I don't understand what I am doing wrong!

[A1A1]

I have been doing extremely well on a low carb plan. I haven't had a drop of illegal carb since I started. I have posted a journal with all the details, but I have gone up a pound again today.

Day after Thanksgiving I had gone up 2.5 pounds, but attributed it to lots of shrimp, and a mistake with the cocktail sauce. Assumed they were all as low as the one I brought which had only 2 carbs per serving. The one I ate was 18 per serving!!! The scale went back down 2 of the 2.5 pounds from Thanksgiving by Saturday. But, today, the scale is up one pound again. I started on 11/16, I believe, at 215 pounds. I had gotten down to 209 on Thanksgiving am. Today, three days later, I am up 1.5 pounds.

I ate only turkey and cauliflower for dinner with water. I think sliced turkey and lorraine swiss on lettuce for lunch. Breakfast was a couple of eggs and a bit of sausage, maybe two ounces with a little lettuce. Only drank water, and lots of it.


What on earth am I doing wrong?????!!!!!!!! I am so sad, thinking that I have done things correctly, or at least much, much better than I had been doing previously. What is going on with my body????

 

[SnackyStacky]

First of all, have you been checked by your doctor? Make sure you have a thorough physical. You may have some physiological problem that's slowing weight loss. That would be my first step.

Second, DON'T weigh yourself everyday. Our bodies have changes in weight from hour to hour. Pick a time, and weigh yourself only at that time weekly.

Third, how long have you been doing induction? If it's only been a few days, it's going to take a bit of time for your body to get used to your new eating plan. Give it a couple of days before you dismiss it.

Fourth, how old are you? (You don't need to answer that!!! ) As we get older, our metabolism slows down, and it's not as easy for our bodies to lose weight as it once was.

Fifth, watch your sodium intake. Sodium causes water retention which causes a gain.

Sixth, TAKE MEASUREMENTS! Many people will not see the scale budge, but will lose inches. But only take those about once a month. Any more than that and you're setting yourself up for disappointment.

 

[LisaTx]

A couple more things.

TOM can cause temporary water weight gain in us females.

A new exercise program or even more strenuous exercise than usual can cause water weight gain as the muscles try to repair themselves.

As Dan said, even when you do everything right, it's normal to go up and down. I weight every day, but I know there are times when the scales is going to go up for no explainable reason and I don't let it bother me.

Hang in there. I'm sure you will be back down again in no time.

 

[A1A1]

Thank you, Dan.
To answer:

1. I had a physical in the spring. I had been cleared to do Atkins about two years ago, and my Dr. was very pleased with the results. My cholesterol went way down as well as my weight.

2. I will try to pick a day/time weekly, but am unsure if I will be able to resist the temptation to check my progress. I will try.

3. I have been doing my version of induction since the 16th of November, so about two weeks. I read the Atkins book two years ago, and have been doing it pretty much to the letter. I don't anything but water, and decaf tea. Sometimes decaf coffee with cream. I haven't had any illegal carbs of any kind.

4. I am not that old. I am mid-thirties.

5. I may have eaten too much Lorraine swiss yesterday. Other than that, I don't know what else was so high in sodium.

6. I don't take measurements, but will start.

Thank you for all the wonderful advice and suggestions. I am inspired by your own success. Thank you, again. If you can provide any other suggestions from the info I provided here, please do.

 

[A1A1]

Thank you LisaTx. TOM was about a week or so ago. I can't blame that. I will keep going with the same ferver.

I hate to admit it, but I do not exercise at all. I hope to start in the near future by walking on a treadmill.

 

[A1A1]

Well----up another half pound. I truly don't know what's going on. I feel frustrated.

 

[A1A1]

Okay. More bad news. Up another half pound. I am starting to freak out. I truly don't understand this.

Maybe Atkins isn't the right program for me.

 

[nancyj_pa]

Don't give up! Maybe you need a bit more fat in your diet. Sometimes that helps. Switch to chicken salad, turkey salad, or something with mayo or salad dressing more often. Cheese sometimes stalls me, especially if eaten after dinner. Try switching your dinner to a later hour if you are hungry in the evenings. That's my hardest time...I usually munch on macadamia nuts.

NancyJ

 

[DoeWDW]

May I ask what your blood type is? There is some evidence that people with different blood types have different needs as far as the amounts of protein and carbs. I'm O+ and I do very well on a diet based more on proteins. I'll have to do a little more research into what's recommended for the other blood types.

I agree with upping the amount of good fats in your diet. Have you used Fitday yet? You can set up a free account at www.fitday.com and enter the foods you eat and the amounts of those foods. It will calculate the calories, fat, protein, carbs, and the percentages of each. I lose best when I eat 60 - 70% fat, 20 - 30 % protein and 10% carbs, but each person is different. Enter your food for a day and see what the percentages are. If you need help, let me know.

Don't give up yet. Continue to eat healthy food. Drink lots of water. Take a multivitamin.

Did you make an appointment with your doctor yet? Just checking

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

Watch your salt intake and drink a ton of water. It's bound to help a little.

I agree with not weighing yourself daily...what you don't know won't hurt you and for many of us it is far better to see a synopsis of the week than all of the gory details.

 

[A1A1]

Thank you for your replies. I forgot to bring my lunch to work today, and didn't eat breakfast. Usually I do both, but today, was running late. I found a tiny bit of low carb bar in my car. Other than that, I drank a ton of decaf with 2% milk. That was all they had. I am proud that I didn't break down and buy something from the cafeteria. It was all off plan food today in the cafeteria.

