Singing the blues

[HulaMom]

Aloha,

I'm singing the blues.

I need big-time help. This is my 2nd time on Atkins (introduced myself on the STAC). Time one I was successful for 5 years, but then all the weight slowly crept back on.

I've returned faithfully in March. Here are my stats. THIS time, I did not see that movement, or even any downward direction. I'm not really losing inches either.

DATE__________Pounds
14-Mar-08______176
21-Mar-08______172
28-Mar-08______169
4-Apr-08_______172
11-Apr-08______173
18-Apr-08______173
25-Apr-08______173


In a word, I'm stuck. I'm on rung one, extra veggies. I take a Dr. A recommended complement of supplements. Drink lots of water. Get my sleep. Exercise. I'm being very dedicated and careful.

Yesterdays menu:
breakfast: 2 eggs scrambled
Lunch: Seared Ahi salad with local greens (Ahi is yellowfin tuna). olive oil
Dinner: chard sautéed in butter, grilled ribs 4oz.

Ran for 20 minutes on treadmill and lifted weights.

I don't think the problem is my diet, as I'm keeping really at the basics. Green leafy vegetables. Olive oil/vinegar. eggs and grilled meats.

I test to be in ketosis. But there is no movement, and in fact I GAINED after my dear whoosh that took me to 169.

I'm over 40. Does that make a difference?

Perhaps I need to move up a rung and get different things into my diet??? I'm afraid to move on when I haven't gotten movement at this lower level.

I'm getting discouraged.

Mahalo!

[not2late]

Re: Singing the blues

Aloha,

I'm singing the blues.

I need big-time help. This is my 2nd time on Atkins (introduced myself on the STAC). Time one I was successful for 5 years, but then all the weight slowly crept back on.

I've returned faithfully in March. Here are my stats. THIS time, I did not see that movement, or even any downward direction. I'm not really losing inches either.

DATE__________Pounds
14-Mar-08______176
21-Mar-08______172
28-Mar-08______169
4-Apr-08_______172
11-Apr-08______173
18-Apr-08______173
25-Apr-08______173


In a word, I'm stuck. I'm on rung one, extra veggies. I take a Dr. A recommended complement of supplements. Drink lots of water. Get my sleep. Exercise. I'm being very dedicated and careful.

Yesterdays menu:
breakfast: 2 eggs scrambled
Lunch: Seared Ahi salad with local greens (Ahi is yellowfin tuna). olive oil
Dinner: chard sautéed in butter, grilled ribs 4oz.

Ran for 20 minutes on treadmill and lifted weights.

I don't think the problem is my diet, as I'm keeping really at the basics. Green leafy vegetables. Olive oil/vinegar. eggs and grilled meats.

I test to be in ketosis. But there is no movement, and in fact I GAINED after my dear whoosh that took me to 169.

I'm over 40. Does that make a difference?

Perhaps I need to move up a rung and get different things into my diet??? I'm afraid to move on when I haven't gotten movement at this lower level.

I'm getting discouraged.

Mahalo!

According to your weights, you've lost about 3 pounds.

When you say you aren't "really losing" inches either, are you losing any at all? Dr. Atkins defined a plateau as 4 consecutive weeks without loss of pounds or inches. During my Atkins, I went through a period where I didn't lose any scale weight, but I lost a couple of dress sizes. So even if you have lost 1/2 inch off your arm, you're still losing inches.

As for your menu, where is your 5 net carbs of OWL Rung 1 food? If it's the Swiss chard, then I assume you are eating 3 cups of salad greens for lunch. You might want to change up the salad greens with other Induction vegetables. Just estimating your menu, it looks like you are eating less than 20 net carbs daily.

[Chicklady]

Re: Singing the blues

Hi Hulamom! I've noticed this time around on Atkins is much slower than the last. I think my body learned what the trick was and is resisting! Well, that, and I'm over 40 too
I agree it looks like you're not eating all your veggies, but then, you don't list quantity, so I could be dead wrong

[HulaMom]

Re: Singing the blues

Mahalo,
I probably could up my carbs. I'm typically doing nearly all the carbs in the form of veggies. Sometimes I have hard cheese, or a little sour cream, but not every day.
I'm getting my fats from meat, and from olive oil.

When I have salad or greens, I'm not constraining my portions. Last week, I brought a big bag of costco spinach and would make wonderful salads with it. I would guess I'm getting at or above the carb level with that.

I'm nervous about moving up and adding more carbs because I am not seeing much loss so far. Could it be that my body needs something else? I'm not hungry and I don't have cravings. I don't think I'm in a 'starvation mode'.
But for some reason, my body isn't giving permission to my fat cells to let go!!

