Six months in and no more weight loss

[imgonnagethin]

Hi to all at ha !!

I am often to be found reading on this board but do not post very often as I can be away from an internet site for many days at a time.

I need your help, I have been on Atkins since mid November 2004 and in that time I have lost 66 lbs.

I am very pleased with my progress, but bearing in mind that that only brings me down to 310 lbs I still have a long way to go.

The problem I am facing is as follows, since mid April I have not lost ANY weight. I have not changed anything in my routine, I am not eating any convinience foods (I live in the Middle East and there is very little available to us) and I am confused.

What do I do? There are many people telling me different things, and a couple of them are long time Atkins people but the two main trains of thought are to persevere and hope my weight loss starts again or to break the diet for a couple of weeks and start again.

Option number two is not an option for me as I no longer see this as a diet but a way of life, and there is no way I want to go back to eating what I used to eat.

So I persevere, but i have to admit i am getting a little down. :sadblinky

Thank you for listening, and in advance for any advice you may have. K

[Katlam]

Well I have no specific imput on how to handle this but will tell you my situation.

I lost fast the first 6 months and then it slowed and then stopped, I kept on going, then I did a clean 2 weeks and lost 10 more, then it stopped, then I finally got to regularly exercising and dropped 5 more, then it stopped.

Now I know that I've been true to the spirit of this WOL, in that I have not eaten any white flour or sugar.

BUT.... I am guilty of having too many nuts at times, and too many carbs other times and a lo-carb ice cream on occasion or not having enough water one day or two.

So, while my weight is nearly at a standstill and I'm only 1/2 way to MY goal, I'm still keeping at it. I'm learning how to work my atkins into my every day life. I'm still trying to incorporate all the "by the book" details into habits that will last me forever. So when I get one working right, one may slip for a bit in another, so I spend time shoring that area up and continuing to learn. Progress is slow but I'm not falling off nor backsliding and I'm having fun and loving my life and my foods.

Next week I'll go back and start a 2 week strict induction and see if I can kick off another little loss and then I'll probably relax again (and probably not consciously) at some point with an overdose of nuts or too many salad veggies or too much dressing on my salad and it will stop again.

BUT... I won't gain, I will stablize and I will keep at it and keep on going.

I figure it may take me a long time to get there, but I'm still going.

I didn't think I'd changed much in my routine when I hit that first time when my weight loss stopped, but I must have done it. Probably a simple little thing that's hardly noticible, like eyeing my veggies instead of actually measuring them, or just pouring on the dressing instead of accurately measuring, or a few extra bits of cheese and that would throw me off track.

Stick it out, you've said it yourself...this is a WOL (way of life) and stopping is not an option. Review your menus, check to be sure you're measuring, drinking all your water, keeping at your exercise, sift through the details, too much cheese? too much cream? some little thing is throwing you off track. Hang in there and you'll find the culprit.

Best wishes.

Kathy

[latte]

congrats on losing 66 pounds..Thats great..Your body might be catching up right now..Have you taken any measurements you might be losing inches instead of pounds..inches mean you are still losing fat...Hang in there.....

[MontanaRebel]

Hi there! The main thing is to remain focus and not put back any weight you already loss...It will come in time and might be a good idea to go back to Induction for a week and see if that tricks the body into losing more weight! Johnny :wave

[imgonnagethin]

Hi Guys

Firstly thanks for your thoughts, the thing is that I have tried going back onto induction and still not lost - i've also measured and there is no movement there either, this is why I am getting so down - I'm doing it right (I know that, as i've been doing it for 6 months) but now nothing!!

:help

[cleochatra]

How much do you exercise, and how much water do you drink everyday?

Can you post a sample menu?

Let's see if there's something that makes some sense.

[papajack_1]

What do I do? There are many people telling me different things, and a couple of them are long time Atkins people but the two main trains of thought are to persevere and hope my weight loss starts again or to break the diet for a couple of weeks and start again.

I completely agree that Option # 2 should be off the table.

It goes without saying that you're doing great! Not only have you lost an incredible amount of weight, but, I'm sure you're feeling better than you've felt in years. I, also bet, your health is better.

As much as we hate it, "stalls" are a part of any weight loss. Of course, it's mentally tough to get past 'em. But, if you're working your program correctly (eating properly, drinking the proper amount of water, exercising properly, and getting the proper rest/sleep) those "stalls," too, shall pass. They will pass when our bodies are ready, but not when our minds wish it.

A couple of things..............don't overlook the importance of getting the proper rest, and or, sleep. I've found that to be one of the most overlooked parts of our weight loss.

Secondly, re-read your DANDR...........especially the part about "stalls." Make sure that portion control, or "carb-creep" hasn't become part of the problem.

I know you're "down" because of this stall. But, take an honest appraisal about how you're feeling physically. If you're feeling as good as I think, then do the hard part...................JUST KEEP ON KEEPIN" ON!

[love2beeamom]

I agree to persevere.. You don't want to gain any of those 66 pounds back.. Maybe you could post some menus like cleo suggested? Is it possible that your portions are larger than you caloric needs? and what about exercise, maybe increasing it or changing it up..
I have been kinda lax with my portion control lately as well.. and my scales haven't moved in forever it seems.. well actually they do, I lose 2 pounds and seem to gain them back the next week.. but I figure it is better to maintain than to gain :nod