Need some encouragement

[Table4four]

Okay, so this is week three of induction. After struggling with no appetite, which I still have a struggle with *not complaining!*, I've made sure I've been healthy, but I'm still on the low side of calories.

I have not lost ONE POUND. You can see that I've lost something because my face looks slimmer and my pants fit a tiny bit looser, but my size 10 shorts are not nearly as comfortable as they "should" be on week three.

Now, that being said, I don't care if this will take me six months. I will lose this last thirty pounds if it freakin' kills me. I will not have so much as a cupcake until I'm down to my 125GW.

I still have 25 lbs to go though. I've done Atkins before and lost like 25 lbs in thirty days and kept it off! WHY ISN'T FAT MELTING OFF ME? I'm not out on the treadmill, but I have two boys, and since summer has been out, I'm not kidding you, I've not sat down!! I'm ALWAYS on the move.

I have energy. I have no appetite. Ketostix say I'm in ketosis. Is this going to take me six months?!

ETA: Thanks for listening to me whine.

[TheDogAteMyName]

Re: Need some encouragement

Hello there! Could you post your daily menu? Maybe there's something in there that may be stalling your weight loss.

[moniegail]

Re: Need some encouragement

you may also want to post your stats too. if you don't have much to lose, weight may come off slower. also, it's pretty much a proven fact that the 2nd time around, you're not gonna lose as quickly as you may have the 1st time around.

your best bet is to post a menu so some of the more experienced atkineers can have a look at it. like TheDogAteMyName said there may be something there that is causing a stall.

monie

[Table4four]

Re: Need some encouragement

My normal menu is eggs and bacon for breakfast. 2-3 eggs 2 bacon (usually 2x a week) Most of the time I skip it or have half a cup of coffee.
Lunch steamed broccoli (LOVE IT!) /Was eating spinach salad with chicken strips and reg ranch./
Dinner chicken and broccoli/ spinach salad with chicken...etc.

For lunch or dinner, I may have one small hamburger with cheese or two hot dogs. Always with broccoli. :0)


I do add a piece or two of cheese for a snack, but now it just fills me up.

I've had no appetite, so eating the same thing like that is not really anything to me.
Thanks guys!

Oh, and the first time was almost five years ago! Does that count as the second time around now?? My husband does this diet all the time, and he ALWAYS loses his 20 lbs or so in the 2-3 weeks. Makes me want to smack him with a frying pan!

[Table4four]

Re: Need some encouragement

My stats:

I was 152.5 at the doctor's last week.
My stomach is 36"
My hips and butt 41"

They have not moved AN INCH!

[liv]

Re: Need some encouragement

What about how tall you are?
Looking at your menu there it seems like you are not eating enough. Have you run this through fitday to see how many calories that comes too? It does not look like you are getting enough fat in. You should not skip your breakfast. It is an important meal to eat to keep bloodsugar level and metabolism going.

Don't forget that you should eat 2 cups of veggies for the salad veggie list before eating 1 cup on the other list. Broccoli is on the other list.

[joee5]

Re: Need some encouragement

Breakfast is a must. Dont skip it. How much water are your drinking daily?? God Bless, Joe

[booklady]

Re: Need some encouragement

Do you drink water ?? That is a huge must for me. If I drink a gallon or more a day, I can lose consistantly a half pound or even more a day, if I drink much less than that, I lose a half pound a week. Keep in mind that a lot of caffiene can offset some of your water. I gave up my caffiene this time around and I am losing much more quickly and this is my time thirty something and that is no joke.
YOu have to eat enough and eating breakfast gets your metabolism charged up so it is very good for you to eat that first meal of the day. I find I am less hungry later if I eat breakfast. Hungry or not, you have to make sure you eat enough calories to get you through your day.
It also does not look like you are eating much fat every day , that is important too. Your body needs some fat and it is not nessesary to eat a fat free low carb diet. You will lose quickly and enjoy it and feel better with some fat in your plan.
Hot dogs can be loaded with corn syrups and other sugars, although they do have fat, so watch that too. Try to keep to the natural pure meats as much as you can.If you just have to have a hot dog here and there, I think Hebrew National is the one with the least junk in it I have seen, pricey, but most carb friendly for us. They are one carb each and have no sugar, I just checked to make sure.
It sometimes takes detective work to figure out what is keeping you from losing as you want. I had to give up caffiene and artifical sweetners this time to see the scale move, but it is so worth it to me. You have to find what it is for you that you need to do.
Good luck !!!
Stephie

[Table4four]

Re: Need some encouragement

Thanks so much guys. BTW, I am 5'3".

