I may be saying goodbye soon

[Mickey527]

Unless someone can figure out my problem and help me.
starting my 7th week on Atkins. I am sticking to induction, meat, chicken, fish, 1 piece of cheese a day etc... Avg about 1 small salad every other day, just sticking to meats etc.. I have even started to cut calories by limiting the amount of food I am eating.
I even went out to dinner and stuck to the plan, cheese stuffed broiled chicken and salad, while everyone else ate the breadsticks and croutons that I normally love. And I drank water while everyone else had the rasberry lemonade I LOVE!!!
I drink on the average of 5 quarts of water a day. 3 plain waters and 2 that are crystal light cut in 1/2 because it is too strong for me to drink straight.
My son has lost 75 lbs already, from over 280 down to almost 200 and looking good.
I lost 10 lbs and only because I lost them during my 4 day fat fast. Nothing since.
My bloodwork came back and according to my DR everything is normal. My throid is normal, hormones are at the right level for a 49 year old woman, cholesterol has dropped a little but still higher than it should be. My Ketones are higherer than they should though.
So what am I doing wrong? Peggie

 

[nativetxn]

First of all, you will <i>not</i> be saying goodbye. The only way to lose the weight you want to lose is to keep working. If you give up you will never reach goal, right? So, don't give up.

Secondly, you're going to hate this, have you measured yourself? Are you seeing no difference in the way your clothing fits?

Now, a question: how much do you want to lose? I can't remember, will you remind me? Do you need to lose 50 pounds or less?

Atkins is not the plan for everyone, it may not be the plan for you, but what you need to do is assess more than the number of pounds you see on the scale.

My Ketones are higherer than they should though

I don't understand this, I don't think that's possible. I'm no expert though. The only time a large amount of ketones is bad is if you are diabetic and have had blood sugars 250+ for several days, as well as ketones in your urine. You said your blood tests are normal so I'm guessing that you are <i>not</i> diabetic.

Another question: What kind of exercise are you doing? This is a very important part of any healthy lifestyle, but especially if you are trying to lose weight. Step up your exercise and you may find that you begin losing steadily.

Another question: You say that you followed the 4 day fat fast. Did you continue the way Atkins said it should be done? I believe you add 200 calories/day after the first 4 days etc, etc? People who are weight loss resistant need to continue the fat fast the way he suggests.

Good luck with this and don't even <i>think</i> about quitting WISH. Want to change your plan? Okay, change it. Want to vent here? Fine, that's what we're here for. Want to quit???? <i>I don't think so.</i> Not an option. You will figure this out and you will be successful. Every single one of your WISH pals plans to help you succeed. After all, you would do the same thing for us, right?

Hang in there, you <i>can</i> do this.

Katholyn

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

Peggie, it seems like you are doing all of the right things. Maybe Atkins just isn't the plan for you...everyone is different and perhaps your body will respond better to the low fat approach. Please don't give up...look until you find something that will work, because you WILL find that something.

 

[Kabuli1]

Mickey527,

You sound like me! I think there are a few things you still need to analyse. What is your history of losing weight, have you yo-yo'ed over the years? Have you taken diet drugs? How much do you need to lose? Are there foods that are stalling your weight loss, some typical ones are milk products and artificial sweeteners? AND, the big one, where are you at w/ the whole menopause thing?

I'm 49 years old and peri-menopausal and it's just plain tough. From what I understand, this stage in life tells your body to hang on to fat for dear life because estrogen is stored in fat. I lost nothing on induction, then lost some w/ the fat fast then held steady for 41 days alternating between induction and fat fasting then I tried KISS which bumped me down another clippie. I'm not saying KISS is the solution. I'm still on it and holding steady again. I may have to go 6 weeks between losing 5 lbs over and over again. BUT I'm going into my 50's healthy and that's all that really matters

The other thing is, and I'm sure you will hear it over and over, Atkins may not be the plan for you. From my own experience, last year when I started wanting to take control, I went on a low fat plan and easily dropped 25 lbs in 9 weeks. Start looking at other options, other plans - you want to do this! Consider WW, 6 Week Body Makeover, South Beach etc etc.

Don't give up there is a plan and a way for you! It's just harder for you than it is for others. And I know how you feel, it's really discouraging to come here to WISH and see others just drop off the lbs - often listening to stories of when they went off plan and still lost, but you're holding strong and doing everything right - for nothing!!! That's the worst, and I understand.

Please stay, we want you here, and if you are stuck with the long haul, you are not alone!

Karyn

 

[Rajah]

The others have already said it better than I could, so I'll just say "DITTO!" -- keep trying, maybe look into other plans. Something else I've heard some people mention is if you aren't eating *enough* on Atkins, it can also cause your weight loss to slow down. So that's another thing to consider. Whatever the case, don't give up yet!!

 

[ohMom]

you cannot leave me! please don't!!! i'm hormonal this week and I'll cry, I swear I will!!!!

