newbie on day 10 with no weight loss ...please help

[CoalMinersDtr]

i have been quite strict with my diet and expected to see a few pounds at least by now. I am still having constant headaches, very loose bowels and literally only lost 1 pound. I bought and read The Atkins Essentials and have been following it to the letter. i will admit that i could be doing better with my water intake- i am really only drinking like 4 cups per day (any tips on how to make yourself drink it- i hate drinking anything besides coffee) and i have felt so weak and nauseous plus the relentless headache, i have not started working out yet.
i am 27 years old, 5'6'' 139lbs but very out of shape and jiggly! it IS my time of the month...could that be masking my weight loss?
also- i bought the ketostix yesterday and am showing only "trace" amounts of ketones in my urine, however i do have other signs of ketosis...the metal taste in my mouth, white floaties in the toilet.
here is yesterdays menu:
breakfast was coffee with heavy cream and 2 packs of splenda
lunch was a small garden salad with ham and a 2tbsp ranch
snack- 1 cp broccoli
dinner - taco salad: just greens, ground beef, avacado, a little cheese, a litttle salsa and sour cream

any thought or tip would be greatly appreciated!

[atkinsgal08]

Re: newbie on day 10 with no weight loss ...please help

>> bought and read The Atkins Essentials and have been following it to the letter.>>

The book that is used here is Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution (2002). AE is a handy book to have ... but it's only for Induction.

>>my water intake- i am really only drinking like 4 cups per day>>

The minimum you should have is 64 ounces ... more is always better!

>>tips on how to make yourself drink it- i hate drinking anything besides coffee)>>

Drink it cold, drink it room temperature, drink it through a straw ... just drink it!

Coffee doesn't count as water ... it has carbs, and the caffeine isn't all that good for you.

Not enough water can equal no or slow weight loss.

>>it IS my time of the month...could that be masking my weight loss?>>

YES.

>> bought the ketostix yesterday and am showing only "trace" amounts of ketones in my urine>>

Trace is fine. Of course, the ketosticks don't tell you if you're doing Atkins right ... nor are they an indication that you will lose weight.

https://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-low-carb-dieting-faqs/82407-article-ketostix-color.html

>>i have felt so weak and nauseous plus the relentless headache,>>

Probably your body detoxing. If you feel weak, you should add another 5 net carbs of Induction vegetables until it passes. And ... WATER will help.

>> breakfast was coffee with heavy cream and 2 packs of splenda>>

Where's the food?

>>a litttle salsa>>

Was there sugar in the list of ingredients?

You're not eating enough food, that's one thing!

You probably don't have very much to lose, so your rate of loss will be slow.

[CoalMinersDtr]

Re: newbie on day 10 with no weight loss ...please help

thank you Atkinsgal08....i just looked at the salsa-never thought it would have sugar, but it does 2 grams in 2 tbsp...so tahts out
And the water thing....i know i need to drink more!!! i have such a hard time with it..i never feel thirsty.
so thanks for the great tips!

[atkinsgal08]

Re: newbie on day 10 with no weight loss ...please help

>>i just looked at the salsa-never thought it would have sugar, but it does 2 grams in 2 tbsp...so tahts out>>

You have to look at the list of ingredients ... you can't just look at the nutritional label.

Tomatoes and the other ingredients have "sugar" ... the naturally occurring sugar in the food.

So you can't rely on the nutritional label.

>>i know i need to drink more!!! i have such a hard time with it..i never feel thirsty.>>

Doesn't matter if you "feel" thirsty. You need your water!

It's a "rule" with Atkins!!!

[Elizellen]

Re: newbie on day 10 with no weight loss ...please help

We had an admin member here a few years back who started with baout 30 pounds to lose and lost absolutely nothing on induction.

However she did experience some of the other Atkins benefits during her first 2 weeks so continued to follow the 4 phases till she reached her goal weight.

Remember that losing inches is also a proof of losing FAT, which is really what we are all after, so make sure you check your measurements as well as the scales to see if your body is getting smaller despite what the scales say

[ThinSoon]

Re: newbie on day 10 with no weight loss ...please help

thank you Atkinsgal08....i just looked at the salsa-never thought it would have sugar, but it does 2 grams in 2 tbsp...so tahts out
And the water thing....i know i need to drink more!!! i have such a hard time with it..i never feel thirsty.
so thanks for the great tips!

