Someone please help me feel better

[swimr4]

Ok..I am going into my 4th week of induction and after this week I am going to phase 1 of OWL. My scale was screwed up and I got a new one. I thought I lost more but I have only lost 7 pounds. I have a lot more energy and don't have that hungry all the time feeling. I have probably lost some inches since I have moved my belt over two notches since starting. I have about 25-30 pounds to lose and I am in pretty good shape. I am 41. What I am trying to say is that I feel bad because I thought I would have lost a lot more weight by now. My husband has lost 15 pounds!!!!!!

[Outback Jess]

Re: Someone please help me feel better

Hey there Swimr4! Look at all the good things you've received besides quick weight loss. Energy, focus, 4 weeks on plan! Girl that's such a big deal. Not hungry all the time, that's better than all the rest...Belt size changing....in good shape!
The weight will come off, it's got its own time and think maybe the body is holding on after the inital loss, it knows somethings up! Often there is a small plateau...you will loose again, if you stay focused on the plan and just keep working it!
Men always loose faster than women. Atkins says loosing it slow helps it really stay off. We all expect and want to see quick weightloss, but it just doesn't happen quite that fast!
I would encourage you to embrace all that you have received on this diet and just enjoy each day in this new way.
Jess

[Alexa]

Re: Someone please help me feel better

Hi there Swimr4,

Please don't despair! I know it can be frustrating to not lose as much as you'd like, but you need to focus on the positives. You have lost 7lbs, which is quite a large proportion of the amount of weight you want to lose. Inch loss can be a better indication of fat lost because the scale can be affected by lots of things, including TOM, exercise and water retention. So the fact that you have moved your belt over two inches is the most significant sign of loss - people will be able to see this loss, whereas they are unlikely to come and pick you up and say 'hmm, it feels like you only lost 7lbs' !

Also, do not compare your loss to anyone's, particularly to a man's! Lots of men seem to lose weight far more easily than women - it is to do with their hihger proportion of muscle and increased metabolic rate.

Just keep saying to yourself you have two less belt loops than 4 weeks ago and 7 less lbs. 4 weeks is not a long time in terms of your life and you are well on your way to losing the rest.

Also you may want to move to OWL, some people find that their bodies respond better to an increase in carbs after induction - also you don't have loads to lose, so you need time to work through the rungs.

Best of luck and congrats on your success so far

[ncarolina]

Re: Someone please help me feel better

Hi there, I sort of know how you feel. I just started my 4th week of induction yesterday.


When I started, I was focused on those numbers on the scale, and even this week was thinking maybe I "should" have lost more. But one of my co-workers kindly reminded me that it isn't a race and I don't have to beat the clock on this.

So hang in there---you are doing great! Remember, there are a lot of folks starting this way of eating TODAY and they are seeing your success so far and are admiring what you have already done!!

[sallyseachange]

Re: Someone please help me feel better

In induction (if clean) you usually lose between 5-10% of the weight you need to lose. You've lost seven pounds in less than a month... and you have 25-30 lbs to lose. You probably lost more than half of those seven pounds the first two weeks, because the first weight loss is water weight and it then tends to slow a bit. So... if that is so, you are doing splendidly! Congratulations!

Also... men lose faster usually. It's one of the great unfair things in life...but there we are! (Statistically, we live longer though!!!)

[swimr4]

Re: Someone please help me feel better

Thanks everyone.....thanks Baarb....I am going to start the first rung of OWL on Monday.....that will be the end of the fourth week (I want to stay organized) . I bought a pair of chino's last night (my regular size 16). I tried them on quick and they were fine. Now that I have been in them all day, I am finding that they are TOO BIG and I definitly should have gone with a smaller size. So.....what am I whining about??????????????

[Tracie515]

Re: Someone please help me feel better

SWIMR4 - When i started OWL it kick started my weight loss. FYI

[jaks40]

Re: Someone please help me feel better

Dont disspear you are not alone.I have started induction on the 2nd of january 07 and its 8 weeks later and i have only lost 8 pounds.Its killing me but I am doing everything right so it has to eventually work..right?
I am 44 and wondering if age is slowing it down.I used to lose weight so easily.Its hard when people talk about losing so much in a few weeks but look at it this way, the weight you have lost will not come on quickly if you lose it slowly, and as I have about 70 pounds to lose...heavy sigh...the slower i go the more chance my body skin will tighten better,,well at least i hope..lol...and drinking water also makes the skin more elastic...
There are people who are losing more than you,but also some like myself who are losing less than you.Its all good...

jacqui

[semtingwa]

Re: Someone please help me feel better

I am having the same problem. I'm doing things mostly right and I have only lost ten pounds in the past month. The good think is that I have been taking measurements and am constantly losing inches and I'm fitting into clothes I almost got rid of before I started atkins. When I started I had hoped to lose weight much faster, but now I'll take the inches instead of the quick weight loss.

[pjtmay]

Re: Someone please help me feel better

There are more ways to tell if you are losing weight besides those numbers on the scale.
I have not weighed since I started (starting on week 7). I was a slave to the scale before. I want to focus on a healthier me and in the mean time I can tell I have lost inches. I am into my smaller pants. And most importantly for me.....is that I am not gaining weight!
Men usually lose faster, or so I have always heard.
Hang in there, follow the plan and the advice of the wonderful people on this board! For me....the board is a great place for advice and support.