weight loss stall...how long is appropriate?

[WAY2BIG]

Because weight loss is not linear, how can I determine how long a lack of weight loss is appropriate before I call it a "stall" and need to reevaluate my menu or do some clean induction type eating.

I've lost 5lbs on the 2week induction period, today is day 15 and I'm extending induction. I lost 4 lbs the first 3 days of induction, all water weight, and the final 1lb at about day 11.

I would call that a stall but I lost the final pound without changing my eating habits... not sure if I could have lost more if I changed something earlier during induction.

any thoughts?

[Skeptika23]

Re: weight loss stall...how long is appropriate?

A stall is losing no weight OR inches for a few weeks - are you measuring?

By your own description - you're not in a stall. You're just impatient.

My own pattern is frustrating if you go only by the scale - I lost 7 pounds in the first two weeks of induction, 3 more in extended induction, and two on OWL so far. I will go weeks with no change... in weight. It's going kinda slow for me - unless you consider I have "only" 40 pounds total to lose and I've lost 30% of that already, which comes down to 1.5 pounds/week - not too shabby!

However, since I measure, I know that in those "stall" weeks I was losing inches, big-time. My clothes were getting looser, too. I lost 3 inches on my thighs alone!

Try measuring - it really helps.

Other than that- if you're working the plan clean as the good Doctor ordered - you should be just fine.

[2BME]

Re: weight loss stall...how long is appropriate?

If you feel like you lost well at the beginning of induction, but have slowed down, maybe try moving onto the OWL rung 1. So many people have an initial "success" that first week of induction and feel like they need to just stay on induction. I think most people find that when they move onto the OWL rungs they enjoy the variety more and you will have more added fiber everyday, that usually equates out to weight loss.

[WAY2BIG]

Re: weight loss stall...how long is appropriate?

Hi Skep, thanks for the reply and you're absolutely right, patience is not one of my virtues but I'm working on it!!

Congrats on your weight/inch loss. To tell you the truth, I haven't measured, I am using the scale as a gauge with the understanding that even though it doesn't move doesn't mean I'm not getting thinner.

This may seem crazy but I'm using the scale to determine when I can try on my size 4-6 jeans.... I know when I put them on and they're screaming tight I'll feel so defeated... I want to get as close to my goal weight before I do that, just as insurance.

That reads even sillier then it sounds.... I'll work on this one too!!!

[Skeptika23]

Re: weight loss stall...how long is appropriate?

Hi Skep, thanks for the reply and you're absolutely right, patience is not one of my virtues but I'm working on it!!

Congrats on your weight/inch loss. To tell you the truth, I haven't measured, I am using the scale as a gauge with the understanding that even though it doesn't move doesn't mean I'm not getting thinner.

This may seem crazy but I'm using the scale to determine when I can try on my size 4-6 jeans.... I know when I put them on and they're screaming tight I'll feel so defeated... I want to get as close to my goal weight before I do that, just as insurance.

That reads even sillier then it sounds.... I'll work on this one too!!!

Thanks! I'm really grooving on this new WOE. I'm also a very impatient person so I really understand where you're coming from!

Measuring helps so very much - kept my sanity when the scale just... sat... there... ARRGGHH!



But when you see your hips or waist or thigh measure a half-inch less than it did last week... that's progress, baby!

What you're doing is not crazy, but I suggest that it doesn't give you that little bit of progress measured that you really need to keep the morale up when the scale is being evil.

[spectro]

Re: weight loss stall...how long is appropriate?

I am in my fourth week of induction and my weight has been bouncing around the same for the last two weeks. On the other hand today I noticed my clothes fit much better than when I started and I look slimmer.

Did you take your measurements as the book recommends? (neck, chest, arms, waist). I didn't either, I'll do it tonight.

[Skeptika23]

Re: weight loss stall...how long is appropriate?

I am in my fourth week of induction and my weight has been bouncing around the same for the last two weeks. On the other hand today I noticed my clothes fit much better than when I started and I look slimmer.

Did you take your measurements as the book recommends? (neck, chest, arms, waist). I didn't either, I'll do it tonight.

I didn't start measuring until about three weeks in and I'm kicking myself! I bet my progress is much better than I realize - I bet yours is, too. I use Fitday so I put my measurements in there and measured everything they suggest there too.

As I said above... nothing... nothing... nothing... getting upset... nothing... WHOOSH!

I support what 2BME said about going to OWL too - I think it moved me along a bit.

[Bringy98]

Re: weight loss stall...how long is appropriate?

I was scared because in the beginning I drop pounds like crazy! And now? 5 pounds in 20 days for me and it's going slowly and slowly. I agree with the others here, be patience. You may stall for a bit and weigh loss will occur later.

[surreys_princess]

Re: weight loss stall...how long is appropriate?

