Hi everyone.

Ok, so as you may or may not know I joined a gym at the end of january and I get 2 personal training sessions with the trainer as part of it. Well I had my first visit with him Wednesday and we spent most of the time talking about Atkins/nutrition. ( I think most of you know where this is going).
He's not against Atkins by any means, but we talked about how I havent lost any real weight since Christmas time and I have a goal I really want to reach by July 10th (great birthday present for dad!!) He talked about how since I've been doing this since August my body has adjusted to the carbs and gone into a shut down mode. He said the best way to lose more weight would be to phase in and out of Atkins so my body wont adjust. Now he wasnt saying go hog wild, but to eat maybe more complex carbohydrates that are good for me (I'm NOT going to eat any processed sugar, no matter what). He said in the morning/afternoon is the best time to eat higher carb food because then my body would burn it up by the end of the work day when I go and work out. Also to eat small meals every two 1/2 hours...which I think is a good idea. When I say higher carb food, I'm meaning things like an orange or a banana...Not a bag of chips. I know I havent been getting enough carbs most of the time anyways..about 20-30 a day. I've tried increasing, decreasing...nothing will break my stall.
So MY dilemma is..should I do it?? Frankly I"m terrified, What if I gain?? What if my blood sugar goes out of control??? I mean, I know alot of you are probably going to say dont do it, but I know I have to do something..this stall is not breaking no matter what I do. Its been 3 months! Should I try it?? I just really need some advice you guys. Thanks so much.

"We've Only Just Begun"
- The Carpenters
260lbs 5/00
231lbs 8/15/03 (began Atkins)
188lbs now
150lbs goal
Size 22 to a 16..not bad!
www.sdsymphony.org

If you are going to be exercising more you need more carbs than 20-30. That is almost induction level and you should be eating more than that anyway. Have you thought about increasing berries and nuts first? There are so many higher carb veggies and fruits that are not so high on the glycemic index as bananas. Oranges aren't too bad.

How long has it been since you incorporated exercise into your routine? Could it be that you are now building muscle that weighs more than fat (but takes up less space)? How are your clothes fitting? What does the tape measure say?

Libby

174/142/138

I agree...
When you are exercising regularly, your body will require more carbs and you can 'afford' to have more. What really worked for me was to have a high carb day (45-50g), then a low carb day (25-35g), alternating these days in a not-so-predictable pattern. It just naturally happened, as one day I'd be hungry as a horse, and the next day, not so hungry...Remember, too, as you get closer to goal, your loss will slow. Your body may just need a chance to 'catch up' with all these positive changes you are making! Lastly, perhaps if you post this in the LC Jumpstarters Forum, addressed to Graeme or Kate Street, they would probably be most qualified to help you.

"Do, or do not. There is no 'try'." - Yoda ('The Empire Strikes Back')
Start Atkins 9.1.03
225/198/130ish
My Birthday Goal: Size 14

Scale, tape measure...stalled.

I have been eating nuts, berries, etc. I should have clarifed that I DO have days where the carb count is up in the 40-50 range but still there is nothing. Water is awsome too, 100oz a day. The only LC "junk" I eat is maybe some Dannon Control Carb yogurt.

I have been exercising since the end of Jan. and I DID initially gain about 5lbs due to muscle but then nothing in the opposite way. I would think by now it would start to show. I can see more muscle definition but the numbers tape measure or otherwise dont show. Clothes are fitting the same as before.

Tara, I think I might try the alternating low-carb/high-carb days and see if that helps. Thanks!

P.S How do I repost a post to another forum?? Is there an easy way to do it?

"We've Only Just Begun"
- The Carpenters
260lbs 5/00
231lbs 8/15/03 (began Atkins)
188lbs now
150lbs goal
Size 22 to a 16..not bad!
www.sdsymphony.org

Hmm, you're testing the boundaries of my very limited computer literacy

maybe copy/paste your original post to a new topic in that forum...OR
start a new topic in LC jumpstarters and copy/paste the link to this thread?

