[rasiasertew]

I’ve been eating lowcarb according to Atikins for five weeks. The first two weeks I’ve lost 12 lbs. then nothing. In the 5th week I’ve gained 2lbs. What is wrong?
I do not have the time to go to the gym more than once or twice a week but I power walk for 40 minutes six times a week.
My diet includes eggs, chicken, beef, cheese, green vegetables. I use olive oil and drink a lot of water. I eat less than 20 netcarbs a day.
I have cheated twice; a couple of weeks ago I went out with a friend and had a couple of beers (like 20 ). A week ago I was invited to dinner and drank a bottle of red wine. I also have about five espressos a day.
Is this the problem?

[anxpuna]

You say you're taking in less than 20 carbs per day. How much less? You need about 20 carbs per day and shouldn't get much below that.

How are your clothes fitting? Are they getting looser? Have you taken your measurements? Since you are exercising regularly, it could be that you are replacing fat with muscle. Muscle weighs more than fat, so if you have been building up the muscles in your legs and butt with your power-walking, you would look more slim, but weigh a bit more. If you're not noticing any difference in how your clothes fit, you may be taking in some hidden carbs.

Espressos: what do you add to the espressos? Any artificial sweetener, sugar, cream, milk? Are you including those carbs in your count? Espresso has one or two carbs per shot. If it's 1.5 and you're have six per day, that's 9 carbs from your espresso. Also, that's a lot of caffeine. Caffeine stalls weight loss in some people.

Beer: lots of carbs and calories. If you drank beer on just one day, it wouldn't cause you to gain two pounds. But, it could take you out of ketosis. Are you using the test strips? Any color change?

Wine: A glass of wine has two to five carbs, depending on the variety. Let's say 2.5 on average. A bottle has four glasses. That's ten carbs right there. Alcohol also acts quickly on your blood sugar, so it could stall your weight loss. One glass of dry wine is fine, though.

I hope that helps.

[rasiasertew]

Thank you Karenjs

I did not know that an espresso had 1,5 netcarbs? That could be it?
Sorry to say, I’m not building muscles. I started with the power walks a long time ago. I also used to spend many hours in the gym, but the since a year and a half I can't find the time. That’s part of my weight problem, but I always had trouble keeping my weight.

I will try to cut down on the espressos, (I drink plain espressos) that’s going to be the hardest thing….

[Zdfjpbth]

You can try cutting down just one a day then it wont be such a shock.