Low Carb help

[Parkhopper]

I am new to this board, but have lurked for awhile. I have been working on my weight for about 9 months now and have lost 30 lbs with just "watching what I eat", drinking lots of water and doing Curves 3 times a week. I recently started a low carb diet (Monday this week) and have not lost ANY weight at all yet. Many people told me that I would lose 10 -15 lbs in the first 2 weeks (based upon the fact that I need to lose about 60 more lbs). I haven't lost anything at all. Am I doing something wrong? Has anyone else done a low carb (20 carbs or less during the induction phase) diet without success? I am feeling very frustrated right now.

Thanks for any help.

Suzi

 

[cyiland]

I recently started a low carb diet (Monday this week) and have not lost ANY weight at all yet. Many people told me that I would lose 10 -15 lbs in the first 2 weeks (based upon the fact that I need to lose about 60 more lbs). I haven't lost anything at all. Am I doing something wrong? Has anyone else done a low carb (20 carbs or less during the induction phase) diet without success? I am feeling very frustrated right now.

Suzi, first of all, don't get too frustrated. Keep a couple of things in mind:

1) Unlike you, many who start a low-carb diet are starting from scratch. You, though have already been watching your weight - successfully, even! So you can't compare yourself to the MANY new low-carb dieters who spent the weekend before their diet stuffing their faces with everything they think they're going to miss.

2) I started my change of habits to the "low-carb" way a little over two years ago. Back then, I was one of those people I'm talking about above, to some extent (I had a great weekend right before I went on the diet). In just under a year, I lost 65 pounds (from 285 to 220 - my "target weight" is 200). I have to admit that when my DW and I went through career changes at the same time, it threw us both off our diets (she's doing WeightWatchers), and I ended up tipping the scales at 250 by early 2005. I've been "kind of" back on track again all 2005, but didn't get serious about it until 6 weeks ago. But I didn't see the weight just "melt off" in the first week or two like it did the first time. I think that's because I, frankly, was eating better in the first place. But after 6 weeks, I've dropped 11.5 lbs, and I'm pleased.

It sounds like you're doing great with your weight loss already. So don't get too disappointed that you didn't see a big immediate loss in your case. I don't know if low-carb works for everyone, but it has for me. You'll probably have a much better idea if it is working for you after the full two weeks. In my experience, your body does have to reach that state of "ketosis" (sp?) before you see real change/benefits. Good luck to you in reaching your goals!

 

[Parkhopper]

Thanks for the reply. What you said makes sense. Perhaps I was just hoping for too much. I will stick with it for a few more weeks and see what happens.

Suzi

 

[my3princes]

I had done low carb for 1 1/2 years now, mostly just maintaining the 50 lbs that I lost in the 1st 7 months. I had several spots where I just stayed at one weight, then I would have a drop for a while an then level out again. Those level spots can last several weeks to months. Don't get discouraged though, stick to it and you will see results over time. Exercise is a key ingredient.

Deb