I'm on day two, so I was just wondering.

Thanks.

hello "roach."

that's kind of a difficult question to answer. there are a multitude of variables. are you doing a specific lc plan? which one? are you following it closely? how much do you have to lose? do you get plenty of water in and exercise regularly?

overall, though, if you want lc to work for you permanently, you do have to let go of some of the "need for speed," because unless you make permanent habit changes, you will gain the weight back when you quit "dieting." this takes a while to get, and i don't expect it to be set in there on day two, of course.

but it makes the difference between losing ten pounds (only to put on 15 later) and making it forever, so i would encourage you to at least consider how you're looking at it. we all want results yesterday, i know. but it takes time, quite simply. and since you have to make permanent changes in your behavior to be successful long term, well, time is something you've got plenty of.

however, more along the lines of what i know you're actually interested in...if you are wanting to maximize your rate of losses...

• select a specific plan and follow it closely
• avoid processed food, lc "treat" food, lc junk food, etc. the more natural, the better it will work for you
• drink lots and lots of water!
• get some kind of exercise in; you can start slowly, but just start
• if you do eat offplan, don't wait to get back on course. not until monday, or the weekend is over or next month or whatever. get back on track NOW.
• don't beat yourself up if you slip and don't punish yourself by being harsh or overly restrictive. just keep on going.
• read lots around here, as the folks here are a wonderful soucre of info and encouargement.
• keep that attitude postive and just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

good luck!

__________________


Fat Baggage- Is Yours Packed?

Roach, you've heard from The Best.

Hope you'll stick around here and continue the conversation with the rest of us. Best wishes.

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Thanks for the help, I've been LC'ing for 3 days, I don't eat any 'treat' foods, I go to the gym 4 times a week, each time doing 2.5 hours of cardio. I drink a TON of water, I haven't weighed myself yet because I don't want to become discouraged (I did lose 2% body fat in 4 days) and need to lose 40 pounds.

So anyone want to entertain me? How long did it take for you all to see results? Just curious, I know everyone varies...

Roach,
I noticed my clothes getting looser in the first week, I was not excersizing at all. By the second week, I noticed a change in the mirror. By the third or fourth week people were starting to comment about how much weight I had lost.
You'll notice changes quick but don't be in too much of a hurry to lose, you want your skin to be able to keep up with the losses. A couple of pounds a week is usually a good target loss I think.
Good luck

The first time i started low carb in 1998 i lost 11 pounds in 2 weeks. Second time in 2003 I lost 8 pounds in 12 days. I've seen induction losses of 2 pounds up to 16. so YMMV is very applicable.

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my blog

Roach, take it easy. I don't know how you managed to measure 2% bodyfat--let alone lose it in two days. Not likely. If you're using an electronic scale of some sort, keep in mind that this is just an indication, not a definitive number. What you're looking for is a downward trend, not a rapid decline. Your body is looking for health and fitness, and will respond to gentle nurture over time better than to "punishment."

As a regular exerciser, I'd advise against those long sessions of cardio. You'd be better off alternating cardio sessions with weight training. No more than an hour or so at a time. Your body needs rest, too.

Be patient. Patience is the best tool in your weight management kit.

Best wishes.

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Roach, I had a lot to lose when I started. I follow the Atkins approach. Based on my loss of 17 pounds in the first 2 weeks and my weight loss history following the Atkins methodology, I surmised that I had what Dr. Atkins refered to as a low resistance. What you can reasonably expect has too many variables for me to hazzard a guess. What I can tell you is that low/controlled carbohydrate weight loss is not a race. If you extrapolate any weight losss at any time line to project when you will reach any particular goal, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Work on developing the eating habits that will sustain you for a lifetime of healthy eating and let your body reach the appropriate weight for you on its own schedule.

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Henry

I lost 9 lbs in the first 3 weeks, which was a minor miracle in my opinion. Previously, even eating the ~minimum~ Weight Watcher points, I was ~lucky~ if I lost a half pound in 3 weeks. Not fun. I after the first month or so of trying different LC plans, I settled on the Atkins plan as being the most straight forward. But I never really did the Atkins induction period because I was already in my second month of LC eating by then.

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~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.