage cheese, which is almost completely protein, so that theory doesn't seem to hold up well.

If you are in ketosis, you are in ketosis. Whether the ketones come from your dietary fat or body fat, it's still ketosis, with all the benefits.

**************
"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."