screwed up induction? :(

[floatingleaf]

i think i've messed up and i'm wondering if i need to start induction over or stay where i am and go from here. i started march 4 and have lost a total of 22 lbs, but have lost basically nothing the past couple weeks. just stalled.

i haven't really been properly measuring out anything. just estimating amounts and eating small portions. i've been collecting low carb recipes from different sites, i especially love linda's recipes. i try to stick to induction friendly ones because i feel like i still have a lot to lose. i don't go over 20g carbs/day (i'm pretty sure). i eat 2 small meals a day and try to drink plenty of water.

but sometimes i eat a handful of nuts when i want something crunchy (i hate pork rinds) and i guess i shouldn't have progressed to that phase yet. i don't do that all the time, just occasionally. i also still have a major sweet tooth and have made sugar free jello (is that ok?) and i've made the jello cheesecake, a low carb pumpkin cheesecake, and whip cream sugar free pudding 'cookies'. just writing that, i know i need to cut all that out!! :/

so a couple questions. how do i manage my sweet tooth? and since i've sort of jumped ahead of clean induction and haven't been measuring anything, do i need to start over clean? i mean, i'm very happy with my initial 20 lbs, but i don't know what to do from here. help!!

[cypressgirl]

Re: screwed up induction?

I would not term it as a 'start over' more like a 'clean up'. It seems you haven't gotten the full benefit of a good clean induction. By sticking to the artificial sweetner limit - or better yet, going without - you would naturally & drastically reduce your sugar cravings. This means sugar free jello, diet sodas, splenda...anything that sweetens or is sweetened.

You seem to be trying to substitute low carb style treats for your old ones. You will lose weight by doing that since you had a good bit to lose because you are inproving your habits and reducing your intake. However, you are finding what most people find to be true - eventually the weight loss stalls because you haven't gotten at the core changes you need to. That is cutting out the habits that got you here.

The treats are one thing but also your mindset in general. For example, you should be eating plentifully. Two small meals a day is not Atkins. Eat when you are hungry and eat until you hunger has been satisfied. Also, stop eyeballing and guessing at your portions. Measure and journal whenever possible. Water is wonderful so keep that up!

If you tweak your plan with these type of changes, the weight is going to start coming off again. Without them, not so definite! Save the treats and such for a rare occasion, maintenance or premaintenance!

[jackfox69]

Re: screwed up induction?

Good points Cyp. Could also be the 2 small meals you are eating as well. You may be starving your body with too few calories and you body could be storing everythin you eat because it thinks it is starving! I find the more I eat the faster the weight comes off, too a limit! You do not want to be pigging out all day long but eat until you are full and try to eat at the same time each day, give or take an hour. Helps you stay regular. Keep on truckn' girl and you will get there.

Brian - 30 lbs

[Ginasfuntime]

Re: screwed up induction?

I think you should cut out all arftificial sweeteners from your diet and you will probably see a difference in a couple of days??? i agree with the other posting and you should eat atleast 3 meals and drink water

[floatingleaf]

Re: screwed up induction?

well my schedule is sorta weird. i go to sleep around 4am and wake up at 1pm. i'm never hungry when i wake up so i just drink some water. then i go to work at 3pm and take something like mozzarella cheese (prepackaged units) with me until dinner, usually just one piece. then for dinner i eat something like a hamburger cheese casserole thing or maybe a big chef or greek salad and a small portion of low carb cheesecake or sugar free jello. if i order out, it's a burger, salad or chicken wings. then i come home around 11:30pm and might eat taco salad without tortilla chips or something similar with meat, cheese and salad veggies.

i eat whenever i'm hungry and do so until i'm full. it's hard to eat in the morning. once i can have fruit, that might be easier. i don't like savory things that early. if i'm not eating enough, it's because i'm worried about going over the 20g carbs/day. i think i just need to cut out the artificially sweet things. makes sense.

so there's really nothing sweet i can have? i have to get thru my cravings cold turkey?


edit: i really appreciate all the advice. also, should i stop with the nuts? sometimes i sprinkle a small amount of sunflower seeds on a salad or eat about 10 almonds as a snack for something crunchy.

[cypressgirl]

Re: screwed up induction?

It isn't that you have to go totally cold turkey although that is a sure fire way to do it! Just don't make a whole recipe of those things until later on. Portion control is the biggest issue with treats at this stage. Give yourself a head start on will power by just having a very small portion - a spoon of whipped cream and splenda (the heavy cream that you whip yourself!) is just about all you should need to get over a hump. If it isn't sitting there tempting you to finish it off, then you won't. At least limit yourself to 3 or less servings per day.

[cypressgirl]

Re: screwed up induction?

And, yes, I would stop with the nuts for at least a few weeks. They are a big staller for lots of us.

[floatingleaf]

Re: screwed up induction?

ok thanks for all the tips! hopefully i can report back that i've gotten past this stall.

i'm also lacking motivation. i need some help there. any suggestions?

[H20]

Re: screwed up induction?

I think you need to sit down and make a list of the reasons you are actually trying to change your life. I sat down and made a list for myself and I keep it as a background on my computer and in my food journal. If you have a list of the reasons you want to change, then you can look at it and get power from it. What makes you want to change? We can do this!

Deborah

ok thanks for all the tips! hopefully i can report back that i've gotten past this stall.

i'm also lacking motivation. i need some help there. any suggestions?

[Kent]

Re: screwed up induction?

I think you need to sit down and make a list of the reasons you are actually trying to change your life. I sat down and made a list for myself and I keep it as a background on my computer and in my food journal. If you have a list of the reasons you want to change, then you can look at it and get power from it. What makes you want to change? We can do this!

Deborah

This suggestion can really help. You have to make what you are losing weight for tangible in your mind -- otherwise, it is like I want to make more money because more money is nice. Without the drive (get a new car, whatever,be able to fit into a size 36 pants), staying motivated is hard. It also makes the daily decision of whether to eat this or that much easier -- as you can make the choice between staying where you are at or being the person that achieves that goal.

[Barbde]

Re: screwed up induction?

Go to Walmart or a drugstore or health food store and pick up some L-Glutamine, in the vitamin section. It really helps with the sugar cravings!! Page 136 in the Book, Dr A recommends it, and I swear by it. I only take it once a day though.

[jackfox69]

Re: screwed up induction?

i'm also lacking motivation. i need some help there. any suggestions?

Tony Robbins Personal Power!!!!

I used his motivational cd's to help me fine tune my motivational engine. I listen to them every few months or so along with some other's. They are great to help you get motivated. Most importantly is that you have to want it, you have to REALLY WANT IT, BE ABLE TO TASTE IT and LIVE IT EVERY DAY. Find reason you want to be thin, find pictures and place them around the cabinets and fridge! Put them in places you are sure to see them daily. That is how I quit smoking, put pictures of people's lungs! They had been removed after they had died and sliced open. I put those on the ash tray in my car and the smokes I had had left after I quit. I know gross but I have not smoked in over a year!


Brain -30lbs

[Coffee Shop Girl]

Re: screwed up induction?

Try writing down every meal what you've eaten. Breakfast, snacks....everything~ drinks too. Sometimes there are plateaus during this diet but if you stick with it, you might receive a WOOSH (that's where all of a sudden one day you've lost 3-6 pounds!) With the snacks and sweets I have several good no carb ideas. If you would like the recipes just leave me a message and let me know. Keep on keeping on! You CAN do it.