Last year I lost about 30 pounds on Atkins. After a long stall, I became discouraged and returned to my old way of eating. I was able to get back on track in late September, but by Thanksgiving, I fell off the wagon. I have been on induction for one week this time yet I have only lost one pound. In the past, I was able to lose about 10 pounds during the first two weeks. Has anyone experienced this phenomenon? Low Carb Luxury calls it the "Golden Shot," an advantage that first-timers have.

"I'm a great beliver in luck, and I find the harder I work, the luckier I get. " Thomas Jefferson

Misty I did. I started on 5 Jan and didn't lose nearly as much weight in induction as I have in the past. One important thing is to stay focused and not get discouraged. I don't know what you eat but for me I had to give up soda and coffee. I also track my meals in a little green book and on fitday. I am now losing this week like I did before. Good luck. Keep the faith, it will come off. Oh and it's always good to add exercise.

Kameron/Kameron2
198//185.8//155

The first time I tried Atikins (5 years ago). I lost 10 pounds within week one. Currently I am at week 5 and only down 12 pounds.

I am looking at this as a wol instead of a diet this time. I will succeed and so will you.

Good luck all!!
Seesko




242/230/135

"What my mind can envision; my body can master!"

Another thing I noticed this time around was I was able to get into ketosis in one day, whereas it took 3 days when I was an Atkins virgin. I am still 20 pounds lighter than when I began--so maybe a little more restraint kept me from regaining the entire 30 pounds. I cannot believe I was within 10 pounds of goal and blew it. This time, rather than setting a specific pounds goal, I have set the goal to get into a pair of size 7 Dickies low-rise capri pants than nearly fit last year.

"I'm a great beliver in luck, and I find the harder I work, the luckier I get. " Thomas Jefferson

might also contribute that when you weigh less you dont lose as much as quickly.. whether on induction or otherwise...

NEW BLOOD! go easy on me.. i'm a rookie..

I want to say something about this "golden shot" idea.

while i think it is true that the second or third time around you may lose more slowly, I also think it's important to know that MANY people have been successful on their second or third tries with Atkins.

I know that the author of that article has the very best intentions, but I also think that some people misinterpret the article to mean that they had "ONE shot" at this, which just ain't so.

That being said, the magic key for me as far as getting on track the second time around was exercise, namely, weight training. I'm sure my metabolism just needed that boost - and it worked like a charm!

I really mesed up over the holidays. I started gradually taking a few bites of HC foods and then I just wallowed in it. I ended up putting back on 10 pounds. On Feb. 2 I started to reinduct. I was not able to stay within the 20 grams daily. I added more veggie carbs, but I have managed to lose 9.5 of the weight. Not only have I loss the weight, I feel so much better. It makes me wonder why I ever thought those HC foods were all that good .

It may be slower the 2nd time around, but it always works .

Susan ( AKA Northwest)
207/170/160/
size 16/12/8
LC since 4/03

There's something I'd like to add to this conversation---or rather it's a concern I have. You all keep saying things like "hang in there, it'll work", etc. And while that cheers me up for the moment, I'm finding that it doesn't seem to be working. I've been on the program for a month now and have lost 5 pounds--and lost them within the first 5 days! It's gotten to the place that I tested my scales to see if they were working--they don't move a pound one way or the other. The last time I wrote about this, several of you said to send a typical day's menu, and I did and heard from April, who gave me advice about tweaking my menu one way or another--which I was already doing, I just hadn't gone into that great a detail when I wrote to her. I'm discouraged because the book basically says---"eat this way and you'll lose weight", and for me it's not happening.
My question to you all is: just how long do I have to wait? I know this isn't a "quick fix" and I was, and am, prepared for the long haul. But how much longer will I have to wait to lose another pound??

ok, maz. i hear you.

It can sure be VERY frustrating to hear how well others are doing when it doesn't seem to be happening like that for you.

1. have you measured at all? I know this sounds strange, but many people experience periods where they lose inches but not lbs - then the scale catches up all of a sudden. (that's what people mean when they talk about 'whooshes'.)

2. do you have a lot or a little to lose?

3. are you stopping when full, but not over-full? You don't need to obsess about portions, but you do need to be aware of them.

4. you may be one of the "metabolically resistant" people Dr. A. talks about in his book. in which case you'd want to re-read that chapter and try some of the things he recommends.

5. have you started an exercise program this month? you may be losing fat and gaining muscle, which would account for the lack of movement on the scale.

let us know. We're here to help.

{{{{Maz}}}}

It can get discouraging not to see the scales move. I am one of the slow losers. To use our loveable Maggie's qoute, I am slow as a glacier. In fact, when all of the up and down weight has been taken into account, I have only loss 5 pounds since Oct.

Like Andrea says, measuring is very important. There were times when I did not lose poundage, but the inches came off.

How much water do you drink? Is it too little or too much. If I drink too little or too much the results are the same. I can gain or stall.

Are you counting your carbs, or at least tracking them. I read in another post where you ate 1 c. of pudding. Are you making allowances for this in your carb total. If this is your 4th week, you should be eating around 30 carbs.

I would really look at the foods I was eating to see if that might be the culprit. I had to start counting calories for a few weeks.

Are you on any type of meds? My HRT really tends to hold fluids.

How do you feel? Do you feel better LCing? Can you make this a WOL even if you never lose another pound? I know you are discouraged {been there, done that}, but try to look at the long term effects.

HTH

Susan ( AKA Northwest)
207/170/160/
size 16/12/8
LC since 4/03

Thanks to those of you who answered my post! I really appreciate the support and suggestions. To answer some of your questions: I need to lose at least 70 more pounds; I do some walking every day but will do more as soon as the ice melts; I'm getting in about 1/2 gal. of water a day--I don't see me ever being able to drink as much as most of you. It's funny, but I haven't had any problem staying on this program---thought I'd go nuts without my Baked Doritos or breakfast toast, but I don't miss them and I'm not nearly as hungry as often as I was back then. As for the dreaded scale--it still hasn't moved, but I know I've lost inches or weight or something since people are noticing and some of my clothes are just hanging! But let's face it, folks, we want to see numbers! One last thing, in case you're all wondering: I'm not cheating. Even Valentine's day was a steak and salad and no chocolate strawberries and no brownies. I'm thinking about going back into Induction tomorrow. Any thoughts on that? Think it might help? I'm listening!!