How much difference does it make?

[longwaytogo]

I'm nearing the end of my 14 day induction period and am really pleased that I've managed to lose 10lbs so far.

However, I did notice that I lost most of this during my first 7 days and a lot less on the second 7 days. One thing I haven't been so hard on has been Diet Coke & the odd cup of tea (with only a splash of milk). I've probably had one can diet coke a day plus a cup of tea every other day.


Does caffiene & aspartame REALLY make that much difference? Is that why the loss slowed up?

I know I'm being greedy seeing as I've already lost 10lbs but I guess i need to know for the coming weeks - to make sure I don't go too far off track.

Thanks!

[Elizellen]

Re: How much difference does it make?

Hello Longwaytogo

Welcome to our ADBB family.

The large loss on the first few days is normal - as it happens when our bodies loose some water weight before starting on the fat losses.
There is a good sticky called 'weightloss is not linear' http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ead.php?t=5090
which might help you on this.
Looks like you are doing great as we reckon to lose between 5% and 10% of our hoped for loss in the first 14 days of induction - so unless you are looking to lose over 200 pounds you are well within the 'normal parameters'

The caffeine and aspartame thing is one of those YMMV things (your mileage may vary) as some people find them stallers and some dont.
If you think it might be holding you back you can always try to drop them for a couple of weeks and see.

Have you taken your measurements yet? There will be times when your loss stops while your body 'rearranges' itself and then it is often encouraging to track your body shape changes as well as the scales readings.

Have you decided whether to move straight on to OWL and start learning how your body copes with the higher carb foods and discover your CCLL or do you intend to continue with induction for a while?

[longwaytogo]

Re: How much difference does it make?

I think I'll stick to induction for another week as I'm not finding it too bad. I'm not missing bread, pasta or potatoes (which I wondered whether I would). The hardest thing I've found have been the soft drinks really - I used to drink 4 cans of diet coke a day! (plus tea).

I think the only thing I'll re-introduce is some milk for the occasional cup of tea.

I haven't taken any measurements yet - I think I'll do that this weekend. But I'm aiming to lost about 100lbs so 10lbs in during induction is about right then I guess (but tomorrow is weigh in day so we'll see!)

[Elizellen]

Re: How much difference does it make?

I think the only thing I'll re-introduce is some milk for the occasional cup of tea.

Can you make do with watered down cream instead? Milk is not 'legal' till you reach the Dairy rung

[longwaytogo]

Re: How much difference does it make?

I think I'll probably take it without milk rather than cream. Thanks for the reminder.

[allierw26]

Re: How much difference does it make?

I experienced a pretty dramatic loss after cutting out my caffeine. But it is an individual decision, for the most part.

[2big4mysize]

Re: How much difference does it make?

25% of the stalled soda drinkers that contacted Dr Atkins about being stalled with their weight loss became unstalled when they stopped drionking them.

you will never know what you coulda woulda been until you do it.

Happy low carbing

[FightingTheFight]

Re: How much difference does it make?

oes caffiene & aspartame REALLY make that much difference? Is that why the loss slowed up?

That is a two part question.(obviously since there are two quesion marks! duh! lol) Caffiene is a debated subject, I myself am unconvinced that it slows your weight loss, but thats not the only reason to quit it. Anything that unnaturally speeds up your heart is bad.

Apartame is a staller, 1/4 of the population is stalled by it....think about it...out of lets say 1,000 people, 250 of them get stalled by it. out of 10,000 people, 2500 people are stalled....get my drift?

I say Down with caffine and Aspartame! You will feel better afterwards anyway!

[cleochatra]

Re: How much difference does it make?

I never stalled drinking aspartame (one of the 75%), BUT...

1) the caffeine messed with my blood sugar big-time and gave me cravings; and
2) the aspartame played with my blood sugar and gave me cravings.

I noticed this time around when I did induction, the flu and the cravings were almost nonexistant when I have up the Diet Coke. I really think it's worth it to stick to water over diet beverages, especially the caffeinated ones.

[Jasmain]

Re: How much difference does it make?

I'm chiming in here with a thought. Since we all have a lot of life left to live, what harm could it do to give it up and see? I'm just starting that. This weekend I gave up caffeine. Switched to decaf, and I won't be drinking the stuff at work. We'll have to see! Why not give the no caffeine a try and see what happens? It's not like if you give it up for a couple of weeks, the earth's caffeine supply is going to disappear! I think finding out what it does and doesn't do to you is a good idea. If after a few weeks you don't absolutely have to have it, don't go back, regardless! I think you'll feel better all around in general, regardless of any added weight loss that you may or may not get. Just try it!

[Moochiecat]

Re: How much difference does it make?

It's pretty common to lose during the first week and slow down in the second week...I wrote a sticky about it.
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5090

Aspartame is just plain not good for you, and that's why Dr. Atkins wanted us to avoid it. Also, you need to think about whether the sugar free items you are ingesting (like soda) are keeping the sugar monster in you alive, and whether you want to kick him to the curb, or keep feeding him.

Caffiene messes with your blood sugar levels (page 127 of DANDR) and trigger cravings. As you recall, from reading DANDR, the whole idea is to keep our blood sugars on an even keel...which is why we eat low glycemic foods and avoid going longer than six hours without eating.

Will it make a difference if you keep these two things in your diet? Well, I don't know about you, but I want this weight off ASAP! and I wasted way too many years indulging myself and not paying attention. If eliminating or substituting something is going to help me, then I'm going to do it.

You can have decaf coffee though, and decaf tea, and iced tea with splenda..there are lots of options out there that you can have and not feel guilty about, or wonder if they are holding you back from your full weight loss potential.