Help, what am I doing wrong?

[Desiree]

What am I doing wrong?!?! <A HREF="http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=362581">Here</A> is a link to my journal. I haven't started to lose anything. My biggest loss so far has been 2 pounds that I've seen. Now this morning I'm back up to the weight I was when I bought the bloody scale!

I'm not seeing any difference and I'm getting very discouraged! I am eating considerably better and not nearly as much as I used to. I'm only eating about 2/3 of what is on my plate and the rest goes in the garbage. I've been doing the sit ups, lunges, and squats on a daily basis and now I've started working the upper body with the dumbells as of yesterday.

Does anyone have any advice for me? :confused: :( :confused: :( :confused:

[Desiree]

I forgot to mention that I havent had a coke in 2 weeks either. I thought for sure I would see something with that alone. :(

[Rhonda]

Well, being on Atkins, my first reaction is that you're eating too many carbs/sugar for your body to burn off. So, it doesn't have time to start burning off fat. I would cut back on the crackers & fruit for a little while, and replace them with vegetables (a big salad maybe? or some cut veggies & dip?) so you won't be getting so much sugar.

But, it doesn't seem like you're eating a lot - so maybe all the exercise is making you build some muscle! :) We all know muscle weighs more than fat!

I wouldn't go by the scale, if I was you. Give it some time and see how your clothes fit. You may be losing inches - instead of pounds! Take your measurements, then keep on eating properly and exercising, then take your measurements again in one month! You'll probably be pleasantly surprised!

[glo]

Like ROnda, I too am on Atkins...and think that you should try and cut back a little on the carbs. I would try to stay away from things with sugar and corn syrup too. Juices and smoothies are loaded with calories and sugar, even if in them naturally. Are you on a specific diet?

One thing you should do if you can fit it in is walk. It does not cost anything, and really does help a lot. I would try to sneak in walking whenever possible.

Hugs...do not give up. You may need a little adjusting. Everyone is different and diets are not easy. A little tweaking and you will be on your way again. I know you can do it!

[Desiree]

Thanks maybe so. Fruit?!!? really? Gosh I always thought that's just about the healthiest think you can eat. And I have issues with alot of veggies. I'm very picky eater. About the only veggies I like is (salad), carrots, corn and green beans. That's one of the reasons that I can't exactly stick with Atkins or WW.

I have usually been eating a banana for breakfast too. Maybe I can do a revised Atkins plan.

[TigH]

Try using www.fitday.com to gauge what you are eating. Just enter all the data for EVERYTHING you eat and you will see the total calories, fat, carbs, protein, etc.

Don't be discouraged! Think of this an an opportunity to fine tune things! You are moving more than you used to and you are much more aware of what you are eating. Those are GREAT accomplishments!!!! :) Giving up soda is great!!!!

Have you tried looking at the cooking light website? Maybe you can find some recipes there that look good to you! :) I know you aren't following a specific program, so that might be a good place for you to look for some alternative meals.

You can do it!!! Weight training is really beneficial. If you keep at it faithfully, you will see really great results over the next few months (it does take a little while...but it's totally worth it!)

I know it's frustrating to put alot of effort into something and then not see the results you want, but just keep at it!!!! Take it day by day. I have a love/hate relationship with my scale, so taking measurements has been very good for me. It keeps my spirits up when I don't see the scale move, or if it moves in the wrong direction.

YOU CAN DO THIS!!!! :) {{{{{{{{{{Hugs}}}}}}}}}}

[tlgoblue]

Desiree,
That story sounds very familiar to me. Let's break it down.

You are changing your intake of the amout of food you eat. That's good. As you have said, you no longer feel as hungry as you used to.

You have started exercising. Very good.

Now for the bad news:

Much of the foods you listed in your journal are loaded with salt. That will make the bloat fairy visit all too often. Carrying around water weight is discouraging, and is the cause of far too many "I give ups." If your not already, visit fiday.com and look at things like sodium intake. I was amazed at how much I was getting, and I'm not a big salt lover!

The other thing is, give it time. Many people actually gain when they first start a plan. I think it's you body rebelling against what it has come to expect. Also, since you are exercising, you could be gaining muscle. :teeth: It has been mentioned on this board before- measure! But not too often. I only measure at the time of month when I do BSE. I'm not puffy, and is the time when I know I'm hodling the least amout of water.

