I'm Getting Depressed

[Mary Ann]

I have started Atkins o 8/08. I lost 6 lbs. in 2 weeks. Here it is, Sept 1st and I have gained 1 lb ands stayed there. I don't go up. I don't go down. This has happened everytime I tried Atkins. I stayed on Induction and lost the weight the first week, and then nothing since. Yes, I watch my carbs but I moved on from Induction because I stalled out. What do I do? I also do kickboxing 3 to 4 times a week for an hour each session. I am 52 and menopausal.

Mary Ann

[francine]

Just speaking from personal experience, I realized once I entered what I ate into Fitday, that I was eating too many calories.

[Lisa Rae]

I'd usggest you post a 2 day menu of everything you eat and drink. Many times people think their doing induction by the book..but are missing or adding something. Aslo..I agree..fitday is a wonderful tool. So many times things have trace carbs..or we forget to add carbs in stuff like sweetners..eggs..cream (which all have trace carbs) and over the day..they can relly add up. I've seen many people eating 30 or more carbs..that thought they we're doing it right

P.S. you also don't have stats listed..but how much you have to lose has a LOT to do with how much you lose for induction...and each week after

[Banshee5]

Yep, good idea.
I'm 53 and in early menopause. I discovered I have to count calories, carbs...everything. I had to use fitday to see what was happening. I'm still very poor about exercise...but I finally got food/eating worked out and lost almost 10 lbs. (Took a while because I need to have regular exercise and don't)

[Catheryn]

Originally posted by Mary Ann
I am 52 and menopausal.

Mary Ann

Say no more.

[CarolynF]

Join the group...We have a Golden Years thread for those menopausal folks over 50..come see us..

I started losing when I cut back on my fat and added fruit..and watched the calories..

Good luck..

[Atkins_Nutritionist]

How many carbs are you consuming now? Would you like to post a typical day of meals? Are you losing inches/cloths fitting differently?

Weight is effected by many things. Are you constipated? Are your hormones in balance or are they giving you trouble? Do you have any symptons of yeast overgrowth or thyroid issues? are you on any medications that might slow weight loss.

People who exercise typically lose inches before weight so you may not want to focus on the scale but focus more on your cloths.

The symptoms you describe are not unusual. Some people lose weight for 2 weeks and the stop or gain a pound or 2 the next week or two and then resume weight loss. In your case, you may be resuming weight loss as reflected in inches.

If this is not the case, please respond to my questions and we'll see what we can do.

[Mary Ann]

A typical meal is

bacon/eggs or a mock danish
2.5 oz. cheese and hard boiled egg
2 cups of salad/2 tbl. of Blu Cheese dressing
egg salad
no carb gelatib and 2 tbl. of whipped cream
Some sort of meat with green beans

I usually have about 3 cups of tea /half pack of splenda/tbl. cream
once in awhile, I'll have a Hills brother Cappucino made with Splenda (7 carbs) BTW, I am not doing induction

Mary Ann

[Atkins_Nutritionist]

It looks like Induction to me, what are you doing, if not Induction?

There are few things you will have to try, it may take time to figure out what the specific issue is.

Do you have a nutrient breakdown, ie fitday. I'm not sure your getting enough calories.

You may need to add more fat or to up the carbs.

Do you exercise? Are there any reasons to believe that hormones, yeast, medications...are interefering with your progress?

[Mary Ann]

That particular day, I only had about 600 calories. I am trying to keep my carbs low (which I guess is Induction) I am menopausal also and I do exercise. I do kickboxing 3 to 4 times a week for an hour session each time. I don't see any difference in my clothes yet and it's been since Aug. 8th. I am under alot of stress though. Could that do it? I tried to attach Fitday but I can't get it to work. I don't know how many calories I'm supposed to eat. I am 5'4" and weigh 167 and active.

Mary Ann

[Atkins_Nutritionist]

Keep your carbs low but do not starve yourself! Stress may effect your weight. What are your nutrient totals on fitday?

First let's try:

Eating more calories (1200-1500) and consume 6 small meals/day.

When you increase calories, increase healthy fats (olives, avocado, flax) that are low in carbohydrate.