"Do, or do not. There is no 'try'." - Yoda ('The Empire Strikes Back')
Start Atkins 9.1.03
225/198/130ish
My Birthday Goal: Size 14

Emily,
First, interestingly enough, my trainer too was very careful not to criticise my doing Atkins, but suggested that I eat some carbs in the morning (I work out around 6am), like oatmeal or a banana. The fitness industry--except for the Streets--are still of the opinion that you need carbs to sustain a vigorous exercise routine. I tend to disagree. I have plenty of energy to complete my workout (30mins of cardio and 30 mins. of weights) with a small amount of protein before I go to the gym.

What your post and your signature suggest to me, IMHO, is that you have come quite far in your progress toward your goal, are about 38lbs. away from goal, and are eating far too few carbs for someone working out and several months into the program. i have a feeling that your body is slowing down the weight loss because you are close to where you need to be.

Questions:
1)How did you choose 150lbs. as your goal? I found out recently--incidently through my trainer--that my "goal" is probably 15lbs less than what my ideal weight should be. Maybe your body's physiology will be stable at 165lbs. Just something to consider...
2)How much water are you drinking? Increase it! Especially since you're working out.
3)Are you spreading your carbs out evenly throughout the day? Again, my experience has been that when I eat most of my carbs at dinner (which is what I had been doing for several weeks) my weight loss slowed way down. Now I try to eat 40% of my daily carbs in the morning, 40% in the middle of the day (including snacks) and 20% at night (since I tend to eat late, around 8-8:30pm).
I hope this long post helps!
Good luck and keep experimenting. This WOL is all about learning how your body responds most efficiently to what you put into it.

Cherub
304/277/160
5'9"
Started Atkins 01/04/04

Cherub,

Thanks for your post! I guess I never really considered WHY I picked 150...it was just pretty much a number I believe I can live with. But I see your point, maybe my body isnt suppose to be 150. But the question is, how do you know? The trainer also said he was alittle concerned with me is that I wont be happy at 150 and try to lose more than necessary. I dont think that is the case though.

I know I have troubles eating too much at once,especially at night, so thats why I'm really going to shoot for the 5-6 small meals. (As the trainer said, "as big as your fist")
And try to get most of the carbs in the morning/afternoon.

Water is doin good...about 90-100oz a day.

"We've Only Just Begun"
- The Carpenters
260lbs 5/00
231lbs 8/15/03 (began Atkins)
188lbs now
150lbs goal
Size 22 to a 16..not bad!
www.sdsymphony.org

I understand what you are going thru.... I have been exercising everyday since november (before that 5 days a week). In january and feburary I kept gaining two and losing two lbs and couldn't get out of that cycle. I sent a note to Kate about how many carbs do you need when you are exercising every day... at that point I was doing 30-50 /day, she suggested I eat between 50 and 100 with the amount of exercise I was doing. I am now doing 50-70 and seems to be working for me. I will eat 1/2 bananna, 1/2 apple, pineapple, as most of my extra carbs, sometimes will use the low carb tortillas and make breakfast tacos with eggs and cheese. I learned to make yougart and will eat 1/3 cup of that with some strawberries or blackberries every day. High fiber bread... I will eat a little every couple of days, but not every day.
And make sure you are drinking enough water your muscles need more water when you are exercising.
hope thishelps.

http://www.youravon.com/cnorulak

carolyn in texas
started 8/11/03
327/283/150

Thanks Carolyn! I know I need to up my carbs, but it just seems like so much food! So I think i'm going to go with the 1/2 a bananna or something like that in the morning. See my schedule only allows me to work out at night after work. But I dont think that matters too much since i dont really eat too much afterwards.

Thanks for the advice though!

