Happy and frustrated at the same time

[yankee]

I've been eating according to the Atkins plan for about two months now - wish I'd marked that starting date - and have lost a total of 24 pounds. I stalled at the 20 pound mark for almost three weeks, lost another 4 and am now watching the scale go up 2 pounds one day, down 2 the next, up 2, down 2, etc. I feel better, I move better, I've gone from tight 24's to loose 22's, I walk as often and as far as I can. I'm also down to almost no carbs per day trying to get that scale to move and it just won't and I'm afraid I'm going to give in to those cravings for fresh peaches and cherries, cheeseburgers with the bun, ice cream......... Aargh!

Sorry, I just had to blow off some steam.........

:anger

[Katlam]

Congrats Yankee! 24 pounds is wonderful. Feels so good to be lighter!

Now is when you have to start figuring out what's slowing you down. Could it be "carb creep" where a few extra here and there carbs are causing the stall? Could it be not enough sleep? Are you falling off the water wagon?? (my problem of late) Maybe it's a bit of cream or cheese that has pushed you over the daily limit and stopped forward progress?? Or maybe new exercise is building muscles and will get you a woosh once you get into a routine??

Kathy

[yankee]

Well, I've cut out nuts - too easy to go too far - and have been using 2T of heavy cream in my coffee instead of 1/2&1/2. I've cut back on cheese, keeping that at 4 oz or less. My veggies consist of a small salad (1 cup)with cucumbers and peppers. Dressing is measured and counted. I drink a minimum of four 24-oz bottles of water a day. Maybe I need more of that I DON'T get enough sleep - four to five hours is it. I definitely need more of that. I eat burgers, steak, chicken and fish. Getting very boring.....

[CathyR]

Exercise, how is your program there? Your water seems Ok, maybe a few more veggies,,, I am no expert. If you post a menu maybe some of the experienced MODS could lend some better advice. And, even tho, we all hate to consider this, you might want to take a look at your calories. They do count unfortunately. Fitday will give you a good idea on how many you should have. I assume you are keeping a good log? I am a very slow loser, and have found that there are weeks when I really need to ramp up my exercise to keep things moving....

[Laurenfra]

Lowering your carbs is not always the answer! Sometimes if you move on to OWL and increase your carbs that 5, it speeds things up

[sillyann]

sleep plays an important role for me! Good luck!

[jroche5998]

First thing that jumps out at me is your only veggies are one small salad. If you are in induction that should be 3 cups a day not one. And sometimes a few more carbs can help things along. Try moving to OWL and definitely add more veggies (they are the first rung of OWL anyway).

Good luck!

[yankee]

Never thought to ADD carbs. Calorie count is ok I think as my appetite isn't high. While I don't count them I pay attention to portion size and stop eating before I'm full.

Exercise is not formal. I have a pedometer and figured out that I walk between two and three miles a day and that not slow - for me anyway. Some days I am dependent on my cane. My volunteer job involves many many trips up and down stairs, lifting and sorting bags of clothing, etc. I leave there wiped out most days. Add in the cleaning and running up and down stairs in my own house and the days are pretty active.

I will try to get better at logging in foods at fitday.

Thanks for the advice!

[maribelle]

Hi Yankee...I had stalled too, upped my carbs by 5 and am steadily losing again! Its worth a shot. I agree, more veggies! And how is your fat? Are you averaging around 65% fat?

[yankee]

Right now I'm at 60% fat, 5% carbs, 35% protein. I consoled myself with a small breve latte at Starbucks not realizing it packed 15 carbs till after the fact. At least the breve has less than the other milks. Sigh... maybe it'll do me some good.

[vixie123]

stalled

Hi,

You might think about taking the caffine out of your diet too. I've see posts claiming that caffine can cause a stalls.


Eatting more veggies is bound to make you feel like you are on less of a "diet". I know I felt really deprived when I was on a fat fast.

You'll make it through this.

Good luck,

Vixie

[Shrinkerbell]

Kicking up the exercise breaks any stall or slow period. You have got to work hard though--get that heart rate up. Swimming, kickboxing, and step aerobics have been wonderful for me. You're worth it!