[Immarsecice]

33 pounds is something that you should be VERY proud of Toni! That's wonderful. I can honestly say I don't cheat. My biggest downfall is that when I don't see results I am like "Well, why am I doing this??" I will stick with it though and I hope to come back to you guys with some good news (in whatever form!).

[TiepayWrary]

Just keep coming back to us, Scrappy... that's GOOD NEWS! Hang in there and you'll do fine.

[avaissema]

Are you eating any sugar free candies or low carb bars? I see you said you were drinking lowcarb protein shakes. I would cut those out for now. Your body may be more resistant to losing when using those products.

[usacomm]

ahhh, the mighty sugar-alcohols.....evil little demons...i'm with smerbear - only have that stuff very-very occasional (say, like me, when you're wandering the grocery store starving - have a bar to keep you from eating a pack of donuts )

that may be the problem.......sugar alcohols aren't for everyone - they make some people stall.

good for you for sticking with it despite not getting the results you were hoping for right away. it will come - soemtimes our bods just need to stabilize (very scientific, i know!) . i've lost around 27 or 28 pounds since feb, was hoping to have lost 50 by now, but i'm happy with the result so far, and will stick to it anyway, because i know how darn fat i get when i don't eat this way

keep us posted!

take care,
tracy

[Immarsecice]

Thanks everyone! For the last three days I haven't stepped on the scale or used the ketone sticks. I thought I would let my body come around. I have increased my veggies too.

I double checked my protein shake again and the only carb it lists is a 0.5g of surcalose. I count this half a gram as a carb when I do my carb count each day but because an egg is 1g I thought this would be okay.

In two weeks from now, I am going on holidays down south. Any tips on how to survive? I was thinking a few days before hand I would decrease my fats and keep the protein high. Then when down south, still try to focus on proteins but eat low fat stuff so I can eat some fruit and bran cereal, etc. Then go straight back on the induction when I return. What do you think? I just can't imagine being on induction while I am there. Any suggestions would help! Thanks every one!

[TiepayWrary]

"Then when down south, still try to focus on proteins but eat low fat stuff so I can eat some fruit and bran cereal, etc. "

Low fat? No... if you switch to low fat with fruit and bran cereal, you will regain anything you've lost before you go. Stick with low carb. You can get eggs, cheese, meats and veggies EVERYWHERE. Switching back and forth between low carb with fat and protein and low fat/higher carb is recipe for yo-yo dieting at its worst. Pick one and stick to it.

Re: the protein shake. Are you using a premade one (in a can) or are you mixing your own (using a powder)? What kind? Just because the label says 0.5 g carb doesn't mean there aren't sugar alcohols in it... some companies deduct SA from the total carb count. What kind are you using??

[Immarsecice]

Really? I thought that is what you do when you go on maintenance with the Atkins diet (you lower the fat and add in simple carbs). I thought I could do a week of maintenance and then get back to it. I guess I was wrong

The protein shake is a whey powder that I mix with water. I will cut it out for now and see if it makes a difference.

Thanks for the great advice!

[Cvo1iRT0]

While that may be true, It never gets to be a 'low fat' diet.

If you absolutely positively can't stay on plan, my advice would be to moderate your calorie intake.

You may not lose as much, but at least you won't be gaining. Then go back to the plan when you're back.

Staying on the plan the entire time is better of course, but if you really can't or don't want to do it, then simply do your best to not gain by any other means possible.

PS - For a one-time thing, this will work, but if you anticipate flip-flopping a lot in the future, I've heard that it can become really hard to get Atkins working again. Just what I've heard from others, I have no firsthand experience on that front.

[TiepayWrary]

" I thought that is what you do when you go on maintenance with the Atkins diet (you lower the fat and add in simple carbs). "

The problem with your assumption is that maintenance isn't just lower fat, more carbs... it's process that takes time to figure out. You'll have no idea what your critical carb level is for maintenance. You'll also be adding them too fast... maintenance is reached 5 to 10 grams per week, and it takes weeks to get there. You'd be going from nearly Induction level (40 - 45g ) to a LOT more than most people can consume without gaining. Lifers at goal often site 60 to 80 as their maintenance level. Some a LOT less, a few closer to the 100g range. Most low fat plans are around 300 grams a day. I just don't see how you could bounce from 40 to 300 and not gain.

JD's suggestion to limit calories is a good suggestion and would probably give you the best result if your goal is to not gain.

[Immarsecice]

Okay. I'm just trying to get this all sorted in my mind. Obviously I would love to keep losing weight while on holidays but I would be more than happy to just not gain any weight for that week and then go right back to it when I get back.