Keep journaling and don't give up. You can do it and there are so many poeple here to help, and other tools available as well.

Keep the Faith!
Tracy

[wovenwonder]

You are such a sweetie Desiree -- and I can hear the commitment in your posts. You will do this -- don't let yourself get discouraged. Journalling will be a big help as you will be able to do a trial and error and look back and see what you ate on the weeks that you did well. Check out the low carb recipe site or my journal for the chocolate mint protien shake. It is SO GOOD and filling! Low in carbs --- but full of healthy proteins. You might want to give that a try for one meal a day (breakfast shakes are yummy). Try and work in the veggies. I seen that corn is on your list. Corn is YUMMY but remember that it is also one of the veggies high in sugar -- so treat it like a carb. Like you would a potatoe or a piece of bread. You like salad -- that is a TERRIFIC thing -- especially this time year! How about a grilled chicken ceaser salad or taco salad -- use low fat chips or none at all (I don't even miss them). I love green beans too! One of my favorites is ham and green beans!. Do you like green bean salad? You could mix some cooked green and yellow beans with some FF italian dressing. Or mix oil and vinegar and a little splenda for the dressing. I like to add a little chopped onion to the mix too! You don't have to do Atkins. But any healthy diet should watch its sugar intake. Try cutting the sugar/carbs out of one or two meals a day and see if you notice any difference.

Trial and Error -- and baby steps will win in the long run!


:D I almost forgot to ask about water in take? Try to get in 1/2 of your current body weight in oz of water. This will help to flush your system out.

[Amelia]

I agree with those above. You might need to adjust your intake of carbs to get things going but basicly your on the right track. Building muscle mass is a good thing but it does make the scales stay at one point. It's only temporary and soon the pounds will be rolling off!! Don't give up! You have friends and support here when ever you need it!

[Desiree]

Thanks everyone.... I guess I have to relearn what not to eat! I will definatly check out those websites that you all provided.

Thanks so much!!!! I had no idea about the fruit. I'm still floored by that. Off to find recipes! Thanks again! I think you all have just given me the encouragement I need.

[wovenwonder]

Desiree,
Fruits are full of good vitamins! Just remember that they are a carbohydrate --- thus will turn to sugar in you system. As long as you treat them like a carb you will do fine. It is surely healthier to grab a piece of fruit rather than a serving of white bread or white rice. You are not on a carb restricted eating plan -- so you can have your carbs. Just remember to treat fruits and starchy veggies (corn,peas, carrots, limas, etc) as carbs.

[nativetxn]

Des, you've received a lot of good advice about your eating and I'm not going to add to that. You have a wonderful positive attitude and I can tell by reading your journal that you are determined. So don't go getting discouraged just yet.

You say you are a picky eater. My husband is too. I'm wondering if following a more structured eating plan for at least one week wouldn't give you the jump start you need.

Do you think you could stand eating only meat, chicken, fish, cheese, cream and butter for one week? That is basically Atkins. You don't have to eat vegetables for the first two weeks if you don't want or you can add 2-3 cups of salad.

It sounds extreme but it is easy to stay with for me and a lot of others. This is the plan Alex follows. As close to zero carbs as possible. That would mean <b>no</b> fruit for the first two weeks, or for one week if you just want to try it out.

I don't mean to sound like I'm pushing Atkins, it's just that I lost 18 pounds the first three weeks so when I see someone getting frustrated and needing to see some quick results I automatically think of Atkins. I probably have a lot more to lose than you have but it worked well for me.

Don't feel obligated to try this, controlled carbohydrate eating is not right for everyone. If you are interested though, I can email you the rules for induction if you like.

I think, after typing all of these words, that what I want to say is that you probably need some sort of formal eating plan to follow in the beginning just until you learn what foods you should be eating and how large a serving really is.

Good luck, sweetie. Don't give up because you can do this. You just need to do a little fine tuning :)

Katholyn

[Desiree]

I just got back from the store. I bought slim fast (never tried or even tasted it before), more do it yourself salads, raw carrots, wheat bread, and 2 lean cuisine meals. Maybe that's a start in the right direction. I only bought the 2 meals, as I'm not sure if I'm going to like them.

