Nille...I'm so glad that the root is working for you!! :D I've read that the dandelion leaf works better, but if the root works....that makes it so much easier!!!

BTW I did start a journal....I'm not great at journals, but I just put it up about two days ago...have one response, and I just now added something else!

Again...I'm so happy for you! :) :)

Hello "Fellow Turtles"! I'm happy to see this group...I've been following Atkins now for about 3 months and while my DH has lost nearly 20 lbs. to date (and his cholesterol is lower than either of us have ever seen it - he typically runs in the 225-250 range - last checked was 186!!!) I can report that I've lost maybe 6-8 lbs. I weigh once a week and sometimes it's up and sometimes it's down but the average in 3 months of only 8 lbs. (at best) is disappointing. I've cut back on caffeine (50% caffeinated/50% decafe for my ONE morning cup of coffee); I do eat nuts - but try not to eat the salted ones; I do eat bacon and hot dogs, but not every day. I don't eat sugar free jello at all; but I do enjoy a piece of chocolate - I try to find the ones with very high cocoa content and low carbs/sugars- those are the expensive ones in the gourmet food sections - Valhrona and some other fancy names. Sometimes I make my own chocolate topping by melting some of that chocolate and adding some heavy cream and then pouring that over Suzanne Somers chocolate nut cake (I make mine without the sugar she calls for in her recipe - I use Splenda & Sweet n low) and I use Crystal Light and artificial sweetners in my ONE cup of coffee and in any other sweetened foods I eat. I didn't lose any weight on induction so I moved on to having a few more veggies (salads, cauliflower, brocolli). This week I'm adding 2-15 minute sessions on the treadmill (can't actually do more than that at a time) and trying to increase my water intake to see if I get any response by the end of the week. I am also taking HRT's and have to think that's contributing to my slow weight loss. I have tried very hard not to cheat - I've actually cheated 3 times in three months at an Italian restaurant by eating bread and spagetthi...but no dessert! HA! So I've really avoided sugar the whole time but not some of those evil carbs.

Does anyone know of a way to contact anyone at the Atkin's Institute to see if they can help those of us who are have metabolic resistance? I tried Atkin's suggestion of the all fats diet and I lasted exactly 1/2 day! I was starving and felt that if I didnt' eat some meat I would have eaten ANYTHING - bread, crackers, fruit...so it wasn't working out for me.

Loved reading your "Turtle Club" stories. Nice to know I'm not alone in my efforts.

Well, I am a turtle. I lost really well at first - 25 pounds. Then nothing for 5 months. Last week I lost 5 pounds. I don't know why. I do several things that are on the list. I have a drink several times a week. I eat pork rinds 2 or 3 times a week. I eat some nuts each week and a lot of cheese. I also hate exercise and admit it it gets pushed when push comes to shove. I note in my food diary that I ate no cheese last week when I lost. I guess that is the first thing to give up.

Hi all,

I lost 20 lbs very easily for the first 4-5 months then I stopped. My weight volleyed up and down until we moved to our new home. I have since lost 5 lbs. That is how I did it. I bought a new house :yay: Hey you guys, all you have to do is buy a new house (LOL). Actually, I think that the fact that we went from a single story apartment to a 2 story home. Having to climb stairs is hard work.

I have slowed again but hopefully, after joining Curves, it will drop a little more. I try to keep my diet consistant and remember that I have never lost this much weight...ever. I guess I can just alow my body to decide when each pound will come off.

Black57

I need help!
 

Hello-

I'm in week 9 and I've been at the same weight for 6 weeks. I lost roughly 11-12 lbs in the first 2 weeks. I'm considering going off plan to fool my body then jumping back on to spark some movement.

I exercise at least 3 days a week- I walk around 30mins.
I eat between 20-25 carbs a day. I drink boat loads of water.
My doc says my thyroid is fine.

After reviewing the checklist:
http://www.lowcarbretreat.com/plateaus.html

These are the issues I think ring the closest with me.

12. YOU MAY BE DRINKING TOO MUCH COFFEE OR TEA
I have roughly 1-2 cups of coffee a day. Can this small amount hold me back even with exercise?


19. WHAT ABOUT QUANTITIES?
and
20. YOU MAY HAVE TO COUNT CALORIES IN ADDITION TO CARBOHYDRATES

I eat 3 main meals a day and at least 2 snacks. celery with peanut butter or a lc chocolate. I know I'm within the 20-25 carb intake range. My meat source is varied between turkey, beef, and chicken.

