Thread: NO LONGER WORKING - OPPOSITE EFFECT

Being a Low Carber since Nov. 02, I thought this was the greatest diet ever founded. My first 6 months I lost 35 pounds and felt GREAT.

Then I stalled in April 03. I have not lost a pound since, even though I have not changed a thing.

NOW....for the past 2 months I have been GAINING WEIGHT. I am still low-carbing, not cheating, etc. but I have put on about 10 lbs in the past 2 months. Today I got on the scale and welcomed another 2 lbs back. I did NOTHING to warrant this gain. In the past (prior to 2 months ago) I would spike and then lose the gained weight, but this is no longer the case. It is sticking, so every lb I gain is ON TOP of what I gained last week, last month, etc.

I also have close contact with another low-carber and it seems her situation is mirroring mine almost to a T. She initially lost weight and has since stopping losing and gained some back.

I am not looking for answers by posting this, just educating others on my situation. I have TOTALLY lost confidence in this way of eatting and I am truly about to quit.

Paulha - how odd! And frustrating for you (a little scary for me, as I have been stalled since September). Have you checked with your doctor to rule out a potential medical issue? Would you mind posting a typical day (or two) menu - that may help identify something that could be teaked a little bit.

Jen
175/129/120

Hi, Paul.

That certainly is confounding. Have you been in ketosis this whole time?

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

Hi, again.

I was just re-reading your post from the beginning of October of this year. You mentioned that there had been some changes in your life, marriage, different job, different activity level. At that point you thought that you'd been out of ketosis for two months, based on how you felt. I take it you don't use the ketostix.

I'm wondering if you took any of the excellent pieces of advice that the members were giving you at that time and, if so, what were the results?

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

Well Maggie, I did post about 2 months ago and really nothing has changed since then. I have been exercising....not as much as I should, but still some. Basically I am doing the same things I did when I was losing 30 lbs, except now I am gaining it.

I tried more water, less snacks (cut out Peanut butter, Atkins bars), lowering carbs, raising carbs...nothing has worked since my initial stall. Nothing!!!

Someone asked for a Menu....

Yesterday
B: 1 Leftover Sausage
3 Cups of Tea w/ 2 tsp Splenda (throughout the morning)
L: 2 Sausage Links, side salad w/ranch, ham bits, chicken bits
D: 2 Cheeseburgers, no bread of course, same salad as lunch.

This is a VERY typical day. I stick to pretty much the same foods and amounts I did while losing the weight I did...but I no longer lose, ony gain.

I second Maggie... Get some Ketostix and see what's going on. To get a good reading, slack off on the water for one day.

I've experienced what you're going through, more than once. I think it's not unusual that your CCL (the amount of carbs you can eat and stay in ketosis) can go down spontaneously, either from your body wising up to your clever low-carbing ways, or just from life changes like change in mood or activity level.

I've had trouble staying in ketosis with my usual food intake the last couple of months, but I've been getting dark purples again, recently. Strangely enough, I think it's from playing Grand Theft Auto Vice City, heh. It's definitely stimulating. It kept me up late the last few nights.

Your experience would correlate well with the JAMA study that showed great weight loss for the first six months and slight regain in the next six months.

My experience, this time around, has been very good weight loss in the first six, followed by very slow weight loss in the next six. I've lost 57 pounds in the last year, six of that since around July 31. Actually, I'm not sure of my weight right now since I haven't weighed myself since November 6. (read here: http://lowcarbeating.com/6/ubb.x?a=t...4&m=1676053874 )

You have to decide for yourself how urgently you need to get to your goal weight. If it's very urgent for you, you can add calorie counting to your regimen. That pretty much always works, although I refuse to do that because the downside, which I've experienced before, is that it can sabotage your long-term commitment and lower your metabolism. But counting calories does work. If your metabolism slows down a little, you just cut back a little more. I don't advocate it, but it's an option.

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

Paulha,
I can relate sort of the same thing going on with me. I am happy though I weigh and see a weight gain but I have to confess it is my fault. I slip and get more carbs than I am able to have. I have watched the scales so close (bad habit)and amazed to see my inches going down even getting into clothes I haven't worn in years. The eating is so different to the others we were use to don't understand but it works! Now here is what I am doing: Reading the post here like taking Maggie's good advice there are good Moderators here that do their homework, I am looking at this WOE as a life long lifestyle instead of a diet. The blood work results is what I am so proud of instead of my jean size right now. I make sure I don't get discouraged or bored with the same foods. The fact you lost 30 pounds is a reason to continue and be pleased. Then one day you will be rewarded for your persistance. I know it must be hard but "hang tight" and let us hear from you. This IS the way and you will be able to help others with the possitive results that will come. Hope you have a great year I plan too!
Maryd

Without Practice, Dedication, And A Commitment To Be Your Best You'll Always Be Skating On Thin Ice.

