Induction Week 2, Still not losing??

[prettygirlpoppin]

Hey everyone, well, I am back to give it another try. I had been so discouraged because I seemed to not lose any weight after trying a few weight loss programs. I came back to Atkins after remembering how successful I was back in 2004. I have been on the induction phase for 8 days now and have only loss 3 pounds so far. I am a type 2 diabetic and have been having problems keeping my insulin levels in the normal range. I can honestly say induction has now gotten those numbers down to normal and I have had to scale back on the metformin that I had been taking. But, I believe that my body needs to adjust and it will just take time. I'm settling in to win this war cause I have got to get rid of this disease and come off of the meds. I have began to walk again and plan to just take my time. I know that my metabolism will kick in soon.

One of the things that helps me has been the frozen meals and going on the Atkins website. I found an induction plan for two weeks and it had some great variety on there. I plan to try it for another two weeks until I get what I need. Pray for me! I know I can do it!!!

[wyterayven]

I dont know how old you are, but I found that the first time I tried Atkins, in my 30s I lost 3-4 pounds a week. The next time I tried it, in my 40s, I lost about 2 pounds a week...very occasionally 3 pounds.

I am back on induction myself and just finished my first week. I lost 9 pounds, though the last time I did this I lost 12.

I think as you age your metabolism changes and makes it slower to loose. I suspect also that your metabolism changes with diabetes. My husband is diabetic, and I noticed changes in him when he was diagnosed (different odor, etc), so that may play a role.

You might also look to the medications you are taking. Some meds can impact weight loss, and many meds have carbs. You might be getting carbs you havent counted from that.

Im sick and took nyquil last night...it it knocked me out of ketosis.

I think I'll try to forgo the nyquil tonight. <sigh>

[mspartytime]

Originally Posted by tracyhoch

I thought I would have lost at least 5 pounds within the first 8 days, but no. I have lost 2. I used a ketone strip this evening and take some consolation in knowing it is more purple than it was yesterday, so tomorrow will be better, right? I have been following the rules strictly so the weight's GOTTA go, right? Ugh. Go Purple.

From my understanding the color of the ketone strip only indicates the concentrated ketones being expelled so for instance in the morning where you are likely to be dyhydrated from sleep you will get a more purple color to the strip. So make sure you are getting enough water cause sometimes that is what the purple color means. BUT any color means you are in ketosis and that means the weight is coming off

[prettygirlpoppin]

Ok-I found out the hard way that the Atkins shakes and bars do not work for me right now. They caused me to stall and I was really hoping to have something new to eat for snacks at work and while on the go. Unfortunately, They not only stalled me but I gained a pound in the course of just three days having one shake for breakfast in the morning and one bar for snacks after lunch. Huge Bomber!!!

The scale seems to be moving very slowly for me and I have quite a bit of wieght to lose. I am not eating artificial sugars anymore after that and I am only drinking water. I stay within the 20g carb range and I sometimes eat less then that on certain days when I don't have an appetite. Please help!

[mspartytime]

Originally Posted by prettygirlpoppin

Ok-I found out the hard way that the Atkins shakes and bars do not work for me right now. They caused me to stall and I was really hoping to have something new to eat for snacks at work and while on the go. Unfortunately, They not only stalled me but I gained a pound in the course of just three days having one shake for breakfast in the morning and one bar for snacks after lunch. Huge Bomber!!!

The scale seems to be moving very slowly for me and I have quite a bit of wieght to lose. I am not eating artificial sugars anymore after that and I am only drinking water. I stay within the 20g carb range and I sometimes eat less then that on certain days when I don't have an appetite. Please help!

I have heard that if you have stalled for more than 2 weeks then doing a Fat Fast is helpful. SOmetimes though you have to write down everything and the carbs for a few days to get a really good idea if you are truly staying under the 20 carbs. Look for hidden carbs and check the servings listed on packages. IF something says it has < 1 carb but has 4 servings per container than chances are you are comsuming several carbs without even realizing it. Some good examples of hidden carbs is lunch meat, bacon, vienna sausages, flavored pork rinds, store bought beef jerky or slim jims. All of these products can say < 1 carb but unless you stick to the 1 serving it is more than 1 carb and should be counted toward your daily 20 carb allowance. Also measure your vegatables and count them as well. This way of eating works. Don't give up.

[coffeebean17339]

I am on Day 7 of Induction and no weight loss or inches lost. I know this may be common however I am also concerned if I am doing something wrong? I did the Atkins diet about 10 years ago and it worked great in the beginning and all in all lost 45 pounds.

