Doing my own low-carb lifestyle and I'm stuck.

[deronh69]

This is my first post. Been lurking awaiting approval of my membership. A little back story. In late january of this year I got tired of weighing 288 pounds and decided I was changing my lifestyle. I had heard of Atkins (who hasn't) and other similar low carb "diets" or "lifestyle changes" and I decided to start off on my own. I cut my carb intake down to 20-40 grams a day and went high protein. By the end of february I was down 20 pounds and by mid march I was down 10 more pounds, so 30 in all. Everything was going great. I liked eating what I ate (I'll list in a minute), I drank alot of water. I stayed away from sugar and aspartame. I thought I was doing everything right. I haven't been lower than 257 in two weeks now and it is getting frustrating.
I don't have a set menu. I basically eat what I want (low or no carb items) but I don't gorge myself. I'll have bacon and eggs(4 or 5) for breakfast, boneless, skinless chicken breast (1 to 2) cooked in a nonstick skillet for lunch, tuna salad eaten with celery stalks for dinner. I mix it up. I eat alot of chicken and tuna. Sometimes I add chopped clams to my tuna to change the flavor. I season my chicken in various ways with herbs and spices, nothing fake like shake and bake. Sometimes I'll put some tomato sauce on the chicken. I used to eat alot of broccoli and cauliflower but I got tired of them. I'm gonna bring them back cuz they're yummy. I'm really strict with myself and don't cheat.
Now the weight loss has stopped. My pants fall off me and I use more belt when dressed for work. I haven't been to the doctor yet to get all the bloodwork done to see where I am with my triglycerides and colesterol and all that but I want to. I also don't know my measurements (waist and chest)at the start. I am 5'11". I currently don't exercise alot. I walk to work 3/4 mile, walk at work, and walk home 3/4 mile. I work at a movie theatre so I walk alot at work. Some days more than others. I recently started a regimen of push-ups and will start crunches tonight.

Everything was going fine. What could I be doing wrong? Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Deron

[deronh69]

Also, I work late (till 2am or so) and I wake early 5 days a week. Goyya get the kids off to school. My wife works opposite and goes to work at 5am.

[NancyElle]

Hi Deron!

I think you are doing great, losing 30 lbs in what~two months? Sometimes, our bodies have to catch up with our weight loss. It's obvious you are losing inches!

There is a post on here called "Why the Scale Lies", that I am going to look for. When I find it, I'll post the link!

You are doing great, and I know some others will come in, say hello, and give you some great advice!

~nancy

[haystar]

Why the scales can lie.

HTH.

[Deb79fl]

Welcome! Congrats on your weight loss to date! It's frustrating when you run into a small stall, but, very common to hit them every few weeks.

4 or 5 eggs at breakfast still seems like a lot at one meal, maybe do three. Tomato sauce can be a problem. Is it home made? If "bottled", could contain hidden sugars. Read the labels on everything, because portions/carb counts can really put you off track. Do you use butter or oil? More fat helps with the appetite. Don't use margarine or anything low fat (low fat usually mean high carb).

Stop in at the thread under vitamins/supplements called "Waisting away w/ CLA". There is a guy there named Phil that could probably give you some great advice and pointers. He's very funny,too!

Coming from the view of a woman (short and middle aged), I might not be giving you the best advice!! Look for some of the "guys" on the boards and they will gladly give you more support and information to help you along.

Once again, welcome aboard!

[KajunDC]

Deron,

Being at the same weight for two weeks doesn't necessarily mean you are stuck. The body will drop a lot of weight at once, then you may not see the scale move for a while.

I'd give it another couple of weeks. If nothing changes, then tweak something - how much you eat (you could be eating too much OR too little), when you eat, the types of foods you eat - but only one thing at a time because if you change 5 things and the scale begins to move, you won't know which change made things start going again.

This is the time where you will be learning a great deal about how your body functions and what it responds to best... if you are paying close attention.

Don't get discouraged or frustrated - just keep working it until you get it figured out.

Good luck and keep that focus (and keep away from the lousy theatre food choices. I used to manage them in my younger days and know how unhealthy all that crap is )

[NancyElle]

Originally Posted by haystar

Why the scales can lie.

HTH.

Yep, that's the link!

[Sarajewel]

Your not in a stall if you are losing inches. You may want to check out Fitday to get a sense of what you are really eating - 4-5 eggs in a sitting is a lot. Lastly, you may want to pick a plan, follow it and see how your body responds. I'm not against people doing their own thing, but you may want to at least read a few books to understand the science and principles of it. That said, what you are doing is working. You have lost 10+% of your body weight very quickly. Your clothing is too big. Your body may be adjusting. Good luck.

[deronh69]

Wow! Thanks for all the great advice! What I ate didn't seem bad cuz I was losing. I used to eat ALOT of carbs. You know the shows where two people are running towards each other in slow motion, arms out, with sappy love music playing in the background. That was me and carbs. Am I eating too much protein? I eat so much chicken my mugshot is probably posted in hen houses across the country. I signed up at fitday but I have only been on for two days now. Is is a good idea to go to the doctors and get checked out? How do I measure my waist? Where exactly do I put the measuring tape?

