3 lbs in 3 weeks?

[Ris]

This is really frustrating, i have been doing strict induction for 3 weeks, i even stopped drinking coffee and i have only lost 3lbs since i started in February.
I feel great, not bloated or over the board with cravings. I really need help because i am starting to loose motivations. The 3lbs i lost were in the first 2 days, and i believe it was water. I have been in ketosis the all time, i have been doing atkins off and on and on this site since 2005.

I have all the atkins books and i have read the whole book 3-4 times. This is probably the cleanest induction i have ever done since 2005 and i still haven't lost. On average i use to loose at least 6-10lbs on induction.

As atkins stopped working for me, or am i sticking to induction for too long? I make my own lunches, breakfast and dinners, i haven't eaten out in the all 3 weeks. Even my husband who doesn't need to loose weight is loosing by eating the same food i am eating. I work out everyday and twice on the weekends, i need to loose between 40-45lbs.

This is what i eat
Steamed veggies with lunch and dinner (Kale, rapini, green and red peppers, spinach, small portions of tomatoes, mushrooms, bokchoy, broccoli)

Meat - skinless chicken breast, lean beef and fish.
snacks - boiled eggs, and i made cream cheese muffins, i eat only one a day
Water- i can't drink cold water so i use one tea back on hot water all day.
I chew gum not too much, i stick a day i divide it into 3 portions, sounds wierd but i am counting the carbs.

Exercise - Taebo at least 4 times a week, i walk on the treadmill minimum of 30 minuits 5 days a week and i am also doing the Ab and Squat challenge.

So what am i doing wrong?

[kate58]

Re: 3 lbs in 3 weeks?

The first thing that occurs to me is where is the fat??? You are steaming your veg, boiling your eggs and eating skinless chicken - why not eat the skin, fry the eggs and butter the veg?

Low-carb AND low-fat is not Atkins, and isn't very healthy. Induction especially is very high fat - at least 65% of your calories should be from fat.

The other thing is are you eating enough? You don't give any amounts of food, but you should be eating your BMR calories, and probably more.

With the limited information you give, my guess is you are not getting enough calories and your body is holding tight to what it has. Also when you do Atkins on and off, your body is more likely to hang on to fat, it's not sure when it will be well fed and is taking no chances.

[Ris]

Re: 3 lbs in 3 weeks?

I was thinking the problem might bmaybe because i have been doing it on and off and not sticking to it long term. I add maybe 1 tablespoons of butter to my veggies for flavour. I never add oil to the meat because i bake or broil. I am never hungry, the only time i don't eat enough is breakfast, which is often 1 boiled egg. I eat lunch between 11.30-12p.m. I also have to work lady most days, so i end up eating Dinner at 5pm on my desk. If i feel hungry i eat, i thought i was eating too many calories but now i am not sure.
Just to give you a picture, On an average i eat 4 medium meatballs for a meal lunch/dinner and one palm full of meatloaf, for the next meal. I am often left feeling realy full, i top that with i cup of veggies. I have eaten chicken wings but i stick to 2-3 small ones.

[Ris]

Re: 3 lbs in 3 weeks?

Just to add, i weigh 175lb and i am 5'5

[Brook]

Re: 3 lbs in 3 weeks?

The other thing is the exercise. How long have you been working out on that schedule?

Exercise is FANTASTIC for you. You do realize that if you've only just recently really started pushing that workout schedule that your muscles will retain water like mad, you're producing lactic acid, you're buidling muscle, losing fat - and you make no mention of what your measurments are doing. Have you been monitering them? If you're not- DO IT! When I switch up my workout routine, I typically put on 2-4lbs that sticks with me upwards of 10 days. It's transient and I've learned to identify it as a GOOD thing. It means my body is scrambling to adjust to the new demands on it and that means I'm getting results.

You say you're feeling great - what motivation is there to be lost in that?!

Up the fat. Take your measurements.

[Ris]

Re: 3 lbs in 3 weeks?

Thanks Brook, i didn't take the measurements this time, i don't see any changes when i look at the mirror but i will take my measurements when i get home today.

For the exercise, I was mostly doing the treadmill 3 times a week. I increase it up to 5, i also added Taebo, i started with the 15minuit Taebo last week and went up to the 45 minuites this week. The Ab and Squats, i was doing them but not consistent until this week. So everything went up this week because i wasnt seeing results.
I will definately start increasing the fat.

[Brook]

Re: 3 lbs in 3 weeks?

So you've added a considerable amount of exercise in the last week or so. You can count on the fact that you're retaining a load of water and lactic acid.

Ya gotta look at this logically- although I *know* thats difficult with such an emotional subject! The scale is the least accurate way for you to gauge your progress. Measurements will tell you everything. I have never bought a pair of pants that had a weight requirement on the tag, but they darn sure have a waist measurement

FWIW- I weigh 16lbs more than one of my best friends. We're the same height. Same bone structure. I wear a size smaller than she does. Know why? Cuz I work out and am solid.

[Ris]

Re: 3 lbs in 3 weeks?

Thanks Brook, i was still very optimistic until i woke up this morning and weight myself. I think i will do my own challenge of no scale for atleast one week, i tend to rely heavily on the scale and keto sticks.
Thanks again for all the advice, i am actually looking forward to adding more fats.