What is wrong with me?

[cybrangel]

Everyone rants and ravs about Atkins and just about has a cow when I tell them this, but Atkins isn't working for me. I'm seriously considering switching to low fat/calorie instead.

My diet consists of 3 to 4 servings of meats: fresh hamburger meat, salmon, chicken, turkey or tuna. I make sure to eat between 1-3 cups of salad veggies each day (as directed by the book). I also usually eat 1-3 eggs per day. I drink 6-10 bottles (16.9 oz each) of water daily and if I need soda, I drink diet rite soda. Occassionally I throw in 1-2 oz of cheddar cheese.

Initially I lost 5 lbs in the first week. I was thrilled, but tired and worn out. I could barely walk up the stairs to my apartment. (Even though I'm taking a multi-vitamin). Now I'm into week three (extended induction) and I still haven't lost a single pound since that time. In fact I keep losing and gaining this same one pound. (water weight I assume).

HELP ME ..I already cheated today because I'm giving up now. I feel like no matter what I do, I'm not going to lose the weight. If I see no results I just get depressed and feel like throwing in the towel. What can help me before I just completely jump ship?

[Rick]

Re: What is wrong with me?

We certainly need more information if we are to help... and everyone here wants to do just that.

First of all, what are your stats... starting weight, height, etc... If you don't have a lot to lose, then weight loss will be slow.

Give a complete day's menu of what you are eating and drinking. It's possible that you have something in there that is causing your loss to stop or at least slow down.

I've experienced the lethargy that you're talking about, with no energy... but only in the beginning. Once I lost a bit of weight and my body adapted to this fat burning lifestyle, it actually picked up to where I had more energy than before... it just might take a while. Remember, you are trying to teach your body a new way of getting energy... those darn carbs were just so easy to convert to quick energy... unfortunately, they were also very easy to convert to the bad things that we're trying to rid ourselves of now.

I think that if you stick with Atkins, you will get the results that you're looking for. I've been on and off plan a few times over the last 2 1/2 years, but found Atkins to be the one real thing that worked for me if I stuck with it.

Good luck in your journey, and I hope it gives you much success.

Rick

[IrishIrish]

Re: What is wrong with me?

So in three weeks, you have lost 5 pounds toward your 22 pound goal of 120 pounds?? I'd say you are doing fine considering the late start on the veggies, etc.. Probably in three weeks, TOM factors contribute, too. Just stick to plan, stay away from processed foods, do your exercise and drink your water.

Best wishes for continued success. 23% of your intended weight loss in less than three weeks isn't bad at all!

[cybrangel]

Re: What is wrong with me?

We certainly need more information if we are to help... and everyone here wants to do just that.

First of all, what are your stats... starting weight, height, etc... If you don't have a lot to lose, then weight loss will be slow.

Give a complete day's menu of what you are eating and drinking. It's possible that you have something in there that is causing your loss to stop or at least slow down.

I've experienced the lethargy that you're talking about, with no energy... but only in the beginning. Once I lost a bit of weight and my body adapted to this fat burning lifestyle, it actually picked up to where I had more energy than before... it just might take a while. Remember, you are trying to teach your body a new way of getting energy... those darn carbs were just so easy to convert to quick energy... unfortunately, they were also very easy to convert to the bad things that we're trying to rid ourselves of now.

I think that if you stick with Atkins, you will get the results that you're looking for. I've been on and off plan a few times over the last 2 1/2 years, but found Atkins to be the one real thing that worked for me if I stuck with it.

Good luck in your journey, and I hope it gives you much success.

Rick

I'm thinking I am going to start over from the beginning (since I did cheat). I'm going to stay away from beef. I will try only fish, turkey, and chicken (plus the eggs and veggies). I feel I'm getting way plenty of water, I don't think that needs adjusting. As far as veggies go, I went into atkins about a week before I realized I wasn't getting enough veggies, but even as I have corrected this part and continued drinking an over abundance of water, I just feel like I'm going to be stuck at this same weight forever Nothing changes.

Somehow I get the feeling I'm getting more calories or fat than I should be getting, but in the book I never saw a reference to these items other than to say don't gorge and don't worry about them. Regardless SOMETHING isn't right. Anyone have any good suggestions for better tracking my menus vs/ weight loss and inches lost? I'd like to find a good software for this if possible (needs to be under 30 bucks tho.) I lost my job on the 2nd week of induction

[cybrangel]

Re: What is wrong with me?

So in three weeks, you have lost 5 pounds toward your 22 pound goal of 120 pounds?? I'd say you are doing fine considering the late start on the veggies, etc.. Probably in three weeks, TOM factors contribute, too. Just stick to plan, stay away from processed foods, do your exercise and drink your water.

Best wishes for continued success. 23% of your intended weight loss in less than three weeks isn't bad at all!

Original weight was 148 with a goal of 120 lbs. Yes I lost 5 pounds. However, nothing else is coming off. Maybe I need to step up from walking and go into doing something more strenuous..I just don't have the energy ...It's gonna take alot of coaxing myself to do more than I already do.

