Okay guys, hit a stall

[SkaPaladin]

I am stalled out at 210. I would like to lose some more, and I know that I have that I can afford to lose, but for some reason, I am just stalled out. I have a few factors that I would wager on.

One of them is the cheese. String cheese, to be specific.

Another is the occasional skipped meal.

Another is possibly Diet Rite. I hope not, but this week has been uneventful.

And finally, cigarettes. I know, I know, smoking is bad for you. But, for some reason, this past week, I just can't seem to find a time when I don't need them. I figure, a cigarette is much better than a slice of pizza. Granted, the pizza would probably taste much, much better, but the cigarette keeps me from eating. Can smoking cause stalls? (if yes, more so a reason for me to stop)

If anyone has any ideas, or a way to kick start myself back into high gear, I would be more than greatful. 40 pounds in 5 weeks is good, but I don't want to stop there. MUST COSPLAY!!!

[Diva217.5]

Re: Okay guys, hit a stall

Ditch the diet sodas.I only drink water and treat myself after dinner while watching tv with one diet soda with splenda only.I stalled for a long time (4 weeks), and only after I limited my diet soda to that with splenda only and only 1 per day I began to loose again.Wont kill ya to try it right?Worst case senario.......you loose weight?

[cragsdale]

Re: Okay guys, hit a stall

I have to agree about the sodas. I started losing a lot of weight then suddenly 2 weeks went by with nothing. I was drinking an occasional carbonated juice drink, and as soon as I stoped, the weight loss started again. I also upped my walking/exercise routine and got past the 2 weeks without loss. Since I started doing that I lost 3 lbs in 2 days. Maybe it was just my time, but who knows! It's probably worth a try! good luck!

[life_is_good]

Re: Okay guys, hit a stall

Oh Honey! Hang in there......I've been on atkins for a year. I've lost 73lbs and went through SEVERAL stalls. Sometimes the stalls seem unexplainable. I would be totally frustrated because the scale wouldnt move for WEEKS at a time. One stall was 6 weeks long. I just hung in there. I did find that sometimes I would be REAL strict for a week, and then would eat something rather carbish....like popcorn, or some higher carb veggie and the next day my body would release 3 lbs!!! I did a little exeriment and it seemed to work everytime. I would be very strict and then let loose on something higher in carbs and it seemed to work everytime! Weird. I know everyone is different but hang in there. This WOE will not let you down....I promise!!! I know its hard not to get caught up in seeing a loss on the scale every week but try not to. You will see results just stick with it.

[sunflowergrl]

Re: Okay guys, hit a stall

Have you moved on to OWL? A lot of people find that moving to OWL kick starts their weight loss, it worked for me!! Don't give up, you have done so great and you will start losing again.

[Bren]

Re: Okay guys, hit a stall

Weight loss is not a linear process! Stalls are all part of that process.

and they STINK!

First off how long have you gone without a loss of pounds or inches?

[Thinker]

Re: Okay guys, hit a stall

I wish there were a way to sure-fire get out of a stall.

A few tricks!

1. Drop your caffeine way down. During induction, I'll keep coffee in the morning w/o ill effect, I find that if I let it get out of hand my weight loss slows too!

2. Make sure you're eating the 20grams. For a while I became "too good" at Atkins, droping my net carbs near zero. I found that if I made sure I ate my 20 - that it helped.

3. Switch your staple foods. Eat tuna fish instead of your burger -- or visa -versa. I have no idea why this helps.

4. The only good advice - every morning when you're on your scale just keep repeating "stay the course, stay the course, stay the course."

[SkaPaladin]

Re: Okay guys, hit a stall

Oh, surprisingly, I have had no problems staying with the program. I have my bracelet as a reminder and as long as I keep it on, I will never forget what I am doing, and why I am doing it. And believe me, I have had many reasons to cheat. But, instead of cheating, I always wind up skipping a meal, or drinking hella water that day. That's why I picked up smoking again. Of course, I finished up my pack today, and I'm going to try to quit that now that I am out.

I don't know about the stall. Maybe I'm doing something wrong. Most days I don't even touch 20 carbs. I have 3 cups of salad a day, 1.5 for my lunch break, and 1.5 cups for my second break. I eat 2 eggs in the morning, sometimes with bacon, sometimes with a cut up hot dog. Sometimes, I don't even have a real meal with meat in it, because my roommate lives a carb rich lifestyle. I've tried talking to her about it, but she feels she is too good for it, even after seeing my progress. She's not that bad, but she could use a little work. I'll let her do her gym and pasta diet thing, I'm sticking to mine. But, she does make it difficult, by eating the things I buy for me, and not buying things I can eat.

Oh well. So long as I don't get derailed, I should be fine, stalls or not. I will lose my hundred, or get down close.

I went to some calculator thing, and it said my weight, according to height and waist size, should be somewhere around 170. If I look good there, I'll probably just stay there. Or should I get down to 150, like I originally planned? I mean, if I just happen to keep losing weight, it means I'm supposed to, right?

As for moving on to OWL, I have considered it, but it would definitely be difficult, with all the reading, and measuring, and making sure I was accurate, especially for when I calculate my critical carb point thingie... Not that I don't just love the idea of having grapes again.

Dangit, I just made myself depressed again...

[rox4jc]

Re: Okay guys, hit a stall

Hi Ska-
Don't be discouraged! I'm in a bit of a stall myself right now and we all know how frustrating that can be. In fact, last time that I did this WOL, I became so discouraged that I quit and gained all of the weight back! So don't quit, because you know that it works...you just gotta stick it out! You should try moving on to OWL, even though it doesn't seem logical by what we've been taught our entire lives, eating more might just be the thing to kick your weight loss into gear again. And definitely lose the smokes. You want to be healthy, right? Are you getting exercise? The high that you get from a workout can be a powerful ally against nicotine cravings. Learn to replace the bad with the good. It's all about making minute by minute thoughtful decisions!
You can do it!!!!!!!

[Isabeau]

Re: Okay guys, hit a stall

Is it truly a stall as defined by Dr. Atkins? Four weeks without a loss in weight OR inches? Do you need to tweak your exercise regime? The thing I've found with this woe is patience is a virture. Also, do not be afraid to move to OWL. You just might be presently surprised.

[SkaPaladin]

Re: Okay guys, hit a stall

Well, it's not exactly a stall as defined by the good Dr. But, I think my body might just be getting used to the exercise I have been putting it through. I did start playing Dance Dance Revolution again, so I can see if the additional "fun" will help kick start me and get me going again.

[tabekat]

Re: Okay guys, hit a stall

A cigarette is better than pizza?

Love yourself enough to stop making jokes about this.
You are putting poisen in your lungs.

If you love yourself, then stop putting poisen in your lungs. Yes, its that simple.

Poisen or Pizza?
How about pizza without the crust, and fresh clean air?

Stalls are normal. Just keep going.