My typical diet consists of:

Breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs with bacon or redpepper and onion
1 cup of regular coffee with 1/2 and 1/2

AM Snack: cheese

Lunch: small portion of meat (chicken, beef) and hardboiled egg

Dinner: Portion of meat (chicken, beef, tuna) 2 cups of lettuce with zero
carb dressing that has no sugar in, 1 cup cauliflower or brocolli

PM Snack: Sometimes Atkins bar (I don't do these every night)
or Cheese or a few pork rinds

I drink about 6 glasses of water a day

A couple times a week I have a Pepsi One(that has splenda in it)

What could or should I do differently? I do have a bad taste in my mouth and a sweet taste as well so I believe I have ketosis going on.

Any suggestions? Just concerned why have not lost.

I also take no meds.


Thanks so much,
Cindy

[wyterayven]

Onions are high in carbs...so you might look at that. Half and Half has more carbs that whipping cream.

The atkins bar may well be contributing to your stall. I dont think those are really safe until you are on maintenance. They have sugar alcohols and will stall you.

You might also look at the total number of calories you are intaking. You can eat too many calories to lose weight on atkins (been there,sigh)

If it were me, I would cut out the onions and the atkins. Watch the salt.

You might also join a tracker site and track your calories and carbs. I alter my foods there so that it reports the net carbs.

Look at any medication or vitamins/supplements you are taking. Many have carbs.

You can increase your exercise as well.

I am 48. I am 6 feet tall and about 85 pounds overweight. I shoot for between 1200 and 1400 calories a day, and currently I am eating about 9-10 carbs a day. I know that some of my meds have carbs, so I want to give enough leeway for that.

Get some ketone test strips. They will tell you if you are in ketosis or not. If you arent then you are getting extra carbs from somewhere.

[coffeebean17339]

Thank you for your response.

I have altered things slightly per your response.

I am using whipping cream instead of half and half and have cut out all onion.

I am not using any Atkins bars at all.

I only take one med at the time and I cannot see anywhere that it includes any carbs. It is Omeprazole.

I am trying to add some exercise although I have very bad fibromyalgia which limits too much intensity.

I have cut portions a little too even though they were not large before.

I am down 3 lbs. I know it's not much but it's a start in the right direction.

I am still looking for ketone strips. I had gotten them in drug stores before but may have to order them online now unless someone knows where to purchase them.

[Cedargardenfoods]

Day 2 induction. Wish me luck.

[wyterayven]

Originally Posted by coffeebean17339

I am still looking for ketone strips. I had gotten them in drug stores before but may have to order them online now unless someone knows where to purchase them.

I found them in the very small diabetic section at CVS pharmacy, otherwise probably online is the only option anymore.

Sounds like you are headed in the right direction.

I have stalled this week, I think its water retention for the TOM. But the ketone strips have shown I have been in ketosis the whole time, so I know the scale will move again

Good luck. It doesnt matter what program, losing weight is hard and discouraging so its great to have a place like this to come.

[wyterayven]

Originally Posted by Cedargardenfoods

Day 2 induction. Wish me luck.

Good luck! You can do it!

[coffeebean17339]

Hello

I am on Week 4 and still have zero weight loss. I lose 2 lbs and gain it back. And I am sure this is just water still.

I am very strictly following induction. My boyfriend has lost 12 lbs.

I am 49 years old. Weight 206lbs. 5 foot 6
I take one medication for acid reflux that I researched and the carbs and very very low. .000 something.

Breakfast:
2 scrambled eggs
2 bacon
1 coffee with heavy cream

Lunch:
Hardboiled egg
Water

Dinner:
Portion of either chicken, beef or pork
2 cups of lettuce with zero carb dressing
1 cup of either brocolli or cauliflower cooked with a little butter on

Snack:
Only sometimes do I have a snack of 1 oz of cheese or a few pork rinds.

Drinking moderate amounts of water
Sometimes a Sparking ICE drink but never every day.

Do not sit most all day although I do not exercise vigorisly. I have fibromyalgia and that limits my exercise but like I said I do not sit around or lay around all day.

Can anyone offer an help here? I did this diet in 2004 and lost 45 lbs. And lost a good bit in the beginning. Like I said my boyfriend eating the same thing I am has lost 12lbs. He is 65 and sits all day for work in the office.

My ketone sticks had been very dark purple for 3 weeks with no loss.
Now they are light pink. Nothing has changed in what I was doing.

Please help as I am getting frustrated and worried. I need to lose some weight.

Thank you.

[wyterayven]

You're diet looks pretty good.

You might have to increase your water...you are eating salty foods, and so perhaps you are retaining.

You may have to deliberately increase your exercise. Can you walk? Or perhaps find a pool you can go to?

Dont compare yourself to guys...they always loose easier and faster than we do....nature wants women to retain their weight.

How much cream are you using? I think, if I remember right, the initial book said we can only have 1 ounce.

I also make sure that my cheese and cream combined dont go over 3 ounces.

