2bethinagain... STOP HERE PLEASE

[bitrswt99]

I was just reading your post replying to the "losing too fast post" and saw your stats. WOW! Your start weight was close to mine and you had mentioned you lost 8 lbs the first week and 4 the second, then losing about 2 lbs a week thereafter. I am STRUGGLING with losing and have only lost a total of 7.5 lbs ~ AND I AM GOING INTO WEEK 6 TOMORROW! Very frustrating just trying to get past this 175.5! Can you give me some tips as to how you did it? Like what your typical menu was, what you did specifically to help you lose so much so fast in the beginning, etc?? I think I eat pretty clean, in fact, during induction I was eating Endulge bars and drinking Atkins shakes and noticed I lost more then, than I have since the 2 weeks induction (I've cut those out thinking it would help)!! I also exercise, mainly jog on my treadmill, and I don't feel much of a difference in my clothes, so I don't think I'm gaining muscle/losing inches either! I'm at my wits end and need some help!

TIA!!

[bitrswt99]

BUMP... Where are ya?

[bitrswt99]

Bumpin' cuz I see you on here! LOL!

[THINNER-2003]

Oops, sorry! I was gone most of the day.

I don't really know what to say. LOL It might be easier for me if you told me you typical menus including everything you put in your mouth (including drinks -including how much water) and portion amounts.... OR do you use fitday so I could take a look at it? It might be easier if I just told you things I notice in your menu that stalled me which I then cut out? I never waited for "real" stalls (by definition of 4wks or longer of no inch or weightloss). If I stalled for a few days- that's it... I had to figure out why and correct it. LOL

I basically eat clean- the only "processed" meat that I do eat is bacon- usually 2 slices for breakfast. That's it. NO sausage, slim jims, pepperoni, ham, etc. I usually have eggs and bacon for breakfast in some way (scrambled eggs, fried eggs, boiled eggs) or sometimes I have romaine lettuce, slice tomato, crisp bacon and mayo- rolled up like a BLT. When I have scrambled eggs for breakfast I have .75-1tbsp Atkins ketchup with it.

Most of my carbs are in my lunch and dinner- either they are even in carbs or if one is higher carb than the other I make sure it's for lunch... not dinner. Meals usually include either chicken or fish of some sort (usually baked) with one meal having 2-3 cups salad and the other having 1-1.5 cups (more now- but I'm talking about before reaching goal) veggie- usually green. Asparagus, broccoli, spinach, green beans, okra, and sometimes cauliflower or cabbage. Cucumbers in salad sometimes.
I used to eat ranch dressing but now I like Kraft Caesar vinaigrette w/parmesan better- it's less calories, less carbs, AND spreads evenly so I don't have to eat more just to have it on every bite like I did with ranch.
I occasionally have red meat in many forms (steak, hamburger meat, etc.) and pork chops- but they seem to stall me if I have them like every day for some reason.

On my veggies they were either plain, pat or two of butter, or 1-2 tbsp grated cheddar cheese over them.

That's basically it. I do not drink coffee or tea- only water. On the occasions I have had diet splenda drinks (diet rite or another one I found at the dollar store) -they stall me. I think it's the splenda. Anytime I have anything with splenda- it slows my weightloss down for awhile.
When I have things like cauliflower made into mashed potatoes with heavy cream.... I don't tend to lose as well -but that didn't stop me from having it occasionally. Heavy cream made into whipped cream (read: has splenda also so not sure which it is- or both) also stalls me- so I only have it occasionally.
Anything made with cream cheese (or cream cheese itself) stalled me. So that only occasionally also.
Basically anything that I had that slowed my weightloss down- I basically cut it out all together with having it only VERY rarely.

SF treats either stalled me or made me feel like crap afterwards- even with just the tiny bits I would have- (ie: meaning cramps, gas, and/or diarrhea) -so I cut those out too. The only thing remotely like a SF treat that I still have is Atkins breakfast bars if I'm on the run and it has to replace breakfast.... it's the only one that doesn't give me a "reaction" to it physically and if I only have it occasionally it doesn't stall me either.

Until recently I did not have any other LC "things".... like Atkins bread, Atkins chips, etc. And even now I only have them occasionally and count the carbs.