[haystar]

Originally Posted by deronh69

Wow! Thanks for all the great advice! What I ate didn't seem bad cuz I was losing. I used to eat ALOT of carbs. You know the shows where two people are running towards each other in slow motion, arms out, with sappy love music playing in the background. That was me and carbs. Am I eating too much protein? I eat so much chicken my mugshot is probably posted in hen houses across the country. I signed up at fitday but I have only been on for two days now. Is is a good idea to go to the doctors and get checked out? How do I measure my waist? Where exactly do I put the measuring tape?

Sorry, no advice from me...but you are cracking me up!

[lisa89]

i measure 2 places!!...Right beneath my Belly Button AND the Top of my Stomach... i lose well with beef, bacon,and eggs,i also love chicken..instead of boneless,eat the thighs w/ the skin. Also minimize artificial sugars(but thats really hard for me, i love davinci's,and splenda)

[jakesmomma]

Well, as far as measurements go, I think they are VERY important, they help you see your true losses. When measuring the waist for a women(sorry I do not know if this is the same for a man, consider google for pointers) We would measure the "natural waist" or the point that naturally is the smallest. Try to picture the "Figure 8" it would be where the circle on top meets the circle on bottom" However I take measurements of my entire body. Neck, biceps, forearm, chest, waist, hips, thighs, and calves. This really helps you get a whole picture, and you would be surprised at your losses when you track all of them regularly. Good luck to you..Hope you break the stall soon..Im in the same boat, I know how frustrating it can be, we just gotta keep on doing.

[deronh69]

Originally Posted by haystar

Sorry, no advice from me...but you are cracking me up!

Glad I could make you smile!

[deronh69]

Originally Posted by lisa89

i measure 2 places!!...Right beneath my Belly Button AND the Top of my Stomach... i lose well with beef, bacon,and eggs,i also love chicken..instead of boneless,eat the thighs w/ the skin. Also minimize artificial sugars(but thats really hard for me, i love davinci's,and splenda)

I'll pick up a tape measure tomorrow. Isn't eating the chicken skin too much fat? Not arguing though cuz I like like 'em crispy! I only drink flavored drinks sweetened with splenda. Cascade Ice has several! What about those Atkins shakes for the in-between meals?

[Mrs.Kim]

The others gave you great advice. I'll just say

[NancyElle]

Originally Posted by deronh69

I'll pick up a tape measure tomorrow. Isn't eating the chicken skin too much fat? Not arguing though cuz I like like 'em crispy! I only drink flavored drinks sweetened with splenda. Cascade Ice has several! What about those Atkins shakes for the in-between meals?

You are a boy, so measuring is probably different than for us girls?

Anyway......I would say to not worry about the fat....fat is good!

Atkins shakes would probably be okay, in moderation.

Splenda drinks never have bothered me, so I would think those are fine. But, you have to figure out what is best for you, with regard to artificial sweeteners.

Just don't be afraid of fat. Stay with meat, fish, poultry, eggs, veggies, butter, mayo, low carb dressing, etc. FAT IS YOUR FRIEND!!!!

Stay away from anything but pure foods! Anything with a lot of additives can be a problem, especially when you are starting out. White sugar, white flour, white processed food is a diet buster, for sure!!!!!

PLUS, read labels, and make sure you aren't ingesting high fructose corn syrup or worse.

I hope this helps! There are others with more advice, I'm sure, but this is what has worked for me over time!

Good luck to you! You've done very well!!!!

[RoseofSharon]

It sounds like you are doing great! I don't think 4 eggs is too many for a big guy. As for measuring, my rule is to measure where you are smallest

But two weeks isn't a stall. Your body is just catching up. Maybe add a bit more exercise, remember every little bit helps. A set of dumbbells is great. You can do bicep curls, raises, squats, all sorts of exercises while watching tv.

[deronh69]

I was thinking about getting a treadmill but they are so pricey and sometimes loud. It's just that I could almost feel the fat dropping off then it went away. I have read this is all normal but it just hit me hard to have it slow so drastically. Maybe I'll add broccoli back in.

[zizi]

WELCOME and CONGRATS on your weight loss!!!!! Don't let a "temporarily stubborn scale" deter you from making progress!!!!!!!!!!! Inches matter WAY more than pounds!!!!!!!

Best,

Z

[zizi]

Consider the "Treadclimber." You can use it as a regular treadmill or set it to "climb"--BURNING MORE CALS AND GAINING MORE MUSCLE IN ABOUT HALF THE TIME OF REGULAR TREADMILLS. Expensive, yeah. Results: priceless!!!

[RoseofSharon]

I bought my ellipitical dirt cheap off craigslist and guy even delivered. You might consider looking for a used model.

[deronh69]

We use craigslist for our furniture. I'll try that. I REALLY want a tread climber but I can't afford it. Maybe I'll do 24hr fitness to start.

[zizi]

My Ellipse was a total waste of time and money! So was my NordicTrack-- could do HOURS on that thing daily to no avail. My Total Gym (physical rehab hospital version) and my Treadclimber get results for me!!!!!! Your mileage may vary!!!!!!!!!!

BTW, Rose of Sharon, your handle always makes me think of the Rose of Tralee contest in Ireland!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[deronh69]

How is that Total Gym? Everything Chuck says it is?

[zizi]

OMG--YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[deronh69]

I need to check the price of those.

[zizi]

You can get a MUCH cheaper version than I did. I'm dealing with the long-term effects of a bad car accident in the early Nineties and have to be REALLY careful!

[deronh69]

I'll check craigs list. Won't be able to afford anything until after I move at the end of summer.