Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Weight loss is not linear

Collapse
This topic is closed.
X
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Weight loss is not linear

    Just a note to the newbies and the not-so-newbies!

    Something we hear again and again at ADBB from newbies is concern about the rate at which they lose. We see worried people posting about how they lost X many pounds the first week, and didn't lose, (or lost very little) the second week, maybe even went up a few during the second or third week, and then nothing at all happened for a while.

    Normal.

    It's all normal, and most of us here have our own stories about this. Most people will have a good little whoosh of water weight come off in the first week and then it's as if your body needs to pause and take stock of the situation during the second week. This is why we recommend strongly that people stay off the scale until day 14.
    After that initial two weeks, there may or may not be another little pause, but rest assured, if you are following the Rules of Induction, and eating the proper amounts from the Acceptable Foods list, you will no doubt lose weight.

    Weight can and will bobble around day to day before it truly comes off...and this is true for any stage of weight loss. It'd be terrific if we could bank on losing x amount every day, but that's just not how it works. Some days you'll be down, some days you can be up a little. It can depend on all sorts of things...for example the amount of sodium you ate the previous day, and in the case of women, it could be TOM messing around with you.
    Don't sweat the day to day fluctuations. There's just no point to it. Set a day to weigh in, journal what the number is, and then put the scale away. At the end of each month, evaluate your progress, and check yourself to see if you're sticking to the Rules.

    In the beginning of Atkins, I lost fairly steadily (I had the pause, and a 2 pound weight gain, then more weight loss, then another pause..been there done that! :yes ) and now my weight continues to slowly work it's way down. My body has it's own pace though, and I have to be patient. We all have to be patient.

    Another thing to remember, which I keep telling myself now that I'm halfway to my goal, is that as you near your goal, your weight loss will start to slow down. This is why we see people who have large amounts of weight to lose having bigger losses on a regular basis than those who only have 20 or so to go.

    On average, during the first two weeks of Induction, a person will lose from 5% to 10% of their desired amount.
    Keep that in mind, and don't compare yourself to other people.

    I think the biggest thing in the beginning weeks of Atkins is that we are all worried about how effective this diet is going to be, and we haven't learned to relax, enjoy our foods, and have faith that we will lose weight. Trust is something that is earned, and if you give Atkins the time, it will earn your trust. :yes

    Have patience...give it a fair chance to show you how it can work for you, and do the best you can, people! :icondance
    F 42 5' 194/142.5/125 My Progress



  • #2
    :yes 100% agree with that..I only lost 4 lbs in induction but my inches sure went down much faster..remember this is not a quick fix it is a way of life!!!
    Valerie - f 4' 11"
    159/141/preggo

    Second GoAll the way!
    173/173/125

    Still working on the goals:
    170 at the end of induction...lets start here


    Do you have a journal? Come and say Hello!
    My New Journey

    Comment


    • #3
      Great reminder ladies.



      41 pounds down and counting

      If you don't know where you are going, you will wind up somewhere else. - Yogi Berra

      Comment


      • #4
        The Best Advice

        Your suggestion for newbies and beyond is really inspirational. I need more patience and spend less time getting on and off the scale. I don't want to miss the miracle.

        In addition, you look great. :clapping :clapping

        :wave ha
        ~ Chris


        Re-Started on 1/2/008, F 5'3, 47
        SW 229/ CW 229/ GW 150



        "Some Things Are About to Change"

        Comment


        • #5
          I agree about losing inches. Losing inches is even more encouraging to me than seeing numbers on the scale decreasing because with inches at least you actually see and feel the results. And other people notice too, which is always encouraging. I used to be obsessed with scale numbers and would get discouraged if the scale didn't indicate that I had lost pounds, but over time have come to appreciate that losing inches are just as, if not more important.
          -5ft 9in
          -180/132/135






          Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. ~Martin Luther King Jr~

          Comment


          • #6
            Thanks for the post...

            I can't help but feel a bit panicky because I am not losing weight as fast on this diet as I have in the past. I am only down 8 pounds in 4 weeks--only 2 in the last 3 weeks. It's not what I was hoping for--the inches may be down, but it doesn't feel that way. My pants are still tight. But, I will keep plugging along....My 20 yr highschool reunion is in July and I will only go if I am 40 lbs lighter. If I continue at this rate, I should be there--hopefully I won't slow down anymore.

