Harder than I thought

[Chupa Cabras]

I am not seeing the amazing results that so many others have been blessed with. Atkins is actually harder and the results are slower than with other diets. It's harder because I have to count every single bite, calculate the ratio of fat/protien/carbs, eliminate caffeine, alcohol, aspartame, and severely limit Splenda. Instead of enjoying the ability to "eat my fill" of protein, I find myself constantly saying "can't have that, can't have that, can't have that..." Eating out is depressing since there are so many "hidden carbs" in everything. I end up with some kind of boring salad every time, and of that I can only eat about half so I don't go over the salad veggie limit.

I'm exercising everyday, drinking heaps of water (100 oz), and have removed every type of bread, pasta, root veggies, fruit, nuts, sugar and dairy from my diet. I've been on extended induction for 8 weeks, and I've averaged a little over a pound a week. I'm scared to even try to go to the first rung. It could take a month just to find out if I can handle those 5 extra carbs.

So, when someone asks me if the Atkins Diet works better than other diets, I can honestly say I don't know. A diet is a diet. Following the rules and consuming less calories than your body needs will result in weight loss.

Is the Atkins Diet healthier? Not sure. Have I purged my body of the evil carb addiction? Maybe. Do I feel better? Sure, I always do after losing weight. The only thing I can say for sure is my skin looks better.

But the support I've gotten from this forum is definately more important than the diet itself. We all need friends and help from those who have been there before us. Groups like this one who maintain contact and reach out to each other is the best reason for doing any diet.

[MotherOfGizmo]

Re: Harder than I thought

Are you still eating by induction rules? You have so little to lose you should really be moving up the rungs. I think 12 pounds lost since 1/13/06 is a very good weight loss for someone with so little to lose! That's 6 pounds a month! or 1.5 pounds a week! Also your goal may be set too low for your height/age. I'm an inch shorter than you and I look great at 135!

[sadie@136]

Re: Harder than I thought

i agree with MOG 136 is just fine for u honey
but i personally believe that i should be a couple of pounds less than my GW so if i have water retention i dont look FAt..i retain water so very easily.

[cypressgirl]

Re: Harder than I thought

You also mentione dthat you are exercising daily. That should mean that you are shrinking but adding lean tissue which would not show up on the scales as weight loss although it is soooo much better!

[penniedo]

Re: Harder than I thought

Chupa, I think you should move into OWL especially since your feeling so board with your food choices. The added variety makes a huge difference. And if your concerned about it slowing down your weight loss, I have lost 3lbs since starting OWL and you know how slow I loose!

[Analog6]

Re: Harder than I thought

Chupa

You only had 24lbs to lose all up, so you should definitely move onto OWL. Your loss rate is actually quite good if looked at in a percentage way.

[sunflowergrl]

Re: Harder than I thought

OWL is great!!! I love eating the extra veggies, and according to DANDR it is the most important step in this WOL. It takes a while to put weight on, so of course it takes a while to take it off. I also think that we should be more interested in being healthy than just being a certain number on the scale. I have to struggle with that sometimes, I mean it took me about 4 months to put 19 pounds on (and that was on top of the 30 I already needed to lose), but of course I wanted it gone in two weeks! Think of how you will look and feel in 3 months, not tomorrow morning when you get on the scale. I think you will find this WOL a lot better if you would try OWL. I hope this helps, please keep us posted on how you are doing and feeling.

[Austlyn]

Re: Harder than I thought

Okay listen up you started at 150-you are at 136-your gaol is 126
I started at 303-am at 255- and my goal is 120
You started in January,I started in NOvember
You are not only closer to goal you are closer percentage wise you are at 50% of the way I am only at 25% of goal
That must count for somthing it has to! When you look at it this way you are doing way better!

[Chupa Cabras]

Re: Harder than I thought

Thanks to everyone for their input. This is what I'm getting at...you guys are the real reason this diet has been at least somewhat successful for me!! But, comparing Atkins to other diets...

In the last 5 years there were two times I really tried to lose weight. I exercised daily and watched what I ate, and I could lose 15 pounds in about 8 weeks. I didn't cut carbs, but ate small portions throughout the day and drank lots of water. I kept the pounds off for about 2 years each time, and then they crept back up.

150# was my highest on 1/1/06, and I lost 4 pounds in two weeks before starting Atkins on 1/13. I've been on Atkins for 62 days, which is almost 9 weeks now. I lost 7 pounds on induction, and have averaged less than 1 pound a week for the last 6 weeks.

So, making the comparison, I have to decide what the other benefits are to Atkins:

Am I healthier on Atkins than other diets?
Can I keep the weight off if I don't toss the WOE aside when I reach my goal?
Will this change the way I eat forever?

