Maybe it just doesn't work anymore? :(

[Thinker]

Ok - I have to get this off my chest. I've said it a bunch. I'm an Atkins success story in one sense. I lost 110lbs. Held it ALL off for 5 years keeping a controlled carb watch all that time. I have since put 30 back on and want it gone. But, I've been low carb for years. I got the 30 back by not being low carb and screwing up. But, when i try induction ---it just doesn't seem to do that much.

Could it be that our metabolisms change? Maybe it just doesn't work that well anymore? or maybe I'm just not treating it the same way as I did 5 years ago? In any event ----I'm getting pretty discouraged.

Anybody else have experience with this?

[Dotultimate]

Re: Maybe it just doesn't work anymore?

YES. I have the EXACT same problem. I've been eating basically 15-25 carbs a day for about one year 9 months now. I put on a kilo by eating a few nuts here and there. Anyway, I decided to go back to a really strict induction to knock off a few pounds - did 4 weeks of the most anal retentive strict induction you've seen, and lost nothing. In fact, if anything, i've put on a bit of weight. Its like my body has adapted to low carb and now i'm screwed. Eating low carb with no weight loss benefits is not something you'd keep up just for the fun of it, but now i can't eat anything else because im so use to this level of carb, eating anything else will make me obece like THAT.

Lets be screwed together.

[Bren]

Re: Maybe it just doesn't work anymore?

I am curious, did both of you stay in an extended induction for a long period of time?

[Brook]

Re: Maybe it just doesn't work anymore?

Was going to ask the same question as Bren. Did you ever climb up in carb counts or did you both stay ultra low throughout your weight loss phases?

Also- You have to remember that you are older. 5 years is 5 years and I certainly don't react to lots of things the same way I did 5 years ago. I ain't happy about it, but it is what it is. That and you have to take into consideration the additional yo-yoing you've put your body and metabolism through. This stuff counts.

I'd be interested to see menus, hear exercise, etc too.

[Hudson]

Re: Maybe it just doesn't work anymore?

Remeber Atkins is not magic. If you eat a ton of low carb food you will not lose weight. You can eat enough to gain. You body processes whatever you eat. It's not like on low carb your body quits processing. Low carb allows you to eat much less and control your eating but you can still over eat.

Also when we were 100 pounds over weight it almost is magic. The pounds fall off, but the thinner you get the more difficult the pounds. Eating low carb allows me to eat about 1500 calories per day and not be hungry and lose weight even when just 20 or so pounds over weight. But sometimes I smoke a brisket or find some excellent meat and eat too much - it makes a difference.

Are you writting down what you are eating? It is possible to misjudge what you are actually eating.

Atkins works - it always works. But we have to do our part.

I would also say that even if I never get to my "perfect weight" I will stay low carb for the other health benefits - and you sould too.

[Jaded]

Re: Maybe it just doesn't work anymore?

Have you guys been eating veggies and drinking enough water? Those help a lot to get the weight moving. It's also possible that you are staying within the carb limit, but eating too many calories for your current weights. Meats have no carbs, but a LOT of calories, make sure you arent overdoing those. It's also slower the 2nd (or 3rd or 4th or 5th) time around, I can attest to that.

Also - I did Atkins in 2003 and lost 55lbs in a year. I went off plan after that, continuing exercise, not eating low carb, but conscious of the portions/foods I was eating, and I kept the weight off with no problem. I only regained weight when I started overeating/binging. So It's possible to keep it off, just be careful.

Best of luck

[Thinker]

Re: Maybe it just doesn't work anymore?

Have you guys been eating veggies and drinking enough water? Those help a lot to get the weight moving. It's also possible that you are staying within the carb limit, but eating too many calories for your current weights. Meats have no carbs, but a LOT of calories, make sure you arent overdoing those. It's also slower the 2nd (or 3rd or 4th or 5th) time around, I can attest to that.

Also - I did Atkins in 2003 and lost 55lbs in a year. I went off plan after that, continuing exercise, not eating low carb, but conscious of the portions/foods I was eating, and I kept the weight off with no problem. I only regained weight when I started overeating/binging. So It's possible to keep it off, just be careful.

Best of luck

It is possible that it is something as obvious as water...might be having a few "imaginary" glasses. Thx.