Newbie needs advice

[haleybop1]

Hi,
I'm new to this forum and was wondering if anyone can review this stuff for me. I've been on atkins for 3 1/2 weeks. I only lost 2lbs during induction. I am 5'4" and started at 180. I'm 43. Moderately active, I work 12 hours on my feet walking 4 days a week, and go to the gym and do weights and cardio on the other 3. That has always been my workout. I didn't change it much when I started this woe.

I average Fat 63%, protein 31%, and carbs 6%. Calories are about 1700. I know this is not a calorie counting diet but I've been looking at many calories counters just to figure out where I should be and they are all different! I fell into the trap too many times of being way under my calories on diets and never losing weight. I gave up diet coke as I was addicted. I have one diet jello a night and maybe 2 packets of splenda every 2 days. I'm down 6 pounds total and want to lose 35 total. I did atkins 6 years ago and it worked for me but it was not this slow. I lost a lot more during induction back then. I did the yeast test and it's negative. I do take thyroid meds but my level is normal. I didn't do the official measuring because i lost my first tape measure,bought a new one and then left it in the shopping cart! but that's the plan for this weekend. My clothes just don't feel any loser at all. I've been in ketosis the entire time and I drink minimum 64 ounces of water a day,usually more.

Any tips for what I can tweak? My menus seem very similar to what others have posted. I have not cheated except for a few almonds when I felt a little light headed and sick during induction.

Thanks in advance!!

[2big4mysize]

you have been working out before you started? were you dieting before you started Atkins? if so then your inital lose was all fat as your fluids and glycogen stores were already depleted.
what is your goal weight? congrats on the 6 pounds. your levels of FT4 and T3 were normal now or before you started your Atkins?

[haleybop1]

My goal weight is 145. I don't have hypo or hyperthyroid but nodes on my thyroid gland many years ago and was put on synthoid to essentially kill off thyroid gland or it could become cancerous later if that makes sense. My levels were normal before I started atkins. They really never change. I've always been around the same for years and only fluctuated on the meds slighty. I think checking body fat percentages might be the way to go for me. I know the scales are off when you work out although I don't feel particularly muscular at the moment. I didn't up any excercise when I started because when I up my excercise a lot I gain immediately when I cut it down at all. I figured I'd just try to lose some dieting first and then tweak the excercise later. Do you the calories and percentages seem about right? Every site says something different with calories.

[2big4mysize]

you lost over 17% of the pounds you need to lose so far and are doing well. for a superheavyweight like me when I started that % would equate to 25 pounds.

you didn't change any of your workout while on induction? WOW must inducttees have energy issues as they adapt to Atkins.

One issue with not changing nothing on your workout is as you get lighter you burn less cals doing the same thing so you either need to up the intensity or duration just to get the same cal burn for your efforts. Alsoi with the training effect over time we we get more efficient at doing the exact same workout and will burn less cals doing it too.

On atkins we feed our hunger and stop so if you are hungry you need more food and if you aren't then you are doing okay. Remember to eat enough at each feeding to feed your hunger at that time and stop even if you got room in your belly, food on the plate, and/or carbs in your budget.
Learn all the signs of hunger stuff like being cranky and irritated, feeling tired dizzy light headed, mental confusion, foggy thinking are some of them. when you feel it eat. I never set a cal budget cause some days I was hungry and had over 3000 cals and other days I wasn't and have very few just doing the mandatory 6 hr small snack feedings.

[peanutte]

haley, hi and welcome!

I have to commend you on your attitude; I can tell you're a little frustrated about not seeing a more dramatic result during your first three weeks, but you seem to have a good head on your shoulders, and are looking for answers instead of freaking out (as so many people do!).

2big has covered a lot of ground, so I will just reiterate that I think it's great how you kept up your workouts during Induction, when many people don't feel very good ("Induction Flu"). Since you are a pretty avid exerciser, it might be better to focus on your body fat percentage instead of the scale.

I'd like to see a few days' worth of menus, if you don't mind. Common stallers for people are too much dairy, too many nuts, artificial sweeteners, and various other things. Congratulations on quitting the diet coke! I'm sure that wasn't easy to do.

[haleybop1]

Hi peanutte
I really thought I'd rather give up a kidney than diet coke. But I decided to try it. I crave it just like sugar first thing in the am and late in the day so I know it must do something to my insulin levels. I swear if I can stick with this anyone can. I never drank water before.

Here's a sample of the past few days menus.
Bkfst
3 slices bacon
2 eggs

Lunch
Chef salad
1 1/2 cups lettuce
sm chicken breast
1 egg
1 oz cheddar cheese
2 tbs ranch dsg

Dinner
5 oz salmon
1 1/2 c broccoli
cheese sause -2 tbs cream and a little cheese

1 diet jello with whipped cream


Bkfst
2 eggs
2 slices bacon

Lunch
Caesar chicken salad
1 1/2 cup romaine
tbs parm cheese
sm chicken breast
2 tbs casear dsg

Dinner
5-6 oz meat
1 cup cauliflower
1/2 tbs butter

snacks
1 string cheese stick
diet jello with whipped cream
1 oz cheddar

I drink only water at home. 3 days a week at work I drink iced tea with 2 splendas and 2 tsps of lemon juice. (64 oz) + more water

Today:
Chicken salad for bkfst
sm chicken breast with full fat mayo

Lunch:85% lean hamburger about 1/2 lb uncooked
1 slice american cheese

Dinner
5 oz pork loin
1 cup asparagus
1 tbs butter

snacks
1 jello with whipped cream
1 oz cheese

I'm not really hungry for the snacks but I eat them to try to keep the metabolism moving. I eat maybe 10almonds 3 days a week just to crunch something since I like my veggies cooked.

I really wasn't planning on starting this woe. My 19 yo daugther excersized like crazy and watched her diet and calories for 2 months and didn't lose an ounce. She went to the doc and the first thing she said was get off the carbs. So the next day I went on atkins with her to get her started before she left for college. I do feel better on this. No feeling sluggish or craving sweets all day. I like feeling "even" if that makes sense. The first time I did atkins it was a diet. Now I realize it has to be my woe because I definately am a carb eater and craver. I used to eat 1200 cal a day of just carbs and never lose a thing.

Thanks in advance. I appreciate any advice