I ate two hot dogs with ranch to dip when I got home. I am off and running again.

Thank you for your help and input. I was beginning to feel really alone.

 

[A1A1]

DoeWDW, you and I could donate blood to each other. I am also o+.

I will take everyone's suggestions into consideration. I sure do appreciate them. I was so worried about the daily gain, that I started taking out the fat. I will call my doctor about a physical. Thanks for the suggetions everyone.

I will go drink more water now.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Most importantly...DO NOT weigh yourself everyday! I know it's hard, but you have to stop. As many have said our weight goes up and down daily. Like right now for me, it's TOM so I know to get nowhere near a scale!! Adding a little more fat to your diet might help. I know it sounds strange, but see what happens.
I'm up 2 pounds from Thanksgiving, but I had entirely too many carbs that week. I'm back on induction this week and I'm going to see how my weight looks on Tuesday. That's when I weigh myself...every Tuesday or every other Tuesday about 6pm right before bible study!
Just stay positive and stop beating up on yourself. I did it for many years and it wasn't until recently when I stopped that the weight and inches just continue to drop off without me even thinking about it. And when I do gain weight, I'm like so what, I'll get it off in no time.
Stay positive and best to you,

Denise

 

[A1A1]

Thank you. I am proud of myself, because despite the fluxuations in weight, I continue to stay on plan. I feel better. Period. I guess that alone is reason to continue.

Thanks for the support.

 

[bicker]

Unless you enjoy the emotional roller coaster women should wiegh themselves no more frequently than once per week, and never concern themselves about anything short of a four-week rolling average. Week-to-week weight changes are practically meaningless. Only when your average weight over a whole month changes is it even remotely significant.

So weigh yourself once per week, at the same time of day, in the same clothing, under the same hydration conditions, and then add together four weeks of scale readings and divide by four.


Another note: Despite some claims to the contrary, evidence indicates that even with a low-carb diet, calories matter. There may or may not be a metabolic advantage, but even if there is, it will not compensate for a sufficiently high calorie surplus. Many low-carb dieters also track calories, and have seen how a higher calorie deficit translates into more consistent weight-loss.

 

[DJBounce]

These three words are what I live by with my weight loss goals. Last February I had lower back pain, saw my doctor and my weight was 312 lbs. I am only 5'11" and this was a BMI of close to 40, which is considered morbidly obese. I started the Atkins diet and started to exercise on a regular basis. I had dropped my weight down to 280 pounds by May. Shortly thereafter my grandfather passed away. Between his passing away and my Nursing class this summer, I had lost a lot of focus and did not feel like doing any dieting or exercising anymore. I slipped back into my old rut of Pepsi and pizza and fast foods. The weight came back on. Although I did not weigh myself, my new clothes that I bought were too tight and did not fit very well. On October 1st, I made the choce to get get busy living the life I wanted and started Induction all over again. Today I am down to 254 lbs. I am exercising six days a week, and I have old clothes that fit me better than ever. I have gone from a 44 inch waist to a 38. Patience Persistance Focus. I printed these words out and put them in various spots in my house. I had times when my weight did not change for weeks. I just took it as my body adjusting to the diet and exercise, but I just kept with it and broke through that rut. I am in better shape today than I have been for long time. So don't let this be a let down to you, use it as fuel for the fire of desire to lose that weight. You know you are following the diet, you know you are doing what you need to do, but your body is just adjusting. Keep with it and soon you will see and feel the results.

 

[A1A1]

Thank you, Brian. I liked your way of averaging the weekly weights. I really have to stop thinking of this in terms of a daily challenge, and think of it more of a lifelong commitment. I will not change what I am doing and go back to eating the way I was previously. I have needed some of the more immediate results to confirm that my lifestyle change was worth doing. I looked for affirmation in the scale reading every day. I really can't do that anymore.

I am back down to the six pounds lost. I don't know what happened, and why I gained it back, but it really doesn't matter to me anymore. I am going to keep going, trying not to think of this as a sprint, but more like a marathon.

I went out for dinner tonight with my daughter. I enjoyed my dinner, and was proud of my selections. We went to Olive Garden. I had the mixed grill with a veggie substituted for the potato. I drank water, had salad with ranch, and avoided all of the bread sticks. Yea! I wish I didn't finish the entire meal, and would have taken some home, but--------oh, well. Good for me for making better choices, and avoiding my usual pitfalls. Best of all.............I allowed myself to enjoy the meal, and am not hating myself for eating so much salad, and so much entree. Who cares. Good for me. I enjoyed myself.

On with my marathon training...................and, THANKS!

 

[A1A1]

Wow DJBounce!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Awsome! That is inspiring for me. I will remember your words: patience, persistance, and focus. I have had a lightbulb moment. I am more at peace, and giving myself a break. I can only control what goes in. I can't control what goes on once it's inside. I have to trust my body.

Thanks for your inspiring post.

Two great posts above. Thanks to both of you. I appreciate the kindness of all the people who responded to my cry for help. I am feeling a whole lot better now.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I have to say that I find this thread inspiring. All who have offered such great advice, thank you from me too.

 

[DJBounce]

Sometimes it is hard for me to do this lifestyle change because my DW is not participating in it. Sometimes I feel like having that one taste, that one bite of something yummy, but I know better. What helps me is to come to the W.I.S.H. boards and read the journals and know that I am not alone in this. Best of luck to you all!