Grrrrrr......4 Months..only 18lbs

[wackyjacqui]

Hi all,

Has anyone else experienced really really slow weight loss? I have posted before (Arrggh Frustrated!) and I have taken all the advice from the wonderful people who responded, but I do feel that only 18lbs in four months is VERY slow...I've stuck to induction...I've tried OWL...I've gone back to induction without any frills......I've come off the HRT, (metabolic resistance checked) apart from trying a different diet I don't know what else to do. My husband is at a loss....Any body got any other ideas??

Thank you in advance.

[liv]

Re: Grrrrrr......4 Months..only 18lbs

What are your stats? How much do you have to lose? Do you exercise?

[TWS]

Re: Grrrrrr......4 Months..only 18lbs

It's hard for me to give advise without knowing a lot more about your diet/habits, so I'll just tell you that here we've eliminated all industrial oils (corn, soy, safflower, etc.) and replaced them with healthier alternatives (olive, pastured lard, butter, ect). We also take a high-grade fish oil suppliment as well as flaxseed oil daily. I know Atkins is a high fat approach but those fats need to be as healthy as possible. Creating the correct balance of Omega-3 to Omega-6 ratio is a positive step anyone can take for better metabolic activity.

TWS

*Congratulations on your current success. Sometimes comparing 'scores' with others takes your mind off the fact you've done well for yourself, in your own right.

[hrgillespie]

Re: Grrrrrr......4 Months..only 18lbs

Can you post more details ........... I'm sure you have before but I missed those threads. Are you working on a limited calorie intake or are you just eating what you want? Are you excercising at all? How much do you have to lose?? Can you post a sample day of eating? Sorry for so many questions but it would help in looking further at what might help you out .........

Heidi

[Lisa]

Re: Grrrrrr......4 Months..only 18lbs

While you're adding more background information, I just wanted to say Congrats on the 18 pounds gone! It's hard to look back over the 4 months and say, "wow, I only lost ___". But you've lost 18 pounds!

[jimmyolsenblues]

Re: Grrrrrr......4 Months..only 18lbs

i do agree that atkins is not a crash diet it is a way of life, you will have stops and starts, but once you realize over the long term you are less hungry on atkins, you will have more energy over the long term on atkins that high carb diets, atkis works. Yes it stinks its slow, but Rome was not built in a day. Good luck!

I also know if I get stuck , i have to eat out less and walk and drink more water.

[ceceee8935]

Re: Grrrrrr......4 Months..only 18lbs

My weight loss was slow until I upped my exercise. I walk 2-3 miles a day and this has really helped me alot. Remember alot of this is repairing our metabolisims.

Congrats on your 18 lbs

[SunnySmile501]

Re: Grrrrrr......4 Months..only 18lbs

For someone that started out wanting to lose 20 pounds, 18 pounds in four months is fantastic! The closer you get to your true goal weight, the harder it gets. The last is supposed to take a long time.

[TheDogAteMyName]

Re: Grrrrrr......4 Months..only 18lbs

I agree with Sunny. With only two pounds until goal, weightloss will slow. Instead of going back and forth from Induction to OWL, you should be in Pre-Maintenance learning how to maintain your weightloss for life.

[sallyseachange]

Re: Grrrrrr......4 Months..only 18lbs

I agree with Sunny. With only two pounds until goal, weightloss will slow. Instead of going back and forth from Induction to OWL, you should be in Pre-Maintenance learning how to maintain your weightloss for life.

I'll echo that!

If you really only wanted to lose 20 lbs, you're doing very well indeed! Relax and enjoy this way of eating.

[Elizellen]

Re: Grrrrrr......4 Months..only 18lbs

As Sunny said, the last few pounds are supposed to be lost very slowly in premaintenance phase.

Here is a (long) quote from DANDR

You’re almost there! All your good work and healthy eating habits have paid off, and you now have only 5 to 10 pounds left to reach your goal weight. Give yourself a good pat on the back; you deserve it!
Having said that, I have to insert a note of caution. You may not like what follows, but it is vitally important that you hear it.
If you have been racing along the road to your destination, now is the time to put on the brakes. Much as it is tempting to say, "I can banish these last pounds in a few weeks now that I know how to do Atkins," I strongly advise you to do something that seems quite the opposite on Pre-Maintenance, the all-important third phase of Atkins. As you advance toward Lifetime Maintenance, my advice is to proceed so slowly that your weight loss is almost imperceptible. I know that this snail's pace can be excruciating when the end is in sight. But remember, getting to your goal weight is not your ultimate goal; your real goal is to maintain that magic number indefinitely.
Our focus is now different. There is little doubt you can and will reach your goal weight. The only doubt is whether you will stay at that weight for life. The purpose now is to create the optimal lifetime eating program-one that fits you so perfectly you will want to stay on it for life.
When you moved to OWL, you deliberately slowed down your weight loss by adding more carbs and more variety to your menus. Now I am going to ask you to slow things down even further. The more you learn about eating as you lose those last few pounds, the better. Your next assignment is to increase your carbohydrate consumption until you're losing less than a pound a week. The additional foods will provide increased nutrition and culinary enjoyment. Ideally, you should spend at least a month and preferably two or three in this phase.
There is method in what may sound like madness here. If you search for the level that achieves a small amount of weight loss, by the time you reach your goal weight you will, in effect, be on Lifetime Maintenance, at which time your weight loss will naturally slow to a halt. During PreMaintenance, you will both accustom yourself to your lifetime eating plan and get a good indication of what it will be like. Think of this phase as a learner's permit, like the one you had when you were just beginning to drive. You were allowed out on the roads, but only with a licensed driver by your side. Pre-Maintenance is like that. You're out there doing it, but you still need some more hours behind the wheel before it's safe to allow you on the highway all by yourself.

[wackyjacqui]

Re: Grrrrrr......4 Months..only 18lbs

Hi Again,

Thank you for all your replies. I'm 5.3" I started at 158lbs....my normal weight is 138lbs, and as you can see from the details below I put the weight on due to operation and HRT. I'm a dress size 12 (English..I think that's a 10 in your sizing??) I used to be a 10 ( and was happy with that.

I initally wanted to lose 20lbs, but because I'm feeling better and the diet seemed to be working for a while I changed my goal to 28lbs. I don't find the diet difficult because I always had a healthly diet. I dont like sugar..sweets...cakes etc. I was never a great bread lover and I've always been very active so excercise isn't the problem.
Breakfast: 1 Egg & 2 Bacon...or...2 eggs scrambled with a little butter.
Lunch: Green Salad...prawns..or small piece of cheese, with mayo..(when I get time)
Dinner: either chicken, pork steak, fish, or lamb cutlet with green salad and mayo...or Cabbage & green beans.

I drink soda water or decaf coffee.

This lifetime eating plan is not a problem...it's just frustrating that I cannot seem to budge from the 18lbs.......! Help!! Maybe I'm just not eating enough??

"It took two weeks to lose the first 2 lbs....! i've done the metabolic resistance thing, I was on HRT, thats what caused the gain in the first place. (I'm off it now and the weight gradually started to move). Surely I should lose something"



Re:excercise, although I've recently had a major operation, I had no option but to take it very easy for a few months, however, I still go to the gym 4 times a week, we live in a very small village next to a river so often take long walks and we are self employed restoring a 400yr old farm house, lots of pysical work! (Although I do have to be careful and limit myself...still recovering from op.) So I don't think exercise is the problem!

If you can think of anything...please let me know. Before I lose the will...or just stop eating all together.

Thanks everyone. xx