Katholyn, yes would you be so kind as to email me those? geauxgirl1@cox.net
For the most part, I do believe I can handle all of those. I think I'm going to bring that slim fast and some carrot sticks to work with me today.

Des

[WebmasterKathy]

You've heard from several successful Atkins folks, now here's an opinion from the Weight Watchers point of view: too many carbs! :D

Here are a few words that should disappear completelyfrom your food vocabulary for a while if you want to see results:
* Brownies
* Chocolate cake
* Alfredo
* Casserole (if made with cream sauces or cheesy stuff)
* Cheesy bread sticks
* yeast rolls

The peanut butter and jelly sandwich you had? It's not the jelly that was the dangerous part of this. It was the peanut butter and the bread.

Breads, dumplings, sandwiches, rice - there's lots of bread in your journal. Your first challenge might be to try limit your breads to maybe 2 servings per day.

Breakfast- not a good meal to skip! Even if you only have a banana (Yay for you!) or a light yogurt or a boiled egg, you really need to eat something to signal to your body that it's time to wake up and get your metabolism started.

If you don't want to look into a defined diet plan, maybe you could at least start with simple calorie counting. Determine a daily caloric intake range to start with, stick with it for two weeks, then adjust the calories up or down depending on your results. At your size, you might start with a daily allowance of 1200 calories. Record the calorie values of everything you put in your mouth during the day and total each night. You should be able to find some general calorie guides in the "Nutrition" section at a local bookstore. Most fast food restaurants have nutritional info available on the web or in person.

Once you start tracking calories, you'l find yourself weighing whether a dish is worth it's caloric cost. For instance, Fazoli's fettucine alfredo is 800 calories. If you're allowed 1200 per day, would you want to use 800 on that one meal? McDonalds Quarter Pounder with Cheese- 530 calories. McDonald's Super Size French Fries- 610.

This would be an extremely simplified approach, but would begin to give you a feeling for what foods to choose.

[Rhonda]

You may want to take a look at the carb count on that Slimfast! :eek: Slimfast is loaded with sugar. If you just drink Slimfast for breakfast and lunch, and don't eat anything else until dinnertime, then sure - you will lose weight because you're depriving your body of food. But be careful! You'll be taking in a lot of sugar! Once you start eating "normal" food again, the weight will come back fast!

I don't want to discourage you - you are definitely on the right track!! I'm sure you'll start seeing the pounds drop off in no time - especially because you're exercising! Just be careful of how much sugar/carbs you're taking in.

Good luck! :) :Pinkbounc :)

[minnieluvzmickey]

Hi.....one thing that really helps is drinking LOTS of cold water. 8 glasses a day. I was on LA weight loss which is much like atkins. I lost about 30 pounds by just following the diet. I did not exercise one bit. Drop the bread. Cold water actually burns more calories than warm water....why, i don't know.

[wovenwonder]

Check out the 'EAS AdvantEdge' Shakes. I am looking at the label for the Chocolate Fudge right now -

11 oz
110 calories
4g fat
0g sat.fat
500mg Potassium
2g Net Carbs
(4g - 2g fiber)
15g Protein

This might be a good replacement for the Slimfast. Low in Fat, Calories, and Carbs. BUT it does not have as many vitamins as SF so you would need to take a good multi vitamin with it.

You also mentioned carrots. Yes, they are healthy but they are ALSO very high in sugar. They are not 'free food' on WW either like other lower carb veggies are.

It sounds like you have the determination! And you are at the right place to get the plan to go with that determination.
:D

[Luvinit]

Desiree,

I am not sure what you are doing wrong...but let me tell you what you are doing right....You are staying committed, and you are posting, and Not giving up!!!

Keep up the hard work, it will pay off in the end...you have tons of support!!

Tracy

[nativetxn]

Tracy! What a great post. See why I love WISH so much, Des?

[Kelsie]

Desiree' :)

My suggestions (for what it's worth) is to pick a certain diet and stick with it. I just don't see how combinations Atkins/WW or Slim Fast/WW diets can work since they are designed to be followed independently. Each diet is so different.

