third time on the wagon

[Pirooz]

I started my third tour of Atkins 16 days ago. The last time I did a serious Atkins diet was back in the mid 1970's and then again in early 1980's when I was in my mid twenties!

It was sure easier to lose back then. On the first occasion, even though I don't think it was called an Atkins diet, I lost 70 pounds and on the second occasion in the 1982 I got rid of some 30 Lbs.

Now, having regained a lot of the lost pounds and weighing in at 226 Lbs. (6 feet tall), I decided to do it again. I have done the first 16 days and am over the carb cravings, headaches and the constant hunger so typical of the first week or two. I do 30 min of thread mill (3.8 miles/Hr). Yet what i have lost is barely perceptible at 3 or 4 Lbs. What a difference age makes! Back in the day after a 14 day initial stint at 20 to 25 gr of carb levels (with no exercise) I would knock off 10 to 15 lbs.

I have been very careful not to admit many carbs sticking to strict guidelines. Today i got some Ketostix and am going to test and see if there is any fat loss going on.
I was hoping to get other members perspective on whether or not the difficulty level of shedding the Lbs. rises geometrically with age or is it just me and/or my imagination?
Good luck to all
Good to be here
Pirooz

[liv]

Re: third time on the wagon

Welcome Pirooz. How is it going?
And yes it gets harder to lose weight when we get older. That metabolism we once had is not there anymore. And easier to put on weight.

[Pirooz]

Re: third time on the wagon

Hi there Liv
Thanks for the post. Yes it seems as if the grade of difficulty increases exponentially with age. Those darn Mitochondrias seem to have thrown in the towel. Still, I did my first Ketostix test and it showed moderate concentration so I guess I am at least on track as far as keeping carbs down.
So I'll continue on the wagon, hoping fr some perceptible results some day. LOL
thanks

[atkinsgal08]

Re: third time on the wagon

>>I did my first Ketostix test and it showed moderate concentration so I guess I am at least on track as far as keeping carbs down.>>

Here's an article you might find interesting:

https://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-low-carb-dieting-faqs/82407-article-ketostix-color.html

Relying on the sticks for judgment as to whether or not you're doing Atkins right, or whether or not you'll lose weight, or even if you're keeping carbs low is futile. That's not really the purpose of the sticks.

[Pirooz]

Re: third time on the wagon

Hi Atkinsgal08

Thanks for the quick reply. Indeed I had read this post. It has some interesting points to make, no doubt. I am aware that the Ketostix were not designed for those venturing to go an an Atkins diet. No disagreement there either. However, that does not mean that they can not be used to show a state of Ketosis; and more often than not when they do show it things are headed in the right direction. Again there will be the occasional exception but there are exceptions to just about everything.
Thanks again for the post, the link and the heads up. Much obliged.
Pirooz

[MorningGlory]

Re: third time on the wagon

Hi there Liv
Thanks for the post. Yes it seems as if the grade of difficulty increases exponentially with age. Those darn Mitochondrias seem to have thrown in the towel. Still, I did my first Ketostix test and it showed moderate concentration so I guess I am at least on track as far as keeping carbs down.
So I'll continue on the wagon, hoping fr some perceptible results some day. LOL
thanks

hi and welcome! It is encouraging to see something happening with the Ketostix..but they're not necessary to this way of eating. This is my 3rd attempt as well and I'm 47...I had awesome success a couple (3?) years ago and that came when I started measuring everything (i.e. salad dressing) and kept track of my carbs, particularly making sure I got a minimum of 15 carbs from veggies alone per day. I have had some physical injuries however which required medication, which required milk and a lot of laying on the floor (back injury), and a lot of feeling sorry for myself, which lead to a lot of cookies and buttered toast. So here I am! ha ha.
Anyways....you too have already had success with this way of eating and I sure hope you see it again this time around, no matter how long it takes. It's great that you want to...that's a good place to start.
MG

[Pirooz]

Re: third time on the wagon

Hi Morning Glory

More power to you this, the third time! We would both hope the third time is the charm. I have actually not set a numeric goal for my weight; ha ha, rather I have a suit hanging in the closet from a few years ago (5 yrs to be exact). If and when I get it on I will consider it a victory. Then try my hardest to keep it fitting. So far it is slower going at 56 than it was in the 1970s, or the 1990s. Ha ha..but time and metabolism march in different directions.

From what you write, you too are firm in your resolve to beat the extra pounds and do so despite your back injury (which we all hope will improve fast).

Write back in a few weeks and give us an update. Hopefully a palpably LIGHTER one.

regards
Pirooz

[atkinsgal08]

Re: third time on the wagon

>>However, that does not mean that they can not be used to show a state of Ketosis>>

True. But you an be "in ketosis" and not even doing Atkins.

>>more often than not when they do show it things are headed in the right direction.>>

I actually find from reading posts that that's not always the case ... that looking at what someone is eating/drinking, you find out a lot more than by knowing what color their pee turns a stick.

>>Again there will be the occasional exception>>

From my years of experience on forums, it's not an occasional exception ... it's more true than not (that they're not a reliable predictor of weight loss).