I am going to have some nuts in the morning, since I really like those (mostly because of the texture), and I will be giving up my coke zero altogether (which is 1-3 per day). I was drinking a lot of water, but have slacked off a bit. Also, maybe the caffeine is offsetting it, like you said.

I will get those other hot dogs. Thanks!

I did try running this stuff through fitday the other day, but I don't understand it well, and it said my broccoli was like 17 carbs, and there is just no way. I hadn't had time to mess with it either, though, so I'll get back to it sometime. I've just been running so much!

Liv, can you explain the salad veggie list vs. the other list, or give me a link? I don't know what that is! Thank you all very much. I do appreciate it!

[Dotultimate]

Re: Need some encouragement

You need to read the book to understand. Different veggies have different carb and fiber counts. You can have 2 cups a day of salad veggies (but no carrot, limited tomato etc) in addition to this you can have one cup of 'other' veggies, this include broccoli and cauliflower etc. You must always have protien and fat with your veggies.

For example... I eat 2 eggs for breakfast... a can of tuna with sugar-free mayo mixed through + 2 1 cup of celery and 1 cup of bell peppers for lunch, then i have one cup of brocolli and some meat for dinner (that is fatty, or with mayo). I eat a few slices of cheese during the day between meals and have 1 cup of coffee with a tbs cream in the mornings.

Always eat fat with your carbs. Read the book.

[jimmie 48]

Re: Need some encouragement

I am going to have some nuts in the morning, since I really like those (mostly because of the texture), and I will be giving up my coke zero altogether (which is 1-3 per day). I was drinking a lot of water, but have slacked off a bit. Also, maybe the caffeine is offsetting it, like you said.

nuts are not allowed during induction or extended induction. what you add next, if you decided to move up the rungs, is more veggies.

you are allowed 3 sweetners a day. if you are drinking can's of soda, look at the servings per can. if you are drinking up to 3, that's a lot of servings of sweetner per day.




a couple of links for you .....
Atkins at a Glance
What are the Rules of Induction?
What foods can be eaten on Induction?

[losetocruise]

Re: Need some encouragement

Are you taking any medications? I have been taking Celebrex and doing the diet aithfully. I have been losing slowly and for long stretches not at all. But I have been excercising like a fiend and I have been toning. People have been amazed at how much I have "lost" even though I have not been losing much at all.

I recently found out that Celebrex inhibits weight loss and even promotes huge jumps in weight gain. So I have weaned myself off. Now I take 3 Ibuprobfen an hour before excercise class and allthough I am feeling the pain a bit more, I am losing again.

If on meds, though, don't make changes without checking with your doctor first.

[OzLover]

Re: Need some encouragement

great advice from all. I think the most important is to get the book & read it! In the meantime read the stickies posted on the Induction & Owl threads.

[liv]

Re: Need some encouragement

I second the "Read the book" advice. That is the best source for how to do this the right way. Until you get the book, you can check the FAQ here at ADBB. There is a good post in there:

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-low-carb-dieting-faqs/6781-what-foods-can-eaten-induction.html

It explains the two lists. The salad veggies and the "other list"

Also be sure to check out this one:

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-low-carb-dieting-faqs/6782-what-rules-induction.html

[Sherri]

Re: Need some encouragement

Thanks so much guys. BTW, I am 5'3".

I am going to have some nuts in the morning, since I really like those (mostly because of the texture), and I will be giving up my coke zero altogether (which is 1-3 per day). I was drinking a lot of water, but have slacked off a bit. Also, maybe the caffeine is offsetting it, like you said.

I will get those other hot dogs. Thanks!

I did try running this stuff through fitday the other day, but I don't understand it well, and it said my broccoli was like 17 carbs, and there is just no way. I hadn't had time to mess with it either, though, so I'll get back to it sometime. I've just been running so much!

Liv, can you explain the salad veggie list vs. the other list, or give me a link? I don't know what that is! Thank you all very much. I do appreciate it!

Just wanted to share more info and links for you from a Sticky here. Also, I think it's a great idea to give up the coke zeros and caffeine. Big time stallers!
Here you go, hope it helps.
Sincerely, Sherri



Before you begin:

1. Read Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution, 2002 edition.
At the very least, read chapters 10 through 14. These chapters tell you how to do the diet, what to expect, and why the first 14 days are so important.

