ok, i am pretty upset this morning ... i could not wait to get to work to post this message - i'm really, really hoping you guys can help me out.
i am really fed up, and ready to quit this WOE. i started doing this w/ my roommates (on a whim), but have really embraced Atkins and actually like it. i read the book, researched on the internet, etc. i have been following the plan very cautiously (reading my labels!!) and have had no major mistakes - i have not cheated or "fallen off the wagon" ... not once!
so here's the problem: i had 22 lbs to lose as of 1/6/04. i did induction up until 1/22, and have since started adding some carbs (more veggies, handful of plain/raw nuts). as of 1/22, i had only lost 3-5 lbs (my starting weight was about 150-52). and today i got on the scale only to discover that i've gained a pound since 1/22. what is going on!?!?
i really thought that the elimination of all the carbs i used to eat would at least make some slight difference (i.e. no chips, popcorn, pasta, fried rice, beer, candy, chocolate, lattes, etc)!!
again, i realize that some people may say i "only" have 22 lbs to lose - but i am ready to get back to my "good" weight ... (and i really don't think i'm metabolically resistant).
also, i am taking BC and anxiety meds (neither of which caused me to gain much, if any, weight when i started taking them).
i also exercise (cardio, yoga, pilates) 4 times a week.
here's what i've been eating:
B: mushroom/cheese omelet OR large serving of turkey bacon OR scrambled eggs w/ sausages (no sugar in them of course)
L: medium salad (spinach, romaine, peppers, cucumber, cheese, bacon, full fat dressing) WITH slices of low carb meatloaf (recipe from this site) OR baked chicken OR real baked turkey (no lunch meat)
D: last nite i tried April's beef/broccoli "slop", OR baked chicken OR broiled salmon OR plain burger, WITH more veggies (celery or more salad)
SNACK: on average, i have had 1 cup of coffee each day w/ heavy cream (i have used 1/2 and 1/2 when i don't have cream though), i have eaten many SF jello cups, more recently i have been eating about 1/2 c. nuts a day, have also tried that fried cheese recipe for a snack.

i have not tried ANY bars, shakes, etc.
i drink approx 60-100 oz. of water/day, along w/ some essence fruit water (no aspartame), and diet rite.
lastly, i had some wine this weekend (since i entered OWL) ...
please help me, i'm starting to think i should go back to my old dieting ways (low fat, lower calories). i am committed to doing this, i have not had any cravings and i have not cheated!

Give it some time before you back off this woe.
The fact that you're exercising might be a factor. As they say, muscle weighs more than fat. But you've been off induction only 5 days and a one pound upward move in weight could just be water retained. HAve you tried using a food tracker like www.fitday.com ? I find it useful for pinpointing problems and getting things moving again. You might too.

Rob
310/232/180

Me, a skeptic? I trust you have proof.

thanks, rob. i have tried fitday in the past - but it takes so long to find the right foods/portions (and i start to get impatient)!
do you have any suggestions about the foods i've been eating?
thanks again.

well if you gained weight after upping your carbs by 5grams then that means more than likly your body will become intollerent of carbs.. and it is good that your upping them now and not waiting. It is very common for ppl to stall or even gain a little..but it usually comes off once your body adjust. It looks like your doing everything right. Why don't you give this another 4 weeks. I bet you won't be sorry. Oh.. and I have been told by fitness trainers that women have a tendence to loose pounds at about the same rate they gain muscle. Another words the scales don't move or they move up a little for a while. But you WILL loose inches. Have you measured yourslef? Keep in mind that is the most important because ppl don't see the numbers.. they see the inches that are gone.
One last thing.. that wine stopped your fat burning in its tracks! Your body burns alcohol first and then returns to burning fat. That may have had a little bit to do with it.

One last question.. what type of nuts are you eating? It seems that a half a cup is quite a bit for a serving.

Please don't give up..this will work. For some ppl it is a slow process.. and yes.. I will agree 22lbs is not much to lose.. although I know it is to you. It WILL and should take a longer period of time to take it off. Remember the weight didn't get put on overnight.. it won't come off over night!




"No more looking back and saying "what if", now I look forward and see success!"

Tanya
Member since Jan 2002
Way of Life since Jan 2003!
272/175/172<--(next goal)

thanks fay ... i appreciate your comments.
do you think i should return to induction for a few more days??
as for gaining muscle - do you think i'm gaining muscle from pilates, etc at the same rate i'm losing weight?
i have been eating plain/raw almonds and a few peanuts. i am cutting them out again, as of today. if i need to add carbs, i will just increase veggies.
thanks again.

The best advice I have to offer is just this:

Be patient.

You've been following this way of eating for only 21 days. Give it more time. As with anything worth doing, investing more time than 3 weeks will be worth it. If I had given up 3 weeks into my relationship with the love of my life, I wouldn't have married him 4 years later. Three weeks is nothing compared to a lifetime full of health.

Even if you do not lose weight, you are healthier eating this way.

But I guarantee that you will lose. It might be slow going, but you'll get there.

My two cents. Feel free to take out your frustrations on me, print this post, and stomp it into the ground. It may make you feel better. LOL

April
352/210/180
Down 142 pounds
30 to go...
http://www.geocities.com/aprilwyatt/beforeandafter

Plus it is good exercise!!

Atkins since 11/11/03

5'3" 140/129/115


I used to be indecisive...But now I'm not so sure!

Heeeheee!
April, i know you're right - you're advice is not frustrating. i just feel like i'm doing something wrong, which is what really bothers me. if i know i will see some positive results, i have no problem waiting. really, i swear!
thanks ....

Ditto April's sage advice.

Plus, have you lost inches? Are your clothes more lose? If you haven't measured, do so NOW. On this woe, and especially as you build muscles, you will see the results in inches more reliably than pounds.

Second, do you feel better? How did you feel on a low fat "diet."

Third, as you've said yourself, 22 pounds will come off much more slowly on you than 22 pounds on someone whose goal is to lose 100. An "average" of 1-2 pounds a week is quite normal, and even less the closer to goal. The slower you lose, the more likely it is that you won't regain, too. Hang in there, don't make too many exceptions, and remember that the rewards will be worth the effort and the time you invest



BC
172/108/108
Zone since 4/98