"We've Only Just Begun"
- The Carpenters
260lbs 5/00
231lbs 8/15/03 (began Atkins)
188lbs now
150lbs goal
Size 22 to a 16..not bad!
www.sdsymphony.org

Looking at your stats, you have made incredible progress since 00. Well done! My experience is very different from yours, but maybe some part of it can help. Since age ten I've been at goal weight, over twenty four years. Older I got, more sensitive to carbs I got until I had to go to LC. Very heavy training the whole time. At no time, regardless of type of eating plan, could I eat more than a daily calorie intake of body weight times ten without gaining unwanted weight.Ballet is FANATICAL about weight and the only healthy way I found to do the training and maintain a BMI of 21 was calorie counting. After starting weight training at 16, I was constantly considered overweight by the "experts", who know nothing about what is healthy, only what "looks right". Fitness trainers often fall into this trap as well. I've not had any problem with this formula for training, even with carbs now less than 10%. I believe it is the healthy way to look your best.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Emily:
I guess I never really considered WHY I picked 150...it was just pretty much a number I believe I can live with. But I see your point, maybe my body isnt suppose to be 150. But the question is, how do you know?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

There are two ways to figure this out.

1. BMI The body mass index is the standard by which physicians are now being tought to use to masure obesity/overweight. There is a BMI calculator from the NIH (national institute of health). The calculation is based on your weight and height. A BMI above 30 is considered obese; between 25 and 30 is considered overweight; 18 to 25 is considered healthy. According to a book by Walter Willet (Harvard med school professor; Eat drink and be healthy) BMI below 23 will lower your chances of diabetes and heart disease to the lowest possible levels. Please note however that a muscular athlete might have a higher BMI but could still be healthy.

2. Use one of those height weight tables from the insurance companies. There is one on page 218 of DANDR.

I personally am using a BMI of 22 or 23 to set my target weight. At 5'8, being 150 would give me a BMI of 22.8 which would minimize my chances of heart disease and diabetes.

HTH

Started Atkins on 9/20/03
235--&gt;185; 150 goal

I just wanted to add my two cents worth--why would you assume that a personal trainer was an expert on how to adapt Atkins????? I'm amazed that while reading these posts it seems that we're all (myself included) willing to listen to what almost anyone will say as something to try with our woe. Maybe I missed somewhere in this string that this trainer you have 2 sessions with has experience with this type of eating/life style. If so, I apologize but it bothers me that everyone is willng to give us advice. Just my rant for the day! Janell

Something to think about too, as we all get closer to goal, is that the BMI does not take into consideration your individual level of fitness. It may get to a point where you have have your percent body fat calculated. Remember muscles weigh more than fat and women are considered healthy at 21-24% body fat. BMI just does not account for the very fit with high muscle percentages and much lower body fat.

Libby

174/142/138

Emily, you are closing in on your goal weight and loss slowing is normal. I completely stalled at 144 for FOUR months. I have recently just dropped another pound, WOOHOO. It seems like it took forever!!! I have been exercising diligently, building lean muscle. I'm fine with that. I upped my water consumption which has most definitely helped. I don't think that's your issue at all, since you are drinking plenty of water. The only other thing I have changed is that I have added more carbs, good ones of course, with high fiber bread and more berries. It seem counterintuitive to do that, but it seems to be working for me. So, the conclusion is that you could probably safely add more good carbs and be alright. It might take a month for that process to kick in as it did for me. But I really think upping and lowering carbs is the key. I have found some REALLY good LC bread, and I have some almost everyday. I really like it for breaky. Plus, I am back to work and am running around a warehouse type place all day long. I think that is making a huge impact. I can afford a little more good carbs now. So I say, go ahead, take the plunge. I think adding foods with more fiber really makes the difference.

Just my .02

Barb - 30 lbs gone FOREVER!
www.iwsgroupinc.com - website design and development

Atkins-3/14/03
174/143.6/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Knowledge is POWER

There is often confusion about the BMI and it's implications for all, even the very fit and athletic. BMI is a statistical analysis tool based on the life experiences and eventual deaths of millions of people. Regardless of fitness, a BMI of over 24 or under 19 has historically led to increased morbidity, and statistically early onset mortality. Helps to explain why marathon runners more often get some flu like illness after a race. A typical Japanese male can expect to live almost twice as long as a Japanese Sumu wrestler[average age of death-44]. Pro athlets have long been known to have increased likelyhood statistically of earlier death than couch potatoes!Having nothing to do with vanity either, what a BMI tells you is the probability of disease and early death.Strictly a generalization, YMMV.