New on Board

**mitzimarie** · July 28, 2008, 08:01 PM

Re: New on Board

Hi, Starbright

Welcome to ADBB.

First thing - I need to point you to the "sticky" at the top of this forum page especially for newbies here. There is a ton of information there to help you along your way.

Next - could you please let us know what your starting weight and goal weight are? It will help me to give you some advice on your situation.

I can tell you this now, though - THERE IS NO NEED FOR YOU TO DO THE FAT FAST! I will go into more detail about this, after I know a little bit more about your situation... specifically, how much weight you intend to lose. Let us know, OK?

**Chicklady** · July 28, 2008, 09:46 PM

Re: New on Board

Hi Star

I have to second what Mitzie said. It's too soon for a fat fast! Be careful with your health. Just do a proper induction without the cheats,,,,,you'll probably be pleasantly surprised!

**starbright** · July 29, 2008, 06:02 AM

Re: New on Board

sw170/cw161/gw125
height 5'4
Its very hard at times not to cheat b/c I prepare regular food for my two small children and when I am very stressed (bet. going to school full-time, working part-time, being a mom and wife) I will have something I know I shouldn't have but it tends to help me feel good (ex. ice cream is cool, smooth and calms me down when I am very upset). I only had ice cream once since being on induction (even though I know it was wrong). I am only really tempted at work b/c they seem to be only giving free stuff when I am on a diet. I don't keep the bad foods that I like at home. The smallest I have ever been was 123lbs and I looked, to some, too skinny b/c I have a slight muscular built (I use to have a six pack and I want that back). Life has made me become a controlled emotional eater. I will never over eat but I eat just enough to not gain extra weight (after awhile the weight creeps up on you in 6 months). I gained 20 pounds while working a year on night shift (ordering out every week with my co-workers) six years ago. When I got married five years ago I was 140lbs (with a flat stomach and wearing a size 6). After two children (both are now 2 and 3 y.o.) and having them a year apart, I gained 30lbs. My body never had time to bounce back after the first pregancy b/c two months after having my first child I was pregnant again (unplanned). Truthfully, I look okay at this weight but I can do with the love handles. As for the fat fast I am aware of the risk but I am closely monitoring my weight and will only do it for a few days. If any time before that I start feeling a little strange then I will slowing start adding carbs. In the mean time I plan to stay hydrated and not to do too much activity b/c of the fast. I wont go back to work for about three days and thats how long I plan to do it (my job demands physical labor so I can't do it then). When I was a teenager I probably survived on 1000 calories a day without even trying to b/c I was always studying or in some extracurricular activity, so it felt like I never had time to eay. So, I'll be okay. I also still take my vitamins at night.

**mitzimarie** · July 29, 2008, 06:41 AM

Re: New on Board

Starbright, I only have a moment right now because I am heading out the door for work, but I just have to say that your post really disturbs me. I am worried about you.

You must understand, that if you can't even get through a clean 2 week Induction, there is absolutely NO reason to put your body through the torture of the Fat Fast. That is reserved for people who are severely metabolically resistant to weight loss. On a squeeky clean Induction, the general guideline is that if you can lose between 5 and 10% of the total amount of weight that you need to lose, you are not metabolically resistant to weight loss. With a total of 45 pounds to lose, that means you could expect to lose between 2.25 and 4.5 pounds. You far exceeded that with your 8 pound loss! And that was with cheats!!

OK - some tough love:

No one who can't get through a clean 2 week Induction has any business doing the Fat Fast.

No one with 45 pounds to lose, who was able to lose 8 pounds in 2 weeks, has any business doing the Fat Fast.

Do you really think that putting your body through this for a few days is going to change your eating behavior? Because THAT is what the problem is. Doing this drastic kind of deprivation of food is NOT what doing Atkins is all about. This is a lifestyle change... a process of changing your food and the way that you look at it. Considering doing the Fat Fast shows that you are viewing this as a means to drop weight fast, and that is a recipe for disaster. What do you think happens to the weight that most people lose with this method? It comes right back on as you begin to eat again...

Please, please reconsider your decision. What you need to do is throw all of your energy into getting through 2 weeks of a clean Induction. Honestly, if you can't do that, I don't see what use the Fat Fast is for you. And limiting your calories to 1000 is just scary.

