So discouraged - been crying - not losing on Atkins.

[pinkfeathers]

Re: So discouraged - been crying - not losing on Atkins.

Does it give you blood sugar symptoms?

Hi again! I found the part in the book about book about blood sugar symptoms. I haven't been doing the probiotics long. Only 2 days so far. Do you think it might be too early to tell?

I realize after reading those questions I had many of them prior to Atkins.

I'm going to keep a close eye on my symptoms and see if they improve, stay the same or get worse.

Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

I realize that I need to sit down and read the ENTIRE book.

[pinkfeathers]

Re: So discouraged - been crying - not losing on Atkins.

>> I went to the library yesterday and checked out an older version of it.>>

You need the 2002 edition. Plain and simple.

You really do need to own a copy if you're going to make Atkins your lifestyle.

I've never known anyone who got to "goal" and maintained their weight loss without a copy.

Ok, good to know. I do own it somewhere in my stuff. I'll need to really search for it tomorrow. And I'll actually read it all the way through this time.

[Georgiana]

Re: So discouraged - been crying - not losing on Atkins.

Hi again! I found the part in the book about book about blood sugar symptoms. I haven't been doing the probiotics long. Only 2 days so far. Do you think it might be too early to tell?

I realize after reading those questions I had many of them prior to Atkins.

I'm going to keep a close eye on my symptoms and see if they improve, stay the same or get worse.

Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

I realize that I need to sit down and read the ENTIRE book.

I'm sure you'll be fine taking them as long as you stick to the plan.

Yep, read the book.

[pinkfeathers]

Re: So discouraged - been crying - not losing on Atkins.

I'm sure you'll be fine taking them as long as you stick to the plan.

Yep, read the book.

Hey Georgiana,

I re-purchased the new Atkins book and have been reading it. He sure has a lot more information in the updated book about stalls, metabolic resistance and yeast. I'm glad I got it and have been reading it.

For some reason I just refuse to give up on Atkins. Despite the fact I've not lost.

Anyway - I won't be weighing myself this week but in another week I might see if I've dropped anything.

[Georgiana]

Re: So discouraged - been crying - not losing on Atkins.

I re-purchased the new Atkins book and have been reading it. He sure has a lot more information in the updated book about stalls, metabolic resistance and yeast. I'm glad I got it and have been reading it.

Glad to hear that. I agree that there's a lot of good info in DANDR 2002. Even after two years, I am still referring to it very often.

For some reason I just refuse to give up on Atkins. Despite the fact I've not lost.

Maybe you are seeing the other benefits of Atkins? There is a list of questions in Ch. 12 (page 147).

Anyway - I won't be weighing myself this week but in another week I might see if I've dropped anything.

Did you take body measurements? Or at least keep in mind how your clothes were fitting when you posted this thread.

How does measuring everything you eat go?

Are you drinking more water?

Eating enough calories? Eating your veggies?

[pinkfeathers]

Re: So discouraged - been crying - not losing on Atkins.

Glad to hear that. I agree that there's a lot of good info in DANDR 2002. Even after two years, I am still referring to it very often.

Maybe you are seeing the other benefits of Atkins? There is a list of questions in Ch. 12 (page 147).

Did you take body measurements? Or at least keep in mind how your clothes were fitting when you posted this thread.

How does measuring everything you eat go?

Are you drinking more water?

Eating enough calories? Eating your veggies?

Hi there again!

I've been drinking a ton of water.

As for how my clothes fit, they are tight, just like they were when starting. Measurements same.

I'm measuring now and keeping a journal.

Time will tell!

[allegra15]

Re: So discouraged - been crying - not losing on Atkins.

So I've been reading this thread and feeling a lot of empathy. Been there. Done that. I'm wondering how you are doing (weight, energy and emotions) now. I think you already got a ton of great advice -- but today i decided to add my two cents.

I am like you in that i have struggled time and time to lose weight - and it's slow as molasses. I could kick my PC when i read the occasional thread about "omg the pounds are just melting off" lol. GRRRRR. But this time around, I've finally got my arms around it and have come to terms.

Have you ever read up on "Insulin Resistance" - if not, I'd suggest that you do. You might find a LOT of similarities that will make sense to you. I am IR. The more I pour carbs into my body, the more insulin, the more glucose I produce. But my cells are resistant to burning the glucose as fuel. So it immediately stores most of it as FAT .
And trying to lose is hard, slow, frustrating. It comes off uber slowly. Stalls are the norm.

Like you, on Induction, I barely lost and in my case I had no cheats. I was under 20 carbs every single day - eventually going down to almost none. But I have hung in and I'm down more than 25 pounds since starting. It feels wonderful. But it's just as slow as ever -- but it continues...slow but sure. I'll never be the hare, I'll always be the tortoise....but in the end, the tortoise won, you kn ow?

