Is it possible Atkins doesnt work for some???

[hopeful_one]

Next Monday will be three weeks on program. I use Fitday, I plug in my food I eat what I am supposed to and the first three days I lost 5 pds then from there I gained a pd and now today almost three weeks into program I have lost a whopping 3 pds! Maybe Atkins just doesnt work for some people? I am so upset and discouraged and cannot figure out why my body will not cooperate

[SwissMiss]

Re: Is it possible Atkins doesnt work for some???

Hi Hopeful
don't be discouraged. My initial weight losses with Atkins have always been slow (3rd timer). Just give yourself time and re-evaluate your food and activity log. Have you tested if you are in Ketosis with the Keto-Sticks? Are you working out? Drinking enough water? Eating no hidden carbs?

Have you taken your measures when you began? Muscels are heavier than fat, so perhaps you've build up muscles and toned your body and your scale wont show that but your measuring tape will.

[AJs-mommy]

Re: Is it possible Atkins doesnt work for some???

A friend of mine, who has been on Atkins for a year, said she has known people who lost nothing, or gained, on Atkins. She said, after talking with them, she went over their normal menu pre-atkins and found carbs weren't really an issue to begin with. I don't know if this is your case, but just wanted to let you know it could be a contributing factor.

[LageNomAi]

Re: Is it possible Atkins doesnt work for some???

I used to think that Atkins should work for everyone, but I've actually met a couple people for whom it did not work. At the time I chalked it up to them perhaps not actually following Atkins properly (I don't know for sure if they did), but the Wall Street Journal recently ran an article about a scientific study demonstrating that whether low-carb or low-fat works for someone is actually grounded in their genetics.

I just tried finding the article on the WSJ website, but the search function there is notoriously bad and I'm not having any luck.

ETA: Sorry, I failed to respond to your overall post. I would continue to give it more time and triple check your menu to ensure that you are following DANDR properly. I wouldn't throw in the towel just yet. The fact that you've lost any weight at all is a positive sign. Hang in there!

[Whatsername]

Re: Is it possible Atkins doesnt work for some???

Just my humble opinion. Everyone loses at a different rate and that depends on different factors. You don't have stats listed. Knowing how much you weigh and your goal weight are helpful. Do you take meds? Do you exercise? No offense but sometimes people eat what they think is on plan when in reality there are some innocent mistakes. Just an example...cheese might cause you to stall. So, we need a look at your menu too. On induction, most of your carbs should be coming from the list of allowable veggies. So, someone might be eating 20 carbs a day but are they eating the right carbs?

You did lose weight, therefore, I wouldn't say Atkins isn't working. Its not going to happen over night and some people just have a slower level of losing.

That said...I do think there are people out there that Atkins might not work for. It says in the book that one of the meds I take might not allow you to lose weight and you should be prepared to possibly try something else. Thankfully, it works for me. I think it is working for you and with some tweaking, might work even better.

[LateNiteDiner]

Re: Is it possible Atkins doesnt work for some???

While I would also agree that Atkins is not necessarily for everyone, I do think that anyone can lose some weight regardless of their "diet" plan. If you have been faithfully entering "every bite" in Fitday, would you consider creating a public profile link there that you can post on ADBB? That would allow others (i.e. the moderators) to look over your daily menus and make comments on where there might be hidden carbs or how you might tweak your menu to work better.

Additionally, there are sometimes foods that are perfectly legal on Induction that cause people problems anyway. I know that I have to be very strict on cheese and cream if I want to maintain weight loss regardless of the official rules (which are fairly strict to begin with). Another issue is often sweet, sugar-free treats. If you've added sugar free Jell-O, diet sodas, or other "sweet" items, they may be a cause for slowed weight loss. And finally, the franken-foods: meal replacement bars and shakes that may claim to be low-carb can often contain ingredients that cause some people to stall on their weight loss.

Don't give up just yet. I know it's tough to continue following a program that doesn't appear to be working, but you should make sure it's the diet itself and not an accidental oversight before moving on. Good luck.

[mitzimarie]

Re: Is it possible Atkins doesnt work for some???

You've been given some great advice.

I would also suggest putting some info into your siggie. It will help us to help you, when you need some advice. You do that by going to the blue bar at the top, and clicking on "Quick Links". Then click on "Edit Signature" and add whatever info you wish. That way, it will show every time that you post. Some good info to include would be your age, height, start date, start weight, current weight, and goal weight.

Next - have you posted some of your sample menus in the Review My Menu Froum? Include exact quantities of everything you eat and drink. Sometimes "fresh eyes" on the situation will shed new light on issues.

[poobears1972]

Re: Is it possible Atkins doesnt work for some???

