Stalled for 3+ weeks in Extended Induction

[Jayden]

Re: Stalled for 3+ weeks in Extended Induction

have you tried the fat fast that Dr. Atkins suggested when you hit a plateau? Chapter 15 (page 182) in the DANDR book talks about plateaus and page 272-274 has the fat fast details.

[Georgiana]

Re: Stalled for 3+ weeks in Extended Induction

have you tried the fat fast that Dr. Atkins suggested when you hit a plateau? Chapter 15 (page 182) in the DANDR book talks about plateaus and page 272-274 has the fat fast details.

First, Abigail did not hit a plateau. As defined in DANDR, a plateau requires 4 consecutive weeks without any weight loss or loss of inches.

Second, the fat fast is not meant to be used to break plateaus. The only people who should use it are those who have a high metabolic resistance and have eliminated all other factors that could stall their weight loss -- yeast overgrowth, hyperinsulinism, thyroid problems, certain medications. With 4 lbs lost during Induction, Abigail's metabolic resistance is average.

No plateau, no high metabolic resistance, not all other factors eliminated -- not a fat fast candidate.

Abigail, you should take body measurements. Don't go solely by your clothes or by what the scale says. Also record your food, daily, and be aware of exactly how many carbs and calories you are eating, of what your percentages are, etc. And you'll have to figure out the Candida issue.

[J.R.]

Re: Stalled for 3+ weeks in Extended Induction

I'm a bit skeptical about measurements for this purpose, for two reasons:
1) It's almost impossible to duplicate both holding the tape and not sucking in/relaxing the same way, etc, from session to session. The readings could change by 1.5 inches without a real change just from choosing a slightly different position, slightly putting an angle, tugging on the tape, etc. So there is a lot of "play" in the reading.
2) There's not really any rhyme or reason where the fat comes off first. I didn't register any tape movement even after 12 pounds. It wasn't until I went away for 3 weeks and lost another 7 pounds before I could see a noticeable difference in the measurements.

So my point is checking measurements in a matter of days will probably be fruitless. I'm starting to arrive at the opinion that this activity should occur no more frequently than once a month, at best.

[Jayden]

Re: Stalled for 3+ weeks in Extended Induction

Ah, her entry said 3+ weeks, so...that could have been almost 4...the fat fast worked for me when I stalled and was where she was. I just know how discouraging stalling is and thought that it may work for her...

[myabigail]

Re: Stalled for 3+ weeks in Extended Induction

I don't think I'm a great candidate for the Fat Fast. I have lost weight in the past. About a year and a half ago, I worked with a nutritionist (we worked together 7 years ago with GREAT, and long-lasting success) and lost 15 lbs (which I gained back, plus some, when I went into high stress mode & stopped eating right). She had me on a low-fat and high-protein diet.

Anyway, I can't afford her now, and my brother, who is a trainer & hobby nutritionist, suggested Atkins. I figured it would be great, since 4 years ago I lost weigh easily on South Beach.

The good news is that my insides seem to be moving again. I've had 2 1/2 of normal bowel movements. I upped my fiber from flax and psyllium substantially. I also took Miralax for 2 days. My net carbs are still under 20 because I'm doing so much fiber, but my total carbs have gone up. My ketostix are still turning dark pink.

The bad news is that the scale still has not budged, and tomorrow is the 4-week mark for the stall. I have journaled my food for the past 4 days. It was pretty easy, because my diet has been limited. Past that, my memory is not perfect, so I didn't go further back. I'm going to continue to journal, but in the meantime, here is the link:

http://fitday.com/fitness/PublicJournals.html?Owner=Abigail+Davis

[Desertthorn]

Re: Stalled for 3+ weeks in Extended Induction

I'm a bit skeptical about measurements for this purpose, for two reasons:
1) It's almost impossible to duplicate both holding the tape and not sucking in/relaxing the same way, etc, from session to session. The readings could change by 1.5 inches without a real change just from choosing a slightly different position, slightly putting an angle, tugging on the tape, etc. So there is a lot of "play" in the reading.
2) There's not really any rhyme or reason where the fat comes off first. I didn't register any tape movement even after 12 pounds. It wasn't until I went away for 3 weeks and lost another 7 pounds before I could see a noticeable difference in the measurements.

So my point is checking measurements in a matter of days will probably be fruitless. I'm starting to arrive at the opinion that this activity should occur no more frequently than once a month, at best.

Yeah, JR, but tight jeans do tell the truth about inches.

I know that stalls and hesitations are frustrating. I lose in spurts, not continually and sometimes will go weeks without a loss and then drop 5 pounds. Its just the way it is. I have learned not to worry about it and just look at the big picture.
Fat fast is a joke and I'll bet the good doctor wished he hadn't added that chapter. I have been on this board and other boards for years and I know from seeing a million posts on the subject that 1) its not healthy, 2) it might work for a bit, but you gain the weight back and 3) its just not worth the trouble.

[myabigail]

Re: Stalled for 3+ weeks in Extended Induction

Oopps -- meant to say 2 1/2 days of regular BM in my post above.

Desert Thorn -- I'm with you on the tight jeans thing. Clothes do not lie -- better than any tape measure.

A week without weight loss is not a huge deal -- 4 weeks without makes me want to pull my hair out.

I'm also a little leery of the fat fast -- mostly because he mentions it might be dangerous for people who don't need it.

Anyway, if Georgiana stops by, please see my last post & my food diary. Thanks.