And I won't have an answer to those questions unless I stick with Atkins. I guess I want to prove to myself that it's possible to never have to "diet" again, so I guess y'uns will be seeing me here until 2007!

[not2late]

Re: Harder than I thought

Stop thinking about this as a short term "diet". Atkins is set up so you aren't stuck eating 20 net carbs off the Induction Acceptable Foods list for the rest of your life. Induction is only 1 part of Atkins and it's real purpose is to get you into lipolysis/ketosis and begin fat-burning.

The OWLers have told you that they have a greater variety of food choices and are still losing weight. The Maintainers can tell you that they eat a wide variety of food, occassionally eat things like bread, cake, etc. and still maintain because they've learned how to eat properly for their body.

Don't make this too hard on yourself by counting too many things. It only takes about 1/2-1 tablespoon of added fat to make a meal "high fat". Sticking to basics like grilled foods, steammed or sauteed foods and avoiding sauces make eating out easy. And it will become even easier when you move onto OWL and Pre-Maintenance phases.

[Chupa Cabras]

Re: Harder than I thought

And I just want to say that you guys are great!

Penniedo, I'm glad you're really hanging in there, especially when us 'lightweights' have such a hard time reaching our goal.

MOG, I know I could stay at 135, but according to all those fat tests I'm considered "obese" at 30% body fat! If I want to be healhty, I have to cut more fat.

Sadie, that's why I'm shooting for 126. I can fluctuate by 5 pounds in just a day or so, so I'd rather be on the low end of the scale.

Cypressgirl, I have lost 15 inches, but I could definately stand to lose a lot more. I am stronger, that's for sure! *flexing my muscles*

sunflowergrl, I think moving up is the only thing to do now. I'm on the verge of binging due to the restriction, so I'm starting to add nuts (gotta have my nuts!)

And Austlyn, congrats on your success! I bet you look and feel like a new person after loosing almost 50 pounds. I shouldn't be whining, and I'm sorry now that I kicked up a fuss for not getting quicker results. My impatience got the better of me, and I will buckle down and get back on track.

I just HAVE to lose these last 9 pounds before my cruise in May!! If I can maintain 1 pound a week, I'll be able to do it.

Thanks again to everyone for their support!

[Desertthorn]

Re: Harder than I thought

Chupa, I have to echo the others, I think your doing fine and better than most, including me. What I see in your post is that you diet often and the great thing about this diet is that its for life, not to just lose the pounds and then gain them back again. So, start OWL so you can be healthy.
Thanks for a great post

[Angelasherell]

Re: Harder than I thought

I honestly believe that there are advantages to being low carb. That being said I believe that if you have at least 50lbs + to lose, for most people Atkins can get you there without starving and increase your energy along with the health benefits.

However, for people over 35 years old,who are not obese but have put on 30 or less pounds and their body fat percentages have changed with age, Atkins can work BUT so can other methods equally well. I think incorporating a low carb approach with exercise and calorie reduction would produce similar and maybe slightly better results. I am not advocating low fat.

Even in the A book it states, that as you get closer to goal the weight loss slows down. So when you are starting out with only a 10 -20 lbs goal it is going to be slow going. Maybe you could try a high exercise, low calorie regime and then use Atkins to keep it off.

[penniedo]

Re: Harder than I thought

Chupa, I have total faith in you! Yes, we are very slow losers but our determination will make us reach our goals! Just keep exercising and you will be tone enough to look great on your cruise!! So where are you cruising too anyway??

[Austlyn]

Re: Harder than I thought

nd Austlyn, congrats on your success! I bet you look and feel like a new person after loosing almost 50 pounds. I shouldn't be whining, and I'm sorry now that I kicked up a fuss for not getting quicker results. My impatience got the better of me, and I will buckle down and get back on track.

I honestly was not picking on you I was trying to be supportive and point out that you have been more successful than you think. Especially if you look at % instead of pounds. When you have less weight to lose the weight does not fly off, but you have already been more successful then I have, I would love to be at 50% of my goal already,but I am not.
I know it must feel like a struggle but it is not really and unless you are really not enjoying yourself or maybe you need help to fiqure out how to enjoy eating like this better.
I eat out quite regularly I have worked as a waitress for quite a few years before being a SAHM so I know what you can expect from foods in the restaurant. One thing I can tell you never be afraid to ask. Like if you want chicken fajittas ask for the sauce on the side, same with the stirfry in most places just ask for the sauce on the side, chinese they too can put the sauce on the side and I have a great number of non breaded dishes.
We have a recipe forem as well u should check that out as well.

I am glad you are here to say that is a wonderful thing, Feel free to ask me anything. All of what I written above are just suggesstions to try to help you out.