To answer another question, I am not in ketosis nor have I been for sometime (months). In the summer, I tried everything to get back into ketosis with no luck. I cut my carbs to induction level, stepped up my exercise and just monitored everything that was entering my mouth. NOTHING!

I am going to try ONE more time to stay on this WOE, but if I don't see results within a month Im sorry to say I am done. As of yesterday, I am cutting myself back done to induction level carb for at least the next 2 weeks and began an agressive exercise program.

To answer another question, I am semi-happy with my current weight, but I CANNOT accept weight gain and that is where the frustration is coming in. Yes, I would like to get to my goal weight (40 lbs away), but my family and friends seem to think I look good now. They can't believe it when I tell them Im pushing 220.

Paulha, in my opinion you are not eating enough. Have you tried adding more veggies?

You also say you stick to the same foods, when I eat the same things daily (which I am bad about doing) I tend to not lose. When I did Weight Watchers they told us to vary our diet in order to trick our system. It seems to work for me to do that.

I hope you have good luck in finding your losing point. I know you must be very frustrated by now.

BTW, where is Struthers?

Best wishes!



Susan ( AKA Northwest)
207/167/160/
size 16/12/8
LC since 4/03

I think going back to induction might be a good idea. The typical reason given for not staying on induction is that it can lower your CCL, but that seems to have already happened to you, so tighten up your gameplan and go to it. Whatever gets you back into ketosis. Also, be sure you're eating plenty of fat.

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

Paulha,

The one thing I see here that could be a HUGE problem is the nitrates in the sausages you are eating. Studies have shown that nitrates will cause weight gain.

To get back into ketosis, I would suggest a fat fast or something that several of us around here do: An egg fast. I can get back into ketosis just by two meals of eggs/coconut oil only.

Also, stress and medical problems will cause weight gain...

(((hugs)))

Blessings!
Sharron
Author of "Low Carb Cooking at Sharron's Place," and "Extreme Lo-Carb Cuisine," available where ever books are sold.

www.thelowcarbcook.com

"My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart." Colossians 2:2

Hi Paulh,

Sad to read about your lack of success. Looking at your sample menu I would agree with Susan, et al. Also, most sausages have sugar in them as does Ranch Dressing.

I found that when I had started gaining after about 6 weeks, I had stayed in induction too long and was not consuming enough LC veggies. I posted here and received some great advice. This was the general tone.

1. GET OFF INDUCTION! I was consuming about 17 to 19 g. per day.
2. Eat More Veggies - I was only eating about 3. to 4 cups in total.
4. Cut down or elimate Coffe - Well, I cut back to about 32 oz per day (roughly )

Since I made those adjustments I've lost 35 lbs in about 3 months. I cannot believe the success that I've had since.

Good luck,

Information gladly given, but safety requires no unnecessary conversation.

http://www.fitday.com/WebFit/PublicJ...wner=RedLegg46

LC - 7/3/03
290/222.4/169

Paul,

I agree with most of what's been said here, and all of it, particularly the caution about processed meats, is worth seriously considering in trying to get back on track.

I'm not aware of any research which supports the idea that nitrates cause weight gain. There is some support for nitrates being carcinogenic. My own approach is that I couldn't eat enough of it to even approach the amounts used in the studies. But that's a personal decision.

However, sodium nitrate, like any other salt tends to cause water retention. Finally, remember that all processed meats have different carb counts, and they can vary a great deal.

I've seen ham which ranges from 1 to 4 carbs per one ounce slice. I've run across some kinds of Italian sausage with net carb counts as high as 5 - 6 gms per link! That can really add up. This is an example of the kind of "carb creep" that some members referred to in the October thread.

Sometimes you have to do a little detective work.

HTH

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

Definitely agree that you need LOADS more veggies and should cut back on the processed meats.

Good luck!

Bon (AKA Hopeful in Hollywood)
210/181/165
Atkins since 12/15/02