Add 1/2 grapefruit to your daily meal plan.

I also want you to use a tape measure to measure inches lost. Track this because for someone who exercise as you do, it is very common to see the inches go first.

Drink 100 oz. of water or green tea.

After a week and a half, let me know your results. If you have any questions in the meantime, just holler!

[Linda Love]

I am 48 and exercise using Pilates, Yoga, and Ballet 4x a week and am still on induction and have gained. I'm afraid to get on the scale because I'll cry. My jeans were baggy, but now are tighter or just fit (size 10 from size 14).

I'm going through menopause and can't understand why Atkins worked quickly for me four years ago, but my ex-nutritionist told me to stop because she felt it was dangerous, even though my tests were 100% improved.

I don't drink alcohol regularly, so that's not the problem. I even stopped eating bacon every day. I don't take any meds either.

If you can't help me, then I will have no choice but to go back to that awful salt and fat restricted program. HELP!!!

[Atkins_Nutritionist]

Linda, I certainly understand your despair.

The reason you are not responding to Atkins as you did is because your hormones are unbalanced. It is not your fault or Atkins not working, it is an underlying (normal) hormonal condition that is getting in the way of your results.

With that said, low fat certanly will not get you better results, especially becuse healthy fats are important for good hormone health.

Stay focused and stick with the plan maybe we can make some modifications that will help. However, please keep inmind you may need to speak with a knowledgeable docor who can help balance your hormones as best as possible. Diet alone may not get you the results you are looking for if your hormones are involved.

Why not post a typical day of meals? Let's try to work this out together.

[Mary Ann]

I too am going through menopause and I am not having very good results with Atkins. I'm not gaining, but I'm not losing either. I won't take any hormones. My Dr. said there is no need since I have no hot flashes (How lucky can ya get!) I'm going to post my menu for yesterday:

B Mock Danish (cream cheese/egg/splenda/cinnamon)
S. 2 hard boiled eggs
L. 3 oz. pork loin/mixed veggies
S. 2 string cheese
D. 3 oz pork loin/ mixed veggies
S. no carb jello

I have been keeping my meals low carb in the hopes of losing "something". I've been having bouts of acid reflux and my Dr. advises low fat. I thought it was a heart attack! Pretty scarey.
I'm just not sure what to do anymore. How do I balance hormones without HRT?

Mary Ann

[Linda Love]

NO FLASHES? DAMNED GOOD SHOW! I flash if you look at me hard enough; I grab a big glass of ice water now since the Black Cohosh isn't working like it used to. I, too, refuse to take hormones. My radiologists for my mammograms says she was sooo bad, her doctor put her on a low-dose hormone and she's symptom-free, but still scared. I've been menopausal for over four years now and will have to tough it out. I don't think they last forever. My therapist says she knows an 80 year old woman who still gets them occassionally; yikes!

Anyway a typical menu for me is:


Breakfast
2-3 scrambled eggs w/bacon (regular)
1-2 cups decaf coffee

Lunch
1 6oz. can of albacore tuna w/2 tblspns real mayo
slice onion chopped, celery seed, cracked black pepper and a small mixed green salad w/ceasar dressing (2 grams carb)
Hansen's diet soda sweetened w/Splenda

Snack
small piece of cheese
1/2 cup macadamia nuts

Dessert (2x a week)
1/2 cup cream cheese whipped w/1/4 cup heavy cream
dash of vanilla, sweetened with Splenda and topped with a tblspn crushed macadamia nuts.

Breakfast
1 6oz. can of albacore tuna w/2 tblspns real mayo
slice onion chopped, celery seed, cracked black pepper
1 cup decaf coffee (Starbucks)

Don't know what's for lunch. I was thinking of roasting a whole chicken and dividing it up for the next few days and make salad, or eat it cold with a salad.

Vegetables really make me gain weight if I eat them at every meal. I use stewed tomatoes, green beans, but not so much. I suppose the hormones really make me sensitive. I DO workout 4x a week with Pilates, Yoga, and Ballet.

