Hi -- 10 days in...

[jhos]

Hi everyone. First of all, I've spent some time reading the forum and WOW... there are a lot of inspirational stories, valuable information, and encouragment here. Hand clap to the people who made this place happen.

I am a married 33 year old. My husband and I work for ourselves... mostly sitting in front of a computer. I quit smoking when we got married (last May) and that, along with poor habits, has helped me gained some weight. Enough weight that I'm like... "OK. enough is enough".

I did the low-carb diet about 6 years ago and it worked great... quickly (lost 20lbs in a little over a month and kept it off until moving to the midwest a few years ago). I'm 5'4" and feel most fit around 120lbs.

My husband and I consider ourselves "con-vegetarians"... meaning we act like vegetarians while it's "convenient". If not, I do otherwise (like when there's a wonderful filet mignon in front of me). Obviously I've kicked that to the side for the time being, but would like to replace meats with tofu/etc. later on.

Ten days into induction and I've lost about 2 lbs. I've been a steady 150 for the past 4 or 5 days. Usually a heavy drinker, I haven't had a drop. I drink water non-stop. My husband and I are at the gym every day where I spend an hour on the elliptical... usually (there's been 2 days this week where time was an issue and I could only spare half an hour). And I am strict on the diet. No cheating... nothing...

I understand I should be ignoring the scale... that muscle gain affects lbs. -- but I really want that nice encouraging loss that induction promises. This afternoon I got frustrated thinking about it... but my husband brought up the muscle weighing more than fat thing. I just wish it was faster, like 6 years ago, and therefore more motivating.

On Valentines day I will be starting the next phase. We have reservations at my favorite French place in town... and I'm gonna have a glass of wine -- or does anyone happen to think I should stay on induction longer than the 2 weeks?

In closing, I've noticed clothes are a little bit looser and I hope this post isn't too much info too soon.

[BeccaResRN]

Re: Hi -- 10 days in...

Hello and welcome, You know for me as disappointing as it was I did not loss the great woosh of weight during induction like i did the first time. I think maybe because it was my second time around.

As for continuing on induction beyond the 2 weeks, that is your choice, I decided to move on and add more vegies as the next step and I feel good with that choice.

That being said I have a few questions do you have the DANDR Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution book..have you read it? And if your like me can you still remember all of it? I had to go back back and reveiw it.

You may try posting your menu in the rewiew my menu thread and see if theres any tweaking that people may offer you to help enhance your weight loss.

Atkins says that an ocasional glass is OK on OWL if it does not slow your weight loss. For many people it does so that would be your decision if you decide to go on to OWL and have a glass of wine.

For me alcohol does slow things for a few days maybe a week so I may endulge but rarely and if I think it worth the temporary slow down..like I had a drink on New Years. Just remember to count the carbs in the wine, dry varietys have less carbs obvoiusly.

Good Luck

[allierw26]

Re: Hi -- 10 days in...

You have 30 lbs to lose, right? If so, people usually lose 5-10% of their total weight loss goal during induction. 10% would be 5 lbs, so you are actually in the normal range at 2 lbs so far. Also, if you have been stepping up the exercise, that will definitely seem to slow your loss but you should be noticing inches lost as well. If you haven't already, invest in a measuring tape! Inches can be motivating when the scale doesn't move.

You should probably move onto OWL as you indicated, seeing as you really don't have too much to lose. But, it is up to you. You would be able to enjoy a wider variety of foods in OWL. There is no longer an alcohol OWL rung, but I personally don't see a problem with 1 glass of wine on Valentine's day. I would go back to non-drinking and water only after that, though, until you get into pre-maintenance (less than 10 lbs to goal).

[jhos]

Re: Hi -- 10 days in...

Thanks a lot guys. Your replies made me feel much better.

I read the Atkins book years ago, and while I probably should pick up another copy, I've just been using the resources on atkins.com for guidelines... and what I recall from memory.

[allierw26]

Re: Hi -- 10 days in...

This forum gives advice based on DANDR 2002 (Dr. A's New Diet Revolution)--the diet may have changed a bit since you last read the book. Be sure to read the stickies in the induction forum and the main forum here, since this forum doesn't always agree with what the atkins.com website publishes (for example, about using low carb products like shakes and bars during induction). It sounds like you are on the right track, though. Good luck!

[jhos]

Re: Hi -- 10 days in...

Thanks!

To that point, I don't actually buy/eat low carb bars, shakes, or any of the Atkins® products. I'm doing straight-up non processed meats/eggs, cheese, and vegetables.

I took a peek at the scale today and I'm down by 1 lb. : ) I've also started "that time of the month"... so I'm hoping once the bloating goes down I'll notice more results.