Are your calories low? If they are too low your body will fight tooth and nail to keep the weight and what weight it looses will be more of muscle.

How many total net carbs are you eating? I will be 49 this year and I have had to cut my net carbs back, and I also dont loose like I have in the past...I think age has a lot to do with that.

One other thought...I know that when eating carbs, the body will burn those first, and any excess carbs that arent used for fuel are stored as fat. I suspect, but dont know for sure, that the same applies to fat. We have replaced carbs with fat as the fuel our bodies burn. I think if we eat more fat than our bodies need for fuel, that perhaps it will store that as fat. And I think that perhaps each individual is unique in how much fat our bodies need. It *might* be...again, I dont know for sure...but it might be that you need to cut a bit of fat our of your diet? Might be worth a try to see if it budges the scale.

And one last thought...what kind of scale are you using? If it is digital, you might try replacing the battery. Are your measurements moving at all?

Thats all I can think of at the moment. Im sorry you are having such trouble this time around.

[leaving30something]

Originally Posted by BrendaH

I am dissapointed that no ones replied about candida overload... Does that mean no one has heard of it????

I don't know very much about candida overload, but i did have a friend who suffered with it. If I remember correctly, this WOE was recommended to help. I also think I read coconut oil was something that helped. i know its not much but may be worth looking into.

[Social11]

This is my first post. I have done Atkins Induction many times in my life and have had great results. In the past I was always a smoker (and no longer am - for the past 3 years)...and of course I was younger. I'm on the same medications that I was last time I was on Atkins Induction so I can't blame them. I'm 40, 5'8" and weigh 178. I have been on induction for 8 days now. My ketostrips have been at trace or small since 48 hours after I started and continue to be in trace or small every time I test. I have not lost a single pound. In the past when I have done induction I had no problem dropping 13-15 lbs in the first 2 weeks. I'm officially concerned.

I'm heavier now than I ever have been. I have been stuck at this weight for about 1.3 years. Before that I was 10-15 lbs lighter. My thyroid has been checked and is fine.

The first week I was trying to keep between 1500-1800 cals since it says to make sure your cals are up so your body doesn't go into starvation mode. Starting yesterday I decided I'm going to try to stay between 1200 - 1500 cals.

Current meal plan: I drink only water or seltzer between 80 & 120oz/day. I eat eggs (3-7/day), meat (chicken, beef or pork) at lunch and dinner and for snacks, 3 cups of salad (either cabbage or spinach) daily, and 3-4 oz. of either cheddar cheese or parmasian cheese daily (since they are lowest in carbs). I was using a lot of mayo (no sugar) and a decent amount of oils for the first week but I'm thinking that may be part of my problem. I was using them to boost my calorie intake and to meet the 60-65% of daily intake of fats.

I use no cream. I use a little bit of sour cream but never more than a serving in one day. I’m not eating any processed meats. I’m checking the carbs on everything and counting all of the net carbs.
I did take one dose Miralax (for constipation) on the 3rd day of induction but it is 17g of fiber and no additional carbs.

I am not a cheater….so I have not, nor will I cheat. I’ve learned in the past on Atkins that cheating ruins everything I have been working toward so I am committed.

My appetite has reduced, as have my sugar and carb cravings. I also have more energy and am sleeping better. This is not enough reason though, for me, to stay on this diet if I’m not going to lose weight or inches.

Please give me any advice that you may have for me as I am frustrated. I have not lost any inches either. I will continue induction for the next 2 weeks but if there is no weight loss or inch loss…I will consider going off of this diet onto a lo-cal diet.

Thanks for any feedback and suggestions ahead of time!

-Deb

[glendabuffy]

Well, from what I have read on this forum - I'd say this is a good fit for me! I have been on and off low-carb diets for about a year now (along with my hubby) and while I have lost (and re-gained at times) inches, I have not lost any real appreciable weight (maybe 8-10 lbs total on and off and on again). I am on anti-depressants and high blood-pressure medications and due to bone degeneration in my feet, don't exercise as much as I should. I am also of a Certain Age (menopausal) and have been for over 10 years, which may contribute to a slowing down of my metabolism.

Reading all these posts has given me hope. I am not alone and I can lose both the inches and the weight - it will just take more time, determination and commitment. I cannot thank everyone enough for sharing both their struggles and their triumphs. I'll keep trying, because you have shown me it can be done.
Thank you, thank you!!

[wyterayven]

Originally Posted by Social11

This is my first post. I have done Atkins Induction many times in my life and have had great results. In the past I was always a smoker (and no longer am - for the past 3 years)...and of course I was younger. I'm on the same medications that I was last time I was on Atkins Induction so I can't blame them. I'm 40, 5'8" and weigh 178. I have been on induction for 8 days now. My ketostrips have been at trace or small since 48 hours after I started and continue to be in trace or small every time I test. I have not lost a single pound. In the past when I have done induction I had no problem dropping 13-15 lbs in the first 2 weeks. I'm officially concerned.

