I'm hoping there are people who can help me out!

I've been on Atkins induction for two months and have only lost 3-4lbs, from starting with of 180lbs.

I have been following the plan very strictly, averaging 19-24 carb grams per day. I also drink a lot of water (sometimes close to a gallon). I've had 3 relapses, but only for a day at a time. Also, I managed to get through both Thanksgiving and Xmas with gaining weight. I seem to have flat-lined.

(My goal is 155 lbs, my previous weight so it's not unrealistic, especially given my height. I just want to fit a size 10. I'm pushing 14 now. I'm 5'10" and until recently have been thin my whole life. I guess it's because I hit my 30s and I have a history of never needing to watch what I eat).

----------------------------------

Here is an example of a typical day's menu (19 carbs):

Breakfast
Scrambled eggs
Sausage
Green beans
Cheese

Lunch
Tuna fish w/ mayo and relish
Carbolite bar (0 carbs)

Dinner
Lobster
Brocolli/green beans
Salad w/ French dressing (low carb)

---------------------------

It is very frustrating to go through each day without any weight loss. In terms of inches, I haven't budged (only a 1/4 inch in my waist). BTW, my big waist is the problem (classic apple).

I know that I should cut out the lo carb bars, but I don't really eat them that often and I haven't eaten them recently.

I'm really getting down on this whole thing. So many people have lost a lot of weight in two months, so I'm really disappointed.

Can anyone give me tips on what to do? I'm afraid that I'll just give up!

Thanks, Altavista.

On Atkins Plan since 11/03:
Weight 180/177/155
Size 14/12/10
5'10"
"Apple" weight distribution

Welcome to the boards, Alta.

A few questions:
Are you exercising?
Might you have Candida?
Are you drinking any diet sodas? (with aspartame)

You might want to check out this Candida questionnaire: http://www.soulhealer.com/yeast.htm

See how you score. This might be a source of your weight loss resistance. Just something to check out further. BTW, I only lost 6 lbs the first 3 weeks, it's been slow, but it IS coming off. Look on the bright side, you are NOT GAINING, and that's a good thing. Oh, and ditch the bars COMPLETELY, at least for now.

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

Dump the carbo-lite bar, and all bars. That's your problem right there. Don't believe the "net carbs" numbers.

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

You guys are great!

I'm definitely going to ditch the bars. Can you suggest another emergency snack that I can carry around that doesn't require refrigeration? I was eating the bars because I"m constantly on the go.

I took the candida questionaire, so I'm fine in that regard.

I don't drink diet sodas (except for on Xmas day). Honestly, I haven't been exercising. There was a time when I was, but I was just getting so disgusted with everything because I wasn't seeing any progress.

I realize that I have a bad attitude right now, and that it is a good thing that I'm not gaining.

I just see my rolls of fat and thick waist, despite how meticulously I've been following the program, and I feel horrible and frustrated. I'm going to try to hang in there!

If any other tips come to your mind, please let me know.

Thanks!

On Atkins Plan since 11/03:
Weight 180/177/155
Size 14/12/10
5'10"
"Apple" weight distribution

Altavista,
I'm a classic "Apple" as well and it is twice as hard to lose belly fat as any other. Just look at my stats. We are about the same as dress size goes. (I am only 5'3") I was a size 12 when I started and just the other day got into my 8's but my weight really hasn't changed much. People keep commenting on how much weight I've lost but as you can see I haven't. What I have lost is inches. I still have about the same in my belly area, but I lost inches in my rear and my hips and my arms and that is something!

Did you measure yourself before starting this?
Can I recommend a great and suprizingly easy excersise program? Look up the Body Flex thread and read it. I LOVE that workout. (is it a workout??? Very easy and it WORKS!)
Try to focus on the positives and keep telling yourself you can do this...And you will!

