Help me out. I am losing motivation and I'm confused.

[dreamof220]

I started on January 1, 2009. I have been on the extended induction since then. I was doing great for a couple weeks. I dropped 14 pounds fast. Then it slowed. I have been doing this for about 9 weeks now and I am down to 312. I am loosing weight. But, I am so frusterated. I have dropped 18 pounds in 9 weeks. What is going on? I have seen people drop 30 to 60 pounds in that time. I am a big guy too. I should be dropping more weight faster. I have eggs and bacon or sausage for breakfast. I have a hamburger and salad or a salad for lunch. For dinner I usually have steak or pork chops or steaks. Some times I have more vegetables, like sauteed mushrooms or cucumbers and tomatoes. I drink ice water mostly. Occaisionally I have a diet Sprite. I think I am staying close to 20 grams carbs. I have tried to go up to 30 grams of carbs in the last two weeks. I know I have less than 3 cups of vegetables a day. I feel great. But, I really want to see that scale move. Two pounds a week average weight loss is nothing to cry about. But, I am frustrated by it. I was reading in the book, and I think I am going to cut carbs back more. Dr. Atkins said that weight loss is in proportion to carbs. So, less carbs means more weight loss. If I am wrong let me know. I know some people have said that doing the OWL and increasing carbs will kick start the weight loss again. I think that I need to cut them. What do you guys think?

[IrishRain]

Re: Help me out. I am losing motivation and I'm confused.

I know it's been said a lot, but it's true: No two people's bodies are the same. And not everyone is going to react the same way to a way of eating. You could just be more metabolically resistant than a lot of people. ( Are You Metabolically Resistant? )

Also, I've heard a lot of people on here suggest moving on to OWL if induction is starting to let you down. But that's usually if people are stalling. You're losing. Averaging it out, you've lost 2 pounds a week. That's awesome! You should be really proud of how well you're doing.

[Sunny_0ne]

Re: Help me out. I am losing motivation and I'm confused.

dream, you might also look at the quantities of the food you are eating. Sometimes the food is fine, but we are eating too much of it.

If your quantities are not excessive, then you may just be one of us who loses weight a lot slower than the lucky ones who can drop it a lot faster.

I would look at quantities before I started cutting carbs because your body really needs those veggies.

[chinadoll]

Re: Help me out. I am losing motivation and I'm confused.

I am a slow loser. I have had to accept that. You might be a slow loser too. It took a number of years to put all that weight on, it is going to take some time to come off. Look at it differently-- at two pounds a week you will be at your goal weight by this time next year. And if you quit because its not fast enough of a loss? Where will you be then? Probably back where you started or on another plan where you feel starved all the time.

I expect that you may be eating a lot of legal foods. Even though calories aren't counted on Atkins, Dr. Atkins expected people to notice when they are hungry and eat when physical hunger is there. I know it takes a conscious effort for me to notice physical hunger vs. appetite. I tend to eat way more than I need or way more than just satisfies unless I am paying attention.That might be part of what is happening to you.
I think you are doing great. Put this into perspective. Think about how much better you are feeling, how much energy you have, how much better clothes are already fitting as opposed to "the scale isn't moving".

Also, if you aren't exercising, DO! lifting weights is great because you increase your muscle mass and raise your metabolism. Likewise slow burn cardio workouts burn the fat off. But don't give up because some other nameless person can drop 60 pounds in a month. Chances are the weight will stay off you longer than them. Your body has time to adjust and you are putting in more effort to lose so you will be more motivated in the long term not to gain it back. There is no magic pill for most of us. If there were we wouldnt be back a second or third time or wouldn't be on the boards for a couple of years before reaching goal. I would vote to stay on rungs 2 or 3 because you are less likely to bail if you have more food choices. Hang in there and really think about the long haul here.

[Zarabelle]

Re: Help me out. I am losing motivation and I'm confused.

Hi

Do you use fitday? I would also suggest you check your calorie intake. It does make a difference to me.

2 pounds a week average is good like you say but I understand your frustration.

Zx

[chinadoll]

Re: Help me out. I am losing motivation and I'm confused.

You may want to check out this thread in the main forum. Some of your same issues are discussed and it is an excellent thread from a guy with some similar frustrations.


I'm about to quit after 15 days Carb-Free... ( 1 2 3 ... Last Page)

[dreamof220]

Re: Help me out. I am losing motivation and I'm confused.

