Why am I GAINING weight on Atkins Induction??

[jadis68]

Well, gaining back the weight I lost the first week, anyway. I've done induction before, I'm pretty strict with it and continue to be pretty deep in ketosis (moderate level at the least). I am at the end of the two week induction, and I lost 5.5 lbs the first week. But when I weighed myself this week, I just keep gaining! Last Friday I was 149 (down from 155.5), today I am 154.7. I'm keeping track of foods via Fitday, my fat intake is around 75%, my protein around 20-22% and carbs at 3-5%, always less then 20g. Could this be related to my cycle? I am on day 20, this started at about day 14. I don't ever remember gaining mid-cycle before, but this past AF was only the third since my twins were born 16 months ago (due to breastfeeding). As long as I'm in ketosis, I'm losing in the long run, right?? Do I need to put the scale away until next week or am I doing something wrong with my eating plan? I'm not eating MORE than 2500 calories a day, usually it is around the 2000 calorie mark. Any ideas?

(Oh, and I'm new here. :-) I'm Ginnie, 36 year-old stay at home mom with a 3-year-old boy and 16-month-old boy/girl twins.)

[LCandrea]

Ginnie:

Being in ketosis is NOT a guarantee of losing weight. If you are eating an excessive amount of fat, the sticks can show purple but you still won't lose.

From the percentages, we can't tell, we'd need actual grams and need to know your height.

However, I don't think ketosis is recommended if you're breastfeeding. It was unlear to be if you still were or not.

Anyway, it might be cycle stuff - I can gain up to 7lbs before TOM!

But check your food portions to be sure. If they are very big, might have to tone them down just a bit.

[jadis68]

OK...one typical day was 177g fat, 117g protein and 19g carbs. I am 5'2" and no, not still breastfeeding.

Thanks!

[MaryKay]

Definitely could be related to the cycle, or as we call it here - TOM.
Some people here gain as much as 5-8 lbs during the cycle - I never have, maybe 1-2 at the most. But it does happen. you may be retaining water.
Are you drinking plenty of water - Atkins says 8-8 oz glasses, we here prefer the 1/2 your weight in oz plan. Drinking plenty of water will help flush out the retained water faster.

I'd just wait until it is over to even get on scale. Most of us here don't bother weighing a couple days before until a couple days after. Just too depressing....

Also, if you started an exercise program, you could be converting from fat to muscle - I know when I started at Curves, I gained a few and it took a couple weeks to lose it again - but I was losing inches - and that is more important.

[SShimmerr]

Hi jadis
Like MaryKay said, you could be losing inches even when not losing any weight. I have found that whenever I have a fairly big wieght loss (4 + pounds in a week) the next week or even the next couple weeks I don't lose any pounds on the scale and sometimes even gain one or two...BUT if I measure myself during the times the scale seems to be stubborn, I find that I have lost inches!! I like losing inches WAY more then pounds...the inches are what other people see! You may want to measure yourself in a couple places (waist, arm, leg neck, etc) if you haven't already, then you have another tool to use to measure your losses!

Hope that helps! Keep us updated on your progress, ok?

[heykim]

ditto what everyone here says...
LOSE THE SCALE... drag it back later...
and uh.. WELCOME ginny!
twins! oh man... jealous jealous jealous! at 16 months they sure will be running you ragged..*L*
but.. even with that exercise..you might want to consider some exercise just for YOU.. walking is great... and if you can get someone to watch the kiddos for 20 minutes or so... it could be great for stress relief as well..
hang in... you will lose..
kim