Fat Fast

[HulaMom]

Aloha,
Thank you for reading this post. I know that this situation does not apply to many of you. Most of you lost amazingly on induction.

I have been on a diet close to induction for 2 months. Yet my weight has barely changed. I'm taking daily supplements as recommended by Dr. A. I drink my water and exercise. I'm doing everything I can. I've had amazing calm and willpower. I have not been tempted. I have been utterly faithful.

I've been on Atkins before, very successfully. Now I am older and I appear to be very resistant. I know from experience that this time is different. I am not experiencing the physics of burning that I did the first time. I'm not budging.

I absolutely do not want to give up. I don't have other options that will be successful. I've read so many books, Atkins, Traub (good calories bad calories), Schwarzbein Priciple, sugar busters. I know intellectually and from past experience that this WOE is my only hope to be thin.

From childhood I have had problems with weight. I look back and see that I eat healthily but not in abundance. I believe that I must be metabolically resistant and that it has become worse with age.

I feel really uncertain about what to do when induction has not worked. How can I add carbs and move up the rungs if I cannot even lose on induction? I've posted my menus before, and corrected issues of not eating enough carbs.

I'm reading Dr. A's chapter about the fat fast. I'm considering it as an option. It sounds so extreme. Has anyone tried this before? Any advice? Has it worked.

I feel utterly and completely at a loss. I don't want to admit that I might not have an option but to be overweight and unhealthy.
Mahalo nui for reading this post through. It is not in my nature or character to admit that I don't know what to do, that I need help, that I cannot figure this out. I feel quite humble, and would appreciate any advice that you have.
Hula

[matawguro]

Re: Fat Fast

Aloha,
I've been on Atkins before, very successfully. Now I am older and I appear to be very resistant.

If Atkins already worked for you in the past, then the Fat Fast is not for you. It could in fact be dangerous.

You might want to read through this link...

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37419

The fat fast was usually done under the medical supervision of Dr. Atkins when he was still alive. Around the time of his death, all information about the fat fast was removed from the Atkins.com web site for reasons unknown.

Before considering the fat fast, have you eliminated other possible causes for your inability to lose weight: lifestyle change with lots of stress, medical conditions such as hypothyriodism or candida infection. On Jimmy Moore's blog, Jimmy once posted the story of a low-carber who couldn't lose weight and discovered the reason to be a previously undiscovered tumor growth.

As always, in order to help you, you might want to post a sample of your menu and some of your details such as current weight, height, age, and gender.

[IrishMom82]

Re: Fat Fast

I have been on a diet close to induction for 2 months.

That could be your problem right there. How "close" to Induction are you? Induction is very strict and to go off of the plan even a little can stall most people (ex. ME...).

[sallyseachange]

Re: Fat Fast

From what I've seen, most people who attempt the fat fast usually re-gain all they lose very fast... and more. I'd be very wary of it, if I were you.

I understand your frustration entirely. Could you post a menu or two and maybe a few more "clues" like amount of water, amount of exercise, medications...

Hang in there. I'm sure it'll happen sooner or later.

[TheDogAteMyName]

Re: Fat Fast

Hugs Hulamom! I've been around these boards and have seen you struggle to lose a pound. Many years ago I did the Fat Fast because I thought I was in a stall. Remember I didn't really know what I was doing, I didn't even move past induction. Ugh! Anyway, the Fat Fast is not pleasurable at all. It was hard for me to stick to it for three days. I've proved to myself this time that I'm not metabolically resistant - as I thought I once was. What I didn't realize was that I wasn't eating enough fat before. I know it sounds cliche'...eating fat while being on a "diet" but it's true with Atkins. Now that I fire my engine up with healthy fats, I've been losing steadily. I lost weight well during my first go at Atkins, but I sizzled out. Now I know because I was trying to do a low-fat version and still do Atkins, but it doesn't work because it's not Atkins. Long story short and my only advice...eat more fat. Drizzle olive oil over a salad, eat a few deviled eggs, put some melted butter over a sizzling steak. Find ways to squeeze it in. You won't believe what happens.

[losetocruise]

Re: Fat Fast

you might also try varying your exercise routine. What type are you doing? Sit ups, etc. don't seem to drop the pounds for me although I am sure they help the muscle groups, but aerobic exercising at a fast pace really helps for me. it is also what Dr. Atkins said would work the best. I am amazed at the difference since I started Jazzercise. If you can't get to classes such as that, try some of the dance exercise tapes like Zumba.