Jen

Atkins since 11/11/03

140/136/115

Alta, get yourself an insulated bag and boil some eggs then peel and salt them and put them into a ziplock baggie; bag up some raw veggies and dip in a little container; make some ham rollups with deli ham and cream cheese flavored with spices or a bit of green onion, whatever you like. Or maybe some chopped olives. Pack that sort of stuff in your insulated bag and you're good to go. If you are needing sweet treats, look up the dessert recipes in the recipe forum here or on the recipe link at the top of the page. A lot of beginners make sugar-free cheesecake with splenda and soothe their sweet cravings with it. You can make it without crust, it's delicious that way. It is firm enough to put into a little plastic container and put into your insulated bad too. Just remember to pack a spoon, . There are lots of ways to get around the "I've got to have a portable snack" syndrome without using those evil bars. FYI, those bars are sweetened with sugar alcohols. Your body is obviously treating that stuff EXACTLY like real sugar. It will sabotage you every time. You need to find alternatives you can live with. Have you tried pork rinds yet? I love them with the same cream cheese stuff I make for ham rollups. Just spread it on with a knife (my chip alternative), this isn't so portable, but it's a good snack at home. If you made some ahead of time the rinds would get soggy, it's a two-handed affair. (unless you keep the separate and eat them when you get where you are going.) Hope I've given you some ideas of stuff you like to eat. OH, I also bring Atkins shakes to work with me, (right now I'm layed off, seasonal work) because we aren't allowed to EAT at our cubbies. I sometimes work a 7 hour shift and don't get a lunch break, so I HAVE to have something to get me through. They don't stall me. In fact, some days I do a liquid fast and just drink shakes all day and then an on-plan dinner.
HTH (hope this helps)

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

Altavista,
May I humbly suggest moving on to OWL. Please go to OWL forum and read "Unreasonable Fear of OWLs" post at the top. I bet once you increase your veggie intake you will see steady loss.

start 09.01.03 @225
current 200
goal 130ish
"I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have." ~ Thomas Jefferson

I'm going to add my two cents here. I started exercising more this week and it's my 2nd week on induction 1/2 mile on wednesday, 1 mile on thursday, friday, and today I rode the bike for about 30 minutes. I lost 4 lbs. I wasn't losing too much before then 2-3 lbs after 1 1/2 week. Try fitting in some exercise and see how that helps you. Doing that and cutting out those bars like everyone else suggested may improve your loss! Good luck and don't give up! You seem like you really want to succeed. And WHERE did you find the low carb french??? I LOVE French but have had to settle for ranch.

Proactive not reactive!!
222/211/165

I used to carry cans of almonds are peanuts in my backpack. They're good portable emergency food that doesn't go bad. They have some carbs -- enough to be significant but not so many as to ruin your game plan, usually.

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

Keep you chin up and keep at it.

I have been doing induction for 7 weeks and have lost only 7.5 pounds. I haven't noticed any measurement changes yet.

It is disheartning to see people write that they lose 5+ pounds just in the first 2 weeks. You do wonder what your doing wrong.

I think to myself it basically took me 6 years to go from a size 8 (at 22 years old) to a size 20 (at 28 years old) so it won't come off over night.

My goal for the last week was to not put on any weight over christmas and I achieve it - first week I haven't lost a pound. Well done considering I was at my inlaws for days and they don't know I am low carbing it yet!

Patients is a virtue my dear.

tonimb,Altavista,
Induction is a preperation for your body. It is meant to detox your system and put you into ketosis that's all. It is only meant to last 2 weeks. It is not the Atkins plan or even what he had in mind. If you don't move on to OWL, you will not have ongoing weight loss.
Start adding your 5 carbs per week in veggies and you will lose more weight. Drink your water and take your supplements.

It isn't cheating to eat more of what you already are. I thought it was at first myself.
"How can this be a diet if I don't feel deprived or if I am truly enjoying my food??"

Please read the article An Unreasonable Fear of OWL

I see a lot of these posts about folks being on induction for weeks and weeks. I wonder if people think that if a little is good more is better?

Jen

Atkins since 11/11/03

140/136/115

Good advice above.

Please consider that OWL is the most important part of your nutritional program if it is your intention to normalize your weight and maintain it. It's during that period that you get your "education."

If you do not spend a considerable period of time learning about your individual metabolism and how it reacts to various foods in various amounts, you'll have a hard time transitioning to lifetime maintenance ... with a menu that you'll find diverse and satisfying.

Maggie
5'1" ~~ Atkins since '98 (160+)
Maintaining nicely (110 +/-)
~~ Redhead until further notice!

Ok from your menu, I would say
-definitely ditch those bars. Instead, pack some celery. As a treat, some string cheese can be good. Also almonds, and once you're on OWL, strawberries. Pork rinds are a good source of "crunchy" food. You can also get some sliced turkey and munch on that.
-watch the caffeine and aspartame. For some, the caffeine and aspartame can affect your weight loss.
-hate to say it, but watch the amount of cheese you're eating. Atkins recommends no more than 4 oz daily.
Hope this helps!

Hi Altavista, I just want to add my 2 cents.

You've been doing this for 2 months, with minimal results, and you're sticking with it? YOU ROCK!!! If you can do that, you can definately figure out what's not working and fix it. I admire your strength and dedication to the Nth degree, keep it up!