Gaining weight on atkins???

[dietfreak]

Hi there, I have been on inductions for 8 days so far and normally i lose about 10 pounds in the first 14 days but i am working out really hard because i am going to Hawaii in just 5 weeks. I am drinking at least a gallon of water a day. The problem is i initially dropped 3 1/2 pounds after 4 days but know i have started to put weight on for some reason. Does anyone have some advice?? It is very discouraging to be working out so hard and dieting and to actually see weight going back to where you started rather then closer to your goal.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Frustrated Dietfreak!

[Rubysugar]

Re: Gaining weight on atkins???

Don't be frustrated! If you are working out alot you may be putting on more muscle mass than you taking off fat mass. Muscle weighs more and takes up less space. I suggest getting out that measuring tape and staying off the scale.

You have a very good and realistic goal set for yourself. Keep drinking that water and flushing the toxins out of your system. You are on the right track.
I have read some about people who frequently go on and off Atkins sometimes build up a bit of resistance and takes alittle extra time to break through. I am sure someone will come along and elaborate on this for you, maybe 2Big will peek in.
Keep up the good work!

[dietfreak]

Re: Gaining weight on atkins???

Hey all, i just wanted to thank those of you who responded either in the forum or by email. The advice and encouragement was much appreciated. I will make the changes necessary so i don't get discouraged. Thanks again. I am sticking with it.

[kkat55]

Re: Gaining weight on atkins???

Don't get discouraged...it might also be your hormones.

A lot of the veterans ask that you post what you are eating so that they can review it and see if there is anything that might be causing this weight gain to happen.

Best wishes!

[Diva217.5]

Re: Gaining weight on atkins???

Hey DietFreak........I am in the same boat right now........its now MArch, how much have you lost and what was the pattern to which you lost.I am getting very discouraged.

[LookingForward]

Re: Gaining weight on atkins???

Definitely don't fret, yet! 8 days isn't even enough time for your body to get over the initial shock of trying to switch from a carb-burning to fat-burning metabolism. During this time so many things happen in your body that the scales can lie, and that's why it's strongly recommended not to even step on a scale until the very end of Induction, or even later. So many things could be at play. My first advice is don't weigh more frequently than once a week. Trust that if you're following all the rules and eating only the acceptable foods that it WILL work and set a once per week weigh day to track your progress.

Like someone said, if you're working out very hard, you're certainly gaining muscle, which is heavier than fat, and so even though you could be losing lots of fat, the muscle mass is making up for that when you step on the scales. I would recommend taking your measurements along with weighing yourself. If you see your body is shrinking, you can take a lot of comfort knowing you're on the right track, no matter what the scales say. I have known people to go from a size 14 to 10 without losing even a pound, because they were losing fat but also gaining muscle.

Another possibility is water retention. Drinking a gallon of water a day is GREAT, keep it up! But if your body isn't releasing it properly you could be holding on to some weight that way. Could be hormones, that time of the month, maybe reduce your sodium intake, and see if that helps.

Not to be gross, but are you taking your fiber supplements? If you get backed up, the scales will definitely reflect something OTHER than your weight loss. Be sure to take your fiber supplements, since it's nearly impossible to get enough fiber from the foods you eat during Induction.

Another thought, are you always weighing at the same time of day, which is preferably first thing in the morning before you've eaten or had anything to drink? Your body fluctuates weight constantly, so it's best to always weigh at the same point in your daily cycles.

That's all I can think of at the moment, but hopefully some of it will help, or at least ease your mind that you needn't worry. GOOD LUCK!

[sadie@136]

Re: Gaining weight on atkins???

can we see your menus?