So, say during the holidays, I would want to cheat by having some fruit in the morning or having a coctail in the evening. Would it be better to stick with the high fat & high protein and have those very limited cheats during the week or would it be better to just focus on limiting calories??

You input and help is VERY MUCH appreciated.

[TiepayWrary]

"Would it be better to stick with the high fat & high protein and have those very limited cheats during the week or would it be better to just focus on limiting calories?? "

I would do both... count the carbs in the fruit (some choices are better than others) and the wine (go for dry red or white because it's lower than sweeter wines) and watch your total intake. Whenever you can, eat very low carb (have meat and veggies for any meal you can... skip the starch/carbs unless it's REALLY worth it). Push the veggies... watch the calorie dense stuff like cheese and nuts.

And most of all... enjoy your holiday. There's nothing you can do on holiday that can't be UNDONE afterward. Just get back here and resolve to get back at it ASAP! Life still needs to be lived... and enjoyed.

Tril

[tipokotap]

I knew I would have a microbrewery beer while on vacation in the "Microbrewery Capital" of Oregon, so I planned for it, and stayed pretty much Induction (not a 4th rung OWL) those 2 days I indulged. It worked for me, but I had already been on Atkins 8-1/2 months.

Mind you, this was no 2.6 carb Michelob Ultra...IF I planned to indulge, I expected my beer to have a ton of carbs. Of course, they don't know (or won't say) how many! My guess was about 25 for the "pint" they serve! Could have been up to 40 for all I knew...but I planned for it and it was worth it. Right back on track the next day.

I'm of the opinion that we have to live life BUT we have to know ourselves and what we will or won't do when knowingly "break" the plan. For some, it is the slippery slope.

DO enjoy your holiday! Where you can make really good choices, because it doesn't really matter, MAKE them. Where it DOES matter to you, make the most responsible choice you can.

My best to you...

Toni

[Immarsecice]

You guys have been so wonderful! You are the only reason why I haven't quit because of no results (once again!).

This morning was horrible. It marked my 18 days on induction. I drank tons of water yesterday so (stupid me), I decided to jump on the scale to give me some motivation. So after 18 days where I hear people doing Atkins' Induction losing anywhere from 5 to 15 pouds, my grand total is (drumroll please): +2 pounds! I gained 2 pounds after 18 days on induction. I seriously alomost cried! I have cut out any potential culprits. And I am not one of those people who complains about not losing weight and then we find out in later posts that they are eating nuts, flavoured water, or some type of carbs. I am sticking to only what is allowed on induction. Period.

The 2nd time I tried Atkins (this is my 3rd attempt), I decided to try the Fat Fast when I was not losing weight. After 1 week on the Fat Fast, I lost 3.5 pounds. Then within 2 weeks of going back to Atkins, I gained it all back (and I don't overeat on Atkins). I seriously think this diet simply doesn't work for me. I don't know the science behind it but with three attempts now, I gave it my all. I'm really lost guys. I don't want to give up but shouldn't I just face reality??? Why would I do this if I only gain weight???

Scrappy

[TiepayWrary]

You ask some very good questions... and I can sympathize. {{{hugs}}}

Now... let's start to dig deep and see if we find an issue that can be resolved!!

I don't think you've told us, so I'll ask... how old are you? You're a woman, right? Age can make all the difference.

What do you do for exercise?

Please tell what you're eating and drinking in one 24 hour period. Exactly what you're eating and drinking.

You might want to try fitday.com to check your calorie, carb, etc intake.

There can be many explanations for a weight fluctuation (up OR down) that have nothing to do with fat loss. You said you drank a lot of water yesterday... did you pee more than usual? If not, your body was dehyrated and is hanging on to that water. In other words, it's not fat gain.

IMHO, because you're so motivated to make this work... I think you should keep trying it. I don't get the feeling that you're ready to give up, so let's NOT give up, ok? You may, in the end, find that this diet doesn't work for your body... but at least you will KNOW that for sure and you won't feel like you failed.

Help us dig deeper... tell us more.

[Immarsecice]

You are just amazing Tril! I would have given up by now without your support.

My info: I am 34, 5"6, 173 pounds and female. I was just over 170 when starting Atkins. I am looking to go down to 135 (not 115 like when I was in university so my goal is realistic).

This is exactly what I ate yesterday:
Morning: 1 egg, 1 tblesp mayo (measured), 1 pepperette

Lunch: 1 can of tuna, 3 tblesp mayo, 2 oz cheese, 4oz of cucumber with 2 tblesp cesaer dressing

Snack: 4 strips of bacon (I was working from home and craving it)

Dinner: 5 oz salmon (cooked with a teaspoon of olive oil), 2 cups lettuce with 2 oz of cucumber, 2 tblsp caesar dressing, 1 oz of cheese

As for drinks: I had 4L of water in total yesterday and I did have one diet orange crush soda made with splenda.