[kibskix]

Re: Stalled for 3+ weeks in Extended Induction

from what i've seen theres a few things you can tweak.your account says you're in extended induction. your veggies half the time are going over whats allowed on induction. one day you have 2 cups of lettuce, 4 celery sticks, a cup of brussel sprouts ,3oz of pumpkin and half an avocado. thats -way- too many veggies.2 cups of lettuce and 4 celery sticks probably enough to hit 3 cups.

also it seems to me you're way over doing your fiber. this isn't a more is better sort of thing. as people have mentioned to you before, too much fiber will just make it worse, and it throws your carb % way over what it should be. if you're eating 50 grams of carbs when you're supposed to be on induction, it really doesnt matter a whole lot that 40 of them are fiber, thats still going to throw you off. i really doubt you should be taking flax and husks at the same time.

[myabigail]

Re: Stalled for 3+ weeks in Extended Induction

I'm probably somewhere between Extended Induction and OWL Rung 1. Several people suggested I add more veggies.

I don't know what else to do about the fiber. Without is, I was terribly constipated. I kept adding fiber until I got back to regular.

[TGIFriday]

Re: Stalled for 3+ weeks in Extended Induction

You pretty much sound the same as me...I am now going to increase my exercise in hopes of a change. Lost 2/3 lbs (varies) in 3 weeks of induction. I am going to now try it my way (still following Atkins, or course) but switch from bacon/sausage for breakfast to chicken or another natural meat (and not processed). Also, I don't have any carbs for breakfast, so will start adding some veggies. I am at a point that I need to find out what is going on by trying different things.

[myabigail]

Re: Stalled for 3+ weeks in Extended Induction

I'm in an orthopedic boot for another 4 weeks, so exercise is very limited. I'm going to look at a gym today that has a pool -- hopefully I can start swimming. But I'm so broke right now!

[Sherri]

Re: Stalled for 3+ weeks in Extended Induction

I'm probably somewhere between Extended Induction and OWL Rung 1. Several people suggested I add more veggies.

I don't know what else to do about the fiber. Without is, I was terribly constipated. I kept adding fiber until I got back to regular.

Rather than add more fiber, move onto OWL Rung 1 veggies. That way you're adding more fiber by eating more veggies. More likely than not, by adding more veggies, it will help getting the scale moving once again. May I suggest you join the "Veggie Challenge" 5th Semi Annual Veggie Challenge! , if you havn't already. Our Moderator and my friend Mitzi Marie is leading it and I truly believe you will benifit from this challenge.
Do you eat coconut oil everyday? This is an excellent monounsaturated fat and a great way to add fat into your daily woe. Also will help with constipation.
How many calories are you eating a day? Although I realize that it's not important to count calories, by not eating enough calories, it will set your body in starvation mode to where your body will hold onto the weight. So it's important to know your daily calorie intake as well as Net Carbs.
Avacados (1/2) and lemon juice(3 tbls) are in the Special Catagory Food. Read Page 129 DANDR. If you don't have the book handy it says- "Be aware that that these foods occasionally slow down weightloss in some people, and may need to be avoided in the first two weeks. If you seem to be losing slowly, moderate your intake of these foods."
Some folks are sensitive to cheese and is a known staller. If you're eating cream cheese often, you may want to cut back and see if that makes a difference.
Chicken and fish is easier for our bodies to digest than beef. It takes at least 3 days for our bodies to digest beef. It sits in our digestive track to rot before our bodies can metabolize it. If you're eating beef every day. Your body may be sensitive to beef and is having difficulty digesting it and causing the digestive problem you described. Maybe add more chicken, turkey and fish into your woe rather than beef and see if that makes a difference. (I know it does for me).
Do you drink anything other than water? Great job getting your water in each day, very important.
Whatever you do, DON'T GIVE UP! The Atkins WOL will teach you what foods you are tollerable or intollerable to. You'll never know exactly what foods they are unless you follow through. I realize it can get frustrating. Lord knows I have been there myself. But by not giving up, I truly believe that the plan will work for you as long as you work the plan and find out what foods you're tollerable to.
It's a very personal journey. No two are the same. It's what works for you that's important.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely, Sherri

[Georgiana]

Re: Stalled for 3+ weeks in Extended Induction

Anyway, if Georgiana stops by, please see my last post & my food diary. Thanks.

Here.

I think your menus look okay for someone in OWL Rung 1. You're already there, so you should probably change your profile info. There is no reason to be scared of OWL -- I believe it is the most exciting/interesting part in one's Atkins journey. You learn what you can and cannot eat in order to lose weight, and this is something you'll benefit from for life.

Regarding exercise. I imagine what you cannot do is step on your foot, right? But other than that, you should be able to gently move your leg. You can try some yoga poses, abs, push-ups (put your injured leg on top of the other or do wall push-ups)... or even exercise in a chair. Anything is better than doing nothing. It will help with constipation and it will be good for your health in general.

[myabigail]

Re: Stalled for 3+ weeks in Extended Induction

I think I have finally broken through the stall. I was afraid to say anything until I was sure, and even now, I'm afraid to 'jinx' myself - LOL.

But I'm finally down about 2lbs from my stall. I've continued to eat a candida diet with plenty of psyllium husks and flaxseed meal. I'm now very regular and not at all concerned with backups in the colon. Plumbing is definitely fixed.

I'm still probably somewhere between Extended Induction and OWL Rung 1 -- some days I have more veggies. I'm comfortable here for now, so I'm going to hold on.

I do miss cheese like crazy! So many recipes I can't make. I think that's the next thing I'll try to add back in -- once I'm sure the weight loss is on track.

Thanks for all the ideas!

[liv]

Re: Stalled for 3+ weeks in Extended Induction

Good job sticking to it and working it out. You deserve a whoosh for sure. Hoping it is coming soon for you. Glad to hear the constipation issue is under control. That must be a relief. You rock.