why doesn't atkins work for me?

[showgirl]

i've tried atkins twice and both times nothing happened. the second go around i followed linda sue's menu's to the T. then i read in one of the threads that people with hypo thyroidism shouldn't go below 30 grams of carbs. so i upped my carbs accordingly as i am hypo. i also read that long cardio workouts are not good either. i have been training for a marathon, running about 30-40 miles a week. now i'm confused as to whether i should continue...this is soo frustrating! i even did the fat fast as prescribed in DANDR and i did lose 4 or 5 lbs but gained it back as soon as i returned to induction. i am 41, 5'3" and although i am only 10lbs overweight, i am very small boned and i look like i'm 20 lbs over. is there a recommended link i can go to, to learn more about hypothyroid. i've been taking Armor medication since june 04, but have not noticed anychanges since taking the meds. ugghh. thanks for listening

[Matt]

if you are only a little bit over weight its going to be very hard to lose weight on Atkins. The closer you are to your regular wait, the longer it will take to lose. Are you taking any beta blockers/MHOI inhibitors/or horomone medications? If so, those could be the reason you cant lose any. How about posting a daily menu for us to see? Maybe you are eating something u shouldnt be and dont know it.

[Tazcat]

the about.com thyroid forums are excellent

[susies1955]

First off it is NOT true that people with a little weight to lose have a harder time on Atkins or in my belief on any plan. I had just 18 to lose and had no stalls and no problems losing it. I did it in two months.
I see "Showgirl" by your listing of WOE's that you have three different plans listed and you spoke of trying quite a few different things. It could be you just need to pick "ONE" plan it stick to it as perfectly as you are able.
It could be that you are staying at a good carb level but just eating too much.
Maybe if you posted a few days menus someone could help,
Susie

[Diana]

Post menus.....

What about Portions? do you measure?
Water intake?
Exercise?
Do you use Fitday to log your foods?
Do you avoid Franken foods?- hotdogs, lunch meat, bars, shakes, LC chocolate stuff like that.

[lkmjbc3]

My $.02 worth.....

You are working at cross purposes. You are training for a marathon..... perhaps one of the most difficult and straining of physical events. At the same time you trying to lose weight. Your body is simply confused. You are subjecting yourself to a large amount of stress.

No wonder your body is locking onto those last 10 pounds for dear life!

Here is my suggestion. Up your carbs to 40-50grams per day. Concentrate on your training. Be sure to eat lots of greens and low glycemic fruits.

Don't fat fast, meat fast, or any kind of fast. Simply do Atkins OWL. If you feel your performance slipping, then up your carbs more.

I'll bet that within 3 months you will lose that last 10pds.

If you cut back your training then cut back your carbs.

lkmjbc3

[showgirl]

thank you so much matt for your reply. you are such an inspiration. posting a menu is easy as i followe linda sue's menu (thanx linda sue! becuz of you i feel like a gourmet cook)

2 eggs, scrambled with butter and 1 oz. swiss cheese - 2 carbs
1 string cheese - 1 carb
Chicken salad - 0 carbs (cooked chicken, mayo, dill pickle relish, celery-1/4 of the recipe)
Fish & Vegetable Packet (1 pc. fish, cauliflower, yellow squash, butter) - 7 carbs
Small chef salad - 5 carbs (2 cups lettuce, 1oz swiss cheese, 1hb egg, 4 thin slices tomato, 1 slice turkey, chopped, 1 tbls oil & vinegar or blue cheese dressing)
Chicken salad - 0 carbs 1/4 of recipe

this is a typical daily menu. i always followed serving sizes on linda sue's recipes. i have 3-8oz cups of coffee w/sweetener, i counted carbs in coffee and sweeteners. i drink about 60-90 oz of water depending on how much exercise i did that day. i did this for 2 weeks and then read the thread about upping carbs for thyroid problems so i added 1/2 grapefruit at breakfast as recommended by Atkins nutritionist. after about 3 weeks i stopped dieting, meaning i stopped measuring and obsessing. i still will never go back to eating refined sugar, flour or processed foods. i just want to lose these pesky 10 freakin pounds! oh yeah, and i don't take any meds except for Armor thyroid and a bioidentical progesteone cream prescribed by the same endocronologist

ps-i know atkins works. EVERYONE i know has had great success. both my brothers...which one of my brothers is a marathon runner as well and he lost 30 lbs!! just wish i knew what my problem is

[showgirl]

wow all the replies came in at once. i really, really appreciate all the input. yes you're right i have tried many eating plans out of deperation. somersize for about 8 months, no results. then atkins and then the LFL out of REAL desparation but to tell you the truth LFL is low fat and i just cannot get on board with that way of thinking. i believe as suggested that OWL will work for me and i can live with achieving that goal in 3 months. BTW...i have never been able to get my body into ketosis, strange huh?

[Atkins_Nutritionist]

A controlled carbohydrate way of eating can be individualized for anyone, even though it may get tricky to find the meal planning that will work best for you when other factors, such as hypothyroidism and medications, are involved. It seems like you have already found success by stating “i still will never go back to eating refined sugar, flour or processed foods”. It is also great that you have ‘stopped obsessing’. You have a great attitude and are so motivated, and everyone has posted such great advice and given such support! Your menu looks good, but maybe you want to cut down on the cheese, as you include it at three meals. It’s great that you are eating throughout the day and also including plenty of water. I agree with lkmjbc that by training and trying to lose weight at the same time, you are putting your body under a lot of stress. Focus on training for now but continue with this way of eating. Once you are done with the marathon, that’s a great time to start playing around with your menu more to find out what meal planning will help you get to your goal. Good luck and keep us updated on your progress!

[W8BGONE]

I am hypo too, but did not know this! Can you please clue me in why we shouldn't go below the 30 grams of carbs? Thanks abunch...

[Atkins_Nutritionist]

W8BGone,
This was discussed in a previous thread and the discussion that follows may be helpful for you to read. Do a search for:
A few more thyroid/carb count questions
If you have any further questions, please start another thread.
Good luck!

[pbptm]

I hope my own experience will be helpful I have discovered recently that through trial and error like many other hypothyroid people. I indeed DO lose on low net carbs. I do lots of regular exercise every day at least 7.5 miles cycling in all weathers and walking for 40 minutes briskly. Also I visit the gym as often as time allows. I'm 5'2" 45yrs and have gained lots of muscle and have changed and lowered my goal twice. I'm fitting into a size 4 jacket with room to spare.
Eating according to hunger works for me, if I don't want a whole meal I'll have some and maybe have the rest later or not as my hunger demands. Angie