Things I have learned along the way for me.....I HAVE to count calories. I will NOT lose if i routinely eat more than 1200-1300. End of story. Stop whining about it (me). I HAVE to log my food in so that i am SURE of my calories and fat/carb/protein ratios. I cannot "eye ball" it. I HAVE to keep my protein up. I add protein powder to "egg creams" and it's great. I HAVE to work out. I do "intervals" - 4 times a week minimum, 45 minutes a week minimum. Period. If I don't work out, it's even harder. Exercise (and low carbs) help to reverse insulin resistance. If I don't do it, I don't lose. I stall. I MUST NOT use any sweetener but Splenda (or stevia) and then in moderation. I can drink an occasional drink or glass of wine and not stall (YAY!!!!) I can eat a little low carb fruit and not stall - but in great moderation. No junk food, no "frankenfoods" - no bars, premixed drinks, etc.

So those are the things that I have learned. If I were you I'd research Insulin resistance and see if it rings any bells for you. I was "early" in the IR cycle (my cholesterol was up, blood pressure somewhat elevated...but no high triglycerides, no diabetes, etc. But i fit the profile exactly when it comes to how i lose (or dont) and what i can eat.

And most important for me -- I had to decide that i was "serious". I had to stop whining to myself that it's not fair. I had to stop with poor me. I had to log stuff (and i HATE doing that stuff)....but I HAD TO DECIDE that I was serious about this for my health and well being (not to mention my appearance). I realize now that many times in the past, I wanted to lose, but I really didn't commit firmly to what it took for me....and i focused too much on how "unfair" it all was. SIGH. This was hard, but I'm there now. Will i fall off the wagon at some point? Hopefully not, but who knows...Will i feel sorry for myself or be totally IRKED at having to log stuff in? YES!! lol....

but i'm in it this time, wholeheartedly. I AM THE TORTOISE!

Hope some of this helps....hang in....get your head around it.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: So discouraged - been crying - not losing on Atkins.

>> I've been drinking a ton of water.>>

What's a "ton of water" in ounces?

[pinkfeathers]

Re: So discouraged - been crying - not losing on Atkins.

So I've been reading this thread and feeling a lot of empathy. Been there. Done that. I'm wondering how you are doing (weight, energy and emotions) now. I think you already got a ton of great advice -- but today i decided to add my two cents.

I am like you in that i have struggled time and time to lose weight - and it's slow as molasses. I could kick my PC when i read the occasional thread about "omg the pounds are just melting off" lol. GRRRRR. But this time around, I've finally got my arms around it and have come to terms.

Have you ever read up on "Insulin Resistance" - if not, I'd suggest that you do. You might find a LOT of similarities that will make sense to you. I am IR. The more I pour carbs into my body, the more insulin, the more glucose I produce. But my cells are resistant to burning the glucose as fuel. So it immediately stores most of it as FAT .
And trying to lose is hard, slow, frustrating. It comes off uber slowly. Stalls are the norm.

Like you, on Induction, I barely lost and in my case I had no cheats. I was under 20 carbs every single day - eventually going down to almost none. But I have hung in and I'm down more than 25 pounds since starting. It feels wonderful. But it's just as slow as ever -- but it continues...slow but sure. I'll never be the hare, I'll always be the tortoise....but in the end, the tortoise won, you kn ow?

Things I have learned along the way for me.....I HAVE to count calories. I will NOT lose if i routinely eat more than 1200-1300. End of story. Stop whining about it (me). I HAVE to log my food in so that i am SURE of my calories and fat/carb/protein ratios. I cannot "eye ball" it. I HAVE to keep my protein up. I add protein powder to "egg creams" and it's great. I HAVE to work out. I do "intervals" - 4 times a week minimum, 45 minutes a week minimum. Period. If I don't work out, it's even harder. Exercise (and low carbs) help to reverse insulin resistance. If I don't do it, I don't lose. I stall. I MUST NOT use any sweetener but Splenda (or stevia) and then in moderation. I can drink an occasional drink or glass of wine and not stall (YAY!!!!) I can eat a little low carb fruit and not stall - but in great moderation. No junk food, no "frankenfoods" - no bars, premixed drinks, etc.

So those are the things that I have learned. If I were you I'd research Insulin resistance and see if it rings any bells for you. I was "early" in the IR cycle (my cholesterol was up, blood pressure somewhat elevated...but no high triglycerides, no diabetes, etc. But i fit the profile exactly when it comes to how i lose (or dont) and what i can eat.

