May I re-join my friends here? I need some help with Atkins.

[Harambe]

Hi all! I used to chat here last summer, when I was doing WW at home. Nothing was happening and I stopped, but was still miserable. Well DH and I decided to try Atkins together, since his sister was having luck with it. So we picked the Saturday after our Jan. trip to WDW. I bought the book, read it, restocked our freezer and cupboards in preparation, and we started on January 24.

We have both been doing Induction for these past four weeks. We have given up alcohol, caffiene, and sugar. DH has lost about 16 pounds. But I've only lost 10! My third week, I followed the program exactly (absolutely no cheating!) and I gained a pound.

I am really feeling low - I had high hopes that this diet would work for me. I mean, I know I'm losing, but slowly - while others have lost a lot of weight! I started at 217, so I thought I'd at least see some big weight loss at the beginning.

I know that there are tons of Atkins success stories here - does anyone else only lose one or two pounds a week, while doing Induction?!?!?!?! (My first week was big due to the water weight drop).

Thanks!
Leslie

 

[teachingmykids]

Welcome back Leslie,

I, too, have heard wonderful Atkins stories. I tried Induction for 3 weeks, lost 5 pounds and 1 inch in my waist. This type of eating just wasn't for me. I have never been a big meat eater and it made me sick. I tend to have low blood sugar levels and my family has a history of diabetes, so I've switched to Sugar Busters. I am much happier with it. I just feel better!
You may have to experiment with different methods of eating to find which your body responds to best.

There are a variety of WISHers here and you'll be able to get great support and answers.

Good luck,
and if appropriate, Happy Mardi Gras!

~~g.

 

[septbride2002]

Hello! I understand your frustration but I have a few questions. Why are you still doing induction after 4 weeks? I thought the induction period was only for 2 weeks? Maybe your body is telling you that it needs more food.

I've been following the Protein Power plan and I am allowed 55 carbs per day. I've been losing slowly but steadily about 1 to 2 pounds every week. When I was at 30 carbs I lost 5 lbs real fast and then stalled until I bumped it up to 55 carbs.

Also remember that men lose weight faster then women. Our bodies are designed to hold on to fat for all that baby making that we can do. Don't give up the fight and keep at it.

~Amanda

 

[nativetxn]

Okay...let's talk.

1. You began Atkins on 1/24. That wasn't quite a month ago. You have lost 10 pounds. That averages 2.5 pounds each week. That is <b>progress</b>, sweetie. That is <b>success</b>.

2. Have you measured yourself? I stopped losing pounds during week 3 but lost many inches instead. Measure yourself and concentrate on getting <i>smaller</i> and don't worry about getting <i>lighter</i>. Our true goal is to get smaller, afterall. The scale can be a tool to measure that but the tape measure is a better tool.

3. You can continue induction up to a year but you might want to think about increasing your carb intake slightly for a week and then start induction again, that might "jump start" your weight loss.

4. Are you using a food scale to measure your cheese? It is easy to exceed your daily allowance of cheese.

5. The interesting thing about Atkins is that you can stay 100% on plan and still eat too much. Are you watching your portions? The first two weeks we don't have to do that but after the initial two week induction period we should watch our portions. My husband can eat lots of meat but he has learned that calories do count, eventually.

6. Are you working out? If you are working out regularly, there is a good chance that you are building muscle and we all know that muscle weighs more than fat.

7. TOM and the bloat fairy. Any chance of that being an explanation of the one pound gain? That pesky bloat fairy is always paying us unwanted visits and it can be discouraging.

8. Men always lose more quickly than women. Never compare your progress to your DH it is just too depressing to do that.

Hang in there, cutie. You can do this. Don't allow the scale to get in the way of your success. Please measure yourself. If you don't lose inches or notice your clothing is fitting better and are still gaining pounds after a few more weeks you may want to rethink your plan. For now, though, please be aware that you are doing a <i>great</i> job!

Katholyn

 

[Harambe]

Well thanks everyone! I missed you guys! Katholyn - I do need to workout more - DH has suggested setting up a schedule and he'll be available to watch the kiddies. Of course he says this while mumbling how he lost ANOTHER FOUR LBS! That's 20 for him, and I am happy for him.

I'll keep pluggin along. I don't find it hard to follow the Atkins, but I will re-evaluate my portion sizes.

