fell like crying

[gaylecda]

Hello all, I started my induction on Jan. 18th and took measurements. Thus far I have only lost 12 pounds. Is this normal? I haven't "cheated" by eating sweets or carbs. I did buy some Atkins bars that say that they are safe for people on induction. Is this true? It says so on the box. I'm a stress eater and I'm feeling pretty stressed right now. I keep up on my water intake, exercise and take measurements. I'm feeling really unhappy at this moment and a bit desperate. Someone out there please help me. I think I just need some support, no one around me is on this same path.
Thanks,
Gayle

[cypressgirl]

Re: fell like crying

55 days and 12 pounds lost means you are losing nearly a quarter of a pound a day - pretty good. VERY good considering you only have 27 total pounds as your goal!

And about that goal...how tall are you? 107 may be too low, yes?

If not, never fear is here! Lose the bars because they are a money making racket. They stall people all the time. Also, any type of bar is mostly for convenience and is no substitute for real food. They have their place for some people but it is a very limited place.

Now, that's out of the way. How do you feel about the 12 pounds you have said goodbye to? Pretty good? Glad to have them behind you? I bet so. Embrace that success! Don't be so hard on yourself. You have everyday for the rest of your life to eat so you should learn to enjoy it! What's the rush? Would you choose to be extra thin, extra fast and not be able to eat normally? Probably not, right?

Take a deep breath. Be proud of yourself! Enjoy the fact that you are in control of your choices. Savour each bite, each pound lost and each day that you DON'T spend miserable because you let it be the only thing you focused on!

[sallyseachange]

Re: fell like crying

Yes... I agree with Cypressgirl... the bars are better off avoided until pre-maintenance or maintenance. You hear about people stalling on them all the time. I only started using them in maintenance, but even now, only in an emergency. 'Real' food is always best on this WOE.

Congrats on your wonderful shrinkage so far! Hang in there... Atkins really works! And...don't be afraid to make the move to OWL, as many do (myself included, last year). OWL really changes the focus. It's great to have the extra food choices and you REALLY DO still keep losing. My biggest regret is that I spent too long on induction.

Weigh to go!

Sal

[gaylecda]

Re: fell like crying

Thank you so much!! I guess if you break it down, it sounds a lot better. Losing a quarter pound a day is good, thank you for pointing that out to me. I'm only 5', do you think that 107 is to low? It's really until I get a flat tummy area, I don't know how much that will be. Oh, also thank you for telling me about the bars, sometimes, especially right now, I am craving some serious chocolate. This is the hardest thing for me.

Also, sallyseachange, what do you mean about staying on induction too long? I don't know much about OWL. Why do you regret staying on induction too long? And, how long is too long?

Thanks again!!

[ttdriver]

Re: fell like crying

YOU'RE DOING GREAT, GAYLE!!!

Jennifer & Sal are right; nix the bars and eat REAL FOOD. Lots of good healthy proteins, healthy fats and complex carbs (from non-starchy veggies). You are exercising? GREAT! What kind of exercise?

If you're looking for a flat tummy, then my best advice is lots of cardio .. cardio burns overall body fat better than anything else. Combine it with good strength training (weights) and you'll definitely make great progress in a hurry!

12 pounds is FANTASTIC! If you don't think so, go to the store and carry around a ten pound bag of potatos for awhile .. you've lost that plus 2 more!
EXCELLENT!

Betty

[Isabeau]

Re: fell like crying

I agree, you're doing fantastic. Many low carb sweet products are made with sugar alcohols which can really have a nasty effect on many people from gastro-intestinal problems to stalling weight loss. Yes, they're marketed as being alright for induction but if you read the labels on many of them, they contain ingredients not on the acceptable food lists. Like nuts for example. Also, not all sugar alcohols are digested the same. Some will effect your blood sugar levels differently then others. If I were to use any of those products, I would count every carb in them and NOT subtract the sugar alcohols giving that low net carb number on the label. Those carbs would add up very quickly that way and hence slow down your progress. Stick to your Atkins, drink your water, take your supplements and exercise and you'll make great progress. Congrats on your success so far.

[gaylecda]

Re: fell like crying

Thanks for the support, I will start doing more cardio with weights to help lose. The exercise I currently do: I get up every morning and exercise with Denise Austin's television program for an hour and then do some sit ups in the evening. I've only started doing a walking regimen this week. Any suggestions for the sweet tooth?

[Isabeau]

Re: fell like crying

Yeah, try to beat it. Try to go one day without any of your artificial sweetener alotment. Then try for two, then three etc. Break the cravings. Set a goal of maybe an entire week! That's what did it for me. Things are so sweet for me now, I don't even enjoy them the same way or I'll have just a tiny tiny bit of a sweet, Atkins legal food. Strange, but true!

[ttdriver]

Re: fell like crying

Yep, the best way to beat the sugar demon is to STARVE IT. HONEST!


Betty

[sallyseachange]

Re: fell like crying

Also, sallyseachange, what do you mean about staying on induction too long? I don't know much about OWL. Why do you regret staying on induction too long? And, how long is too long?

Thanks again!!

I regretted staying in induction so long because when I made the move to OWL I found that I hadn't realised how much I'd missed the extra food choices you get in OWL. It was great to have more veggies, things like berries and cream and the odd glass of wine. My weight loss did slow, but not all that much. In retrospect I would have rather taken that little bit longer to reach goal and had those extra food choices. They really helped the old willpower!

That's me...but we're all different... which is why it's hard to answer your query "how long is too long?". I only realised that I'd spent too long (five months) in extended induction after I moved.

Remember, you can move up the rungs at your own pace, spending as much time as you like on each rung...

Sal

[big_bad_john]

Re: fell like crying

Why dont you ditch those low carb bars...they taste like **** anyway!

You are winning honey.....just slower than you hoped you would is all.

[gaylecda]

Re: fell like crying

Thank you all so much, this sure helped me out. I do feel better about working out, I feel better and ultimately, that is what's important. Thanks again!!!!!