I haven't posted here in ages. I have been following Atkins for almost 2 years. I lost great the first year, and although I have changed nothing, and even added exercise it has stopped working. Is there anyone here who has been low carbing for more than 2 years, who has 100+ pounds to lose, and has not stalled. On another board where I am a member, it seems that people will lose 40-60 pounds and that's it. Then they struggle and stay stalled forever. I'm not expecting to lose 4 pounds a week, like I did in the beginning, but is 2 pounds a month too much to ask? I'm really starting to believe that Atkins only works great for the first little while.

Mona, great question and thanks for starting it. I am in the same boat. Started 1/1/2003 lost 50lbs and have not lost an oz since Jan, 2004. I hope someone has a good response. I have posted here and tried everything. Upping carbs, lowering carbs, drinking more water, exercising more, etc etc. I have been toying with trying another plan but I sure hate to.
I will be interested in what responses you get. Thanks again.

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Shortie19
240+/193.5/130
Since 1/1/03

I don't quite fit the profile (2+ years, 100+ to lose), but I did experience something that seems similar to me - a long stall that I could not break using the same eating plan.

I wanted to lose 35 to 40 lbs. After the first 25, it was difficult to lose more weight. I had to modify both my diet and exercise to continue losing weight. My theories about why I had to change a plan that was working great, but then stopped working include:

1. As you lose weight your body requires fewer calories. The body needs energy to maintain bulk as well as activity. So, after you've lost a significant amount of weight, and when there's less bulk to maintain, you may have to cut your intake. Maybe that just means eating foods that are lower in fat (table cream instead of heavy cream, for example). Or, maybe you would need to eat fewer calories altogether. Your body just doesn't need as much as it used to need.

2. Endocrine system has adapted to the regime and wants to maintain a status quo. Maybe this is what people call a set point? Anyway, perhaps this would indicate a need to decrease carbs over all (but not below 20) or increase low glycemic carbs over treat-type carbs.

3. Optimum healthy weight is higher than an optimum fashionable weight. Some fitness experts have advised that the body may try to maintain a weight it believes is most healthy for long term survival. For some individuals, the body's concept of it's healthiest weight may be much higher than the 15 - 20% body fat that "looks" better to our culture's current view of beauty. If the body "thinks" it's chances of long term survival are better at 25 to 30% body fat, it resists losing more of it.

I don't know how valid any of these theories may be, but what it boiled down to for me was that I had to change my diet. In my case, I chose to go with a slightly lower fat diet and to keep total calories in a specific range most days of the week.

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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.

I sure hope my body doesn't think 192 pounds is my setpoint.

I know from experience that when I reach a certain weight lost, I have to "mix it up" because my body has become used to the routine and is out for survival. I agree with teelbee... that you need to adjust your calorie intake, switch up your foods... because for me - the last time I lost this weight... I stalled out at 175 pounds...and I am only 5'3... but I was in a size 10 clothing, and my body wouldn't go lower no matter what I did. I didn't look bad, and I felt great... but I wanted to be a size 6 or what ever the "culture" tells us we should be!

I have yo-yo dieted my entire life, and every time I have gained and lost, my "comfortable" weight has increased... when I was 16 it was around 135, when I was 22 it was about 150, when I did this the last time at age 30 it was 175... now I don't know what to expect?? but I just want to be happy. If at 195 I am in my size 10 clothing...then so be it... I will be happy!!! I don't care what the scale says... I only care how my body looks!

Are you still eating lots of calories and high protein? or have you compensated at all???

good luck to you... and don't forget to measure!!!

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Julie

Start - 5/15/04 - 268.5
current - 260
Goal - 150(?) or size 10
height - 5'3

I agree with all the points made by teelbee!

especially the "your body needs less calories as you get smaller".
I think many folks (myself included here) have to decrease their protein portions as they lose, because at some point, their needs are less... and so they stop losing if they keep eating the same amount.

Technically, they are "following the diet" i guess, but they haven't taken into account the reality of their large weight loss.

I also am very convinced, both through personal experience and from reading, that BUILDING LEAN MUSCLE MASS through WEIGHT LIFTING is essential for moving on from this situation. As you build muscle, you won't see the scale move (in fact, you might GAIN a few lbs) but after the initial trade off of losing fat and building muscle, you'll start going down again...at least that's what my experience has been.

i encourage those of you who are "stuck" to read the "exercise" section of the site. It is very informational and will explain this better than I can.

and remember: walking, aerobics, etc. is not the kind of exercise we're talking here.

Just my 2cents, for what it's worth!

