3 weeks down and starting to worry

[Tryin']

Hi everyone - I'm new here and a bit scared of message boards so please be gentle!
I was't quite sure where to post this so I apologise now if I've got it wrong... and also if this is a bit long.

I completed my 2 weeks on induction pretty much problem free, and lost 14lbs which I was thrilled about, though I have a long way to go still - 62.6lbs. Also feel a million times better - my appetite is controlled now, my headaches have gone, I have more energy, etc. So it's not been difficult for me to stay cheat free at all, other than the fact I can never find anything to grab on the go when I'm travelling.

I was planning to move onto OWL but as I've seemed to struggle with getting my salad veggies up high enough, and also seem to keep coming in around 15g of carbs a day in total, thought I'd stay on induction a bit longer while I worked on that - plus I have a long way to go anyway. It didn't seem sensible to progress to adding in more veggies when I still need to get the induction level right - or am I being silly in thinking this?

I have just weighed myself with the 3rd week down and am really disappointed - I've only lost just under half a pound. I know stalls and fluctuations are totally normal but this seems very early and with so much to lose and such a good loss in the first two weeks I'm a little shocked, and starting to panic. I could understand it if I'd cheated but I've not even been tempted!
The only thing I can think of is the salad I had on a couple of days at work - we get our lunches free so I can't weigh things or check ingredients, but I figured rocket & lettuce + grated cheese would be safe. But thinking about it, the texture of the cheese makes me suspect it's the pre-grated stuff with flour added - I'll certainly be avoiding it now (though that literally leaves me with plain salad as a lunch option)!
Has anyone got any thoughts or advice? I know I shouldn't panic but I really could have cried this morning.

[mitzimarie]

Re: 3 weeks down and starting to worry

Hi, Tryin'

OK... deep breath. Better?

First of all, CONGRATS on the 14 pounds gone forever! That is amazing, and you should be very proud. How wonderful that you're feeling so much better, are controlling your appetite, have no more headaches, and have more energy. Yay!

It is not uncommon for people to find that they are getting less than 20 net carbs during Induction. That's OK... when you move onto OWL, you just add 5 net carbs on top of the level that you were eating during Induction.

Veggies - you are talking to someone who wouldn't touch veggies with a 10 foot pole prior to my re-start on Atkins in Feb of last year. I hated them. I didn't eat any veggies other than salads on my first go-round, and I think it was a factor in my never reaching goal or even maintaining what I had lost. So, this time around, I have embraced them rather than fight them. And it has worked. Since Dr. A says that in any given phase of Atkins, most of your carbs should be veggie carbs, we need to work on getting you more acquainted with them. It can be done.

Whether to move on to OWL - YES! First of all, it wouldn't help you to work on getting more veggies by staying in Induction... Rung 1 is more veggies! You'll just add more to the amount that you have been eating, and that will make you in Rung 1. You really have no reason to extend Induction, as you are definitely NOT metabolically resistant to weight loss. If you can lose between 10% and 15% of the total weight you want to lose during your Induction, you are not resistant. You blew that away!

Weight loss consistency - While it would be really cool if the weight came off in a linear fashion, it does not. There are going to be weeks when you don't lose... don't sweat it! It's normal. Since this is a way of eating for life, and not a quick fix, you just keep on with the plan. Patience is key! Also, it is not uncommon for people to experience PISS (Post Induction Stall Syndrome)... sometimes your losses tend to drop off after Induction. Many members (including myself) broke this stall by moving onto Rung 1.

You are doing great! We can help you learn to eat more veggies. If I can do it, anybody can. Stay active on the board, it is a great thing.

[Tryin']

Re: 3 weeks down and starting to worry

mitzimarie - thank you so much, I can't tell you how much better I feel already from reading your post!

The advice about moving onto OWL was great, I didn't realise I could just add 5g onto the amount of carbs I've been having even if I wasn't at 20g - that helps a lot!

I think I'm eating a reasonable amount of veggies, at least my plate is full of them every meal (I do measure and record weights so I don't fool myself). I love a lot of the ones on the 'others' list so will add my 5g from there.
I find almost all my carbs come from veggies from the 'others' list (always within the limits though) - I guess this is because I mainly only have mushrooms or rocket or cos from the salad veggies list. I just can't make myself like anything else on that list, I wish I could. I could eat things like broccoli, aubergine & tomatoes all day though - typical!
Is it wrong for the main amount of carbs to come from the 'others' list even if I'm eating roughly two thirds of salad veggies? I feel like I could eat a mountain of rocket and still not get my carbs up, and I know there are better 'value' salad ones but I just don't enjoy them.

[Robin's Nest]

Re: 3 weeks down and starting to worry

Hi Tryin'!!! This is a great vegetable choice, other than plain or salad. and it is SIMPLE (one of the best words.. simple):

Take a glass roasting dish, place cut up pieces of your favorite vegetables... broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, red onion, pepper, halved cherry tomatoes, from the Atkins list of vegetables. (As you place in the dish, make a notation of measurements to determine carb level per serving... ) Ground alot of pepper on top. The only vegetable not to use is eggplant.. gets slimey..LOL

Bake 350* for 30 minutes. Lightly toss. Option: Place shredded cheese on top for the last 10 minutes. Just watch the last few. Vegetables contain alot of water so no need to add any for baking. The cheese should be melted when done. You could make without, then heat it up placing a different cheese each time..or without

Enjoy, it is tasty and good as leftovers.

Robin

[chinadoll]

Re: 3 weeks down and starting to worry

Rocket and spinach type greens are fine and much better nutritionally than iceberg. Watch with some of your veggies. Tomatoes can add up fast. Just keep doing what you are doing. You might want to try some thin sliced zucchini stir fried with some pesto or summer squash with a little cream and cheese baked in the oven. Experiment to keep things interesting. It doesnt matter so much where the vegetable carbs come from as long as you are counting them accurately. Some days I dont eat salad at all, I have green beans or broccoli or other veggies instead. That's OK. If you havent yet read the book, get it. It will explain a lot! Sounds like you are off to a great start. As for consistency...I routinely would go 2-3 weeks with no loss then have a 4-5 pound loss at once. It is frustrating but as long as you know you arent cheating, hang in there. Sometimes your body just needs some time to adjust.

[chinadoll]

Re: 3 weeks down and starting to worry

By the way, Mitzi, you are my idol! Your pictures are great and I am starting at the same size you were. I am just taller so I pack on even more weight.

[Tryin']

Re: 3 weeks down and starting to worry

Thanks so much for the extra help and ideas! I have definitely read the book and have spent the past few weeks reading these boards which has been invaluable too. I guess maybe I was just overthinking the salad part.
I'm definitely going to try those veggie ideas!

[Elizellen]

Re: 3 weeks down and starting to worry

I just noticed you are from UK so wanted to welcome another Brit on board

and congrats on those pounds lost Great job!!

[sallyseachange]

Re: 3 weeks down and starting to worry

Welcome to you Tryin.... I like your nic: You're not only tryin, but succeedin!

Mitzi gave you the most awesome advice. Follow it and you'll be fine. If you're having a little bout of PISS (post induction stall syndrome) be patient. It won't be forever. Sometimes your body just needs to catch up. A move to OWL rung 1 would be good, and you can take loads of time moving up the rungs if you like.

Happy Atkineering!