I wasn't getting a response on the welcome forum, so I thought I would try here

[GroovinMonkey]

Since I am lazy, I am just going to directly cut and paste. Forgive me?

So I guess I am supposed to introduce myself here. I am usually the one who reads the posts, but never interacts ... but here goes!

My name is Melissa, I am married to a fab man, Colin, and we are both in College. I am a late 'return-er' to the world of academics, having just completed my A.S., but the hubby is old hat, having just been accepted for his doctoral at UC Davis. Anywho...

I was a slender one until I was 18 - nicknamed 'stringbean' for a good part of it. I was a dancer too, so that helped. Things were tough and right before I turned 18 I moved out of my parents, and into depression and some bigger pants. (Hold the pity! It's old news) Anyhow, I got bigger and bigger... tried slimfast once, but I bet every one knows how that doesn't work long term. Then I did nothing until I did weight watchers. Now I know that a lot of people like that program, and it did work - I lost almost 50 pounds... but I was freaking starving all the time! It was incredibly hard to not cheat...and those pounds came off soooo sloooow.

So here I am. I remembered my dad having luck with Atkins in the past, so I read up on the subject and gave it a go. At first it was awesome. I lost 8 pounds in 8 days. I haven't cheated once, and I log my foods religiously in fitday so that I can watch my calories simultaneously. Then came the reason that I joined this board. After the 8 days I stalled for a day or two, and then I gained 2 pounds, and then another .5 pound. My habits from the first 8 days haven't changed. I have a max of 20 carbs, 12-15 of them veg from the approved list, drink 4 qts of water, I watch my salt, eat at least 1600 cals but no more than 1850...etc. I'm frustrated at this , but I keep reading to push through it. So I have. I still have not cheated, but the last day that I lost was 5 days ago.

Sorry if I rambled too long, blame my message board ignorance

[-FOXY-]

Re: I wasn't getting a response on the welcome forum, so I thought I would try here

I would recommend putting up a menu.. low carb and too low cal will cause stalls, as well as not enough "good" fats in your diet. 8 lbs in 8 days! That's awesome! TOM could also be playing a factor in the erratic weight shifts (time of the month). Weight loss is not linear on Atkins, but gauranteed if you work the program! Take your starting measurements....in my journal, I only lost 6 lbs in my first month...but lost 15 inches....4 in my waist! Hang in there!!! Good luck and I will be excited to see your progress!

[Elsie150]

Re: I wasn't getting a response on the welcome forum, so I thought I would try here

Okay...hmmm....first of all two days does not make a stall. Especially after losing 8 pounds in 8 days. Your body could be taking a break. You WILL NOT lose weight every day on Atkins. Secondly..measure...lots of times when the scale is not moving the tape measure is. Try to learn patience.

Now the weight gain...could be TOM...or too much hidden sodium. Could be your body reacting to something. Are you using caffiene...might have to cut it out. Artificial sweetner...may have to ditch it...diet soda...cut it out. Just because something is legal doesn't mean you can eat it. Every BODY is different.

Are you on any medication?? Vitamins?? Started to exercise??

Your fitday....are your percentages looking around 5%carbs/30%protein/65%fat??? I think you could go a bit higher on your calories if you are hungry. I think at 241 and 5 foot tall I should be eating around your highest limit at the least. With Atkins you can even go a few hundred over if you need to.

Okay...there are some ideas for you. Now that you have found the board please use it. It is a great place to get support and to give it! It is good to reach out to others.

[GroovinMonkey]

Re: I wasn't getting a response on the welcome forum, so I thought I would try here

Thanks guys, this has been a helpful start. I am following the 5/30/65 and have stayed within. I did use garlic twice before I figured out there were carbs in there - I should have known, but I know now. As for the caffeine and fake sugar thing, I started to think of that yesterday when I was reading on here, so I cut out the diet pepsi and have only a stick or 2 of gum a day now...

The weight gain actually started after my TOM, but I have no idea if that is normal or not. Though I haven't been 'exercising' more, per say, I have been a great deal more active b/c I have a ton more energy than I am used to. That is one thing I really noticed, as well as the lack of hunger. I'm not on any meds, but I do take a cocktail of supplements - calcium, fiber, daily, CLA. I started to count a carb for the pills, since they don't actually say the amount on them.

I think I answered everything, if I missed I'm sorry! I think the other thing is that I just need to put the scale away for awhile... it's become as addictive as sugar once was!

[-FOXY-]

Re: I wasn't getting a response on the welcome forum, so I thought I would try here

Ah..... lack of hunger, and good energy, sounds to me like you are doing everything right Keep up the good work!!! So if you are ever feeling like a pick me up... go over to the before and after forum....keeps me on track!

[Elsie150]

Re: I wasn't getting a response on the welcome forum, so I thought I would try here

Okay...so
"so I cut out the diet pepsi and have only a stick or 2 of gum a day now"

To me that sounds like...one: You may have been going over your 3 artificial sweetners a day before. Second..you are still having artificial sweetner in the gum.

Now..I am not saying it is the artificial sweetner...BUT it has been known to stall some people. Will suck if that is what is happening to you but it is what it is.

Because you have had the gain I would cut all artificial sweetners out for at least a week or two and see if that makes a difference and then if it makes a difference when you add it back in. Also...if you started the vitamins around the time you started gaining you may want to check out the labels. Or if you added a new food about that time.

Don't be discouraged. Some have an easier time than others. But Atkins is all about learning about your bodies likes and dislikes. It is a big part of the rungs. Good luck!

[moniegail]

Re: I wasn't getting a response on the welcome forum, so I thought I would try here

congrats on the 8 lbs lost. that is awesome!!

it sounds like you may have become a scaleoholic. been there, done that. i know it's hard to stay off of them, but you really truly need to. they can really play mind games with you. it can cause a roller coaster ride of emotions if you weigh yourself everyday. as has said before, you will NOT lose weight everyday, your weight will always flucuate for whatever reason.

try to set a set time and only weigh yourself then. myself, i only choose to weigh in once a week.(on mondays, since that was the day i restarted back on this wol. i'm half way through my 2nd week of induction and didn't want to know what my weight was until my 2 weeks were up. i did however want to chart my loss, so i closed my eyes and my hubby looked at the scale for me so i could chart my loss for the week. (he did say i lost weight) so once my 2 weeks are up i'll step on the scales.

alot of people don't even get on the scales, only go by measurements.
so give the scale a break for a while and see what happens, i bet you'll find it less frustrating than getting on that thing everyday. week to week you may notice more of a change than you will day to day.

good luck and hope this helps.
monie

[GroovinMonkey]

Re: I wasn't getting a response on the welcome forum, so I thought I would try here

Thanks Monie -- this is what I was thinking too. I've fallen in the trap once before. So, I followed your advice, but with a little help. I asked my hubby to take the battery out and hide it, only letting me have it once a week. I've got will power up the yin yang for what foods I'm eating...but that scale... it haunts me ....wHOoooOOoo lol! Thanks!