Frustrated :(

[Enchantedraisin]

I think I have been going up and down 3 or 4 lbs for the last MONTH. I am not really losing anything. Getting frustrated ... I know I should stick with this, but I only have about 10 more lbs to lose. I only wanted to lose 20.

I am 5'10" and started at 162. This morning I was 151. I wanna get around 140. I started in early April. Blah. I know I'm really a healthy weight now, and was to begin with... it's just that Summer's coming.. you know, swimming suit season. :/

I'm wondering if it will be too hard/impossible for me to get to my goal weight because I am pretty healthy to begin with. You think it's possible?

I used to have some berries, nuts, low carb candy here and there... but I have had to virtually cut all those out of my diet because I think that's the problem. I'm just wondering though....

[Richt]

I would say the reason you are finding it harder to lose weight is because you dont have that much left to lose.

Its a well known fact that the more you have to lose, the quicker it will come off.

I too am struggling now to get rid of any more, but it will come off eventually. Its the same for you. Hang in there and it will shift soon.

Rich

[tickletussler]

I second that - everything Rich says is true. I had 40lbs to lose, I've got less than 20lbs now. I am currently the same weight as when I met my fiance, but I'd like to get a bit lower to the weight of my early 20s. It is feasible to reach my GW, but it is much harder as you reach GW - I know that as fact.

Also, I have fluctuated the same 3-4lbs in one month and then suddenly, voila! it broke through and I have a new low.

You just have to be really patient, and concentrate more on going through the rungs (I don't know what bit you are up to) and just focus on enjoying eating rather than as something that takes your weight off.

cheers.

[Elizellen]

Re: Frustrated

This morning I was 151. I wanna get around 140.

Hi :wave
Are you still following induction or have you moved to OWL yet?

[G-Mom]

I believe Dr. A said that it may take up to 6 months to lose that last 10 lbs. I know you don't want to hear that, but it isn't easy losing those lbs.

Are you exercising? You simply must!!!! Make sure you are drinking lots and lots of water. That gain/lose of 3-4 lbs is water shifting. Remember, when your body loses fat, it wants to retain the buoyancy of those fat cells, so it fills them up with water. You will release that water once you add more water than your body can store. Please see this FAQ in the FAQ forum: Why the Scales Lie.

Now, since you are really doing this to look good in a swimsuit, have you considered weightlifting? Maybe all you need is some sculpting.

Which also leads me to ask: Are you planning to stay on Atkins forever, following all the phases? Atkins is not a crash diet, and if you go back to high carb after losing your weight, it is highly likely you will regain all your weight, so keep that in mind.

[spazzyhilo]

or its entirely possible that your body doesn't WANT to lose that weight. At 5'10 151 is fantastic! I'm also 5'10 and dream of being 180 (and then seeing how I feel from there)

I agree with G-mom, you may not need to lose more weight but sculpting your body would benefit even more. tone those abs for swimsuit season and you'll probably even lose inches instead of lbs.

[Enchantedraisin]

Re: Frustrated

This morning I was 151. I wanna get around 140.

Hi :wave
Are you still following induction or have you moved to OWL yet?

Well, I'm not technically doing Induction anymore. However, I am usually still not going over 20 carbs. Once in a while I do. I'm not because I find it hard to eat that much... heh.

But, however, I am eating some nuts once in awhile. I try not to because they seem to stall me. Same with low-carb candy. Try to stay away from it... but will have one once in a while.

So not technically on Induction

[ttdriver]

By now you should be in pre-maintenance ... you're not moving onward like you should be ... You definitely need to eat more of the good carbs and leave the candy alone forever!

I agree that exercise is paramount, especially if you want to tone and shape up. Lots of good cardio (60 minutes a day if you can) and weight/resistence training will really do the trick.

I'd say you're at a healthy weight, but it varies by the individual. Lots of people told me to stop losing 20 pounds ago, but with my petite frame, that was still too heavy for me.

I workout alot now and feel fabulous so I know I'm at the right weight.

Good luck to you!

Betty

[Enchantedraisin]

wwowww... 6 months??! Haha, poopy! Oh well, I'll stick with it. I don't have money to join a gym, however I do a LOT of walking. I have to walk to and from school three times a week... and I'm a waitress... lots of stress and movement. I do have weights that I keep under my bed. I use them on my arms a couple times a week. And some sit ups a couple times a week as well. Maybe I should move this all up a notch?

Okay, I'll try to drink more water. I really am not a massive water drinker even though I think I do drink enough... I'll drink more.