I have used fitday religiously since I started using fitday early on in induction and I have found -through trial and error- that there is a max on calories and a min on calories for me to have optimum weightloss. If I go too high or too low- I could bet good money on not losing weight or bouncing around the same lb or two for awhile afterwards. It's very predictable with me- so I try to stay within that range.

I eat when hungry- but if I'm not hungry (in deep ketosis) I still eat SOMETHING, even if it's very small and very low in carbs, every 6 waking hours.

I used to be an insomniac for many many years (like 10 atleast) and had even tried medication in the past. I'm not sure if the fact that I almost always lose while sleeping and only if I get 6+ hours sleep is motivating me somehow to sleep better OR if it's just the fact that I'm eating better... or both. But I do not lose well (or sometimes even gain a little) if I don't sleep enough.

I hadn't touched one glass of water in probably atleast 10yrs before starting Atkins. I worked my way up and now I crave it and that's all I drink. If I have a day where I don't drink a lot- I don't lose as well for atleast that day and maybe a few days. NOW that I have reached goal- I have noticed if I drink as much as I used to (140-160oz a day) that I must retain water or something- for I do nothing different yet gain in the morning. 96-120oz seems to work well for me now.

I didn't exercise hardly at all until recently... I only started exercising regularly on 8/17 (notice the date I reached my original goal.... talk about waiting until the last minute to exercise eh? LOL)

I do not go by the way my clothes fit-especially in the beginning. I do not think that's the greatest way to go unless you have infinite patience. I lost a LOT of weight before my clothes fit differently. As I got smaller (weighed less) then the sizes went down faster with every 5-10lbs I lost but at first I lost like 20lbs and was still wearing the same clothes! It just depends on WHERE you are losing it and *I* lost (in the beginning) evenly all over. That's why it took longer for me to notice my shorts/jeans fitting differently.... it's hard to tell if a shirt is fitting differently when you're wearing large shirts like I was. LOL I STRONGLY recommend that you MEASURE. Measure everywhere you can think of- and do it weekly (or biweekly- whatever is good for you). I measure weekly and I cannot TELL you how much I regret not measuring that first week so I'd know my true total inchloss. I also cannot tell you how much it has helped keep me motivated at times- when I had weeks where I didn't lose at all or maybe even bounced around a lb or 2 up and down and ended the week a little heavier (I do weigh daily- I count the morning weight before having breakfast) my inch loss was always better those weeks! It really helped me stay motivated where as if I hadn't been measuring I probably would have gotten down about those weeks and who knows what I would have done.

I don't really know if there are other issues going on with your weightloss- but if all else fails or there's NOTHING you could be eating/drinking that could be causing you to stall (even perhaps overeating calories)- you might try upping your carbs just a wee bit OR bounce them around a little. I found I couldn't lose weight well when I decided to go off induction after 3 months by raising carbs 5 per week- I immediately stalled..... but if I bounced my calories around a bit (say 20 then 24 then 28 then 22 then 20 then 30- something like that- if you know what I mean) that it seemed to like keep my body on it's toes... it has a tendency to get real comfortable if I eat the same amount of calories, carbs, etc. day after day. Even now in pre-maintenance trying to raise my carbs even more.... either I have a very low CCLM or my body just likes getting used to what it's getting or SOMETHING. Because straight up raising carbs by 5 and staying there day after day waiting to raise it 5 the next week is NOT working. I started gaining when I did that. But I don't think it's just that my CCLM is very low- because I can eat more carbs and keep raising them as long as I don't eat the same exact amount everyday- yanno?

I hope I'm explaining that right.... and I hope I've helped by explaining what I did. Let me know if you have any questions.

[bitrswt99]

WOW! You don't know what to say, huh? LOL

I appreciate you taking the time in answering my post! You've helped TREMENDOUSLY with all your points... In fact, I've printed the post out! Just so you know... My typical day of meals is:

B - 2/3 eggs, reg. coffee/1-2 tbsp. heavy cream/ 3 pkts. splenda (VERY hard to give up... I may have to try again, though)
L - 2 c. salad w/ 3-4 cucumber slices, 3-4 cherry tomatoes, 2 oz. shredded cheese, 1 chopped up HB egg, ranch dressing (may have to try your caesar vinagrette), grilled chicken breast
D - 12-14 lg. sauteed shrimp in butter and garlic, 1 c. broccoli w/ pat of butter
S - Sunflower seeds, Atkins shake (if nothing else), 2 oz. BBQ pork rinds

and of course... AT LEAST 2 L of water a day!

