My One-Week's Notice

[Brook]

Re: My One-Week's Notice

Nutrinut, I have yet to see you give us a detailed menu that included everything you're putting in your mouth and how much.

I asked you to detail things from the menu you provided us :

Two eggs for breakfast.

How were they prepared? Did you drink anything? How much and what? If you added anything to what you drank, what was it?

Snack: approx. one slice of cheese, microwaved crisp to a cracker, chicken salad

What kind of cheese? What's in your chicken salad and how much of it did you eat? Did you drink anything?

Lunch: 2 hamburger patties with lettuce, pickles, and onion

How big are your burgers? No cheese? Again, does it really take two hamburger patties to satisfy your hunger? As a 163lb woman, two burgers is a lot of food. At about 165lbs is when I figured out that I had to start reducing how much I was eating. I was simply used to eating until I was full - and that's *not* how you're supposed to eat. Again, anything to drink?

Snack: About 10 pecans, 1/2 oz. fried cheese

Nuts aren't induction friendly. Until you figure out why you're not losing, I'd dump them. Again, anything to drink?

Dinner: Mixed salad with sauteed chicken

Mixed salad consists of what? How much? Dressing? - What kind? Chicken sauteed in what? How much chicken? Anything to drink?

There are a lot of gaps here, and those gaps could very well be telling the whole story. After being asked so many times for this info, why don't we have it to help you with yet??

Obviously "sufficient" exercise isn't sufficient for you, but that doesn't mean you have to go longer. Are you working up a sweat while you're walking? Got those arms swinging and those feet haulin' hiney? A leisurely walk is *not* exercise. You're not going to improve your physical condition if you choose not to push yourself.

And yes, the medications can be a hinderance. The recent surgery can be a hinderance (regardless of your hormones. Your body will take time to heal and will make healing itself the number one priority, even if that means it has to slow your metabolism down.) I'd also question your sensitivity to yeast, and I think the suggestion that you look into it is a great one.

You seem to be very convinced that in order to lose weight you have to be hungry. I question your definition of hungry. It seems to me that you continue to define "hungry" as not being full, and this will continue to be a problem for you until you choose to change your perception.

Atkins does not mess up metabolism. Some of these things I hear all the time just make me laugh. Eliminating processed/junk carbohydrates, drinking plenty of water, taking supplements and exercising regularly do *not* mess up your metabolism, but hopping on and off diet boats sure as heck does. Everyone continues to look for the magic bullet, and then seem jaded when they discover - there isn't one. People go "off diets" and THAT's why they have issues with their metabolisms. It's really that simple.

Time. Patience. Tenacity. Lacking these three traits is what's going to mess up your metabolism.

It's not our job to change your mind or convince you, Nutri_Nut. You seem to be very determined to do what you're going to do, and it seems you don't want to hear the suggestions or follow through with them if it's not going to give you instant results or may be inconvenient. It's all up to you and what you want to do and how badly you want it!

I wish you success, with all of my heart, and I hope you find a way that you can be happy with.

~Brook

[Nutri_Nut]

Re: My One-Week's Notice

I took my measurements this morning, and it appears I've lost 1/2" from each my bust, waist, and hips. Hmmm. I bought some new pants last week and put them on this morning, and they are slightly lose. The scale is not budging, although I'm back down to 161.5 - the weight my body can't seem to get past.

[wannabethintoo]

Re: My One-Week's Notice

That's a very good point about hunger Brook. Speaking for myself it was hard to determine if I was hungry on Atkins because I was over-eating for so long and forgot what hunger felt like. Now if you define "being full" as the way you felt when you over-ate then that's going to be a problem. I think you need to really analyze what "hunger" means to you and what "feeling full" means to you. Dr. Atkins says to eat until satisfied...not until full.

[Nutri_Nut]

Re: My One-Week's Notice

Brook,

I wish I could be more specific, but I can't. I do not measure everything I eat, including the amount of dressing I use. I can tell you that the hamburger patties were small, and two seemed sufficient. I read the food diary of a woman who weighs only 114 lbs., and her lunch consisted of two hamburger patties and a large salad. I felt "satisfied" after eating that, not stuffed.