I agree that right now, you need a boost and I would recommend Atkins however, there is just not a lot of modifying that can be done and still achieve the great results. I am having great success on Atkins and I never thought I could give up fruit. I don't even crave it now! :)

Good luck and you will start seeing results. :)

[Luvinit]

Originally posted by Kelsie
Desiree' :)

My suggestions (for what it's worth) is to pick a certain diet and stick with it. I just don't see how combinations Atkins/WW or Slim Fast/WW diets can work since they are designed to be followed independently. Each diet is so different.

I agree that right now, you need a boost and I would recommend Atkins however, there is just not a lot of modifying that can be done and still achieve the great results.


I agree with Kelsie...if you need that boost...Atkins induction with zero carbs seems to be the way to go!!

[Rhonda]

One small correction - (sorry Luvinit, I don't mean to contradict you :) ) During Atkins Induction, you need to have 20 carbs per day, preferably in the form of veggies - a salad would be great! Stay away from the carrots and corn, but most green vegetables are ok (beans, snap peas, broccoli, lettuce, cucumbers, celery, etc.) You can also split up the veggies and have some raw, like a salad, and some cooked with dinner! :-)

And, like others have said - drink LOTS of water!

[Luvinit]

I know you are right Rhonda...I was refering to Atkins Induction with the zero carbs though...for one week. It has seemed to really BOOST alot of us in here..and I thought it might give her the boost she needed!! This is what the whole Alex Challenge thing was about last week...and it seem to be very successful and easy...staying under 20 carbs.

Tracy

[wovenwonder]

You actually do NOT have to have 20g of carbs during induction. The Atkins rules of induction states to have NO MORE than 20g -- but it does not list a minimum. So I would go with whatever amount your body feels best on.

From atkinscenter.com rules of induction -
Memorize the following rules as though your life depends upon it. In fact, it does.

Eat either three regular-size meals a day or four or five smaller meals. Do not skip meals or go more than six waking hours without eating.
Eat liberally of combinations of fat and protein in the form of poultry, fish, shellfish, eggs and red meat, as well as pure, natural fat in the form of butter, mayonnaise, olive oil, safflower, sunflower and other vegetable oils (preferably expeller-pressed or cold-pressed).
Eat no more than 20 grams a day of carbohydrate, most of which must come in the form of salad greens and other vegetables. You can eat approximately three loosely packed cups of salad, or two cups of salad plus one cup of other vegetables (see Acceptable Foods).


Rules of Induction can be found here. (http://atkinscenter.com/Archive/2001/12/15-325810.html)
:D

[Rhonda]

I'm sorry - I didn't mean to say it that way - that you NEED 20 carbs. The book says NO MORE than 20 carbs - but he does stress having some vegetables, so you will have some carbs - but don't go over 20.

(I always seem to say things the wrong way!)LOL :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Thanks for correcting me!

[Amelia]

Rhonda

You don't say things the wrong way, we're just hearing impaired! lol Your always so helpful, I guess that's why your my best bud!!

Keep doin' those happy dances!

Yippee Skippee

[lmhall2000]

If you decide to keep with Atkins- blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and blackberries are the preferred fruits once you finish your two-week induction.

One thing I've found and read somewhere but it does help is to not eat fruit at the same time as your meal- if you save it for a mid morning, mid afternoon snack this helps your blood sugar and keeping the sugar in fruits separate from your carbs/proteins is an advantage somehow-

Anyone remember where this was reported? But I do keep to that and eat 1/2 an apple or 5 strawberries as my mid snacks- also pistachios (8-10 of them) make a great snack too! It takes time to crack those little suckers so you feel like you're eating more- I LOVE cashews- but unfortunately they come pre-shelled and I can fit about 20 in my hand! :)

HTH
Tara

[wovenwonder]

Rhonda -- you are always so helpful and inspirational. I just didn't want anyone to be going crazy trying to get in that magic number of 20 carbs. I was actually one of those people that thought I had to do that.:rolleyes: ! I really feel much better when I have my veggie thru the week. But sometimes I don't have any for a day or two and I do fine. I know I still get some hidden carbs in the other foods that I have. Thank goodness for Multi Vitamins!:D