I had to find out how I like to drink my water. I found that I prefer it either very cold or sometimes room temperature and I have to drink it out of a straw. Yep, strange, but if I have a cup in front of me all day with a straw, its what I drink and I am often surprised at how much I get in!

Now, what would help you?

Tracey

[mission to lose]

Re: newbie on day 10 with no weight loss ...please help

Hey CoalM,

Water---At first I had a little trouble, and ended up having to force myself at the end of the day to get in all in, and then I was up 3-4X at night to visit the "potty". So I took the advice of a few people, and set a sort of schedule. I usually drink 96+oz a day. Six 16 oz bottles. So I make sure I finish off one bottle about every two hours starting at breakfast, and I keep it slightly chilled to cold.

Your weight loss---According to charts, your body is right where it should be for a med frame lady. Of course that is average, and weighing less is ok. Point is, your body will take a lot longer to lose 10# than someone who has 110# to lose. And during induction, at your weight and height, you probably can not expect to lose more than 1-2#. That's just how it is. Once you feel a little better and add some exercise, you may see a little more weight loss. Just hang in there, follow all the rules, and it will happen. Before you know it, you will look and feel awesome!

[CoalMinersDtr]

Re: newbie on day 10 with no weight loss ...please help

thanks guys! great tips and encouragement!

[michelley]

Re: newbie on day 10 with no weight loss ...please help

Water is tough on me too. But it's gotten easier with time. I take several gulps at a time. Sometimes I'll make it a game, like can I drink a whole glass without taking a breath, or how many gulps can I take without taking a breath. I prefer room temperature, easier to swallow.
Problem is that I hate running to the bathrm all the time at work. I usually put it off until I just can't wait & then I hope that no one stops me in the hallway to chat!!

[coloradotter]

Re: newbie on day 10 with no weight loss ...please help

No one has mentioned the obvious... just coffee for breakfast ?

[atkinsgal08]

Re: newbie on day 10 with no weight loss ...please help

>>just coffee for breakfast ?>>

Coffee isn't water ... and doesn't count as water.

Only water is water.

Check the end of Chapter 12 of your copy of Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution.

[Elizellen]

Re: newbie on day 10 with no weight loss ...please help

No one has mentioned the obvious... just coffee for breakfast ?

Good spot! I didn't notice that myself

Having some food for breakfast instead of just coffee might get your fatburning started earlier in the day, CMDtr.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: newbie on day 10 with no weight loss ...please help

Good spot! I didn't notice that myself

Actually, it was "spotted" on Dec. 10th, too. Post #2 of this topic ... on page 1.

I wrote:

>> breakfast was coffee with heavy cream and 2 packs of splenda>>

Where's the food?

<smile>

[lubies]

Re: newbie on day 10 with no weight loss ...please help

the only way I like water is to drink it out of a bottle. I think it tastes funny out of a glass but I drink litres of water straight out of the bottle and it is delicious. ps, I only drink tap water so the water in the bottle is refilled with normal tap water. go figure - all in the mind. point I am trying to make is change the way you consume water and it might work for you.

[CoalMinersDtr]

Re: newbie on day 10 with no weight loss ...please help

First let me start by saying that i have still not been able to purchase the Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution, so i dont know all the specific rules. Unknowingly, i bought the Atkins Essentials, and from what i am learning- there are tons more info in the D.R. book....so as soon as i possibly can- i plan to buy it!
Otherwise, i am on day 13, have been drinking water much better, but i am still only down1-2 lbs. I can tell that my stomach is much flatter, but no significant weight loss. So a couple of you spotted that i was drinking coffee for breakfast... I dont usually wake up before 9am and im never hungry for breakfast before 11am. i jsut always have a cup of watered down espresso, 2 -3 packs of splenda, and 2 tbsp heavy cream. Can someone explain why/how this is bad? Is it possible that this could be stalling my weight loss? or is this a normal rate for weight loss considering my weight? Thank you for all your help-friends.
thanks again, Tiffany