[Elsie150]

Re: What is wrong with me?

www.fitday.com Your percentages should be approx 30%protein/5%carbs/65%fat.
The average person loses between 5-10% the weight they need to lose during induction so you are doing AWESOME.

Take your measurements. A lot of times when the scale isn't moving the inches are. Your body could be taking a break from losing so much so fast so be patient.

Atkins is not about losing the weight quickly and getting to goal...there are lessons to be learned. You need to to move up the ladder as you are so close to your goal. Remember...be patient grasshopper!

[SandiJones]

Re: What is wrong with me?

From a rough glance without really crunching numbers, I'd say, add more fat.

What do I know? I'm down 40 since April of this year!

[moniegail]

Re: What is wrong with me?

not really sure why you would want to stay away from beef, as this is a good source of fat. your daily intake of fat should be around 65% of your daily food intake. your protein and carb ratios should be around 30% protein and 5% carbs of your daily food intake. if you only eat fish, turkey, and chicken as meat you may end up consuming more than your daily allowance of protein. too much protein will turn into glucose and your body will burn it up as fuel first before burning fat. of course if you leave the skin on your turkey and chicken that will add some more fat in. also, cooking with oils and having butter and mayo included in your meals will add more fat. the eggs are a great source of fat too. remember that there is nothing wrong with a nice juicy steak or a big serving of meatloaf or some homemade taco meat. all very good choices for this woe.

instead of doing a long extended induction, you might want to glance at the OWL forum and think about moving on. many people who have left induction to OWL after seeing no loss on the scale report that starting to climb the rungs caused their weight loss to begin again.

i wish you a wonderful suprise the next time you hop on the scale, and stick to it a little longer. don't give up so quickly on yourself.

[RockChic]

Re: What is wrong with me?

Have you been using the 'pee sticks' to tell if you're in/staying in ketosis? That way you might be able to see what is stalling you? I'm in the UK and bought mine on ebay for just a few pounds - I'm sure you must be able to buy them on US Ebay too?

Pamela

[pharmsciencegirl]

Re: What is wrong with me?

Don't look at the scale, look at your waist size. How many inches have you lost? The scale is not the most reliable source of fat lost unless you are really overweight. Do you work out a lot? If you do, you're mostly muscle with no fat on you to lose. I'd find out your body fat percentage before you call it quits. If this makes you feel any better...I started doing yoga regularly several months ago and after a month of that, my dr. brought up a concern about how I'd gained 15lbs in just a bit over a month. I went and got my measurements taken for the body fat composition test...19%. That means I could at most lose 10lbs before I basically weighed too little! This just goes to show you that BMI isn't everything....So don't give up just yet!!

[pharmsciencegirl]

Re: What is wrong with me?

Eliminate the diet sodas and any other source of sugar alcohols from your diet. Those may be causing you to stall

[astrogirl]

Re: What is wrong with me?

Have you been using the 'pee sticks' to tell if you're in/staying in ketosis? That way you might be able to see what is stalling you? I'm in the UK and bought mine on ebay for just a few pounds - I'm sure you must be able to buy them on US Ebay too?

Pamela

Target sells them, they may be behind the pharmacy counter. Look in any well-stocked drugstore near the diabetic supplies. No need to wait for shipping on them, at least not in the US! Beware: it's possible to get obsessed with them and ultimately frustrated when they don't meet your expectations.

I agree on the diet soda. Try fizzy water with a twist of lemon or lime, and get off the splenda until you figure out what's not working for you.

What are you using for salad dressing? If you're eating mayo, are you sure it's free of hidden sugar?

Also, re: your fatigue. If you gave up caffeine for the diet, that requires some adjustment, and could take 3 weeks, so you might be right at the end of that.

Do not be afraid of fat! Your body uses it as fuel -- it does not wind up on your backside -- what you've been told about fat making you fat has been proven wrong over and over in various studies for 150 years! Gary Taubes Good Calories Bad Calories examines these studies in depth, if you feel like you need proof.

[elizabethbuttercup]

Re: What is wrong with me?

are you eating sashimi? when i have sashimi with lots of soy sauce it sets me back on the scale- but it is all bloat!!

question for the group- if i want to move up a 'rung' where do i learn about it? leaving induction and starting OWL?

[astrogirl]

Re: What is wrong with me?

are you eating sashimi? when i have sashimi with lots of soy sauce it sets me back on the scale- but it is all bloat!!

I can't believe I forgot to mention salt!! If I eat a lot of salt, my weight will pop right up the next day. It's just water though.

You might want to track your salt on fitday or whatever and see if you're eating a lot of it.

[SuzetteL]

Re: What is wrong with me?

My mom knew someone who started Atkins, and for the first 3 weeks NOTHING happened. Then suddenly she started losing a lot of weight. They were afraid she was going to fade away to nothing. Maybe your body is still adjusting to the carbs being reduced. Don't give up just yet. Take an iron pill if you are feeling lethargic. You be anemic.