I hope this gives you an idea of my meals, but are by no means, typical. I never eat typically. I can have a swiss cheese omelettle one day w/ham, chicken, or turkey or steak and eggs for breakfast with a couple slices of tomatoes.

Lunch can be grilled shrimp w/mixed greens or green beans or I'll make "mashed taters" out of califlower and cream (Atkins recipe). I use ****ake mushrooms, water, pan drippings, cream, and butter to make "gravies." I know I'm not drinking enough water as I used to, but will remedy that soon.

I would appreciate any help you can give me. BTW, I pulled out my old Atkins book and am re-reading it.

[LindaSue]

Linda Love, do you eat dinner or did you just forget to post it? Be careful of canned stewed tomatoes, they often have sugar added.

[Linda Love]

I ate the darn stewed tomatoes with stewed pork. I finally get it. I was over the calorie limit, even though we're not supposed to count calories on Atkins, but I was way over my limit and didn't take into account hidden sugar carbs in the tomatoes, the added fat in the heavy cream; eating or drinking way too much of it.

This is day one. My body is not the same since menopause started four years ago and I have to watch my intake of foods. If I eat too many vegetables, i.e., green beans, brocolli, I won't lose weight.

This morning I had albacore tuna and 2 tblsp mayo and a cup of decaf. Have to go shopping today to restock. Buy a couple whole chickens to roast and some prepared mixed greens from Costco for salads. I'll be using olive oil and vinegar for my dressings and I only use enough dressing to coat my greens.

Man, what a wake-up call!.

thanx

[Linda Love]

Linda Sue, Linda Sue, what have you done? What a transformation, lady! You look fantastic. I want that, too and am willing to listen to whatever advice you can offer as far as menu selections to get me back on the right track.

[Linda Love]

I can hardly believe you put so much effort into your life. You are truly an inspiration. I WILL follow your menus. Funny, after I posted my request for your menus, I noticed you had already posted a "book." You should get it published and I'll see you on Oprah.

[Linda Love]

Linda Sue, I downloaded several delicious looking recipes from your "book" and have just one suggestion: I was watching Lydia's Italian American Kitchen and she uses Tarragon for her shrimp scampi...just a thought. But big thanks for your help.

[LindaSue]

Linda Love, I found myself approaching the same time of life you're dealing with now and my weight was getting out of control. I was scared and knew that I had to do something NOW or it might be too late. Luckily, it wasn't too late and I am now where I am today. I know that menopause is probably just around the corner for me because I'm starting to see little signs -- wacky TOMs (never been all that regular before though) and it's starting to get harder to stay at my goal weight. I have days when I wonder why I fight it and give in to temptation, but most of the time I stay on track and eventually I lose those couple of extra pounds. I really, really never want to go back to where I was before. I like wearing my new clothes and don't want to have to buy larger sizes ever again so I will persevere no matter what it takes so that when menopause hits, I'll be able to handle it.

I hope you'll finally find something that works for you. I might suggest not worrying so much about calories at first and focus on portion control and eat little bits of things throughout the day, if possible. That's what works for me the best. I don't worry about fat or calories and I try to only eat when I am hungry, not when I feel like eating or when some kind of food starts calling my name. When I do eat, I try to stop as soon as the hunger is gone or very shortly after that, even if there's still food on my plate. I can always reheat it later if I feel hungry again.

[Linda Love]

Just got back from shopping at Trader Joe's and bought red, yellow, and orange peppers, ground turkey (organic) crimini mushrooms, and green onion for stuffing the peppers; boneless pork chops and I'll use wasabi powder in a tsp of mayo to make a horseradishy sauce and make a cup of salad of mixed greens; a whole organic chicken for roasting; no carb Hansen's diet soda w/Splenda, and a few other items.

I don't know why I allow myself to become dissolutioned and think I can go nuts and eat nuts like crazy. I did not buy any cream or macadamia nuts this time. I'll wait and see how my weight loss fares the first month.

Tonight, LindaSue, I'm having your pizza recipe. I bought sugar-free tomatoes, organic mozzarella cheese (in a ball w/liquid), and I sauteed some ground turkey, garlic, oregano, cracked black pepper for taste, sea salt, red pepper flakes (peperonchini) for heat, and I sprinkled the tomatoes w/basil and topped it off with slices of the cheese. It's ready now, and duty calls.

