Prior to starting my Atkins journey, I estimate I was eating 300+ carbs per day, and bad ones at that! Mild exercise (yoga) and an on-my-feet-8 hours job, and I was maintaining my weight with no effort except for portion control, and a grip on "satisfied" rather than "stuffed". I did well on induction, and have been losing slowly and steadily, 25 pounds since early September.
Now I find I can stall and even gain at a level of 30-35 carbs, and it's frustrating. My TOM is practically on-going, as I have a 24 day cycle, which doesn't help. I'm not really complaining, as I feel like a million bucks and if I never lose another ounce I think I can live with it, as I'm down a total of 47 pounds since my highest weight. But the chemistry of it all is beyond my comprehension. From maintaining at 300 grams, to gaining at 35. Yikes. Blast it! Metabolism is a dodgy creature at best.

Hi venting, one thing I noticed is if I don't drink enough water, I stall or even gain on 30-35 grams of carbs.... go figure... but everyone here will tell you that you have to make sure you are drinking that water... How much more do you have to lose(or should I say want to lose) could be you are getting closer to your goal and might have to revisit your food choices.

carolyn in texas
started 8/11/03
327/300/150

Yes, I'm puzzled about the "chemistry" too. I'm happy with my loss (about 22 lbs) since January. This puts me at my historic comfortable and healthy weight. I'm still "fatter" than I want to be, but I've stopped losing.

I've cut way back on alcohol, reduced calories to 1500 or fewer, exercise diligently and daily, do not overeat fat/cheese, rarely indulge in sugar alcohol sweets, and drink gallons of water. Here I stay.

Still, the bottom line is: I like this WOE. It's the most pleasant and comfortable regimen I've ever tried. I know for sure that weight maintenance for me will always require diligent attention. It might as well be this!

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

A 25 pound loss since Sept is great! That is Sept of this year, right? Your body needs to play catch up to this weight loss. Our bodies are complex machines and to say that the ratio of calories put in to calories expended is all there is to it is very misleading. Your doing well to focus on how your feeling despite the slower loss. I would stall from time to time and then in one week lose 4-6 pounds without doing anything any differently. I also noticed that even though the scale wasn't moving, I was losing body inches. Its certainly a wierd thing. Just keep up your hard work and it will get better. How close are you to goal? That may help us to advise you as well.

Good luck!

Red
7/24/02
186/108/110
Size 16W to size 2

Sdanorth,

I know it can be frustrating to come to a screeching halt or lose at a snails pace, but this WOL isn't designed for RAPID weight loss. The reason we lose so fast during induction is that we kinda shock the body. Then it gets used to this WOL. But you don't really want to lose more than a pound a week or even a month (if that's what your metabolism does) It's a much healthier way of eating, and should be viewed as something you are going to do the rest of your life. There's no races to win. Enjoy you newfound healthy ways, and take joy and pride in knowing that you are just going to be the healthiest you can be!!!!

Rant some more if you need to, that's what we are here for. Get it off your chest. But then, stay the course. We are all here to support one another.



Barb
Atkins-3/14/03
174/146/135
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."

I can SO relate to you - It's been very similar for me. I've been hovering around the same 3-4 pounds difference for the last 6 weeks or so. Gaining and losing a bit, but not getting anywhere. I still can't imagine ever going back to the old ways. Hang in there. I think I'll try to vary the carbs I eat from day to day. Eating higher carbs one day and lower the next. Maybe that will help. My DH is in the same boat. Good luck to ya!

Never give up! Never surrender!

Katrin

I'm 5'6", currently at 174. I would like to get to 150, someday, and see what that looks like. That's right on the edge of where I need to be according to the BMI chart. I'll re-evaluate the situation from there. I've been as low as 135, but that may be too low for me to maintain. Of course, back then I didn't know what I know now about pretzels and pasta! I have at this point decided to ignore my weight completely. I think there's merit in the idea that my bod needs to adjust, and after 25 pounds in 2.5 months, I guess I can't fault it for that. I'll keep on the scale to make sure I don't gain any back, and when the ol' bod is ready to begin to lose again, it will.
Just for fun, I'm going to do the Great Closet Purge today, and pitch out anything too big, since the genius of the Good Doctor has insured I will never need the fat clothes again! Yes, there is joy to be had from a tag that says 14 or 16, especially when you can't see the tag as you are WEARING the clothes! Everything with one or more X's on the label is history! (Gleeful cackling sounds)
Thanks for the words of wisdom, everyone. Right back at ya!

Yer on yer way girl!!!!! I have been doing this for 8 months now and am almost at 30lbs of tonnage gone. I started at 174 too. I have cracked into the 140's, WOOOHOOOO. Maybe in 8 months you will be where I am at now, so hang in there. I CAN happen. I am losing at a snails pace, but I'm okay with that. The health benefits are much better!!!! (plus my renewed self-esteem) You GO Girl!!!!!



Barb
Atkins-3/14/03
174/146/135
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."

I must be way to hard on myself...Ive lost 37 lbs in 3 1/2 months and keep stalling...maybe my body is just trying to hard to play catch up and thats why the stalls?? Ive had minor cheats and had to get over the carb bar situation.... but seems like I keep losing the same few lbs then all the sudden the scale will go down again a few lbs???? weird stuff my body is going though?? I can tell there is a good loss because Ive gone down 2 shirt sizes...went from 2-3 X now wearing the good old regular X-L which Ive been stealing all my DH clothing LOL
Oh well I know for sure one thing that coming here keeps me going and motivates me to keep working at it!! I know about the water situation I have such a hard time getting it down..uugggg feel like Im drowning....
SdaNorth...I think 47 lbs is a great lose!!!
Keep up the good work!!!

Lisa

lc since 8-8-03
298/263.5
want to be 175 at least

Lisa, your bod is doing the same as everyone else's does. So don't feel like there's something wrong with you or like you are doing something wrong. I stall EVERY three weeks like clockwork. Then WHOOOOOSH, off come a few more. I know it has something to do with my TOM. So, I just ride it out. Just know you are doing it right and give it time. You didn't gain overnight, you won't lose overnight (oh but wouldn't that be nice, nah.......we'd be REALLY saggy then )



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

I stalled 2 months, then whoosh, 3 lbs lost. Just hang in there and it will happen. Barb, how nice to be young enough to still have predictable TOM's.