Thankyou all for your help and motivation. I will limit quantities better and see if that helps. I will also pay closer attention to my supplements. I don't know what fitday is. What is that and where is that? I will increase my exercise too. You are right. It may be coming off slow, but it is coming off. Thanks

[Georgiana]

Re: Help me out. I am losing motivation and I'm confused.

Fitday is a program you can use to track your food (carbs, calories, etc.). Here's the link to it: FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal

It is important to eat those 3 cups of veggies if you are on induction. I've seen people on the board who complained their weight loss stopped or slowed down because they cut down on veggie carbs. Weight loss is not proportional to net carbs. I lost more on OWL Rung 1-3 then I lost on induction, although I ate about 10 net carbs more.

Increasing your exercise is a great idea, too. Anyway, 2 lbs per week is great imo.

[Sherri]

Re: Help me out. I am losing motivation and I'm confused.

Good morning Dream
Here's a Sticky with some great information including Fitday.
BEFORE you begin the Atkins Nutritional Approach...
I realize that the Atkins lifestyle is about counting Net Carbs.
It is 100% essential to be eating enough calories as well. If you don't, you destroy your metabolism. It's like telling your body that you're starving, your metabolism will shut down. Not eating enough calories will also force the body to cannibalize muscle and hold onto fat. The body considers fat to be necessary to insulate your organs for survival.
Atkins is a high fat low carb lifestyle. Are you getting enough fat in? Hence calories? Your Induction ratios should be 65% Fat, 30% Protein and 5 % Net Carbs. Fitday will help you with your ratios by tracking all your food intake. It does the math for you. The account is free at www.fitday.com .
Very, very important to be getting in those 3 cups of veggies as well.
I think you've had an excellent weightloss so far. Keep with it! You will see the results. Be consistant with keeping track of your food intake.
Also remember that weightloss is just one of the fantastic benifits of the Atkins lifestyle. You are getting so healthy internally as well. Your blood chemistry is changing for the better and what happens on the outside is a reflection of what's going on inside.
Did you measure? When the metal monster isn't showing any results at the time the tape measure will.
Wishing you the best of health and lite.....Don't give up, you've only just begun.
Sincerely, Sherri

[BABYCAKES]

Re: Help me out. I am losing motivation and I'm confused.

Hi Babycakes here. I began Atkins (again) in Jan. Lost about 8lbs. Also getting ready to quit. Frustrated & confused. Mostly, having trouble with getting a little bored with options. Trying to stay on induction, mostly do well but, I'd like to see a bigger loss at this point. Iwas about 30lbs. overweight. Need to lose 20 more. I am a short person 5'2" so even being a "little" overweight makes me appear a "lot" overweight. Am short-waisted w/ 2 small bellies instead of one. I just feel like I am so obsessed with this it's all I think about. First thing in the A.M. it is there on the mind. What will I wear just to be more comfortable without looking sloppy. Right now, I am on the fence. Really need some encouragement. Hope I didn't depress anyone. Thank you in advance & best wishes for ALL of you on your journey!
BABYCAKES

[sallyseachange]

Re: Help me out. I am losing motivation and I'm confused.

Hi Babycakes here. I began Atkins (again) in Jan. Lost about 8lbs. Also getting ready to quit. Frustrated & confused. Mostly, having trouble with getting a little bored with options. Trying to stay on induction, mostly do well but, I'd like to see a bigger loss at this point. Iwas about 30lbs. overweight. Need to lose 20 more. I am a short person 5'2" so even being a "little" overweight makes me appear a "lot" overweight. Am short-waisted w/ 2 small bellies instead of one. I just feel like I am so obsessed with this it's all I think about. First thing in the A.M. it is there on the mind. What will I wear just to be more comfortable without looking sloppy. Right now, I am on the fence. Really need some encouragement. Hope I didn't depress anyone. Thank you in advance & best wishes for ALL of you on your journey!
BABYCAKES

Hiya Babycakes, and welcome! If you start a separate thread with your queries/issues, you'll find you get more hits and lots of advice. You could copy and paste your post, or ask a mod to move it.

Congrats on your 8 lbs lost. If you've been in induction since January, maybe you should consider moving to OWL... especially as you say you're bored with the food options. Lots find that they lose better on OWL, particularly the initial rungs.
Are you exercising? Drinking masses of cold water? These are two things that I find essential for weight loss.