Now I have nothing to add about Atkins as you can see I'm on WW. I just second the thought of being sure you are on the right plan for you. Your long-term healthy eating style shouldn't leave you feeling so deprived! That's a non-WISHer road you may be turning onto! Maybe lurk on some journals or posts rether plans and see if there is one that you think "HEY! that doesn't sound like a diet to me!" then there you go - that's the one for you!

Keep active - burn burn burn those calories!! If you are living healthy it HAS to work, it just HAS to my friend, be patient!! We have been there with you and feel your pain! Chin up! Hang in there!

 

[CyranoJones]

I am sticking to induction, meat, chicken, fish, 1 piece of cheese a day etc... Avg about 1 small salad every other day, just sticking to meats etc.. I have even started to cut calories by limiting the amount of food I am eating.

Are you eating no vegetables other than a small salad every other day? On induction you are supposed to be eating 3 cups of mixed salad or 2 cups salad and 1 cup of lower carb vegetables such as broccoli, green beans, summer squash, etc. every day.

 

[Mickey527]

I will try and answer some of the questions.
Started at 192 on June 16, 2003.
I lost 10 lbs so I am now at 182,
My clothes are not fitting me any differently except my bras which have gone from a 38D to 38 C. People say that my face looks like I have lost weight, but I let my hair grow to my shoulders since they saw me last when it was cut very short.So my face looks thinner because of the longer hair.
I walk 4 to 5 miles every night, and if it rains I do the 3 mile WATP. I have been doing this CD for over 6 months, even before I started Atkins.
I also use my Body By Jake bun and thigh rocker every night.
I am in perimenopause, and may have even started menopause because I skip on TOM about every 3 or 4 months.
I did lose quite a bit of weight about 8 years ago after I had throat surgery and couldn't eat. Since I went 4 weeks without eating anything except tylenol with codeine I figured I could keep to the low amounts. I also walked 5 miles a day. But as always, the weight I lost found me again.
NO history of Diabetes but it is in my family. I am sorry I should have clarified, the Ketones were higher than normal in the Urinalysis. The Dr did Thryoid and hormone tests.
I am going to stay on Atkins till my trip in Sept. but I might have to re-think when I get home and maybe try something else. It is just frustrating since my son has been off induction for a few weeks, and even had 2 breadsticks at Olive Garden the other day and he lost another 5 lbs this week. Good thing I didn't bet him money on who could lose the quickest. Peggie

 

[nativetxn]

Just so you don't leave us, Peggie, we don't care what plan you follow. {{{HUGS}}}

 

[TravelinGal]

Peggie -

I'm glad you're over your cold now!

I only lost 5 lbs on the fat fast and by going back on induction I put 4 of them back on! So, be glad you are keeping of the lbs you lost on the FF!!!!

you NEED more veggies! Your body is probably thinking it is in starvation mode. You need a MINIMUM of 20 carbs per day!!! Not a small salad every other day.

First place I started to add carbs to my diet was with macadamia nuts (most LC of all nuts). So - get your 3 cups of veggies and then if you are still under 20 grams carb, eat some nuts. You can have up to 3 oz of cheese a day - but at only 1 carb per ounce that won't boost your carb count much.

We made it through the fat fast together - and we can make it through this too! I'm here for you!

Robin

 

[LuvTigger]

I'm not going to add any more advice because I think it's all been said, but just wanted to say to please hang in there! I know my weight loss has been slower than I would have liked, but I am just glad I LOST! Just think, whatever you have lost is gone forever. Even though you may be aways from your goal, you have still lost, and that's a good thing.

Also, please don't compare your weight loss to a man's...men will almost always lose weight faster than women because women naturally have a higher body fat than men do. Men have more muscle, which means they metabolize calories faster, which means in general they will almost always lose weight faster than a woman.

I think we can all feel your discouragement, I'm pretty sure we all have been at a plateau or just "stuck" at one time or another, but please stick with WISH. And like Katholyn said, we don't care what plan you're on, as long as you stick with us (and by the sound of her first post, I don't think she'll LET you quit!). Keep us posted with what you're doing, and maybe we can all figure it out together. And maybe this just isn't the right plan for you at this time and maybe there's something that will work better.

 

[Beanie]

Peggie, I can't add anything else here, since everyone gave you some great advice, but just wanted to say that I hope you don't leave! You are part of my support group and I love having you there! Please hang in there and keep posting, I am sure you will find the plan that is right for you!!

{{hugs}}

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Peggy, Please don't give up. You are benefitting from better eating. My doctor said we peri and menopausal women do have a time of it with weight issues. However eating better and taking care of yourself is still the plan for you. I feel for you that you are having such a difficult time, please don't give in--for you. You are worth it and the battle of a healthy lifestyle is the best choice for you whatever your eating plan.

One more thing...have you tried analyzing your intake on fitday.com. It is a free site and may just give you some idea where you might change things. It is somewhat labor intensive to input all foods and activities, yet after a time it becomes easier. Try varying your routine so that your body doesn't get used to all that you are feeding it and exercising it.

Best of luck to you {{HUGS}} Keep on keepin' on.