No eating plan works 100% for everyone.

That being said I'm confused about your loss #'s. You lost 5lbs the first week then gained one leaving you at 4lbs lost. Now you say you've lost 3lbs. Did you gain another pound or do you mean 3lbs in addition to the initial 5lbs (4lbs after your gain?). If you lost another 3lbs that's over a pound a week, above average if you are female.

[Georgiana]

Re: Is it possible Atkins doesnt work for some???

I use Fitday

If you make your FitDay public and share the link with us, we'll take a look at what you've been eating.

[mizski]

Re: Is it possible Atkins doesnt work for some???

I do believe that different people respond better to different diets. I am biased towards whole, real foods and controlled carb intake. However, after reading Jimmy Moore's BBS for quite a while now, there are other good plans besides Atkins out there (again with a low carb slant). Plans by the Eades, the Paleo diet, the Rosedale Diet and even South Beach come to mind.

It took me a lot of research and experimenting with various plans before I stuck with Atkins. Personally, I would let the good folks here try and review what you've done so far to see if maybe your Atkins WOE needs some tweaking. Then if you still don't see the results you are looking for, then maybe another plan might be a better fit.

I used to think that Atkins should work for everyone, but I've actually met a couple people for whom it did not work. At the time I chalked it up to them perhaps not actually following Atkins properly (I don't know for sure if they did), but the Wall Street Journal recently ran an article about a scientific study demonstrating that whether low-carb or low-fat works for someone is actually grounded in their genetics.

This subject was on Dr. Oz this week. I found it interesting but still somewhat vague. If you read the transcript, the deciding questions can fall into multiple categories. I was pleased that Dr. Oz was finally acknowledging low carb though.

[liv]

Re: Is it possible Atkins doesnt work for some???

Last time you posted a menu you were eating way to little food. I explained to you that this can be a problem. You never got back and let us know if you were going to change any of that. I agree with what has been said you need to find out if you are given the plan a fair chance before you decide it is not working for you.

[wallace bump]

Re: Is it possible Atkins doesnt work for some???

That's about my rate, too, or a little higher than my rate.

(a 5 pound loss from Dec-March started from calorie cutting before Atkins)

Losing weight is slow going for some, that's all. Don't lose heart.

[cleochatra]

Re: Is it possible Atkins doesnt work for some???

I believe low carb could work for everyone (I don't think grasses, grains and sugar should be at the base of any food pyramid), but I don't think Atkins is the only answer, no. I do believe we have the good Doctor to thank for making low carb viable again!

I recommend plans to folks based on their needs, from the Low Glycemic Diet to VLC to South Beach (and Atkins, naturally--any of the three iterations depending on personality of the dieter), depending on their needs and lifestyles; because when it all comes down to basics, everyone needs to find what they can live with for the rest of their lives.

[maxima]

Re: Is it possible Atkins doesnt work for some???

You have been given some great advice. I wouldn't quit Atkins just yet - do what is suggested and may I add another thought - measure every bite. I'm serious - I wasn't using my measurer and one day I just put out what I thought was right and then measured it - I was under what I needed for my veggies. That is not a good thing. Nobody can accurately measure by sight until they have been at this for a VERY long time I suspect.

And check your foods - I cannot do red peppers, just can't do them. They set me off in cravings and I stall. So far, to date, red peppers seems to be the only thing I've run into that I simply must not do, but then I'm still on advanced induction - I'm quite sure I've got lots of learning experiences I will be learning from in the future. I'm seriously considering adding more veggies and different veggies to my diet now to move up the ladder a rung - and I will go slowly and very, very carefully.

I started with only allowable food and didn't budge for awhile, so I know what does work. Each food I add from here on out will be slowly added so I can judge it. Perhaps if you go back and start the same way, you will more easily be able to figure out your culprit? Kind of like people with severe allergies - they have to find out what doesn't hurt them and work slowly, slowly to find out what actually DOES hurt them with pinpoint accuracy.

This would be better than to just give it up now - Atkins might be your answer, you just have to find your way of working Atkins. Do everything possible before deciding that it doesn't work. It might NOT work for you, but it's really too early to decide, you have way too many options available to figure that out, first.

Best wishes to you on your quest.

[msanjelpie]

Re: Is it possible Atkins doesnt work for some???

You are on the diet, and you have lost weight. Sounds like it's working to me...

What's not working is your attitude... remember, your body is the boss, not you. It will decide how quickly it wants to lose the weight. Your job is to stay on the diet without cheats, and your bodies job is to lose at the rate that it finds comfortable. If you give up, you'll never know what you and your body could have accomplished together.