And most important for me -- I had to decide that i was "serious". I had to stop whining to myself that it's not fair. I had to stop with poor me. I had to log stuff (and i HATE doing that stuff)....but I HAD TO DECIDE that I was serious about this for my health and well being (not to mention my appearance). I realize now that many times in the past, I wanted to lose, but I really didn't commit firmly to what it took for me....and i focused too much on how "unfair" it all was. SIGH. This was hard, but I'm there now. Will i fall off the wagon at some point? Hopefully not, but who knows...Will i feel sorry for myself or be totally IRKED at having to log stuff in? YES!! lol....

but i'm in it this time, wholeheartedly. I AM THE TORTOISE!

Hope some of this helps....hang in....get your head around it.

Allegra,

Wow, thank you so much for sharing this. I really appreciate it. Thanks for your empathy and your concern. You asked how I've been phyllsically, mentally, and with energy. Weight: Same (measurements, too), Energy: Pretty good, I'm not 'super energetic to the point of rediculous' but I'm doing well. Feeling healthy. Emotionally, I'm discouraged of course. My pants are tight constantly.

The thing is, I did this liquid shake diet - calories 850 - the carbs for each shake were really high. I lost 8 oz. a day on that. Which is weird because it was dairy based and carbs were like 25 a piece. I don't know if that means I'm not IR. I'll read up on that chapter.

I do know I'm Candida positive. And eating too much cheese probably triggered it. I'm doing probiotcs now.

Everything you mention: couting calories, reducing sweetners, more workouts... I have not really tried much. I just switched to Splenda from Sweet n Low. I am cutting out Almonds and cheese now. I need to step up my workouts.

Thank you sharing what you told me. I think it may be that I'm a slowwww loser no matter what. I could be just needing less calories.

Sigh... no matter what it is, I better figure it out soon. I need my tight pants to feel more comfy!!!

Thanks again, Allegra!

[pinkfeathers]

Re: So discouraged - been crying - not losing on Atkins.

>> I've been drinking a ton of water.>>

What's a "ton of water" in ounces?

Hi Atkinsgal,

THANK YOU for following up with this for me. I know you've reminded me a couple times about it. I'm drinking appx 80 oz of water a day lately.

My husband says that he *thinks* I've lost weight... in my FACE! Well, so at least I'm making progress in ONE area. HA!! Now if only that registered on the scales....

[ziggy]

Re: So discouraged - been crying - not losing on Atkins.

if you lost weight in your face and such then you most likely have lost fat your fat cells are just retaining water atm which they will let go sooner or later so keep it up!

and allegra15 Welcome to the Atkin forums and have you tried something like the atkins fat fast? i think it would work really good for someone like you and 58% of protein can be converted to glucose so unless i missed something you should not keep your protein to high but rather keep your fat high a diet like 78% fat , 20% protein , 2% carbs would work good for you i think or if you have animal organs to get your vitamins from then 0% carbs

but make sure if you do eat animal organs that they are from organic animals and such and not from normal western society animals that have had there organs posioned with all the antibiotics and such

i think i had insulin resistance too i could not even eat spagetti squash or tomatos with out my weight stalling they are medium carb vegetables

[pinkfeathers]

Re: So discouraged - been crying - not losing on Atkins.

Hi Ziggy,

Thanks for your reply. I think my dh could just be trying to be nice by saying that.

The scale hasn't budged so I just don't know anymore...

I'll check out the fat fast. I always thought that since I lost on induction I wasn't supposed to do it.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: So discouraged - been crying - not losing on Atkins.

>>'ll check out the fat fast. I always thought that since I lost on induction I wasn't supposed to do it.>>

That's very true.

Please don't do the Fat Fast ... it's likely to do your metabolism more harm. Besides, Ziggy had directed her comment to Allegra15 ... who shouldn't do the Fat Fast either!

>>I'm drinking appx 80 oz of water a day lately.>>

Your current weight is 185 ... 1/2 of that is 92 ... that's how many ounces you should aim for. Honest.

[Georgiana]

Re: So discouraged - been crying - not losing on Atkins.

Ditto what J. said. You are not a candidate for the Fat Fast since you've lost weight on Induction. Unless done under medical supervision, a low calorie, low carbohydrate diet will only screw up your metabolism even more, by affecting your thyroid.

You've been counting things properly and giving up sweeteners (right?) only for the past week. You might be still retaining water from this week. Give your body more time and don't do anything extreme.

[chinadoll]

Re: So discouraged - been crying - not losing on Atkins.

How about trying to really stick to the plan, as written, no loosey goosey stuff for 3 weeks. No weighing in between, and giving the exercise and water a real effort. Every other post is maybe I should try this, maybe I should try that---how about REALLY trying Atkins and having a little patience.