Frustrated....

[mscheys]

I decided about a month ago to give this diet a try even though I didnt think it would work for me because my problem has always been not eating. I have been forcing myself to eat 3 times a day now with some light snacks in between and drinking lots of water.
The first few weeks I lost about 15 pounds but since then it seems like I am not losing anything at all. I try to walk one to two miles a few times a week but it is rough because I have bad knees. I am trying to keep at it but I am really getting frustrated. I am 50 years old and now at 289 pounds. I want to keep at it but I am really getting frustrated.

Yesterdays menu.

Breakfast:
2 eggs scrambled w/butter
3 slices of bacon

Snack:
10 slices of pepperoni

Lunch:
Half a turkey sandwich on low carb bread
1 slice american cheese

Snack:
Pork rinds

Dinner:
2 1/2 cups salad
2 hardboiled eggs
1/4 c. shredded cheese
2 Tbs. Italian Dressing

3 perch fillets fried in olive oil

[OzLover]

Re: Frustrated....

Welcome to ADBB. Do you have a copy of Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution~2002 version? If not I highly recommend you buy yourself a copy or borrow it from the library. Vital to have for success in this way of eating. If you don't have the book please read the sticky notes in the forums. Here is a great one to start with.
Atkins Low Carb Dieting - FAQ's - Atkins Diet
This one is crucial also.

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-low-carb-dieting-faqs/6781-what-foods-can-eaten-induction.html

Low carb bread is not allowed during Induction. Try to spread your veggies throughout the day & add some variety. There are so many veggies to chose from as you'll note on the food list. Don't forget to drink a minimum of 64 oz of pure water. Glad to see you are exercising & it will get easier with time & as your weight goes down. People will frequently not lose for a week or so after Induction. T

Good luck!

[msanjelpie]

Re: Frustrated....

Like the post above says, bread is totally not allowed on induction... that could be your staller right there...

[JulieB]

Re: Frustrated....

Also check your pepperoni for sugar (under any of its many names) or grains. Sausages are tricky...I had a really hard time finding a sugar-free pepperoni. Remember not to eat anything that isn't on the list of foods acceptable for induction - that includes the ingredients in anything you eat.

[pinkfusion]

Re: Frustrated....

american cheese isnt induction friendly either.

you might want to try to move up a rung and add more veggies.

[mizski]

Re: Frustrated....

american cheese isnt induction friendly either.

Actually, Kraft Deli Deluxe American is real cheese compared to the regular Kraft American singles (individually wrapped) that contain whey and milk protein concentrate. The Deli Deluxe American is Induction friendly and can be used to make Cheezits (also Induction friendly).

I never knew this until I read it here on

p.s. I've noticed recently that there are now store brand versions of Kraft Deli Deluxe American at a much cheaper price.

[Aways2Go]

Re: Frustrated....

Don't give up! I didn't lose anything at all for more than 2 weeks either, after losing 18 pounds doing Induction... in fact, after a couple of weeks of not losing I even gained back several of those lost pounds.

So I posted a note on the boards asking for help and took the advice I was given (which was to cut out low carb tortillas and to cut out diet sodas with aspartame and diet jello in the box mixes which also had aspartame).

And I think it was about a week later I lost the several pounds I had gained PLUS another 4 pounds, all over just a few days. Amazing!

I'm no expert by any means, but I think maybe I would try cutting out the low carb bread (I roll meat and cheese up around each other or maybe in a leaf of lettuce, sometimes around a dill pickle spear, and eat it that way) and also try maybe adding in a half cup of some vegetable like green beans or broccoli.

I understand about the walking. My mother is also trying to lose weight and has had knee replacement surgery. She adjusts her walking based on how she feels each day - some days it might be only a quarter mile, but others she has walked a mile and a half. She just tries to walk some distance most days of the week. I think you just have to do the best you can with it, and remember that every one pound lost will take several pounds of pressure off your knees and make them that much better. You might also try some seated exercise activities (sit in a chair and weightlift with soup cans!), a bike pedaling machine, a recumbent bike (takes some pressure off your knees) or swimming if you have access to them, or other things you can think up - it may not seem like much, but every little bit of activity really does help!

Hang in there and those pounds will start falling off again pretty soon. This diet really does work, even for those of us who have been overweight/obese for decades and tried dang near everything at one time or another... but sometimes you have to have some extra patience to give your body a chance to adjust/re-adjust and start losing again.

Keep asking for help if you need it and keep us posted - people here really do care and want to help everyone succeed.

[onesenalife]

Re: Frustrated....

Definitely give bike riding a try!!!!! Ever since I had my second child, running hurts my knees, but the bike riding is so low impact, and you don't sweat as much because of the wind blowing on you, its actually enjoyable

I just had to buy one of those extra big/wide seats for my bike to actually make it comfortable for my big butt. Its totally worth it.

[mscheys]

Re: Frustrated....

Thanks so much for all the helpful advice. I have cut out the low carb bread and changed a few other things as well and started losing again. I am still working at walking and discovered that wearing my knee brace helps quite a bit. Five knee surgeries has made it very rough for me so I am hoping to lose a lot more to take some of the pressure off of my knees.

Thanks again for all the friendly and helpful advice. I really appreciate it!!!

[Aways2Go]

Re: Frustrated....

My mother (with artificial knee replacements) has used one of those little "bike pedaling" machines and it doesn't bother her knees too much - maybe good for a day the knees are just too achy to walk. It's the type you sit in a chair and put the little pedaling thing on the floor. They are pretty cheap, I think $30 or so dollars - usually see them in those catalogues that cater to older folks that show up in the mailbox. I don't know how much exercise it is versus walking, but it definitely is better than nothing at all. Knee straps/braces and a variety of different orthotic shoe inserts/pads (better ones that run 10 to 20 dollars a pair) have also been a help to her and to her mother, who also had knee replacements done.

I myself bought some sort of thick Dr. Scholl's "backsaver" shoe inserts at the drugstore, I think they were about 12 bucks, and find they really make my standing and walking a lot more comfortable. I have them in most all my regularly worn shoes now.

Congrats on your return to losing weight!