ADBB uses DANDR 2002 as its reference. Granted there are other publications by Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. but we like to do the diet as it was written by Dr. Robert C. Atkins because in our collective experience Dr. Atkins' diet is more effective than Atkins Nutritionals, Inc's version.

2. See your physician.
Dr. Atkins recommended this himself. See your physician for a complete physical exam, including blood tests before beginning this or any other diet and exercise program.

Also take the Blood Sugar Symptom Test found in the book.

3. Make a commitment.
Commit yourself to giving the 14 day Induction a fair shot. If you can't commit yourself to 14 days of following rules and eating the foods listed in the acceptable foods list, this diet might not be for you.

4. Prepare your kitchen
If it's not on the list, remove it from your home. If you live with people who aren't on a low carb diet, then put your food(s) in areas separate from theirs. Also make sure you have low carb snacks available to you at all times, in case you get hungry.

5. Recruit your family and friends.
You are about to embark on a completely new lifestyle. Getting the support of your family and friends will help you through this. Be frank with them and tell them your intentions and that this is very important to you. If they have any doubts about this diet, ask them to read the book because knowledge is power.

6. Keep the Induction Rules and Foods List handy.
Make two copies of these documents: keep one on your refrigerator at home and keep the other one on your person at all times. This will save you a lot of guesswork and worry when eating out or grocery shopping.

The Rules of Induction can be found here:
What are the Rules of Induction?

The Induction Acceptable Foods List can be found here:
What foods can be eaten on Induction?

7. Read the entire label, including the ingredients.
Some foods have little carbs, but contain things like hydrogenated oils (trans fats) and sugar, which makes them unacceptable for Induction.

8. Keep a food diary
It is of utmost importance to keep track of your daily carbohydrate intake to make sure you are not exceeding 20 net carbohydrates daily.

Some people keep a notebook journal. Others like to track their progress online.

Here are some resources:
An Atkins spreadsheet:
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ead.php?t=4570

http://www.fitday.com ---This is a free online service (registration required) that allows you to input your foods, track your exercise, etc.

Carbohydrate Counters:
http://www.atkins.com ---The Atkins site has a downloadable Carb Counter.
http://www.calorieking.com ---This site has nutritional information for most foods and beverages.
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/ ---This is the United States Department of Agriculture Nutrition Database.

9. Exercise
According to Dr. Atkins "exercise is non-negotiable"! So get moving. Begin according to your level of fitness. Visit the Exercise Forum.

10. Vitamin Supplements
These are also recommended by Dr. Atkins because many of us have poor nutrition and we need extra nutrients. Visit the Vita-Nutrient Forum.

11. Weigh AND Measure Yourself on Day 1

Make sure you weigh and measure yourself before you begin this diet. Contrary to what we are lead to believe, the scale isn't the best tool for measuring weight loss (fat loss). It doesn't tell you how much muscle you gained. It doesn't tell you how much water weight you gained or lost. It doesn't tell you that you will fit into that pair of jeans.

Tips for weighing:
a. Weigh yourself at the same time of day under the same conditions. You can weigh "more" after a meal or after you drink water or you can weigh "less" after you exercise or have a bowel movement. So pick a time and stick to it. Likewise, clothing can also add on "pounds". So if you choose to weigh yourself wearing clothes, make sure you are wearing the same clothing or nearly the same clothing.

b. Use the same scale. Scales differ slightly. So the scale in your doctor's office or at the gym might have you weighing more or less than the scale in your bathroom.

Tips for measuring:
a. You can measure whatever body areas you want: chest, waist, hips, thighs, upper arm, wrists and ankles. To make the measuring easier, you body landmarks like your belly button or a mole or scar, to guide your tape measure placement. For chest measurement, women can either measure under their armpits and/or under their breasts.

b. Don't "pull" on the measuring tape because that will give you a false reading (and stretch the tape). The tape should be snug, but not tight.

c. Don't suck in to make yourself smaller. Again, that will give you a false measurement.

Measuring tapes can be purchased at craft stores (the sewing section) for under $5.00. If you can't find one, you can use a piece of string. Just mark that string with a marker pen to indicate your "start" points". Or if you have an old belt, you can use that too.

Another good "measuring tool" is your clothing. Non-stretchy clothing like a dress shirt, jeans, or dress is the best thing to use. Stretchy fabric (like t-shirts or anything with spandex) will conform to your body as you shrink so you might not see the results. Try on this article of clothing periodically to see how you are losing inches.