I do not plan to post extremely detailed menus. Why? Because invariably I will get varying and conflicting information about what to add, what to drop, etc. For example, I mentioned I had a protein shake sweetened with Stevia ONE day (yesterday) nearly a month after I started Atkins, and I'm told that may be why I've stalled. Huh? The lack of weight loss came three weeks prior to that shake, and I do not believe one shake that includes a total of 3 g. of carbs is going to cause a month-long stall to come!

Trying to get help with a menu becomes too confusing, and I don't believe weight loss has to be that confusing and difficult. And I don't always know the answers because some of those foods are prepared outside my home. I don't know what the chicken was sauteed in - some kind of oil more than likely.

I appreciate everyone's help and willingness to help! You guys really are the best. But I'm going to have to find my way alone, I'm afraid, because I'm getting more and more confused the more people I talk to.

[Nutri_Nut]

Re: My One-Week's Notice

That's a very good point about hunger Brook. Speaking for myself it was hard to determine if I was hungry on Atkins because I was over-eating for so long and forgot what hunger felt like. Now if you define "being full" as the way you felt when you over-ate then that's going to be a problem. I think you need to really analyze what "hunger" means to you and what "feeling full" means to you. Dr. Atkins says to eat until satisfied...not until full.

The first time I lost weight by doing the "starvation" method, I could define hunger as feeling shakey and weak. After eating, I never felt like I had eaten enough. My stomach would still growl. I know the difference between feeling "full" and feeling "satisfied." When I'm "full," I feel like I've eaten too much. When I'm "satisfied," I no longer feel hungry.

[Brook]

Re: My One-Week's Notice

Nutri_Nut-

You're making choices that make this harder on you. Honestly. I'm not trying to be a pain in your butt, but I am gonna call you out on it

You choosing not to be more detailed about what you eat and how much is part of the problem. There's nothing magical about this and if you don't know exactly what's going in your mouth how can you possibly know what's working and what's not? It's simple. You can't. You have to know what you're working with before you can make adjustments and you're continuing to fly by the seat of your pants in this regard.

You are not a 114lb woman maintaining. I doubt that same woman has had the same surgeries you've had, is on the same medications you're on, is exercising at the same level you are, and is the same age you are. These are all factors that make you unique in this and are, again, another reason for you to be making sure you know exactly what's going in your mouth.

You're right. You're going to get varying and conflicting information. The reason? People can only post and reply to you based on what's worked for them and that's as individual as the people posting. The suggestions are things that you have to take, look at, see if they apply to you or make sense and then work them or don't work them, but store them for future reference - cuz you just never know what might work next time you've got an issue.

I agree with you about the shake, for what it's worth. But it's still not a good induction choice, particularly for someone who's having the issues you're having. Whole, natural foods with ingredients that don't require a degree in chemical engineering to pronounce are the only way to fly during induction.

Weight loss doesn't have to be confusing or difficult - but it does require you to know exactly what you're doing so that if you experience problems you have something to work with.

You shouldn't be eating ANYTHING that you're unsure of - and your willingness to do so is going to continue to be part of the problem. There's no reason in the world why you can't walk into a restaurant and say "grilled chicken - please make sure it's grilled in olive oil or no oil". I do it all the time. If I'm in a position where I can't make a request like that, I plan ahead and bring something I *know* is legal with me. Like I said, it's all about how badly you want it. It's not always going to be convenient, it's just not. But then what worth having is?! You're not talking about lifetime adjustments here - weight loss phases are distinctly different than maintenance phases and what you will be able to get away with at maintenance is very different than what you can do now while you work to acheive your goal - and make no mistake. It *is* work. That doesn't mean it has to be confusing, but a really good friend of mine said something that seems very appropriate here :

"I would say that if you consider whether or not it's difficult as being an obstacle, then it's probably not worth your effort." ~Darnitol

It is what it is.

Like I said, I hope you find a way that makes you happy.

~Brook

[Isabeau]

Re: My One-Week's Notice

I totally agree with what Brook has stated. There are 'no free lunches' (so to speak, heh) in this world and you can only get out what you are prepared to put in. It seems that for whatever reasons, you are not prepared to 'put in' on this woe. That's fine, and your choice and I hope you find what you are looking for in terms of your weight loss goals. Just be wary in saying that Atkins doesn't work, because it does for most, no, not all but most if you make the committment. That probably holds true for most things in life. Good luck to you in your journey.