I generally like to be upbeat and positive. I don't want to be glum about this. But it just seems like I'm missing something... I don't quite have it right.

[not2late]

Re: Singing the blues

Mahalo,
I probably could up my carbs. I'm typically doing nearly all the carbs in the form of veggies. Sometimes I have hard cheese, or a little sour cream, but not every day.
I'm getting my fats from meat, and from olive oil.

When I have salad or greens, I'm not constraining my portions. Last week, I brought a big bag of costco spinach and would make wonderful salads with it. I would guess I'm getting at or above the carb level with that.

I'm nervous about moving up and adding more carbs because I am not seeing much loss so far. Could it be that my body needs something else? I'm not hungry and I don't have cravings. I don't think I'm in a 'starvation mode'.
But for some reason, my body isn't giving permission to my fat cells to let go!!

I generally like to be upbeat and positive. I don't want to be glum about this. But it just seems like I'm missing something... I don't quite have it right.

stop guessing about how many carbs you are eating and start counting them. As I said, it looks like you are eating much less than 20 net carbs daily. I would figure you are probably eating about 10-12. Lettuce doesn't have many carbs at all. To eat 5 net carbs of lettuce, you need to eat about 5-10 cups of the stuff. 1 cup of cooked Swiss Chard has about 3.5 net carbs.

Do start counting your carbs for all the foods you are eating.

By the way, are you drinking your water?
How much artifical sweetener are you using, if you are using any at all?

[HulaMom]

Re: Singing the blues

Aloha not2late,
I don't use artificial sweetener, and I carry around a liter of water so I remember to drink all day.

Wow, I'm surprised if I am not getting enough carbs but I suppose that is possible.
Thank you!!

I am glad I wrote. I've been feeling stuck and lost, and I needed some outside insights.

[OzLover]

Re: Singing the blues

Dr. A provided a wonderful list of veggies~~~I would start eating more veggies & add more variety. I don't think you are eating enough~~~just my opinion. Do you use Fitday?

Good luck!

[HulaMom]

Re: Singing the blues

Movement!!!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

This is only one day of experimentation but the scale came down from 173.4 yesterday morning to 172.4 this morning!! Finally, some downward movement.

Yesterday, I upped my veggie carbs and variety by adding in acorn squash. It was wonderful! I ate less protein as well.

I also made flaxseed muffins and had a couple. I think this helped with movement.

I'm going to keep pretty close to induction, but will definitely amp up my veggies.
I'm so relieved to have some movement.
What wise council everyone!

Mahalo!

[sallyseachange]

Re: Singing the blues

Glad to hear your loss started up again. Keep the veggies up and make sure you are eating enough for your exercise level.

[Elizellen]

Re: Singing the blues

I am glad to hear your weight has moved

But I am pretty sure that acorn squash is a winter squash and not allowed till the starchy veg rung rather than one of the summer squashes which are allowed on induction.

[TheDogAteMyName]

Re: Singing the blues

Hello there! I'm so sorry that you're stuck. You really are doing a great job. The only advice I have is to add more veggies or a little more fat to your diet.

[Chicklady]

Re: Singing the blues

I am glad to hear your weight has moved

But I am pretty sure that acorn squash is a winter squash and not allowed till the starchy veg rung rather than one of the summer squashes which are allowed on induction.

Yeah, acorn squash is a winter squash and higher carb, like butternut. Two winter squashes that are lower are spaghetti squash and hubbard. Both winter squashes, but not near as starchy or sweet as butternut, acorn, buttercup, sweet dumpling , etc.

[HulaMom]

Re: Singing the blues

Aloha,
I've definitely got to tweak my plan. Today my scale was right back where I left it.
I'm NOT going to weigh myself again for a week!
I realized today that acorn squash are too starchy for rung 1. Thanks for the correction. I think my body responded temporarily to the variety. The squash should be an occasional treat.
The first time I went on Atkins, I lost weight quickly and steadily. I stayed faithful for about 5 years. It was very good for me.
This journey is a much greater struggle. I'm not really seeing easy or steady success. It has been more difficult to find the groove of weight loss. I'm sure my metabolism has changed and this is a key part.
I wish there were an elixir or a magic bullet to rejuvenate me. This is not a race, I'm not in a hurry to lose fat. But I need some signs that I am doing the right thing.

[moon2141]

Re: Singing the blues

HULAMOM,
Perhaps you are not eating enough of any kind of food. You have to fuel your body. If it dosen't have enough fuel, your body becomes sluggish and it will slow your metabolism. Don't forget snacks. Try to increase your intake with carb-free foods. Good luck. Keep us informed.