Hello All

[Biscuit]

Hello all,

I've been an occasional lurker for a few weeks. I had been doing induction for about a month (with limited success), when last night, I see that aspartame (sp?) is a big no-no.

I have tried this diet a few times....the first time worked great, since then, I have had trouble reproducing the results. Thinking back, I don't think I was consuming any aspartame at all the first time around.

Anyway, I'm restarting induction today minus the aspartame and I am very interested to see if this is what has been impeding my progress.

Started around 258 in early to mid-march. I didn't track the exact start.

Currently at 243 (was only losing one pound per week with no cheats other than the aspartame drinks)

Goal Don't know for sure, 210, 200, 190....we'll just see how it goes

[Biscuit]

Re: Hello All

where can I find the weight tracker things that you all have in your sigs

[LookingForward]

Re: Hello All

The weight tracker is at http://www.tickerfactory.com

Welcome! We love converting lurkers to members.

Aspartame can definitely cause stalls in a lot of people, I hope you see the weight fly off now that you've cut it out.

If you have any questions or need help with anything, don't hesitate to ask (PM me anytime)!

[Saty111]

Re: Hello All

It sounds like you have things under control! Welcome to the board and good luck on kicking out the aspartame habit!

[Biscuit]

Re: Hello All

lol, it's the third habit I'm kicking this year...#1 tobacco, #2 Diet Cokes/caffiene, #3 aspartame.....after the kicking the other two, this one doesn't scare me

it's just aggravating that I went for a month with very, very few carbs and only lost 4 pounds, oh, well,

[Saty111]

Re: Hello All

I imagine the slow weight loss would be frustrating, but now that you know there's nothing stopping you. Also be sure to drink lots of water and try to fit in exercise. These healthy habits jump start weight loss too!

[Biscuit]

Re: Hello All

wow, what a difference that made. who would think that a sugar-free drink would inhibit weight loss like that...

since I restarted (2 days), I have dropped 3 pounds when I had only been losing 1 pound a week for 3-4 weeks...

the only change I made was substituting plain water for the sugar free drink

[Lisa M]

Re: Hello All

Welcome to the board!

Wow! 3 addictions this year...and it's only April! Nice! Very proud for you!

Congrats on the loss so far! And enjoy the whoosh that happend...that's always a nice thing You're doing great!

Best wishes on your journey!

[Saty111]

Re: Hello All

Horray for Water !!!!

Well done!

[Biscuit]

Re: Hello All

another time I tried the diet (when it didn't work at all), I didn't kick the diet coke habit....hmmm...you think I might have a problem with aspartame

I've thought the diet cokes were causing problems for several years, but who would think a "diet" product would do that......

[carbaddicted]

Re: Hello All

Hi Biscuit. I love your name. Makes me chuckle. Hello all. I've been a lurker, too, but just had to respond to Biscuit's post. The same thing has happened to me and I can't seem to find out why. Went to another forum before finding this one and asked for help. Instead, got jumped on because I wasn't following things right. Was asked if I even read the book. Yeah...twice. "WHAT? NO VEGGIES". No veggies for a reason. Anyway, this forum looks a lot more friendly and I hope you all don't fault me if I make a few mistakes along the way...thus my reasoning for lurking. Wasn't sure I wanted to post.

Biscuit, the first time I tried Atkins, I had no problem. Lost 27 pounds in 7 weeks. Did the same thing this time around and can't lose weight. First week, one pound. So far...three pounds. I started the diet on 3/28. I can't get into ketosis this time. I was on strict induction and didn't cheat even once. No problems with aspartame or soda addictions. Drink mainly water and have one cup of tea, per day. I was using 1/2 teaspoon of stevia (less than 2gms of carbs), cut that out. Started using 2 pks of Splenda in my tea. Still no ketosis. Cut out any veggies, just to see what happened...no ketosis. Tried not eating one day, just to see what would happen. Ketosis! Read as small amount. Ate dinner with no carbs...ketosis wiped out. Sometimes the strip will be beige but has such a slight amount of pink in it that you almost can't tell. All I have to do is eat a cup or two of lettuce, with blue cheese dressing and the pink disappears. I don't know what is wrong. I can't get into ketosis even if my diet is 0 carbs and believe me...I read all of the labels for hidden stuff. I don't know what elso to do. I am getting so frustrated due to the fact that I have been on strict, strict induction since 3/28...have lost 3 pounds, no inches and no ketosis. Same thing happened to my daughter when she tried to start Atkins again, after a successful first time. She just gave up. Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone.

PS...my carb addiction was to bread, bread rolls/BISCUITS, cakes, cookies, glazed donuts and all kinds of sweets. Have no problem with that now. Just need to lose. Best to you all.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
SW: 168
CW: 165
GW: 140-145
Ht: 5'51/2"

[Saty111]

Re: Hello All

Hi Carbaddicted!

I'm glad you decided to participate and you don't think we are too scarey. We like to give suggestions, but I think the main gist around here is that we give support and help each other try to change their lives for the better.

I'm sorry to hear that you are having such problems with induction. I know how frustrating it is to do everything right and get no results. I have a few suggestions, but if you could post a daily menu that would be good and maybe someone can pick something out that might be causing the stall.

First thing's first, make sure you are drinking plenty of water. It is essential to wash out our systems and keep things moving. Also, are you taking your vitamins. You might be difficient in some vitamins and therefore your body won't be working right.

Be sure to balance out your meals with fat, protein and carbs. All 3 are essential for ketosis.

Also, if you are metabolically resistance, Atkins suggests an all fat diet to jump start ketosis. Here is a link that describes the "Fat Fast."

I hope something works and I encourage you to look around the site for more motivation and suggestions!

[Biscuit]

Re: Hello All

the second/third time around was much harder for me also....

be sure to look at everything to make sure you aren't sabotaging your own success...like I was doing

[carbaddicted]

Re: Hello All

Hi Saty. That is what I see in this forum...a lot of support and I think that is wonderful. There may be suggestions, but at least no one here posts to a person in a way that makes them look like they are uh...not so smart for doing things a little differently or not their way. I think you all really help each other and I like that.

Thanks so much for the info. I am going to try it, starting tomorrow. I will only be able to incorporate some of the foods, though. I think Dr. A's pockets could afford caviar. I don't think mine can . I love the tuna and the eggs, mayonnaise, avocado, etc. Not macadamia nuts, though. I wish it said pistachios. Thanks again for the info. I learned something.

CA

[Biscuit]

Re: Hello All

keep your chin up, you can do it