Where I'm at (187 to 174) LIMBO LAND

[Rae76]

HI All,

Please don't get me wrong, I'm not here to complain that I'm not losing weight fast enough. I've lost 13 lbs since October 24 (so, almost 6 weeks) and I think that is fabulous. I'm just wanting to share my thoughts with you all to see if you also go through these periods. Currently my weight is 174 which tends to be where I fell off previous weight loss programs as results tended to stall at this number. However, I have no intention of stopping the program, I can just feel this nagging at my motivation. It's also TOM so I am not expecting that my weight will go down at all this week and am actually just hoping to come out of this week at the same weight I entered it as TOM usually brings with it an increase in appetite. Also, it's still work thinking of foods for snacks and dinner and it isn't easy like it was to grab a plate of pasta. However, I know where that behavior got me (nearly all of my clothes didn't fit and I couldn't shop in regular sizes).

So I find myself constantly fighting the urge to go back to induction (even though I am still very much in ketosis at OWL 2) but am worried about a weight slowdown or rather that I'll stall again at this weight and it will hurt my motivation. But this is crash diet mentality and I want to do the program like the book outlines, one rung at a time until I can determine my CCLL.

Have any of you been through this period where the shine has worn off a bit and you just need to put your head down and plow through it? If so, I would love to hear how you coped with it..

Thanks and happy losing to you all

Rae

[Einy]

Re: Where I'm at (187 to 174) LIMBO LAND

Rae,

I am not sure there will be someone who hasn't been through this.. Just first relax, weight stall happens, it may take a week, two or even more.. That's not the important part. What's important is that you stay focused and determined.. I would advice the following,

1. First relax, weight stall is VERY normal. Happened to me at least 4 times over the past year.

2. Stay away from that evil scale, I wouldn't worry about it at all, as long as you are on the plan, just don't pay attention to the scale. I would limit my weigh days to only once every 2 weeks.

3. Take measurements, these are very important and better tracking tool than the scale anyway.. I dropped from pants size 42 to between 40 and 38 dropping only one pound in like ~6 weeks!! Although my waist shrunk 3in,, only one lbs went off the scale..

4. Drink a lot of water. Don't walk anywhere without a water bottle in your hand.. This helps A LOT.

5. As per to Dr. Atkins, if you are experiencing cravings, you can try 1000mg L-Glutamine if you are able to do so; this will help curb the cravings.

Hope this helps...

[liv]

Re: Where I'm at (187 to 174) LIMBO LAND

Yup I get where you are at. Been there, been there. Perhaps I even am there right now too, My weight loss is slow and some of us are going to be slow losers. And the closer we get to our goal the slower it is.
I don't really know what to suggest. So far I have just buckled myself down and made it true it. I have been doing this for over a year now and it is becoming more second nature everyday. I have sort of come to the realization that people who keep nice and slim do have to plan and think ahead and be conscious about food and food choices. So always being vigilant is just going to be part of it. If we let go we will overdo it. I know that is how it is going to be for me.

I think for you I would suggest moving up a couple of rungs. Rung 3 seeds and nuts and rung 4 berries are very safe rungs (if you have portion control). The advantage with rung three is that you can bake muffins and things to have on hand so you do not always have to cook. Adding a few carbs sometimes work too - the body may adapt to the level you are at so giving it a bit of change is not a bad idea.

[blueberrylady]

Re: Where I'm at (187 to 174) LIMBO LAND

I've been there too and it does get discouraging but it's only temporary so hang in there. Also, it could be that the dairy rung is causing the stall because it does that to some people so, as Liv suggested, you might want to move up the rungs but be sure you are still getting lots of veggies because they are the best carbs you can ever eat.
Good luck!

[michelle23464]

Re: Where I'm at (187 to 174) LIMBO LAND

Hey Rea,

I started in Oct too about the same time at 187 too and am now at 174.5. I am also on TOM and I know how you feel. I spent several weeks at 177-177.5-178. I have just dropped 2.5 lbs this week to be at 174.5. Don't feel bad we all go through slow times. I was hating the scale for not showing any loss but knew it would come off at some point.

I am on rung 4 but have not had any berries yet as I have not gotten any. I find shelled sunflower seeds to be a great snack as its only 1 carb for 1/4 cup of nuts ( 8 carbs for the entire bag). Pecans are also a good snack as its only 2-3 carbs for 1/4 cup and I use a snack pack of nuts that I got from sams club with only 4 carbs for the entire package.

Try having some finger foods on hand. You can try making some foods up ahead of time.. like tuna fish, salmon cakes, low carb muffins, salad foods, cheese sticks. In a pinch some times I have vienna sausages and a string cheese.

Have you tried cooking some low carb foods? I have been finding recipes and trying new things. You may want to look at some low carb deserts so you don't feel deprived and fall off the wagon. I love my chocolate torte with only 6 carbs per slice I can have a treat.

Michelle

[Rae76]

Re: Where I'm at (187 to 174) LIMBO LAND

HI All,

Thanks so much for sharing your stories and for the encouragement. Am feeling a bit more motivated after having read your posts. I've been afraid to move up rungs because I don't want to stall but I need to remember that it isn't a race and that the weight will come off eventually. Eating nuts would be nice because of the crunchy-ness.

I've been doing some low carb cooking and that has been great. My boyfriend (what does DH stand for anyway??) is really supportive and tries out all the recipes with me.

I've set a goal for New Year's and even just having set a goal to aspire to has upped my commitment and made me realize that I have been making excuses not to do exercise and that the time for excuses is over.

Thanks to all of you again for helping me through a tough moment

Big hugs,

R