[Nutri_Nut]

Re: My One-Week's Notice

What makes you say that I'm not willing to "put in" on this WOE? Just because I'm not going to continually post menus, including every minute detail? I am following Atkins, and it's not working AS WELL this time around. Remember, I've done this before. I've read the book, and I lost almost 40 lbs. two years ago. As I stated in an earlier post, I apparantly HAVE lost inches. The scale just isn't moving very well.

[Brook]

Re: My One-Week's Notice

You're eating nuts, shakes, not keeping track of what you're eating, etc -these things are *not* Atkins induction legal. No one's asked you to "continually post menus" - we asked for you to do it once, and you still haven't done it but have had all sorts of excuses why you don't/can't/won't. You've also thus far refused to acknowledge that an increase in activity may well be in your best interests for the big picture (whether it be time, but more likely intensity). We're trying to be fair with you, but you have to be fair to us too - and saying things like "just because I'm not going to continually post menus" isn't being fair to us or giving an accurate representation of what we've suggested to you.

Honestly- I think it's FABULOUS that you've lost a couple of inches, but I truly believe if you took the advice given to you here you'd see a lot more progress.

And yep, inches are inches..so w00t w00t on that one!

~Brook

[Moochiecat]

Re: My One-Week's Notice

Ok now, I freely admit I know nothing about this, but I have a friend who's had a double mastectomy, and double reconstruction about 3 years ago, and she rows on a Dragon Boat team in our city, called (I think) the Breast Strokers...all breast cancer survivors.
She told me that they all were hesitant to row on the side their mastectomy was done on, but their coach encouraged them through it all and they realized they are capable of much much more than they realized.
Dragon Boat racing is amazing to watch, and these folks train and race hard.

Again, I have no idea of your medical history. Maybe you've been told you absolutely cannot exercise strenuously, and of course that has to be respected and if that's the case, please ignore this message.

If you haven't though, you might want to find a physical therapist that can help you through this, because it sounds like that's a limiting way to live.
I know my friend gained a LOT from breaking through her barrier of limitations after her surgery...she always was an amazing person, and she's dynamite now...lol


Re: diet and monitoring the foods you eat.
The reason we ask you to be so diligent journalling what you eat and how much you eat is that it will make you completely aware of what you are taking in. It takes just a few seconds to jot these things down and a few minutes to enter them into Fitday.
You're worth that small amount of time a day, aren't you? I gained such valuable insight from doing that and it's helped me greatly.

Re: losing inches and not weight
If you're losing inches, then things are happening and sooner or later the scale will catch up. Take the scale to a neighbours, or take the battery out and get a family member to hide it. Don't worry about it, follow Atkins 'by the book' and not by your own interpretation of it and relax, let time take over here.

[not2late]

Re: My One-Week's Notice

RE: loss of inches.

Chapter 12, DANDR 2002

Measurements
I hope you followed my suggestion to measure your chest, waist, hips, upper arms and thighs with a tape measure. The loss of inches is an indication of real success and sometimes occurs when weight loss is only marginal.....Your loss of inches is of fundamental imporantance, for it represents real fat loss---the emptying of your fat cells.

So don't let that evil scale discourage or demoralize you. You're 2 inches smaller than you were. And as I always say, no one will know how much you weigh unless you walk around with a sign that says "Hi! Today I weigh ______ pounds." But you will notice that pair of jeans fits better and others will notice that you look smaller.

[Nutri_Nut]

Re: My One-Week's Notice

I know you don't know my history, but I know what I've been told by my doctors and I know from experience that using my right arm too much causes swelling and pain. I am also limited by the mesh that covers my abdomen. I have accepted this as my life and have learned to live with it. Walking is excellent exercise, and it's worked for me before.

I am not on induction. I restarted Atkins nearly a month ago and have moved on.

I know you are all trying to be helpful, but I don't need this kind of conflict in my life right now. Thanks for helping. I'm going to continue eating low carb and see what happens, but I'm done posting for now.