 

[nativetxn]

And don't forget to <i>measure</i> yourself

 

[Maude4Disney]

Please do your measurements! I lost 10 lbs during the 1st 2 wks of induction and then it was another wk and 1/2 to lose another 3 lbs. After that, the scale stopped moving. It does get frustrating, but I didn't give up because I could see the loss in my measurements. I started Atkins on 1/7 and so far have lost almost 25 inches. Just this past week the scale moved...but only 2 lbs.

Don't compare to your DH. Mine was not losing at the beginning of Atkins, but he had lost 47 lbs in 6 1/2 months before starting Atkins w/ me. But, now he is in the losing mode again. I do wish the weight could come off as easily for us ladies. Just doesn't seem fair sometimes

Stick w/it and get that tape measure out!!

 

[thotfulspot]

Hang in there, Harambe ! All very good advice above, and I don't have much to add, except to emphasize that losing 10 pounds in a month is terrific! Be proud of yourself for what you've done and for making the commitment!

One thing -- have you been drinking enough water? It helps to flush out the products of fat-burning, as well as all the other good things it does for your body.

And to underline what others have already said -- don't compare your weight loss to your husband's. It may seem unfair that men lose weight more easily than women, but remember that they're stuck with lifting the heavy boxes and killing all icky insects!

 

[jwann]

I agree with all of tx's suggestions. I also am trying to hang around 20-25 carbs but I've added nuts and a few berries. I lost 1 pound last week but total has been 18 pounds in 8 weeks. I can get real excited about losing 2 pounds a week! If I keep it up I'll be in ONEderland before you know it - you will too!!!!!!!!

 

[mattmommy]

I've been atkins since around July. I only went off for one meal on Thanksgiving and Christmas eve and just a little at WDW. My chicken nuggets and the mashed potatoes with pot roast at the Prime Time Cafe otherwise I've been good. I've only lost about 35 pounds altogether. I tend to eat a lot of veggies and fruit so I think maybe I'm nore on the south beach diet. I've hit plateaus constantly, but kept plugging. It seems to me that everybody lost a ton of weight fast, but I plan to get it off and keep it off--so I think slow is the way to go.

Good luck.

 

[Harambe]

Yes, mattmommy, I think slow and steady is the way to go - but I just get frustrated sometimes! And 35 lbs. is awesome. Congrats!

jwann - thanks for the support! What is this Onederland you are referring to? Is it a new and different challenge here on WISH?

thotfulspot - LOL! DH is such a Nancy when it comes to bugs! I am the official bug slayer!

 

[nancyj_pa]

Just keep at it...one pound at a time. I'm on Protein Power and am also a slow loser. I've hit a plateau and haven't lost anything for a few weeks but I won't give up. This is a lifetime commitment for me. It took many years to gain all this weight, and I know it won't come off that quickly. When spring is here and i get outside exercising more, I know I'll do better.

ONDERland is weighing less than 200 pounds. I hope to be there by April 1 so I joined the April Fool's Day challenge. I'm only 2 or 3 pounds from ONDERland but I thought I'd be there by Christmas.

Everyone loses weight at a different pace. Don't think of it as a race or even a "diet." It is making a change to a healthier lifestyle.

NancyJ

 

[Debbie]

Hi, Leslie! I've been taking a break from the board--but I noticed that you are on your weigh back. D'ya think that that is a sign for ME, too??

Keep the faith, hun. WE can do this!

 

[sm4987]

Good Advice Katholyn. I would too be depressed if I looked at DH weight loss as he loses much more than I. That said, it does go a little slower around week 3. I have added exercise and gain muscle quickly, so I'm not looking for the scale to move too much. However, I know that I am losing inches. My clothes are loser, my legs aren't rubbing together as much and I can now wear a size 12 in most clothes. The scale hasn't been moving, but there is something going on in there. Don't give up!!

 

[travel with kids]

Harambe -- How are you? I have thought of you over the fall and this winter. I am glad you are ok. This weight battle is tough. I was doing great also over the summer. After our trip trip to Mexico it was all down hill.

I think all the posters have the right idea...go slow...don't get down on yourself. Just keep to the plan and be true to yourself.

Welcome back!!...Lee

 

[TammyNC]

Welcome back, I can't help you out with the Atkins program, but wanted to send you some PD to bring your spirits up. You are working hard and it will happen if you keep up with your program. I agree with the others about exercising and measuring yourself as well.

Keep your head held high and know that you are getting yourself healthier. Don't compare yourself to others or how they are doing because everyone is different.

I'm cheering you on!