Hope this helps, and I hope you can catch something I can't!

But thanks again so, so much for your help!!

[TerriP]

WOW....GREAT reply, 2B!

I've printed that one out to keep and re-read when I need information. REALLY really helpful....thank you!!!

[lil miss]

thanks for helping all of us with your info! Need to set up printer....

[somedaysoon]

Thanks for such a detailed list of tips. It is very helpful. I read a while back an articfle that supports the sleep/weightloss correlation you mention... Here is the link: http://www.shuteye.com/pressrelease.asp

Originally posted by 2bethinagain
I used to be an insomniac for many many years (like 10 atleast) and had even tried medication in the past. I'm not sure if the fact that I almost always lose while sleeping and only if I get 6+ hours sleep is motivating me somehow to sleep better OR if it's just the fact that I'm eating better... or both. But I do not lose well (or sometimes even gain a little) if I don't sleep enough.

I always seem to suffer from ravishing hunger when I am sleepy... so I know this is so true.

[raindropple]

When I have things like cauliflower made into mashed potatoes with heavy cream.... I don't tend to lose as well -but that didn't stop me from having it occasionally.

Ya know, now that you mention this, I think this could be a problem for me too. I had the Rilabie recommended mockeroni and cheese and I was up a pound the next day. I thought surely it wasnt that. Hmm...I had for lunch today so I will see what the scale says tomorrow...

Great reply 2B! Im gonna make some notes myself.

[THINNER-2003]

Originally posted by bitrswt99
[B]WOW! You don't know what to say, huh? LOL [B]

LMAO..... well you should have seen how long that post would have been if I DID know what to say. HAHAHAHAHA


Okay well the only thing in your menu that I do not have is the coffee/cream/splenda... sunflower seeds (don't like them or nuts), pork rinds (don't like them and besides they are high in sodium I believe- and can make you retain water bigtime??), and Atkins shakes. Well that and the fact that I don't just have 2/3 eggs for breakfast... I usually have bacon with it or the aforementioned BLT rollups with romaine lettuce. 2/3 eggs ALONE doesn't sound like much to get you through to lunch?

Everything else sounds a-okay to me. So if you want to start playing around with things to see what could be stalling you without cutting it ALL out at once.... I would cut out the Atkins shakes first, pork rinds next (or drink a ton of water to counter it's retention?), then the sunflower seeds.... THEN if all else fails- you might have to do something about that morning coffee. For one it should be decaf- but probably it's the cream and splenda stalling you... if you are anything like me.

[Jasmyn]

Eep!! This post has inspired me to put today's menu in Fitday - can I say YOUUUCCHH!!! Man... I'm going to HAVE to start using fitday.

OMG! Thank you for this post!!!

I also have printed it out and will be trying out some of your guidelines!

[THINNER-2003]

OMG... I would have put way more thought into my post if I'd known everyone was going to be printing it out! *eek* I hope I didn't forget anything or make typos and stuff.
LOL
Seriously though.... glad it can possibly help others.

[kelykel]

>>>Hitting Print Also<<<

A Huge thank you to Bitr for the original question and a gigantic low-carb HUG to 2Beth for all the info! I'm stalled at a 7.5 pound loss and need all the assistance I can get! I love this WOL and wouldn't think of going back to the flour and sugar, but some weight loss would sure be appreciated... so THANKS AGAIN!

[THINNER-2003]

You're VERY welcome. I hope it helps.

2B, great post and very similar to what I eat. What is the range of calories that you ate every day and that you had to stay within? When you varied your carbs, how did you vary your calories? Thanks!

[parisdream]

Bump! For I asked this question after seeing 2B's pic tread. Then I saw this. Maybe more people want to know how it's done.

One thing I learned here is that it's important to be aware of things that stall me. I never paid close attention to this and chose some food just because they are "legal".

2B, if you read this, I wonder what is your min. calorie level for weightloss? Dr. A said to pay no attention to calories, but I think it may not be the case with me.

