Need to drop 20 lbs (135 to 115)

[Moxy]

After a very long 17 days with no budge, I have now seen 5 lbs. go away. Finally.

Possible problems were Atkins Advantage shakes, not enough water, and too many calories. I ditched the shakes, am drinking more water, and reduced the calories.

I only lose when I stay between 1000-1200 calories. I am fully aware that this is a very low caloric intake, but I am only 5'1" and was eating between 1400-1800 the first 14 days with no loss. As is typical of my body.

I've found a wide variety of experience on this site and am glad to have joined.

[Skeptika23]

Re: Need to drop 20 lbs (135 to 115)

Hi Moxy! I'm not much taller than you myself (I'm 5'3", rounding up a wee bit).

5 pounds is definitely something to celebrate!

I never bought any Atkins products, but I understand that is a common problem for many of us - good job in avoiding them from now on. You'd think you could buy somethign with the Atkins name on it and trust it, but not since he died...

Lots of water is extremely helpful of course. Try joining one of the water challenges - I find it helps keep it top of mind!

As for calories - it's my understanding that calories don't matter (as such) - that is, you're really trying for a mix of high fat, medium protein, and low carb (and counting the carbs is the key) - the proportions change as you go from Induction to each run in OWL and so on. I find that if I work on that - the calories work themselves out.

If you are exercising as you're supposed to - I think you're starving yourself a bit, and it's just not necessary. Are you hungry? I would be!

My two cents.

[imagood1]

Re: Need to drop 20 lbs (135 to 115)

The shakes are probably what kept you from loosing to begin with - we don't advocate the use of them except in emergencies long after induction here on this board.

You should check how many calories your body needs to be healthy and continue to loose weight, I was doing the same thing you are now (eating 1000 to 1400 calories a day) and wasn't loosing anything. Once I started watching the choices I was making and got up to the recommended amount of calories I have been loosing weight again.

64 ounces minimum of pure water is mandatory on Atkins....nothing added -- if you drink soda it may slow you down also -- make sure you aren't drinking anything with aspartame also.

Have you read the 2002 Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution (DANDR)? It's the edition we follow here as it's the last edition Dr. Atkins was involved with before his death.

What exercise are you doing daily? Are you taking a non-iron multivitamin - these are mandatory with Atkins so start now and get off on the right foot. Also, start a journal, it's a great place to get everything out in the open, be accountable to yourself - you'll also meet some great people there! http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...journal-chats/

To make sure you don’t become bored by eating the same thing over and over look at these wonderful recipe sites – we have such great choices for menu ideas, eat a variety of things - make sure you are eating enough veggies - fat - and protein daily:

Recipe Sites

http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/menus.html (Linda’s)
(Never ending induction recipes)(Never ending induction recipes)(Never ending induction recipes)http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/58513-never-ending-induction-recipes.html (induction recipes)
(Never ending induction recipes)(Never ending induction recipes)(Never ending induction recipes)http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/58513-never-ending-induction-recipes.html# (additional induction recipes)
Good luck to you!

[Moxy]

Re: Need to drop 20 lbs (135 to 115)

I never go hungry and I run between 3-5 miles a few times a week and am on an elliptical three times. Thank you both for your input - I'll continue to do whatever works. Perhaps I just had a slow beginning and it didn't necessarily have to do with lowering my calories. I will continue to experiment to see what works with my body.

Have a nice day!

[Georgiana]

Re: Need to drop 20 lbs (135 to 115)

Welcome, Moxy!

If you feel tired, are hungry or stall, calories are definitely something to look at (to increase, not decrease). I've stalled before for not eating enough... although I did lose weight for a while eating that way.

Atkins shakes stall some people. I think that might have been the problem... but it's hard to say when you changed so many things. If you want a shake, you could try this recipe: http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...breakfast.html

Once you move to OWL, you can make shakes with yogurt, berries, etc.

You'd think you could buy somethign with the Atkins name on it and trust it, but not since he died...

I don't think the bars and shakes sold today by ANI are any worse than those sold while Dr. Atkins was alive. Quite the opposite, I'd say. But they've been promoted so much in the last few years that many people think they NEED them to do Atkins... or that they are just as good (if not better!) than whole, unprocessed food.

PS: Moxy, I'm not referring to you in my rant about products.

[Georgiana]

Re: Need to drop 20 lbs (135 to 115)

Umm... and Moxy, I would suggest you move to OWL, since you only have 20 or so pounds to lose. You need to give yourself enough time to climb the Carbohydrate Ladder and find your CCLL. OWL takes a long time (it took me over a year!).