I need help please....

[rozbushy]

Hi all.
I am stalled, I think. Actually I have gained 2 lbs. I am doing nothing different but it is approaching TOM. My strips still indicate ketosis. Please advise me :sadblinky .
Also, has anyone tried the Slim fast low carb drink? Says 2 or 4 carbs-cant remember-saw it at the store.
Thanks- still down about the 2 lbs.

[Kent]

Mind you this is from a guy, but it could certainly be TOM from everything I read around here. Weight loss hesistations are common but are usually only temporary. How long has it been since you've lost? There is a good sticky in the forum about weight loss linearity as well. Be patient, the losing will resume shortly.

[sskyeye]

Bowulf is correct. Many, if not most women experience a gain just before TOM. All those hormones kicking up make us retain water. Not to worry; at some point during or just after TOM those pounds will disappear overnight and maybe even take some friends with them. It's frustrating, but perfectly normal, and will be a monthly "blip" on the weight loss chart. Again, not to worry, it's perfectly normal, and only temporary.

As for the shakes, they are not Induction legal. No matter what the carb count says, you want to kill your sweet tooth during Induction, and shakes feed it. Also, some of the artificial sweetners used in the different shakes can stall some people. So it's best if you avoid them. I mean this in a kind, helpful way: read DANDR 2002 edition and stick by it. If it's not on the Induction list, don't eat it. That is what we teach here, and there are loads of us who have been successful doing that. "Doing your own thing" is not Atkins, and can lead to disappointment.

[Johari]

During TOM, I gain about four pounds, but when it stops, they go away. Be sure to drink lots of water to flush out salt and hopefull reduce water weight gain.

[spirittalker]

Sweety TOM is evil. Last month I gained 8 lbs in the week before TOM and those pounds stuck around till about a week after. Then last week I hit a new low. It's one of the reasons we women just lose slower than the boys. It's frustrating but perfectly normal. You may want to up your exercise and water which will help dump some of the excess water weight. Other wise just stay away from the scale until you are done with TOM.
Stay away from the frankenfoods. You will see more success if you try to stick with pure whole foods.

[rozbushy]

Bowulf is correct. Many, if not most women experience a gain just before TOM. All those hormones kicking up make us retain water. Not to worry; at some point during or just after TOM those pounds will disappear overnight and maybe even take some friends with them. It's frustrating, but perfectly normal, and will be a monthly "blip" on the weight loss chart. Again, not to worry, it's perfectly normal, and only temporary.

As for the shakes, they are not Induction legal. No matter what the carb count says, you want to kill your sweet tooth during Induction, and shakes feed it. Also, some of the artificial sweetners used in the different shakes can stall some people. So it's best if you avoid them. I mean this in a kind, helpful way: read DANDR 2002 edition and stick by it. If it's not on the Induction list, don't eat it. That is what we teach here, and there are loads of us who have been successful doing that. "Doing your own thing" is not Atkins, and can lead to disappointment.

Thanks for the advice.
The new shakes from SlimFast are sweetened with splenda-which is legal. I am doing the extended induction at this point and remain cheat free. I do refer to the book often its just that these shakes are new and at some point in time, I may try them.
I am by no means "doing my own thing." I am strictly following the plan as stated in the book and have been since the end of March. I am aware of what is "taught" or rather advised here on this board and I am grateful to have the opportunity to come here. I find most of the time the replies are comforting and reasurring and very enlightening. The only reason I asked about the shakes is usualy you will find someone who has tried them or knows somehting about them-knowledge is power.
thanks again

[MistyDawn1973]

This is my second day on Induction, and TOM came to me this morning, and I got on the scales just for the heck of it, and I had lost 4 pounds! Which shocked me because I usually gain 3-5 pounds around that time. It's just water gain, remember that. Drink LOTS of water, which I did yesterday and I dont' think I left any for the whales!....lol....maybe that's why I lost instead of gaining, who knows. Still made me excited! :icondance