Splenda may also be the reason of stalling. I just bought some stevia powder. I wonder if 2B or anyone else find it stall weightloss?

[THINNER-2003]

Hi there! Glad you found this thread.

Ah yes, I totally attribute my success with my stubborn attitude about things that stalled me. If it hindered my weightloss at all- it was OUTTA here. LOL Okay so I might try some things occasionally and see if just having it rarely would interfere with weightloss- you know... trial and error. But only very rarely and if THAT still caused a stall in weightloss- it wasn't going in my mouth again, come he$$ or high water.

Well, that and my menu almost every single day was very "basic" (or rather "simple" as in kinda like KISS) -there wasn't much of anything that was SF, diet drinks/etc.

You asked about my minimum calories for weightloss. Did you mean maximum?
In the beginning (very beginning like first 3wks or so) I ate a lot before ketosis set in after the first 10 days or so but even after that I kept eating more than I did later on. Eventually it got to where I had to FORCE myself to eat every 6 waking hours... I know how my body does when I skip meals.. I had eaten only dinner for many years and stayed the same weight! So at that point and for many months my calories ranged about 600-800 max. As for my minimum- I have learned if I eat under 550 or so... I stall also. Apparently my body is very sensitive thinking I'm going to starve it again and shuts everything down holding on to every ounce of fat it can. LOL
Sometimes I would have higher calorie days- up to 1250 or so... but I knew what was coming afterwards when I did that. That was usually higher fat days- like when I ate lots of butter at Red Lobster or something. LOL It would stall my weightloss for days up to a week- but I still did it sometimes.
Recently (for about the past 2 months or so) I started eating around 700-950 on calories- started having snacks in between meals because raising my carbs was making me more hungry than before (ketosis is really helpful with appetite- when you raise carbs then you have to control that on your OWN, and it makes a big difference... it's harder... atleast in my experience).
Since I reached goal on 8/16/03 I have been slowly raising my carbs (bouncing around on total carbs each day as I mentioned above in this thread) but also trying to keep my carbs around 10% or lower- so therefore I end up eating more calories in order for that % to be around the same and yet eating more carbs!

So my calories have ranged from 850-1100 recently. I'm still losing even though I'm raising my carbs little by little and introducing new things (started eating yogurt about 6wks ago and other things like beets... I find it's easier to raise my carbs with veggies/foods that are small in QUANTITY yet more carbs- because I couldn't eat more than 3 cups salad and 2 cups of my regular green veggies per day... it was just too much. But I can add 5-10 slices of beets EASY. LOL). Apparently the goal I set when I was at my heaviest wasn't my TRUE goal weight for my body... or else I wouldn't still be losing while raising calories and carbs.

Splenda stalls me- but so far Davinci syrups do NOT. I have the syrup in snowcones I make with a snowcone machine. Sometimes I have one every night as a "no calorie" snack... and so far it hasn't stalled me. THANK GOD.... finally something as a treat that doesn't stall me or make me gain weight.

I hope this answered your questions- let me know if I missed something?

I think you or someone else asked on another thread about my exercise... I admit I was very lazy about that until very recently. I had only worked out a few times and walked a few times (plus 3 young children DO keep me hopping- and with more energy I did a lot more with them/etc.) until I was close to goal- and then I started exercising regularly. Now I work out using Walking Away the Pounds for Abs tapes (was at 2miles for a long time- but now I'm doing the 3mi tape!! yeah me....hehe) about 4-5 days a week (it's approx. 45min or so each time) and sometimes go walking at the park with a friend of mine. That's about it though.

[parisdream]

Great info! I copied all you wrote and read it and will reread it whenever I'm attempted to slack.

Your insight at calorie intake is most helpful to me I believe. I used to let myself go at that, did over 1300 or more some days and wondered why I wasn't losing. I used one of those formulas to calculate max calorie intake for me (we are the same height), and got 1350. I now realize that mine should be lower than this. I definitely will pay closer attention to this and my carb level.

Speaking of carb level, if I understand you correctly - you stayed within 20g the first 3 month, and added fewer than 5g and fluatuated within 30g thereafter. Right? Wow. That took a lot of discipline! I know because I couldn't wait to get off induction! That means you ate hardly any fruit or anything sweet, right? You must have amazing will-power! Now I'm thinking about re-inducting.