I'm worried about you!

**jimmie 48** · July 29, 2008, 06:56 AM

Re: New on Board

i couldn't agree with mitzi more. she's is giving some very good advice.
i'm not sure i that i saw this addressed but it's very normal to get done with induction and then not see any loss for a few days maybe longer. and by your own admission, you were eating things along the way that could have affected you. put it all together and that could equal no loss.
exercise is a better way to jump start the losses again.

i might add that what you were might not necessarily be what you can be now. age, kids, our hormonal changes all make our shape and weight something different at different times of our lives. the 16 year olds we were are probably not going to the the 25 year old and the 25 yr. old body
is not going to be the 45 yr old body.

**sallyseachange** · July 30, 2008, 02:58 AM

Re: New on Board

Warm welcome aboard Starbright.

Congrats on your initial 8 lb loss. That's cool!

Please listen to Mitzi and Jimmie... they really know what they're talking about.
I'd also second exercise as a terrific way to jump start weight loss again. Take it from someone who was a non-believer in exercise, but who had to re-think when faced with the results.

My experience of people who've done the fat fast is that the vast majority of them end up re-gaining the weight they lost during those fat fasting days, and more. Please be careful. You don't want to upset your metabolism.

Post lots and keep us in the know. We're behind you all the way.

**starbright** · July 30, 2008, 07:36 AM

Re: New on Board

In the book there is a modified version of the fat fast that is a little healthier (b/c you can have 1200 calories instead of just 1000).which is what I decided to do if at the end of the day of doing strict fat fast I feel deprived, and even then I am still staying between 1000 to 1200 calories. I completed the first day of the fat fast and it has been fine. If you are smart about it, it really isn't that bad. I find it easier then induction because I don't have to cook a bunch of food every day. For the record I did complete 2 weeks of Induction the reason I say I cheated is b/c on week 2 I added splenda (only 3 packs a day). To me that was "like cheating" b/c for week one I did not have any artificial sweetners or low-carb snacks. How else was I able to loose 8 lbs in the first two weeks?

This is why I debated ever comming on the board b/c I hate when people misjudge others based own their own opinions w/o truly hearing or understanding what the other person is saying just so they can be right. First of all I know my body and I know what I can handle and I know what motivates me. I am not looking for a quick fix but I am looking for a steady weight loss. I realize all the negs about doing the fat fast but I actually did modify it a little by having a STRIP of redmeat and an xtra 15mL of whipping cream in the evening so that I can take my multi-vitamin and not have any crazy symptoms in the morning (I actually have enough energy to do an excerise routine this morning). This is the last time I will explain myself on this topic any other post will be about my progress. So far the weight is comming off steadily and I don't feel deprive or sick and I still have energy to work out. I have lost 3/5 of a pound from day one of modified fat fast. Which is comparble to the 8 lbs I lost in the first two weeks of induction.

sw170/cw160.4/gw125
Height 5'4

**mitzimarie** · July 30, 2008, 07:46 AM

Re: New on Board

OK, Starbright - it is clear that you have made up your mind about the Fat Fast. I still don't see what your reason for doing it is? You said that this is the last time that you will explain yourself on this topic, but I still haven't seen your explanation for why you are doing it... just that you are doing it. I'm not sure what the purpose behind your original post was, if not to get feedback on what you are doing.

I assure you, I don't volunteer my time on this board just to be right about something. I would much rather just sit back and observe... but when I see someone putting themselves in danger and distorting what Atkins is truly about, it is my obligation to speak up. What you are doing is not what Dr. Atkins intended the Fat Fast to be about. What you are doing is dangerous. What you are doing will not bring success in the long run.

Now that I have fulfilled my obligation to speak up, I will bow out.

**jimmie 48** · July 30, 2008, 08:36 AM

Re: New on Board

nobody was misjudging you, starbright. we commented on what you posted, tried to guide you with what we know and what our experience has been over the years.

like mitzi, i will remain silent as it concerns your diet but would be more than happy to help out with challenges if you go in that direction.

**sallyseachange** · July 31, 2008, 01:24 AM

Re: New on Board

Since you've decided to go the fat fast route... all the very best with it. I hope it works for you and you you don't have cause to regret it later on.

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