If I have eggs I usually eat 2, sausage 2-3 (once a day). Cheese varies from none to 3oz.

Veggies are broccoli, peppers, zuccini.

Indulgences I almost always have a cocoa: unsweetened cocoa, splenda and whipping cream.... in fact whipping cream is my big suspect. I bet I have 1/2 of one of those mini containers of it a day.

ideas? suggestions to finding the reason behind my hold on fat.?.

Yeah no-one ever comes here
 

Glad I finally broke through my stall with my own new rules!! No-one ever visits this section... I can hear an echo right now ;-)

Hey Redhead, what are you're new rules? how did you break your stall. and don't look at me, I've been on mtce for one year, (not intentionally, but that's about how long I've been this weight). what did you do? chris

Finally LOST some weight!
 

FINALLY...I've figured out what will work for me. Turns out I had to give up the cheese, most of the butter, whipping cream and the high fat meats (bacon, sausages, beef)...I eat a LOT of fish...almost every day; chicken thighs, vegeatable (brocolli, cabbage, cauliflower, asparagus). A salad for lunch and lamb (usually in a gyro sandwich of which I only eat half the pita) and I've lost (drum roll)...ALMOST 20 POUNDS!! For me this is a big breakthrough. I was on Atkin's from July to Jan. 1 and only lost 5 lbs. On Jan 1 I started by visiting a commercial weight loss clinic but found out after a while that their diet is mostly low carb (or minimal carbs) fish, chicken and veggies. I still go and weigh in 3 times a week (helps to keep me on track to know I will have to go and "face the girls")...and I drink at least 64 oz of water a day...some days more. I eliminated the cream from my coffee and the sweet n low and just drink it black...it's not too bad. I think my problem was all the high fats. I also walk for 45 minutes a day, 6 days a week on my treadmill. So this combination is what's working for me. I'm still a turtle...but at least now I think I've found what works for me...

new turtle
 

Hi all! New to the group . . . this is my second time for low-carbing. Did so successfully nearly 10 years ago when I took off 65 pounds. Strayed off the program, gained weight back . . . In January, I went onto low-carb Atkins, and I have lost 8 to 10 pounds total, depending on what day it is. My weight floats back and forth a lot. I stay way-low on carbs, count them religiously, and I'm trying to come to terms with the fact that I lose weight differently than others. I'm trying to stay positive, but I thought this forum might surround me with other turtles who aren't losing quite so quickly. Kathryn the teawife

Hi teawife

I'm with you...just starting back. I did really well (lost around 20 pounds) on a home tailored Atkins/Zone version. I've since decided to do it MY WAY! I was concerned about the overall healthiness of Atkins and found the Zone a bit hard to work out...(those %'s). Anyway, I sit right in the middle and it really works for me.

Since then I've had a bub, and well, all concern for weight went out the window..with the scales. I gained 25kilos (55 pounds). Bubby is 7 1/2 weeks and I can proudly say I've already lost 16of them (35 pounds). Leaves me with around 9/10 to lose. I realise the easy part is over and now it's down to business.

I'm glad to be back on the site..for all the encouragement I'm going to need.

We can do it!

im a turtle im doing lc right but i have low thyroid and im peri menopause what chance do i have HELP HELP

I'm a turtle too... lose very slow even when I do Akins right... even on induction.

This year I finally decided to go with it....

Here's how I see it. When I eat low carb I feel so much better, especially IBS issues.

The main thing is that even if I lose a pound a week, it's better than nothing which is what I get on the "so called standard diet". So I'm taking my pound a week to the bank, and so far this year in 22 weeks, I down 23 pounds. The consistency is what I really need the most. I'm happy with my results.

Cheryl

great advice this thread has answered all the questions I had.


Thanks!

when I first started atkins induction I did eat low carb snacks and bars for a between meal snack and still lost 13 lbs in 2 wks and then I read that lc snacks and bars are a no- no so I quit eating them, but then my weight stalled , and is still stalled, yes I do eat a bar every once in while for a snack between meals, but I want to know what is stalling me, could it be the eggs and bacon I eat every morning, what else could I eat? would a small bowl of oatmeal with heavy cream be ok?? please let me know cause I really want to get the pounds off. I also exercise at a gym 4-5 days a week cardio and weight machines( no free weights tho, dont want to bulk up just tone up get a lean toned body)

Hi twin2...try watching your calorie intake for a couple of weeks and see if that gets you going again. I had to drop the bacon and eggs routine...went to a plain 1/2 c. serving of oatmeal - definitely no heavy cream at all in my program now! Couldn't take the added calories and get anywhere at all.

