Its Not Working

[sweetfiend]

I am a returnee to Atkins. I lost 30 lbs quite easily 4 years ago. Of course, being a sweet addict, I went wild and ended up gaining it all back and then some.

So here I am again. And a month into a less-than-perfect, but not terrible Induction and I've lost nothing. I have weighed myself weekly and then wigged out (and pigged out--but not really excessively--maybe a candy bar or a few bites of potato) when I have seen no change on the scale. I think I could do a clean induction if I hadn't lost faith. The combination of gaining it all back and more AND not having it work this time . . . I feel hopeless and that leads to cheating.

Today I was reading Kristie Ailey's story in People and she said that she was eating 6000 calories a day when she was gaining weight. Even at my absolute worst I never ate that much. I know that I have a metabolism that can't handle carbs, instead of being an overeater. And this month of induction has made me MUCH less interested in food. If it were all about calories, I would be losing simply because I am eating soooo much less.

So what is my question??? I guess I wonder if Atkins doesn't work for everyone or every time. Do you know anyone who was unsuccessful even if they were faithful to the rules? I think I need reassurance.

[Elizellen]

Re: Its Not Working

Have you listed your menus for a few days so people here can give you some insight from their experiences of what worked for them yet?
We have a whole forum dedicated to helping people 'tweak' their food intake called 'Review my Menu'

If you can also add to your signature some statistics like how much you weigh now and what goal weight you are aiming at, along with your gender and height it would help people assess the situation better too.

To add stuff to make it appear automatically on each post all you need to do is click on the link at the top of the page called 'User CP' then on 'Edit Signature'
Type the info in the box that appears and click on 'save signature'

Hope this helps

[Roshen]

Re: Its Not Working

post some menus, I agree! so we can see if there is a problem there.
don't lose faith, give yourself another chance *hugs*

[G-Mom]

Re: Its Not Working

Atkins is a way of life and it will work if you let it! One thing I have discovered (and many others as well) is that if you keep going in and out of ketosis on a regular basis, you will have trouble losing. Stick with it and let it work for you. Remember that ketosis uses your fat (and the fat you eat) for energy, but that process will be less effective if your body goes back and forth between burning sugar and burning fat.

[hey_nelson]

Re: Its Not Working

Dear Sweetfriend, My name is Patty, and I've been trying to live the Atkins life since Jan of this year (for the 2nd time) I orig started over a year ago then fell off after losing. Dumb I know.

As of late, I'm having a hard time with it too. My body is going through some different metabolic changes and my progress is very very slow, and sometimes I gain up. But that is not going to change my determination to this way of life. I know Atkins works.... look at the people here and their before and after photos. Look at their progress daily.

Ok, now that I said that...please just stick with it. Its hard I know. Man its hard at times, but stick with it. Your body is adjusting to the lack of carbs, you might have some weight in muscle mass that you are not going to lose, but tone and redistribute.

Have you checked the measuring tape. Even thought I gained nearly 10 lbs the tape still has my waist, and other measurements lower than when I started.

You can do this hun. Just keep trying.

blessings to you
patty

[Lisa M]

Re: Its Not Working

Keeping your focus on your goals of taking care of you as your body adjusts has been great advise given to me

Best wishes on your journey.

[sallyseachange]

Re: Its Not Working

Atkins is a way of life and it will work if you let it! One thing I have discovered (and many others as well) is that if you keep going in and out of ketosis on a regular basis, you will have trouble losing. Stick with it and let it work for you. Remember that ketosis uses your fat (and the fat you eat) for energy, but that process will be less effective if your body goes back and forth between burning sugar and burning fat.

I've heard this too... and I wonder, as Dr A says that at maintenance one goes in and out of ketosis while juggling around ones CCLM, does this mean that if a person at goal suddenly gains, then tries to lose again, it'll be that much harder because of a long period of inning and outing of ketosis?

Sweetfiend... hang in there... it may be slower second time around, but it'll happen sooner or later. Post a menu... measure...drink tons... and keep faith!

[bizzlekitty]

Re: Its Not Working

Honestly, post your menu for review, several days menus even.

As a person who has stalled alot and been a slow loser, it's been a long learning experience for me learning and adjusting what I'm eating to better tailor it for my body. Thanks to having my menu reviewed and reading the reviews of others, I've learned what things I could do better from the many experienced people here, as well as figured out on my own my trigger and problem foods.

I just recently (after being on Atkins for 2 years) figured out 2 foods that were potentially stalling me and have been removing them from my diet. I've often still been losing inches here and there, even when my weight is stalled.

Have you been measuring? Are you exercising? Getting enough water?

There's many number of factors that could cause the scale to not move. Posting your stats, menus, etc. will help people here help you figure out what some of these things might be.

Part of the problem I find with alot of people trying Atkins is that they do not do it right. Not saying this is the case for you, but there are often little tweaks and tips that can help you do Atkins better, even if you think you know it inside or out, there's always something new to learn.

And I really believe if Atkins can work for someone like me, or those with PCOS or diabetes, it should work for everyone.

[sweetfiend]

Re: Its Not Working

Thanks everybody for your responses. I guess I will have to spend a few days collecting my eating habits (perhaps writing things down will show me the way!) so that I can post my menus. I haven't any real sense of what I eat on a normal day. I DO know that I am not drinking the water. When I did Atkins before I suffered from induction flu and extreme thirst--neither of which has been true this time.

