... Ok, I know all about stalls and plateaus...

But how do you find the motivation to stick with this WOE when you post a *gain* every week when you step on the scale? To be honest, I'm now up another 2.5 lbs, reducing my loss to 4 lbs. over 7 weeks.

Any suggestions? I'm about ready to head back to a more conventional diet... it ain't worth the deprivation for 4 pounds!

Atkins 10/18/03
144/137.2/125

Hi LeeAnn
Don't give up! You can do it. You simply can't think of Atkins as "deprivation". What other diet is out there that you can eat bacon and eggs fried in butter? Okay, so you can't have the toast to go with it, but you learn to live without it for the first little while. There are many fabulous low-carb recipes which make you feel as though you're eating like a king...Are you in ketosis? I don't understand why you're gaining. Are you keeping your carb levels to under 20g daily? Have you cut out your caffeine? How about the amounts of sweeteners you're using. What about exercise? Have you implemented a routine into your lifestyle? All these are factors to consider when going for your goal.
I hope that you find some encouragement to continue your journey. It takes a little adjustment at first, but trust me, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.
Hope I've helped.
Erika

Hi LeeAnn!
Erika covered most everything... post a typical daily menu for everyone to evaluate. what about the water? are you drinking 1/2 your body weight in ounces every day?

Hang in there, we'll find out what is going on!

Jeanny

LeeAnn, The scale is also not my favorite friend. I have battled that piece of metal all my life. They weighed me the day I was born. I have had to use it for accountability and they will weight me again when I die. Life just isnt fair. The only thing I can share with you is my own personal experience. I can rely on the scale to only tell me about 10% of what is going on with my body. The other 90% comes from the way I feel. I only get on the scale once a month. I physically had to hide the scale under my bed so I would not be tempted when I saw it everyday. I personally have tried every diet under the sun and my observation of all that dieting is: I must change the way I live and eat for the rest of my life. I have proven to myself may times that I can loose 50-60+ pounds but I have always gone back to the bad way of eating afterwards and have gained it all back. This LC WOL is a learning process. I have only been LC eating since October and it is going to take me several more months before I even feel comfortable with the LC decisions I am making. Be easy on yourself. Life is to short and living life heathly is so much greater than a number on the scale. Drink your water, WRITE everything down that goes in your mouth. Looking back at the end of the day you will be suprised what you ate. DO NOT deprive yourself. You are worth this new journey in your life just take it a day at time..

LeeAnn,

I know EXACTLY how you feel. I lost 5-7 pounds during induction - now I just keep gaining and losing the same pounds. BUT, I feel so much better that I have adopted LC as my lifestyle regardless of anything else. I research as I go along to see what I might be do differently to speed things along, but I never consider quitting.

I don't know about you, but I rarely exercise, so maybe that is part of the problem. And maybe it will take our bodies longer to cut loose the pounds (I read something recently that said that belly fat comes off considerably faster than hip/thigh fat - I don't know if this is true, but if so, it would explain MY problem.

Anyway, hang in there! Look at any other benefits you are getting from this WOE to keep you motivated, and know that you are doing your bod a huge favor!

Staci

LeeAnn, Are you eating any of those terrible Bars or candies?? I think they were the biggest problem for me...I had a terrible 10 day stall with them...and didnt know what was going on till I gave those things up for good!! And I know if I dont take in a good amount of water I stall too....Gosh I hope you figure it out...Id hate to see you give this up..but I do understand....id get frustrated too....Good Luck to you!!!
Hugs, Lisa

LC WOL since 8-8-03
298/259.5
want to be 175/165
"Where every you go There you are"

LeeAnn

I was in the top few % of weight loss I lost loads in the first month, now I am in a stall, I don't care about the stall because I feel so good in my own health, as others above have said stick at it and you will win.

And I will predict You will feel as good as I do.

BigLez Soon to be Littlelez

If you have never made a mistake then you've done nothing

LeeAnn, you appear to be within ten pounds of what you consider your goal weight--presumably, a healthy weight for your height and age. That means your body is adjusting metabolically, and may not want to let go of its resources.

After losing 22 lbs. in six months, I stopped losing completely--10 lbs. from "goal"--for the next four months. I'm at my traditional "set point" weight (if you believe in that theory), and I'm sure my body is at a healthy, happy weight. However....