I'm heavier now than I ever have been. I have been stuck at this weight for about 1.3 years. Before that I was 10-15 lbs lighter. My thyroid has been checked and is fine.

The first week I was trying to keep between 1500-1800 cals since it says to make sure your cals are up so your body doesn't go into starvation mode. Starting yesterday I decided I'm going to try to stay between 1200 - 1500 cals.

Current meal plan: I drink only water or seltzer between 80 & 120oz/day. I eat eggs (3-7/day), meat (chicken, beef or pork) at lunch and dinner and for snacks, 3 cups of salad (either cabbage or spinach) daily, and 3-4 oz. of either cheddar cheese or parmasian cheese daily (since they are lowest in carbs). I was using a lot of mayo (no sugar) and a decent amount of oils for the first week but I'm thinking that may be part of my problem. I was using them to boost my calorie intake and to meet the 60-65% of daily intake of fats.

I use no cream. I use a little bit of sour cream but never more than a serving in one day. I’m not eating any processed meats. I’m checking the carbs on everything and counting all of the net carbs.
I did take one dose Miralax (for constipation) on the 3rd day of induction but it is 17g of fiber and no additional carbs.

I am not a cheater….so I have not, nor will I cheat. I’ve learned in the past on Atkins that cheating ruins everything I have been working toward so I am committed.

My appetite has reduced, as have my sugar and carb cravings. I also have more energy and am sleeping better. This is not enough reason though, for me, to stay on this diet if I’m not going to lose weight or inches.

Please give me any advice that you may have for me as I am frustrated. I have not lost any inches either. I will continue induction for the next 2 weeks but if there is no weight loss or inch loss…I will consider going off of this diet onto a lo-cal diet.

Thanks for any feedback and suggestions ahead of time!

-Deb

Hi Deb -

Im sorry you are having such trouble.

I have found that it is more difficult for me to loose this time around that it has been in the past.

You may be eating too many calories. I am 6 feet and 48 years old. I have to keep my calories below 1500..usually around 1200 or less and my usual intake is 1000-1200. So unless you are very active you may be simply eating too many calories. You will burn fewer calories simply by virtue of being smaller and lighter. So if you are 5'8" you may be getting too much. I use an online service that is free to track my calories, food, activities etc. It allows me to edit foods so that I can have the net carbs show up. It shows me at a glance what my calories, fat, and carb percentages is, and what roughly how many calories I burn a day. I am burning 2500-2800, and my losses are 1.5-2.2 per week, so not big losses, but steady.

What I have found works for me, is to keep my calories low...my fat content at below 60% and my carbs at 5% or below.

If I eat too much fat, I stall...I believe because my body will use what I eat before it uses what is stored. Too many calories will also cause me to gain or at least stall. Looking at what you are eating you may also be getting more fat than what you burn. Eggs are pretty high in fat..which surprised me.

Also, Cheese needs to be kept at 3 oz or less per day. I do use cream but I keep my combined intake of cheese and cream to 3 oz per day. I know you said you dont use cream, but you do need to add your sour cream to this.

I hope this helps.

[wyterayven]

Originally Posted by glendabuffy

Well, from what I have read on this forum - I'd say this is a good fit for me! I have been on and off low-carb diets for about a year now (along with my hubby) and while I have lost (and re-gained at times) inches, I have not lost any real appreciable weight (maybe 8-10 lbs total on and off and on again). I am on anti-depressants and high blood-pressure medications and due to bone degeneration in my feet, don't exercise as much as I should. I am also of a Certain Age (menopausal) and have been for over 10 years, which may contribute to a slowing down of my metabolism.

Reading all these posts has given me hope. I am not alone and I can lose both the inches and the weight - it will just take more time, determination and commitment. I cannot thank everyone enough for sharing both their struggles and their triumphs. I'll keep trying, because you have shown me it can be done.
Thank you, thank you!!

Welcome Glenda!

I abhor exercise. lol I have trouble getting much if any done.

But if you want to exercise, perhaps you could try something in water? Swimming or aquatic exercises of some kind? Perhaps you could also look into some of the exercises they have for people in wheel chairs. You might also be able to go to a gym and see if they have things that can be adapted to you specifically. Im sure that they could work something out that would work for you.

[Bella]

It's taken me longer to start losing this time . I am measuring loss by feel of my clothes not the scale and after 3+weeks my clothes are looser. You said your egg range was 3 - 7 . . . if it's more often close to the 7 I wonder if this might be a problem. That said, you diet looks good to me. I'd just encourage patience, athough it's a challenge given that many of us lost faster on our earlier low carb attempts.