Hi. The book says stalling is 4 weeks of no weight or inches loss. That is the "official" definition. Try not to be frustrated. I get like that and then one day I will get on the scale and 4 pounds is gone. Dr A says in the book if you are stalled, to try cutting out dairy, caffeine if you drink it, asparteme, etc for a week. It is tough cause in the book it doesnt talk about plateaus for induction, just in general, and it seems they are geared for later on in our adventure. A old and dear atkineer told me that usually when I stall, it is going to be lack of the right ratios (ie fat) that is going to hurt your loss, especially in the early phases. So, that is all I know. I can tell you to try not to worry about it (easier said than done, I know). It took awhile to get here, and it seems like you have done pretty well so far. Smiles all around!!!

Sam

ps......At one time I was stalled, and a member named julirama talked to me about the benefit of moving to OWL, and when I did, it kicked back in after a few days. Maybe you can tak to her, or ask someone about it.....I always talk to someone before I make decisions like that though so I am on the right page....Good luck!! Toodles...

[xmmwx]

Re: weight loss stall...how long is appropriate?

I would have to agree with moving to OWL because I tend to have the same problem. It seems like when I go a week and don't lose much the next week I will increase my carbs (with vegetables of course!!!) and it moves along..If you get worried you can always go back to induction. I tend to stop losing weight when I add too many veggies for too long..then I have to go back to full induction. For me, it seems to be a back and forth game..I don't know if I should be doing that or not. But, I do the best I can, which is all I can ask of myself. I just try to stay focused. I lost 100 lbs before I had my daughter (only got off Atkins because I was SO sick almost my whole pregnancy that bread and starchy things were the only thing I could keep down) I did gain about half the weight back which is why I am on it again..but, that 100 lbs took me about 8 or 9 months..and during that time, I went between phases AND did cheat occasionally. (I'm NOT advocating doing it my way..just stating what I did..) Anyway, my point is that I had to just hang in there..even at times when I didn't lose weight or I sabbatoged (sp?) myself.

[Bringy98]

Re: weight loss stall...how long is appropriate?

It's weird you can stall for like 2 weeks or so and then you lose 5 pounds down the next morning. It happened to me. So you may stall and see your weight loss happen later.

[lloydjason]

Re: weight loss stall...how long is appropriate?

I stalled for about a week, hovering right at 240lbs which drove me crazy. At first I was weighing myself everyday, and was feeling motivated by the daily weight loss. Everyone on the forum warned me that it's not good to check your weight every day, but of course I didn't listen. Then POW! I hit my stall, and didn't have the daily motivation of looking at the scale seeing the results I wanted and expected. Mind you, I was still feeling great and definately loosing inches, but that didn't matter. I was depressed and ready to throw in the towel. Finally I realized that it just plain wasn't good to obsess over the scale every day. I increased my exercise and made sure I wasn't getting any excessive carbs in my diet. This week I broke the 240 barrier, which made me feel soooooooo good. I'm now at 236.6 and looking forward to the 220s.
One thing that I discovered during my stall was that my sinus medication which I was taking was throwing me right out of keitosis.

[xmmwx]

Re: weight loss stall...how long is appropriate?

Wow..you sound like me..I was upset..and hovered at 176 for 2-3 weeks..I thought it might have something to do with my thyroid medication, but last week I dropped 6 lbs in a week. So, I am not sure if it was water weight or what..but, I did what you did, increased my exercise and took measurements and made sure I wasn't adding anything extra (carbs) that I didn't realize I was. So, I wrote that post when I was quite frustrated, and I do feel a little better now.

Now, about the weighing every day thing. I worked for a doctor for 10 years, and I always weighed myself at the office even when I was seriously overweight. It's a hard habit to break even at home. I DO weigh myself every day but, I don't obsess about it. I just don't want to wait a whole week to find out if I am messing up on something. I do think it can become obsessive and my family makes fun of me for doing it, but I force myself to take the good with the bad. I probably shouldn't weigh myself every day,but like I said, its been a habit for so long, not sure I could break it if I wanted to!

Congratulations on making it into the 230's. I started at 248 years ago..and have lost weight (gained some because I had a baby) but, went right back on Atkins. So, hang in there..What is your goal?

[lloydjason]

Re: weight loss stall...how long is appropriate?

I love your line of thinking about weighing yourself every day just to make sure that you are on track, but not obsessing over it. I haven't really set an end goal... but I keep checking my progress and set mini-goals. I honestly never thought I would break 240, which really made me happy. Ideally I think 190/200 would be good for me, but I don't want to set the bar too high or completely out of reach.

[scandalous]

Re: weight loss stall...how long is appropriate?

I'm so glad I read ur message cause I've been stalling for about a week. And it's depressing the crap out of me, but not enough to quit cause I know that sooner or later I'll have to lose something. But I too am a compulsive jump on the scale type of person. I weigh myself every morning with the hopes that I've lost something or at least maintained. I say we just keep moving forward for we shall achieve our goal!!! Good luck to u all and keep on posting