HTH,
LCandrea

Interesting that this has just been brought up because I have been recently wondering the same thing. However, I am not that far away from being at "very comfortable" weight. Basically I just have a very small "spare tire" now. The wife thinks I am "skinny enough", but my doc says I could lose another twenty. I think twenty may be difficult. I haven't really lost any weight since the beginning of the year, but I am still happy with this WOE as I do feel great and don't look like that fat guy I was a year ago. I will keep at my weight training, exercise and WOE and be very patient. If I lose more great! If not, I am comfortable and most importantly healthier.

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261/226/215?
Started Atkins on 6/12/03

Thank you for your replies. I am thinking more along the lines of South Beach, which is lower fat, and I will cut down my portion sizes. I guess I knew that , but I am hungry, and I loved not having to worry about the size of steak I was having for dinner.

Andrea, I agree with what you are saying about building muscle. I need to do that .

I can't believe that my body actually wants to wear 215 lbs. I am only 5'3, but you may be right about that!!

Again , thanks so much for the advice everybody.

great post.
teelbee, i tried to send you a PM - but i don't you think you have it turned on.
anyway, i'm really interested in what changes you've made to incorporate lower fat foods in your diet, etc?
are you following a specific plan?
what level of carbs do you consume?
any susggestions would be helpful, as i'm thinking of making some similar changes!

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Carrie
SBD since 9/12/2005
Re-started 5/8/2006
My new journal: Just Breathe

Hi, cgilson

Firstly, if the following sounds overwhelming, don't stress on it! That's just what I did because I was really obsessive at the time.

You may not need or want to do all that, yet you would probably still be very successful just by reducing portion sizes of calorie-dense foods by 1/4 (like cheese, nuts, some meats, dressings, etc.). You just have to experiment to find what's going to work better for your body at this time.

Some of the things I did when I modified my weight control plan included:

-used half-n-half instead of heavy cream
-used parmesan instead of cheddar when possible, as a little bit goes a long way. When I did use cheddar, I just used about half of what I used to use.
-ate an extra egg instead of Jimmy Dean Sausage or bacon with my breakfast eggs
-reduced the amount blue cheese salad dressing on my salads
-reduced the amount nuts and unsweetened coconut for snacking
-ate more "good veggies"
-ate more "good veggies" again
-avoided pork rinds
-reduced the portion sizes for pork and beef to 3-5 ounces (from 5-8 oz )

I don't remember specifically, but I may have been choosing fish and chicken more often than pork and beef.

I also went back to weighing and measuring food to get a better idea of how much I was actually eating. My food scale and my measuring cups and spoons became indispensable, as I needed to learn how much was a good portion for my newer metabolism. In fact, I just left the food scale on the counter, so it was always handy.

I tracked my food consumption, exercise, and progress with DietPower* software, which was quite an eye opener. It really helped me to see the consequences - good and bad - as I made changes to my eating habits. I started watching total calories in addition to total carbs, mainly because DietPower automatically calculates both, and it was helpful to me to see that additional info.

I also increased my exercise by walking more often and longer.

~~~teelbee

*see www.DietPower.com for further details. I have no interest in DietPower, except as a satisfied customer. If you want, you can read a review I wrote about the software last year: http://66.165.154.60/BonnyDune/Miau/DietPower.asp

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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.

oh my!!! WOW! you were/are really dedicated! how much did you have to lose when you started LC?
these are the changes i've made:
- eat only reduced fat alpine cheese (still has only 0-1 carbs)
- no LC treats, ice cream
- use half and half (and sometimes a splash of whole milk)
- switched to a "lite done right" dressing w/ low fat and still only 2 g carbs per serving

your other suggestions are great!! i REALLY need to work hard to stop eating so many nuts ... i get carried away.
did you notice a significant change in your weight loss w/ these modifications?
thanks SO MUCH!
oh, i added some fruit last week (berries, watermelon, pineapple, honeydew) ... it did not affect my weight and my workouts felt better after eating it. what do you think? keep it or leave it?

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Carrie
SBD since 9/12/2005
Re-started 5/8/2006
My new journal: Just Breathe

I like your responses. Just to say I have already given up dairy. Did that 2 months ago, and still no significant weight loss. I drink only decaf coffee (one cup a day) the rest of the time I drink green tea. It really is frustrating.
But I will learn to cut back portions, and will take up building muscle!

This is a great thread. I know I am stalling out. I am still loosing inches, but it is slower than I would like. At least now I have many strategies to try...

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Started Atkins on 9/20/03
235-->190; 150 goal

Hmmmm, what an eye opener. I havent really stalled yet, but loss has really slowed down compared to my first four months. I definetly dont want to wait months or a year to do any tweaking. I will see what the next 2 weeks does and then make a decision from there.

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Started LC 1-10-04

302/199/160, 103lbs down, 39 to go, simply remarkable.

Restart- 8-19-07
242/226/160


405 points to date ( HOLIDAY CHALLENGE )

Just wondering if anyone who may have answered this thread back in May, has had any significant weight loss since?