And that is it. I am one of those people who can "feel it" on their body when they lose or gain weight (even just a couple of pounds) and I do actually feel more weight on me.

As for exercising, I am pretty good. When I am in the office (about 3 days I week), I power walk for an hour. I go to the gym where I do an hour of mixed cardio and muscle toning - 4 times a week. I take 2 high-intensive spinning classes a week. And then I take 1 to 2 boot camp/cardio classes a week.

As I mentioned before, I tried Atkins twice before and have never seen results and I simply don't know why. I keep on trying because I think I simply must be doing something wrong but I can never figure it out. And plus, this is one diet that I can stick to despite my crazy sweet tooth. I remember reading in the Atkins book that if you are resistent to burning fat that it would show on the ketone sticks but as mentioned, ketones do show on my stick. Plus, I have lost weight before so I don't think I should have a problem.

Here I am so worried about gaining weight on holidays but it's not like I will be gaining weight back because I haven't lost any. I just don't know what to do. I hope to come back with some good news over the next few days.

Thanks so much for all the support and help.

[TiepayWrary]

On first glance... one word: SODIUM. I think you could be retaining water from all the sodium.

Cheese, bacon, salad dressing and pickled items are all VERY high in sodium. If your body is sensitive to it, that amount could pack on the water weight easily.

Exercise... you're doing a LOT of it. That's good, but remember, exercise can make you retain water in your muscles. It will show up on the scale but it's NOT FAT gain. When you exercise (like wt resistant work or heavy leg stuff like spinning) you break down the fibers of the muscles. When these fibers heal they become stronger and denser.. which is why you do it in the first place. To get them stronger and denser. BUT, the healing requires increased blood flow... which means more fluid/water in the tissue. Think of how a bruise or bump on the shin will swell. It does that as part of the healing process. This happens INSIDE the muscles as well. If you're working out hard, you'll retain fluid during the healing process. It's NOT FAT gain.

My suggestions to you would be to decrease your sodium intake, increase your fresh veggie consumption (add them to your snacks and b'fast) and keep up the water you're drinking.

I really think this diet can work for you if we can find the right tweaks. Do you have children? Post pregnancy weight loss is VERY different from pre-pg weight loss. Having children really messes your hormones up and weight loss is often much harder. Any issues with PCOS... or diabetes? How about insulin resistance... do you ever get low blood sugar symptoms if you go too long without eating?

Hang in there... we'll figure this out!!!

[Immarsecice]

As I read your post Tril, I am gulping down water from my huge water container! You are right, the water input is important and I do realize my sodium is high. I was on this very low fat diet before and I was losing weight because I was barely eating anything. I was driniking crazy amounts of water (to keep my stomach full) and it ended up damaging my bladder. So now, when I drink lots of water, there is always this fear of drinking too much.

I wish there was a way to show that I am burning fat (other than the unreliable ketone sticks). No, I have never had children but the fact that I pretty much starved myself for last 2 years has slowed my metoblism down quite a bit. That doesn't really explain why Atkins didn't work the other two times though. I don't want to starve myself anymore and that is another main reason why I want Atkins to work for me. I don't want to be overweight but being hungry all the time just killed me. I am so afraid if Atkins doesn't work for me then I will revert back to the eating almost nothing diet out of desperation. Thanks for helping not go back there Tril. You are helping me more than you can imagine. :wink:

[TiepayWrary]

{{{HUGS}}} I'm glad you're looking for an alternative to starving yourself. That's never the right way... as tempted or desperate as you (or anyone else) might be. Being thin at the expense of being healthy isn't an acceptable trade off IMO. You can have both... you can be at a healthy weight and BE healthy, too. Don't give up. Give your body time to heal... time to equalize... time to re-balance. I really think if you stick to this eating plan that your body will heal. We'll help you with the patience part as much as we can.

Tril

[usacomm]

hey the sodium was my first thought too

look dr a says if you've done crazy dieting, or even atkins a few times (as in going off and on any eating plan) - your body will take time to heal. you are doing an awesome job with everything...just keep going and the losses WILL happen! give yourself more time - truly, just keep going. what's the alternative anyway? cravings, weight gain...and all that. really-really - jsut more time! (and less sodium )

tracy
ps - stick with us here too please...even if you're just posting that you're staying on plan - we don't care whether you lose or not (not as much as you do anyway) - success is also really jsut keeping yourself from becoming a crazy-carb-drooling freak-woman, right?

take care, we're here for you!
TRACY (darn that capslock button!)

[tipokotap]

And don't forget...muscles weigh more than fat! When you build muscles, you substitute fat for muscle...no weight loss shows.

Good luck!

Toni