[HulaMom]

Re: Fat Fast

Aloha,
Thanks for all the comments. I'm really very puzzled by my situation.
Let me answer some of the questions:

* NO medications. Not in the 2 months.
* I carry a liter bottle of water with me, and drink lots.
* I run about 4-5 times a week, and I mix in weights, yoga and some kickboxing.
* I strictly limited caffein in induction. I now have coffee maybe 3 times a week.
* I take supplements as recommended by Dr. A and added CoQ10.
* Emotions and rest. I'm on a sabbatical, and so have more time to devote to doing what is healthy for me. I'm more relaxed than I have been in years. I still work on projects, just finished a major deadline. But overall, I'm sleeping well and am very balanced. I know what stress is, I've experienced it and it can mess one up. That is not my situation at present.
* I pray and meditate in the morning.

I've posted my menu several times and have gotten good advice. Previously, the critique is that I'm not eating enough. I've addressed that, and tried to up the carbs and veggies. Because of my lack of response, I have been staying very basic:
Typical breakfast: two eggs, sometimes with mayo. or some leftover meat from dinner.
Lunch: large greens salad with olive oil and vinegar. Chicken. hard cheese
Dinner: variety here but always meat and veggies. Ex: grilled fish or poke (raw fish), broccoli or spinach.
Snacks: chicken cubes or leftover meat, a few oz of hard French cheese
I've tried to up fat by adding butter and olive oil to veggies. I have cheese, without going too far with it. I keep healthy fats on the meats.
I am not overeating, and am keeping my diet very restrictive. I've lowered my appetite tremendously and try to make sure that I do not skip meals because I don't feel like eating.
A few things that I've sampled for one serving on one day to see how my body reacts:
Flaxseed muffins, pecans, cheese, variety of legal induction veggies.

I'm convinced that it is not a 'cheat' in my diet that is causing this issue. It feels more like my body is irrationally holding on to fat. I get a bloated feeling. In the morning I don't feel like eating, but breakfast is important and I feed myself. I do not overeat. I do not obsess about food or get temptations.

I'm generally healthy.
Female, age 42. height 5 feet 3 inches. Weight around 173 pounds. This is my near all time highest weight and I have not held the weight all that long. About 6 months ago, I probably weighted 165. Over adulthood I will more typically weigh 150 pounds and feel overweight. When I first went on Atkins, successfully, I got down to a stable weight of 132-135 and maintained it for years. It was a good weight for me, it is where I should be.

Perhaps I should go to the doctor, but I wouldn't even know what to ask him. He's likely to tell me to go on a low-fat diet -- which I am convinced is a negative, poor health choice. After reading 'good calories bad calories' I'm convinced that the doctors are very ignorant of how obesity really works. Perhaps I could get tested for thyroid issues??

I really do feel completely at a loss. For now, I am remaining convinced that this is the right WOE and that I need to just continue. But my confidence will wane if I can't make any progress. The extra fat that I have is mostly on my tummy.

I hope this provides more information. Appreciate any advice.
Hula

[not2late]

Re: Fat Fast

See your doctor. Just tell him you've been following a diet strictly for the last two months, tell him about your exercise regimen and tell him you're worried about your thyroid. He might ask you more questions, so just be truthful with him.

Let him do the blood tests and see what happens.

[TheDogAteMyName]

Re: Fat Fast

I agree with you about seeing a doctor. Dr. Atkins says a stall could happen for many reasons...mold, yeast, medications, thyroid, etc...

{{{Hugs}}} I wish the best for you, my friend!

[sallyseachange]

Re: Fat Fast

Yes, I agree... it's time to check out the medical possibilities. Thyroid, candida etc. can cause havoc with a weight loss programme.

[HulaMom]

Re: Fat Fast

It sounds unanimous. I'll schedule an appointment and let you know how it goes.

Thanks everyone for your words of wisdom.

[losetocruise]

Re: Fat Fast

This may sound like a silly question, but do you look and feel fat? I am about the same height as you and close to the same age but quite a bit heavier at present. When I started my exercising, they did a body fat analysis thing and said my ideal weight would be 169-173. I said no way. My goal has been 130-135. She told me that there is a newer thinking with the BMI charts and that if you are exercising regularly, you will have a heavier ideal weight since muscle is heavier then fat. She told me to make my decision when I get to 170 as to how I look and feel.

Since I'm not there, the jury is still out on this one, but I'm keeping an open mind. If you have a lot of muscle mass though, you may actually be at or near your ideal weight.

[HulaMom]

Re: Fat Fast

I am wearing a size 14/16 right now, and when I was on a solid maintenance with Atkins about 5 years ago I wore size 8/10.
What concerns me is a concentration of fat in my stomach. My ankles tend to feel swollen. Truthfully, I'm more concerned about my health than what the scale says.