[Brook]

Re: My One-Week's Notice

You restarted a month ago and have already blown through the first 3 rungs, and continued to move up the rungs while not seeing any progress??? That explains plenty right there.

You'll be missed, Nutri_Nut. I wish you success in whatever you do Don't be a stranger!

~Brook

[lowcarbing4ever]

Re: My One-Week's Notice

Hi, nutri_nut!

I know you said you weren't gonna post anymore but I hope that you do at least read this. I can understand the frustration you are going thru. I, myself, am on BP meds and also a potassium supplement. I know that after being on Atkins several times before and being on it now, it will be very difficult to see pounds come off like before. I am prepared for that and that is okay with me because I like the way I feel on Atkins and it is a way of eating that is more healthier than I was eating before. Sure, I can lose weight on low fat; problem is, when it makes me so hungry, I can never stay on a low fat diet. No matter how hard I try.

I really think the problem with your weight loss, and don't take this the wrong way........is you. Well, not you per say but your amount of patience. You seem very impatient to wait it out and let the plan do the work. Because you lost weight last time in a short time, you seem impatient to wait a bit. Everyone knows that every time you go off and the longer you have been off, the longer it can take to lose it again and the longer your body will resis but eventually it will give up the weight, BP meds or no (i hope or i am doomed! LOL). I mean, you have only been back on a couple of months; your body has to take time to get used to the idea of eating differently and adjust. Some people take longer than others doing that. Plus you have already moved on from induction; I think that was not a good idea. Maybe if you went back on induction and stayed on for a couple of months, that would re-boost your metabolism and get you going again.

exercise: Well, i know that you can't execise hard but you said that you could walk but you are not consistant in it. I think that if you walked the 30 minutes every day, without fail and went back on induction, you would see a change in a week or so. But remember, the 2 lbs you gained may be muscle from your walking and that will show up as a gain instead of a loss. Then if you keep on going, you will get a whoosh next weigh in. You noticed you lost inches; well, i bet that is why you hadn't lost pounds because it was masked by the muscle gain. So it is working for you, you just have to be patient a bit.

eating/posting menus: that is really the only way people can help you figure out what you have, haven't or need to add to your plan. Sure, you get a lot of advice and it cn be overwhelming but as not2 said, it is because these are the things that have worked for various individuals here and they are just trying to give you some options or things to try that may be stalling you. You try one or a couple; if that is not it, you just say, tried that and file it away and look to the next idea. We don't say it to critisize you or make you do it "our way" but just to help out a fellow struggler who may need different ideas to try because eliminating one thing or adding another may or may not work for you. But it is nice to know other options and to see what some people have had things stall them, too. For example, someone on the board was being stalled one day and gaining a pound and losing it the next two and she had no idea why. When she posted her menu, it was fine. We gave her lots of advice which she tried and didn't work for her. But I thought to ask her was she taking something different. Come to find out she was taking Carbsmart vitamins but inconsistantly. When she took her all her vitamins, she gained a pound. When she stopped, she lost. I asked her to post the ingredients on the back of the box and come to find out, the vitamin has two kinds of sugars and corn by products! She was stalled by one little pill! Once she switched ot another one, she was back on track and never had another problem with her loss after that. But if we hadn't cared enough to ask, she was going to give up because she was very frustrated. And that was over one pound!

Anyways, I hate to see you give up on something that could be very beneficial to you and your health. I think it is your BPs that are causing your stalling issue. BPs can be a big problem but if you wait it out, you will lose. I think you should drink your 64 oz of water, do your walking evryday, go back to induction for a few months and force yourself to be patient and give Atkins a chance to do its "magic". One or two months is not really giving it a chance. Nutri_nut, don't give in so soon. I know you can do this.

[brenda615]

Re: My One-Week's Notice

I know the frustration!!! I start on atkins about mid July. As of Sept. 6th I had lost maybe a pound or two. Then I joined curves on Sept. 6th. Don't know if I've lost any since then as I've stayed off the scale. It is frustrating when you are not losing weight on atkins. I am also started taking the supplements recomended in the book. Will it work? I don't know. And I've never had this hard of time losing weight!