WHy is oatmeal ok??? I don't have an answer for that one.

I'm curious though

Glad to find this topic...
 

I have been looking around the forum to find out about being stuck or stalled. Wow, there are lots of possibilities. I just started my 23 week of LC and feel very frustrated that I've been sitting at a 31 pound loss for weeks. I do know in the past 8 weeks, I've made protein bars and protein shakes a daily staple, with treats of Enduldge Ice-cream or Endulge candy. Being single sometimes it's just such a bother to cook something for myself. For the entire time I've had not one bite of rice, pasta, sugar, breads or anything else not on my WOE. And, here I thought I was being so good.... Sounds like maybe I need to go back to the basics and see if I start losing again. Thanks for this topic and all the great posts!

Back to basics always seems to be the answer. I had set a goal for losing 50 pounds this year and was doing so well, now I'
I've really slowed down. I"m thinking along the same lines. I don't do the protien shakes but I do have a lot of the sugar free type of stuff lately. Atkins candy bars, Low Carb ice cream and sugar free jelly bellies. I too need to be back to the basics. I'm down just over 25 for my first half of the year... but it was going so much quicker. I"ve decided too that I should get off the other stuff... and now my house is pretty much empty of the stuff, I should be able to do it easier. I also have been trying to down as much water as possible and remember to take my vitamins every day. I do well during the week... but not the weekends.

:wave: Question, Does Anyone Seem To Have Hi's And Low's When They Begin Low Carbing With There Energy Level?

Turtle-ish
 

1. Have you read the book for, several and followed your chosen plan to the letter for at least a month? Yes. No digression in the food front at all? Nope. No skipping meals? He~= no.


2. Do you figure out your carbs/calories each day? Yup. Do you use a carb counter or a program like fitday.com? Or if you can’t be bothered with micro-managing, do you know what your critical carbohydrate level is and eat accordingly? Yes also.

3. Do you regularly drink alcohol? What is regularly? On the weekend only(now). Not in induction.

4. Are you scale or Ketostix obsessed? I like to use both. Compulsively weighing or using Ketostix will make the process seem slower and more erratic than it actually is. If you must weigh yourself everyday, chart your daily weight and figure out a weekly average. Don’t take it personally. It’s only a hunk of metal and a piece of plastic.

5. Are you trying to do a low fat version of your chosen plan? NO!

6. Have you been a yo-yo dieter? Yes! People who have severely restricted their calories in the past due to low-fat or calorie restricted dieting may find it difficult to lose weight initially. In this case, using low-carb as part of the process of metabolic healing will help. You will lose fat once your body learns to trust what you’re doing. Persistence will pay off.

7. Are you consuming any or all of these items on a regular basis? If you are, stop consuming them one at a time, for at least two weeks to see if it initiates weight loss.

• Processed meats, including bacon Once a week maybe.
• Caffeine Usually 2-3 times a week but not always.
• Cheese and dairy products An oz. of cheese every other day for a snack. An oz. every eve. in my salad. Cream (2 T.) in my 2 coffees on Sat. and Sun.
• Alcohol 5-6 on a weekend, Vodka or Rum w/ Diet Rite Cola
• Nuts and Nut Butters Quit these for the most part
• Peanuts and Peanut Butter Same.
• Artificial Sweeteners 1/2 a tsp. in my coffee
• Diet Drinks When I drink liquor, and 1-2 a day of Hansen's

• Protein Bars Atkins

• Low carb food products that imitate high carb food Atkins

• Eating a wide combination of food in one day As much as I can wth the limited number of carbs I can get away with

• Overly salty foods? Gave em' up. For example pork rinds? Processed meats? Hot links once in awhile.

• Sugar Alcohols Very little - go thru too fast.

8. Are you drinking at least 64 oz. of water a day, plus 8 more ounces for every 25 pounds you want to lose? Atleast 132 oz.