I'm not abandoning the LC lifestyle! This WOL has become a satisfying routine. It isn't a temporary diet. I know that if I change horses now, I'll be back into my old yo-yo situation.

Incidentally, while calorie counting is not a popular topic on this site, I DO have to monitor my total calories. I've cut back a little on fat, and avoid snacks (even the low-carb kind) that add empty calories. I exercise 5-6 days a week, cardio and weights, which is vital to successful weight control.

If you choose to continue with LC, you'll be rewarded. However, I believe that different eating plans work for different people--not only in the effects, but in the level of everyday satisfaction so critical to continuing success. NO DIET works when it isn't followed! So whether you're pursuing low-carb or low-fat or vegetarian, you are eating consciously--and that is the key to long-term maintenance. Find the plan that works for YOU.

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

Don't give up!!!!!!! Are you eating those evil bars???? Are you exercising? Are you drinking water? Are you cheating at all? Give it time. Might you have Candida? Go to Sharron Long's website http://www.thelowcarbcook.com and check out Candida. Slow loss can't be attributed to candida. Take this Candida Questionaire: http://www.soulhealer.com/yeast.htm

But DON'T give up!!!!!

I've been stalled for a GOOD month. I don't care. I feel great and will eventually lose this little extra bit and reach my goal. It might take me a year, but oh well.

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

[This message was edited by Barb Keith on 12-04-03 at 06:15 AM.]

I, apparently have candida, according to this questionaire, Barb. Hmmmmm...will have to research what to do about it now that I know.

jana

Jana Berghoefer

Okya, Jana, here are some tips:

Avoid any fermented foods such as: vinegars, any foods with vinegars, cheeses, yeast, mushrooms, SUGAR, soy etc.

Avoid foods with nitrates, nitrites, ie, deli meats and bacon.

You have to eat REAL and FRESH.

Try to get ahold of some Kefir grains and start brewing your own Kefir. Several people here are doing this, including myself. Depending on where you live I am sure someone would be glad to mail you some grains along with the instructions. It's easy and awesome. I believe there is a thread about it. I will try to find it and post a link for it.

Don't take anti-biotics if you can help it. (that's what starts this whole rollercoaster in the first place.)

Get a book about Probiotics, like the Yeast Connection.

See if you can find a wholistic doctor who will help you through this process.

Back later.......

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

Wow....I eat a lot of things on that list...mushrooms, cheeses, and vinegars every day on salad. I need to check out my bacon for nitrates. What a bummer to cut these out too! Is this forever or do you "heal"?

No holistic doctors in Ames, I'm afraid. Maybe an acupuncturist?

Thanks for the info, Barb. I knew you'd know about it!

Jana

Jana Berghoefer

http://www.lowcarbeating.com/6/ubb.x...1766078344&p=1

There's a link to a discussion thread here at LCeating. When I get enough to share I will be glad to send you some, just reimburse me for the postage.

I will check with BC on how to mail it.

I am going to start my step-daughter on the stuff, she is LOADED with yeast as are her kiddoes. So I don't know when I will have a batch ready.

The good news is, once you are healed, you can get back to more normal eating. If you do Kefir on a regular basis, it will repopulate your intestinal flora with the good stuff to fight off the bad stuff (i.e., Candida albacans) The bad news is.......it will take awhile. That yeasty buggar is tenacious. The stricter you are with your macrobiotic diet the sooner you rid yourself of it. An acupuncturist might know about it or might be able to refer you to someone. Since you live in Iowa and I live in Illinois, the grains wouldn't have too long a trip to make and should get there in good condition. You can e-mail me at bjlk1954@yahoo.com and give me your address. I will get some off to you ASAP if you are interested. And go to Dom's site to read up on this miraculous stuff. I think there's a link to that on the link I gave you above.

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

OOPS, there isn't a link so here it is: http://users.chariot.net.au/~dna/kefirpage.html#what's-kefir
Be prepared for LOTS of reading, It's a HUGE site.

BTW, get some coconut oil to cook with, very anti-candida!!!!

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

[This message was edited by Barb Keith on 12-04-03 at 09:59 AM.]