2nd time around and have ?'s...

[jennyleigh]

Hey all,

I am new here to the board...been lurking for a couple of weeks...and just finished Induction for the 2nd time. But here is a little background before I ask questions...

I did Atkins about a year and a half ago and lost about twenty pounds, taking me from 152-3 to 132-3 and from a 10 to a 4-6 in clothes. I then had a bunch of family bull**** happen and hormonal crap along with it and then I was on a slide back to where I was. I am a personal trainer so I have to workout thing under control. I "thought" I was eating well for years on the low-fat fad wagon and working out like a maniac but was always pudgy and uncomfortable no matter what. My Mom would tell me that was just the way I was supposed to be, but I didn't buy it! So I started looking at things in a different light and read anything and everything I could about low carb. I started with South Beach, moved to Protein Power and landed on Atkins when all the research was done. And it seemed to work until I felt like I was in a box I couldn't get out of and kinda freaked. Transitioning to this WOL was hard for me to say the least!! But here I am back and very realistic about the fact that this is the way my life will be...

So anyhooo, I just finished Industion on Sunday and was VERY disappointed with the results. I lost about 2.5 lbs and not much measurement wise. And trust me it was a "clean" Induction. I know all about frankenfoods and artificial sweeteners and blah..blah..Been there wrecked that!!! And I have also been very, very hungry at points. Spot checking with FITday, I was eating about 1800-2100 calories per day with a 65-70fat/25-30protein/less then 5 carbs ratio and was hungry, or as my sister puts it hangry!! (That is hungry and angry put together! ) The days that I ate until I was satisfied, there was no change in weight or a slight increase the next day. I know I don't have as much weight to lose as others here but I work out about an hour everyday and I figure that should help out with the shift in weight. I have only added back a little more salad veggies this week, seeing that my weight loss is not what it was last time. It was 7 lbs the first two weeks last time around. Any words of wisdom? Also my TOM was to visit the week I started and has not come...no I am not pregnant!!! Is this normal or has anyone else had this problem??

Any input from this great group would be much appreciated!!!!!

Jenn

[bilowi]

Re: 2nd time around and have ?'s...

It seems the second time around you don't lose as fast on induction. I think many people have problems with this. Also TOM can definitely affect things. Perhaps you should post a menu for review in the forum for menu review and see what people have to say there.

[RationalBeing]

Re: 2nd time around and have ?'s...

1800-2100 cals is way way too much.

Something was wrong with your diet if you were hungry on atkins eating this much. I'd say you were lucky to have lost the 2.5lbs that you have even.

Here are some suggestions:

1) Workout at night. An hour before bed even.
2) Drink at least 3 liters of water a day
3) Try to limit your calories. Ordinarily ketosis = appetite suppression so this isn't a problem for people, they do it naturally. Try eating things that fill you up quickly. I suggest eggs in any form (especially hard boiled), salty snacks which make you water bloat (like pepporoni, beef jerky etc). Etc etc. For me pot roast also lasts for hours and hours in my belly.
4) If all else fails keep your carbs under 10 per day. With working out you will most definitley get into ketosis and you'll have trouble eating even 1000 calories.

Good luck.

[muffles]

Re: 2nd time around and have ?'s...

Maybe you could post your menus so we could come up with some more constructive advice?
The hunger you has suggests to me that you didn't get into ketosis, so maybe your carbs were too high? But without seeing a menu , it's only a guess.
My tom also has changed since low carbing, variations seem to be common when you change to LC.

[jennyleigh]

Re: 2nd time around and have ?'s...

Thanks for the help everyone...I will post a couple of days worth of menus on the menu board.

[mama26]

Re: 2nd time around and have ?'s...

Have you used keto strips to make sure you are in ketosis. It's always a relief for me at the end of the day to make sure I haven't inadvertantly messed up!

[sofarsogood]

Re: 2nd time around and have ?'s...

This is my second time around as well.

I just wanted to say that I have the keto stix and have been in ketosis (the darkest purple) since the second day. I eat around 1500 cal/day and I have been very hungry frequently this time around.

The first time I tried Atkins I was never hungry and I loved it.

[lyralee]

Re: 2nd time around and have ?'s...

hi Jenn.

I would like to say congratulations for getting back on the wagon! I know it is so hard sometimes. I lost 20 pounds in late 2004 on the diet and then creeped back into cheating. then I fell off completely, got depressed and gained back the 20 lbs plus an additional 25. 45 lbs in 8 months or so.. yikes! I finally decided enough was enough, and here I am. I have 3 of the 45 lbs left to get off, plus the rest I want to lose.

I have to say induction worked just as well for me the second time around, but most likely it was because I had gained so much in such a short amount of time. Now things have slowed to a crawl, but I've decided to just not worry about it. I've had to fight for 3 lbs off since New Year's, which really sucks when I think about it. but I know this way of eating works, and I just have to be patient. I also know what the alternative is.. and I don't want to go back there.

I personally haven't tracked my calories. I just find it to be a pain. I haven't seen any correlation between eating more and losing less, unless I'm eating more carbs too. I have a bad habit of snacking on nuts too often which I attribute to most of my decline in weight loss.

I've had the opposite problem with TOM, having it start a week early and end the same time. it happened the worst months 2-4 of Atkins, seems to be getting more normal now. I've heard of all kinds of wacked out TOM problems on the Women's board, so I wouldn't worry about it yet.

I guess I've been rambling on too much. anyway, hang in there and keep up the good work! you will get to goal eventually.

[jennyleigh]

Re: 2nd time around and have ?'s...

Jess and Sofarsogood, I haven't been able to find any Keto stix so I can't test that way but I can always tell by the smell of my urine. I know that is just what everyone wants to hear but it is true. I drink an a** load of water everyday but it will have a very distinct smell when I am in Ketosis and it has been smelling that way so I am pretty sure I am.

Lyralee, Thanks for your "rambles" it always makes me feel better to hear how others are doing, good or bad. It helps you to reavaluate where you are yourself. I hate counting calories as well. I feel like I am always counting something!!! I think the point of Atkins is to not be quite that obsessed...IMHO. If you know the rules, eat whole foods and you slowly add things back in the order listed and watch for reactions I think you are on the right track. Your post reminded me of this and now I just need to relax and go with it...

Thanks everyone for all your help!!