9.. Prescription drugs or hormones which impede weight loss:
• estrogens and most synthetic HRT's including birth control pills
• Anti-depressant drugs - Insulin and insulin stimulating drugs
• Anti-arthritis medications including steroids
• Diuretics and beta blockers

10. Underactive thyroid (hypothyroid) function which can be present when blood tests indicate no abnormalities Been tested

11. Ovewrgrowth of the yeast organism Candida albicans. Been tested

For more details on overcoming metabolic resistance, read Metabolic Resistance: Causes and Solutions, Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution, 2002 edition. Have

12. Often overlooked but are you getting enough sleep? Yes. Or, are you going through an unusually stressful period? Stressing over what is perceived as lack of progress, being to hard on yourself and obsessing on scales or Ketostix is stressful. ?

After going through this list, contemplate your answers and work out a strategy for yourself. Learning to low-carb is a steep learning curve and will reward you richly by becoming educated and more aware of your body and how it will function optimally.

Don’t be discouraged! Look at overall health and well-being instead of using your plan as a diet just to lose weight. Keep learning about what works for you. You’ll be better able to deal with all the “forks in the road” and “speed bumps” along your low-carb journey.[/QUOTE]

I know I need to go back to the basics, so I can start losing. I miss bread, that is my downfall.

Well, thanks for the info..it does help alot. I do drink alcohol and have shakes. I am going to cut out both and see if the weight loss increases.

Thanks!

Hi Karen,
I feel like one of your 'followers' -hahaha-but I want to jump in and say Thank you for your wonderful post...
I NEVER thought of Bacon as a culprit-but I DID NOTICE I cant lose weight when I eat it everyday (but I THOUGHT it was just to much sodium) ! & I defiently dont drink enough water!
I have been trying since December to lose 60 pounds & constantly keep stalling !
~I will definetly use some of your wonderful advice!

L-Carnitine & Water
 

I agree with you ladies on L-Carnitine and Water. I was not aware of the Caffeine thing though, but it makes sense. I have drinking the heck out of tea and cannot seem to lose more than a pound or two. Bye-bye Lipton teabags. It is too bad though, H2O can get BORING real fast. If I remember right Atkins states to take 500 mg of L-Carnitine before each meal. I just picked some up today at GNC because I am getting back on the program again.

I went from 292 down to 223 in about 4 months a few years ago. Oh my goodness. I felt like a new man. I WAS a new man. The wife couldn’t keep hers hands off me. But then routine crept up on me. I subconsciously started thinking "oh I think I am thin again" and I starting eating things that were bad for my Gila-monster like sloooooow metabolism. Well here I am again at almost 260 and more devoted than ever.

I did the basal test and sometimes my body temp will be 94 or 95 degrees in the morning. Seems kind of low to me but my doctors have sworn that there is nothing wrong with my T3 or T4 thyroid hormone counts. I just need to watch what I eat like a prison warden and not cheat myself. Discipline Grasshopper! Snatch the asparagus spear from my hand and advance to the 37th level.

I am glad I found this forum. Very inspiring. Thanks. LK

Hey Karen...if you spot this....

I saw some interesting questions about losing weight with l/c being harder the second time around. Couldn't find where that was answered anywhere here. Can you help me understand that?

I'm here again after nearly getting to goal...and gaining it all back again. I've been back on the wagon for 7 weeks with no loss. I can see that I may have to consider some of the issues you list in your sticky but would love to hear if there's an answer to that question.

Thanks a bunch!

Does this board still exist? :confused: I'm definitely a turtle searching desperately for help! :help:

Me too. I've seen your posts too, Kisal. I was hoping that you were doing better, but I guess not.

I'm feeling rather discouraged at this point. In the past month I've lost less than half a pound. It's like my body has decided to weight what I do no matter what I eat. Seriously, I could eat carbs and weigh what I do. I'm actually thinking about going back to that as it makes no difference.

i was thinking i could be a turtle too but since i read the post most likely not. i drink diet soda everyday and i am hypothyroid so i must try to change my ways and see thanks.

I think I have to declare myself as a turtle, and as a 2nd or 3rd or 4th timer as well. I keep looking for inspiration from the many people who are maintaining this woe and really knowing how much better it feels to have some level of control over your diet even tho not nessesarily over the weight loss. Faith is a big issue and commitment, I will survive. :agree:

Anybody Home?????