I also need new ketosis strips. The ones I have were opened two years ago. I think I read somewhere that once the bottle is opened, the strips go bad.

Thanks again. I'll try to climb back on the wagon now.

[Elizellen]

Re: Its Not Working

One good tool I use to track my food intake and exercise done is www.fitday.com

If you open a free 'account' with them you can post a link to it here so you dont have to retype your menus if you want people to run an eye over them to give advice and suggestions.

[Suzanne_H]

Re: Its Not Working

I am also coming back to Atkins after "falling off the wagon" during the holidays. By December I had lost over 40 lbs in 4 months on this WOE, was exercising regularly, felt terrific... but then fell to the temptation of treats in the teacher's lounge! I have no idea why other than I lied to myself saying just one little cheat won't hurt. It hurt. One little cheat led to another bigger cheat and another bigger cheat. What I needed to tell myself is that instead of being deserving of a little cheat, I'm even more deserving of a slender body, healthy heart, and a bright outlook!

This time around is not so easy, but I'm determined. I'm losing weight slowly, slowly... only 4 lbs lost on my first two weeks and still waiting on the whooshy fairy... I decided to stay on the WOE for different reasons.

One: Blood pressure... since getting back on Atkins my blood pressure has come back down to normal levels.

Two: Acid reflux... I don't suffer acid reflux when I'm on this WOE. I've wondered if it was simply an allergy to wheat? I'm not willing to eat any to find out, just glad to sleep without tossing and turning and hurting.

Three: Energy... I don't go through the hypoglycemic slump in the afternoon when I used to feel like I was just going to flat-out faint from fatigue. I feel pretty energized throughout the day when my body isn't working overtime to digest all those carbs.

Four: No hunger, no cravings... When I'm hungry, I eat. I don't worry about it. Since induction I don't suffer cravings like I used to. I remember sitting down to eat mass quantities of whatever carb-laden XYZ and thinking there's just not enough there to satisfy me. On Atkins I don't get as hungry as often and don't suffer like I used to.

I'll think of some others I'm sure. If I'm going to stick to it I have to think about more than just losing weight.

[Teechah]

Re: Its Not Working

I think that most programs will work if followed correctly. What you believe about yourself will greatly influence your success. I am just learning this after yo-yo-ing for over a year (even on Atkins). I kept telling myself that it wasn't going to work...sure enough, I fell off.

This time, I make a point to tell myself to believe that it works. "It works, so just keep going..." I even got myself a bracelet with a charm that says "believe".

I am the worst of quitters, and this positive thinking has honestly helped me. I've lost 60 lbs because I KEPT GOING... I didn't quit.

Don't quit this time.

[cypressgirl]

Re: Its Not Working

I would forget the strips and just try to have faith in what you are doing. So long as you are following the rules and sticking to plan, you'll be in ketosis. I think your problem is that you have been allowing yourself those illegal bites. They aren't that high in calories so they wouldn't exactly be the kiss of death in some other plan but Atkins is so different! You really do have to be faithful in the beginning and get your body burning up the fat efficiently.

[msanjelpie]

Re: Its Not Working

A common misconception about Atkins, is that if you lose easily the first time around you won't the second time. This does have a basis in reality, but not for the reasons one would assume.

The first time around you are very concerned with doing everything the right way. Measuring portions, checking fat/protein/carb ratios, Figuring out how to squeeze in 20 carbs a day. Feeling so confident when the pounds start to melt away, and of course the ultimate pride upon reaching goal.

Then comes real life. You try sticking to the maintenance plan which works pretty good. The weight stays virtually the same, perhaps a pound gain here or there, but you still feel under control. Then your attention to what you eat starts to dissipate.

You feel that just one piece of carrot cake is ok. Perhaps some corn bread every 2 weeks. Before you know it, you are just eating what you want, and the pounds start creeping back on. In the back of your head you think, that's ok, I know how easy it is to lose them again, and so you keep on munching.

Then you get up the nerve to get on the scale and see a number you thought you would never see again. You decide then and there to hop back onto Atkins. You start induction the way you remembered it to be. You know what you can and can't eat, and you do. But probably you aren't counting or measuring, because you already know how to 'do' this.

It's that self confidence that Atkins should be a breeze the second time around - that harms subsequent attempts at Atkins. You must treat it as if it were your first time, and be really really strict in the beginning. It's hard, especially if it's been a couple of years. You never would have had candy or potatoes the first time around, so don't this time. Use Fitday to verify that you aren't going over 20 cpd for at least 3 weeks straight. No deviations.

But mainly, don't weigh. It really messes with your self esteem and can undermine the entire process.

It's time to step up to the 'plate' and knock another one out of the park... you know deep down you can do it. Even if the weight comes off slower, you know deep down that you WILL get to where you want to be eventually as long as you do everything strictly.

GOOD LUCK

[IrishIrish]

Re: Its Not Working

Whenever posters indicate they have had a less than perfect induction with sporadic sweets, treats and carbs, I don't think they've been doing Atkins. Dr. Atkins is pretty clear about the way this works. Understanding it is important. You can't leave an ingredient out of a recipe and expect that it will result in success. Same with Atkins. Follow it as written for two weeks and see if the results are better.