            Comment


            • #7
              Excellent post Moochiecat! This is the exact attitude I'm trying to take. It is more important to me to feel my clothes getting lighter, rings getting looser (which they were substancially looser this morning YAY!) and overall feel better than any number on the scale. I think it's important to remember that any time a lot of weight is shed, the body has to adjust internally as well. You may not see any change for a week, or longer, but if you're following all the rules, you can rest assure that the changes are taking place on the inside. This is all part of making weight loss permanate.
              ~Alli~
              Started: 1/19/05
              female: 166.6/160.6/120

              Comment


              • #8
                just simply eating right and excercising can make lose a pound a week

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Weight loss is not linear

                  Originally posted by Moochiecat
                  Just a note to the newbies!

                  Lately I've read a lot of posts from discouraged worried people about how they lost X many pounds the first week, and didn't lose, (or lost very little) the second week, maybe even went up a few during the second or third week, and then nothing at all happened for a while.

                  Normal.
                  I've lost on average just under a pound a week since I started...but I went lots of weeks here and there where nothing changed, and then out of the blue had a nice little loss. It's just how it goes.

                  I think the biggest thing in the beginning weeks of Atkins is that we are all worried about how effective this diet is going to be, and we haven't learned to relax, enjoy our foods, and have faith that we will lose weight. Trust is something that is earned, and if you give Atkins the time, it will earn your trust. :yes

                  Have patience...give it a fair chance to show you how it can work for you, and do the best you can, people! :icondance
                  Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. That is exactly what has been happening to me and I was trying so hard not to sweat it but I *Was* getting discouraged. Thank you for being a calm voice of reason.
                  You look GREAT!!!! :hug
                  *******LEEANN*******
                  If you always do what you always did
                  You will get what you have always gotten!
                  Looking to be healthier in 2005!
                  Started Atkins 1/4/2005
                  172/155/135

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Thanks muchly! :yes

                    I'm really pleased that this has helped you folks! :ThumbsUp


                    I think what makes the roller coaster ride easier is the knowledge that it happens to all of us in our weight loss journey, and that we're all normal.

                    Well...as normal as us crazy Atkineers get!
                    F 42 5' 194/142.5/125 My Progress


                    Comment


                    • #11
                      That was a good post, I feel that way all the time, like I'm not losing the weight as fast as others. I just keep thinking that I'm going to stick with it. Good things come to those who wait, right?


                      Comment


                      • #12
                        They truly truly do! :yes If you would have told me a year ago that I would be 42 pounds lighter in a year, I would have rolled my eyes at you and not have believed a word of it.
                        Regardless of how fast or slow I've lost my weight, the fact remains that I have lost it, and it's gone. In a few years it's not going to matter how long it took me to lose my weight anyway...I'll just be happy to be slimmer and that's what's important. :icondance
                        F 42 5' 194/142.5/125 My Progress


                        Comment


                        • #13
                          weight loss is not linear

                          Thank you so much for that post, I've been "creeping" around the boards, but have never posted. You've made me feel so much better. My first week on induction I lost 6 lbs, the second week I lost 4 lbs, and this week I haven't lost any ensive I was horrified, of course TOM is due in two days, so there you go. Anyway I just wanted to thank you for lifting my spirits, and giving me a reality check. :hug

                          BTW congratulations on how well you've done! Last year at about this time my DH and I went on Atkins, and I lost 30 lbs. And then it happened... EASTER, I was filling my sons easter basket, and I thought, "One twix isn't going to hurt" HA!!! I gained it all back plus another 30 lbs. This year no candy will come into this house at any time, for any reason!
                          Nikki 25 Female

                          5'11" 295/279/175
                          Re-Start: Jan 29, 2007
                          mini goal~ 250 :icon_danc

                          :dancing1 March Milage Challenge~ 0/55 miles

                          Hopelessly addicted to World of Warcraft :laughing-

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            :hug Nikki

                            Just take it a day at a time, a meal at a time, even a bite at a time if that helps you get by. :yes
                            F 42 5' 194/142.5/125 My Progress


                            Comment


                            • #15
                              :yikes Woa! I could just bawl.

                              I weighed in week 4 and nada... not a single # I was so...... HUNGRY!!!
                              There is an evil empire kryspy cream store blocks from my house. I drove past it today on my way to the grocery store and stayed CLEAN ON INDUCTION...

                              I think the tears are about the break through of not giving up on MYSELF, ONE MORE TIME.

                              Thanks for your support. and notes from those who've gone before me about plataues & the non linear loss of wt.

                              I will also re-read and fine tune.

                              Induct. says Cheeses and blank can cause metabolic resistance should I ditch the cheeses? Mayo is On acceptable foods list but contains sugars too whats up with that?

                              I am stickin to my :guns GUNS!
                              I HAVE MADE A DECISION
                              I AM GONNA DO THIS!!!!
                              I am gonna push myself harder on the treadmill!!!

                              hang in there.
                              Huge Hugs,
                              Todd

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X