Hehe. Yeah, I wasn't planning on staying on Atkins forever, however I do have a plan. I have all of this thought out ... I do not particularly like this diet high in saturated fats (even though I could choose not to if I wanted), so I will probably switch to the idea of South Beach Diet after I like the weight I want. I read the book and it seems very healthy, and somewhat similar. I will go through their Phase 1 which is similar to Induction, however you eat lean meats, low fat milk, and plain yogurt. Then their Phase 2 begins after 2 weeks. You can eat healthy whole grain breads, whole wheat pasta and rice, sweet potatoes (all have higher fiber and all much healthier than "white foods")--although you must eat them sparingly. I think it sounds great and I can live with it I believe. The only sad thing is, I have to give up my lovely bacon and fatty steak cuts. Mmmm. hehe.

I believe Dr. A said that it may take up to 6 months to lose that last 10 lbs. I know you don't want to hear that, but it isn't easy losing those lbs.

Are you exercising? You simply must!!!! Make sure you are drinking lots and lots of water. That gain/lose of 3-4 lbs is water shifting. Remember, when your body loses fat, it wants to retain the buoyancy of those fat cells, so it fills them up with water. You will release that water once you add more water than your body can store. Please see this FAQ in the FAQ forum: Why the Scales Lie.

Now, since you are really doing this to look good in a swimsuit, have you considered weightlifting? Maybe all you need is some sculpting.

Which also leads me to ask: Are you planning to stay on Atkins forever, following all the phases? Atkins is not a crash diet, and if you go back to high carb after losing your weight, it is highly likely you will regain all your weight, so keep that in mind.

[Enchantedraisin]

or its entirely possible that your body doesn't WANT to lose that weight. At 5'10 151 is fantastic! I'm also 5'10 and dream of being 180 (and then seeing how I feel from there)

I agree with G-mom, you may not need to lose more weight but sculpting your body would benefit even more. tone those abs for swimsuit season and you'll probably even lose inches instead of lbs.

Haha, thanks!

Hmm... maybe so

[Enchantedraisin]

By now you should be in pre-maintenance ... you're not moving onward like you should be ... You definitely need to eat more of the good carbs and leave the candy alone forever!

I agree that exercise is paramount, especially if you want to tone and shape up. Lots of good cardio (60 minutes a day if you can) and weight/resistence training will really do the trick.

I'd say you're at a healthy weight, but it varies by the individual. Lots of people told me to stop losing 20 pounds ago, but with my petite frame, that was still too heavy for me.

I workout alot now and feel fabulous so I know I'm at the right weight.

Good luck to you!

Betty

Thanks! Good luck to you too! You have the perfect body, I want yours!

Ohhh yeah yeah, I know I know *tear* no more lovely candies. I know they are the problem!

I really wish I could join a gym, however I'm soooo poor. I'll just have to go out walking more I guess.

Yeah, lots of people didn't want me to go on this diet! I get so much fuss about it, I really hate it. The only thing is, I am really not THAT skinny. I have a pretty fleshy body... and could still safely lose 10 more lbs... maybe even more but I will not push it. If I had initially wanted to lose like 40 lbs or something when I started, that would be a thing to worry about... me 120? Nooo..

I really hate people fussing over me. Geesh. But this is what *I* want, and I would NOT be unhealthy and grossly underweight.

[apugh77]

Change things up...

I have heard many times if you get to a stall point you should change something that you are doing...sort of wake your body up from the normal routine. For example, if you are walking...maybe you should try biking.

I have read several articles about people who had a lot of weight to lose and many of them agree with this.

[tickletussler]

I do not particularly like this diet high in saturated fats (even though I could choose not to if I wanted), so I will probably switch to the idea of South Beach Diet after I like the weight I want

I'm sorry this is quite untrue. :no My saturated fats are low, because I eat mostly fish and tofu during the week and have a preference for olive oil rather than butter. It all depends on what you are eating - if you eat meat every single meal every single day, then your saturated fats level could be higher

Plus, as you advance through Atkins, you will be eating a lot of veggies that also reduce cholesterol eg broccoli.

So I'm sorry to say you sound like one of those those who carries the misconception of Atkins being a "high saturated fat" diet.

Cheers.

[matawguro]

Re: Frustrated

I think I have been going up and down 3 or 4 lbs for the last MONTH. I am not really losing anything. Getting frustrated

I think it's time to summon the Whoosh Fairy with THE WHOOSH FAIRY DANCE (TM)!!!



It's a work in progress, mind you.

[maysea]

may be your body is happy now do you realy neeeed to lose the extra 10