Two month summation from doctor--need opinion

[Designbabe]

I've been on Atkins for about 2 months, 3 weeks of which was on Induction. And I only cheated at 2 meals this entire time. Since induction, my daily carb intake is 20 - 25 g.

I went to visit my doctor yesterday, and from recent bloodwork, he told me my health has improved lots. My liver enzymes, cholestrols, and blood glucose have all shown much better readings. I am thrilled about this.

My doctor was very encouraging, but he thought I should have lost more than just 11 lbs (i have not updated my weight loss ticker below, sorry) considering I've been exercising along w/ the diet.

As well, he said that I'll hit a plateau at month 3 or 4 and Atkins will cease to work for me, and that I should find another diet plan after the plateau. What do you all think?

My feelings on the 11 lbs: 11 lbs in 9 weeks works out to a weight loss of 1.2 lbs per week. I find this incredibly slow and wish I could accelerate it somehow as I'm starting to feel discouraged despite the good bloodwork. I know that cutting carbs is going to be a lifelong change I have to make, but I still would like to loose the extra weight faster. Any thoughts?

[sallyseachange]

Re: Two month summation from doctor--need opinion

You probably will hit a plateau at some time on your journey... but the truth is that you would on any diet plan, not just Atkins. It's something that happens to most. I wouldn't see this as a cause to change what's obviously working well for you... your bloodwork is the proof. Plateaus might come... but they go too, if you stick with the plan.

Seems to me you're doing fine. A 1.2 lb a week loss is a very satisfactory. Try to think direction rather than speed... and your direction is great. I know it might seem never-ending, but once you get where you want to be, you'll find that the weight loss phase seemed to have passed in a flash.

One thing I noticed that always did speed up my loss, was water. The more cold water I drank, the faster I lost (though I was never a very speedy loser). You use a surprising amount of energy to heat the water to body temperature, apparently.

Hang in there... it's so worth it.

[not2late]

Re: Two month summation from doctor--need opinion

Your doctor must be psychic because he can see into the future and say you will definitely hit a plateau. If your CCLL is 25 pounds then you eat at or below it. If you haven't found your CCLL yet, I suggest you do so. What I've noticed here is that if you keep your daily carbs unnaturally below your CCLL for an extended length of time, you will hit a plateau---similar to the folks on Extended Induction (who don't need to be on it) who hit a plateau 4-6 months into their extension and only break out of it when they move to do OWL properly.

1-2 pounds per week is what most conventional diets say is a "safe" weight loss rate---does your doctor know something the rest of us don't?

By the way, what are your measurments doing? Dr. Atkins wrote that the loss of inches was more representative of fat loss than what the scale shows. Remember, if you have gained a pound of muscle but lost a pound of fat, that scale won't show any signs of weight loss. Did your doctor take any measurements of you?

[mitzimarie]

Re: Two month summation from doctor--need opinion

As well, he said that I'll hit a plateau at month 3 or 4 and Atkins will cease to work for me, and that I should find another diet plan after the plateau. What do you all think?

My feelings on the 11 lbs: 11 lbs in 9 weeks works out to a weight loss of 1.2 lbs per week. I find this incredibly slow and wish I could accelerate it somehow as I'm starting to feel discouraged despite the good bloodwork. I know that cutting carbs is going to be a lifelong change I have to make, but I still would like to loose the extra weight faster. Any thoughts?

LOL... Atkins will cease to work after month 3 or 4?

Check out my stats... Atkins did NOT fail me after 3 or 4 months. And, my rate of loss (including Induction) was between 1 and 2 pounds a week. Some weeks I lost 2 pounds, most weeks I lost 1 pound, and some weeks I lost 0 pounds. As you know (and your doctor should know), weight loss is not linear. And the number on the scale is a poor indicator of fat loss.

I say hang in there, and don't be in such a hurry. It is more healthy to lose at the 1 to 2 pound a week rate... gives your body time to adjust, and gives you practice for eating this way for the rest of your life. Those "small" losses surely do add up! Good luck!!

[shininstr984]

Re: Two month summation from doctor--need opinion

Amen to what Mitzi said.

I would just hang in there too. I started on 2/5 and have lost 14 lbs. So that is less than 2 lbs a week also. I feel like I am hitting a stall, but sometimes it takes people longer to adjust to the drastic change in your eating habits. It really depends on the person. Just know you are not alone. You will have frustrations along with triumphs and successes. When it's all said and done, you can think back to this post and say- IM GLAD I DIDNT GIVE UP!

Good luck to you dear.

[dreamof145]

Re: Two month summation from doctor--need opinion

I totally agree with Megs. Find your CCLL - and work the WOE instead of doubting it. I've hit lots of plateaus on Atkins as well as other weight loss plans I've tried. The difference this time is that I planned my program and revised exercise, upped the water intake and kept a food journal so I could see what foods caused me to gain. The results you have already witnessed with your check-up is great...congratulations.

If you haven't already, take your measurements and you'll see the inches you've lost which will be lot more motivating than pounds. Keep a positive attitude and keep us posted on your continued progress. Sounds like you are doing great!

[quotidianlight]

Re: Two month summation from doctor--need opinion

Congrads on your loss and all your hard work. At first I was sad to be losing so slow compared to a lot of people on this board. I lost 6 pounds during induction and I kept seeing people losing twice that. But then I remembered how my skin looked after I had the twins and realized a slow loss is going to prevent a lot of future problems from skin issues to how I maintain the loss. Any sustained loss over 2-3 pounds a week and I would start getting nervous. My average ranges from .89 - 1.91 a week. Loss jumps all over the place and you are doing great.