[Atkins_Nutritionist]

Mary you can balance your hormones using supplements and natural hormone creams (fem gest). You need to work with your doctor, do some of your own research...

There are even compounding pharmacies that can make individualized hormone remedies if you know the exact status of your hormone levels.

In cases of hormones, if you can balance your hormones, it will help your loss of weight.

[Atkins_Nutritionist]

Linda,

You mentioned nuts, extra sugar from canned tomatoes... that can inhibit weight loss. It is good you realized this after posting your menu.

I would also like to mention that some people find that when they eliminate onion and tomato from their food plan, it helps with weight loss.

I am not sure why but it has made a difference for many people.

I hope that now that you are more aware of the foods that might be hindering your weight loss, you will see better results in the near future.

Please keep us updated.

[Linda Love]

Yes! I'm eating healthier since coming over here.

Breakfast
"Pizza"

Lunch
1 cup loose herb salad greens
1/2 cup salad shrimp
Ceasar Salad Dressing (1gr carb) Trader Joe's

Dinner
4oz boneless pork chop w/wasabi mayo (1tbsp)
1 cup green beans

Snack
Sugar-free gelatin

I read in DADR that I can substitute green onion for the white because of the sugar content. Tomorrow I'm making stuffed peppers w/ground turkey, mushrooms, mozzarella cheese.

I slice a round of cheese and dice it up so it looks like more. I think I'll get add some califlower "mash" for a side vegetable w/butter.

[Linda Love]

I think I've lost some weight. I didn't want to weigh myself while I was whining last week for fear of tears. I pulled out my DANDR and began reading last night. I'm going to re-read it and then go back and re-read that and re-read that until it sinks in and I know the book by heart.

I was really doing it incorrectly and to top it off, I jumped from induction to OWL to Pre-maintenance all in one day. What was I thinking? (don't answer that).

Anyways, the scale read 162.5lbs. this morning and I feel lighter, so I must have weighed at least 3lbs more. I can't thank you enough for your advice and support, Atkins Advisor and fellow forum members.

I've decided I would weigh myself every Saturday morning. I think I will stay on induction for four weeks instead of two, so I can then move on to OWL properly. I know it will slow the weight loss, but that's the whole idea to lose slowly so it will be permanent and when I reach my goal of 135lbs (depending on how I look at 140lbs., I'm 5'6" because I'm pretty thin at 140lbs., I'll go into the last phase and start the process of calculating my CCL.

I'm on it now. If I've posted erroneous information above, please feel free to correct me. I don't have the book in front of my right now, so I'm para-informing my goals and the program.

I think I'm on my way!

[goodcelt]

Hello to all...I'm having problems, too. My period is almost over and I'm hoping so much that I will drop at least 2 lbs. when I'm finished.

I really have been on task. I'm counting total carbs (20 a day), using fit day. I haven't changed my stats yet because it'll make me feel bad and I'm assuming my extra lbs are from TOM. I did go down to 224.5 on Friday. I'm @ 226 again today. I went to a Pig Roast yesterday and even planned ahead for that. I took my own bbq sauce, made the layered salad from the recipe board and a wheel of brie to share. I drank diet soda while everyone else drank beer. I saw fabulous desserts but I didn't care. I just ate more beef (I like it better than the pork, although I had some of that, too). I turned down shots of vodka w/habanero peppers in them (I think that would have been bad ANY time!).

Maybe I need to go to my doctor and go get a compound at the natural pharmacy, too. I, too, don't want to take hormones. I'm not having bad stuff except for my period; I can't leave the house the 2nd day. I have had a couple of hot flashes, but I don't have them very often at all.

I've been whining about this throughout the forum but it does make me feel bad. I try so hard and right now, I'm trying to just hang in there and keep on keepin' on.

P.S. I even read my labels' ingredients. I don't just read the nutritional info. I don't eat frankenfoods. I feel like something better move soon or I don't know what I'll do.