As for workout, it's "comforting" to learn that you did it mostly without exercising. As I'm myself not keen on exercising to say the least! But I try. I like WATP, but sometimes Leslie's cheerfulness gets on my nerves. LOL. I'm now doing The Firm, recommended by someone here on this board. It's challenging. But I do it with the hope of minimizing my mid-section (ab, arse, and thighs! LOL!).

Anyway, it's good know that someone exactly my height did it, and did it within 6 months, I shall be ashamed if I don't do it myself, as I'm minus 3 kids so I have absolutely no excuse! LOL!

[THINNER-2003]

Well now.. first off I wouldn't recommend to anyone else to NOT exercise... just admitting I didn't much until recently. LOL And btw, having 3 kids helps in that area... so minus the kids means more exercise- they are a lot of work and physical activity (especially babies and toddlers)! Sorry for that bummer news. LOL

Yes, I stayed under 20gm carbs for a long time- but it was really a modified induction because I did have some LC items occasionally and/or veggies that weren't really allowed on induction and even some fruits sometimes. It wasn't hard to avoid the fruits though- because everytime I had any it would trigger cravings and more hunger afterwards (obviously knocking me out of ketosis or something).

I don't know about having more willpower... I was just basically determined to lose weight and wasn't letting anything stand in my way. I don't normally have a very strong willpower- but it was motivating to lose the weight in the first 2wks and that's all it took to keep me determined. Well that and many thinking that I wouldn't be able to stick with Atkins at the amount of calories I was eating (to others it seemed like I was starving myself I'm sure- but I'm always plenty satisfied and never go hungry ever). I'm admit I AM stubborn- and all it takes is someone to tell me I can't do something for me to be very determined to prove them wrong.

I like Leslie's cheerfulness. LOL The only thing is that ofcourse by this point I know every word she's about to speak by memory. LOL

[sadie_adriana]

Big thanks to whoever bumped this thread I printed it out along time ago, it has helped me so much to be strong throught my new low carb lifestyle!!!

[THINNER-2003]

Hi sweetie- I'm so glad I could help in some way!!!
You're doing good on your weightloss aren't ya! Way to go!

[sadie_adriana]

Seriously, I have never felt so good in my life, I LOVE this way of eating!
I feel strong, mentally and physically, very worth the skipping those carby foods I was addicted to. 20 more pounds, and I'm gonna give that maintainence the best and only effort that I can--100%

I am NOT going to go thru this yo-yo crap (sorry) any longer in my life --

It feels too good

[THINNER-2003]

You go girl!! With that kind of attitude- I KNOW you'll do it!

[Lil Donna]

Thank you for posting all that good information.
I am a mom of 2 girls and I know sometimes this way of eating is almost easier and faster than eating the old way. This way you know what you can eat (hopefully it's in the fridge or freezer) and you just eat it. No more doddling about what to eat.

I think you have definitely proven that this WOE works. I have to get my brain to think like yours and stay away from all the new little "0 net carbs" snacky things.

Thanks again for your inspiration.
Donna

[dancininthemoonlight]

Great info! Yall are doing great!

[slh72454]

Thanks! I printed it out as well to keep handy.

[phibi]

[COLOR=blue]I can hardly believe I almost missed this post. It has great information and recommendations for things that I may be doing wrong.
Thank you![/COLOR]

[MaryLee]

Originally posted by phibi
[COLOR=blue]I can hardly believe I almost missed this post. It has great information and recommendations for things that I may be doing wrong.
Thank you![/COLOR]

I loved this thread also!! Thanks for bringing it to the top, phibi!!

[Ethansmommy]

wow! This post was wonderful and informative. I have been doing Atkins for over a year and I love it. I am embarrassed to say that I am in the process of re-inducting. I am such a dedicated person and so "by the book" Atkins that I thought I would never have to do that, but here I am. I always thought I would be one of the ones who "stayed the course" all the way to my goal. But, some life stuff got in the way and am really beating myself up about it.

But it is now forward and onward and this inspiring, very detailed post will absolutely help. Thank you so much!

Pam