I have finished my first three weeks and am reviewing my stats this morning to keep me on track.

This is what I have learned so far.
1. I need to pick up the Atkins Carb Counter because just one item I have been using (the spinach) was putting me over. In
order for me to have a true Carb count based on what Atkins carb levels I have to use his scale and not the packaging from the store. Don't trust the package. EVEN on spinach ! Wow

2: Try to stay in my CCLL because even the chart says I should be able to eat up to 40 and continue to lose .....But my body is saying Forget it Baby! So I have learned to keep this fat roll rolling I need to stay at 20 to 25 (accounting for the slight increase because of me underestimating the spinach and still loosing)

NO guessing since it is so easy to fall out of that critical range. This is personal for everyone.but I am posting mine here for everyone because I have learned that even though I lost 10 pounds the first 2 weeks I have stalled a couple of times during both the second and 3rd week and I think I can see it is directly related to when I take in more carbs then I think I have. Or get just above my critical carb level.

A hidden carb for me was the spinach and although The chart in Atkins says I have low to medium metobolic resistence due to the fact I lost 11 pounds the first 2 weeks. I am finding I just can't move it up above the 20 to 22 range without gaining. So I am going to stay there and prevent more stalling which can only lead to discouragement . NO Quitting now. I know it works and I feel great just have to fine tune.

I have just reviewed my last stall to see what is stopping me.
I go up and down everyday but weigh the same this morning as I did last Sunday. 1-19-2003.

Weight carbs
224 19 Lost
222 15 Lost
221 19 Lost
220 28* Gained
221 22 Lost
220 23 Maintained
220 29* Gained
221 50* WOW Gained DUH!!!
222 22 Lost
221 35 Maintained
221

As we can all see I am losing between 19 and 22 a day and gaining above that. I am going to recalculate the CCLL level for me though because I just found out this morning that the spinach I have been using in my salad is much higher then the romaine. The spinach bag says 1 gram per cup but Atkins book says 4 per 1/2 cup That is a big difference . I am going to go with the Atkins count and since I enjoy my salad I am going to switch back to romaine lettuce and make more ceaser salads instead . I isn't worth if for me to have the small amount of tomato and carrot that has been in the salad up to this point .I have been picking them out. I am going to rely on more romaine and radishes instead of carrots for the crunch. Reminds me I have a recipe for a salad we love that is Low Carb with an olive oil and mustard dressing .I will find the recipe and post it later.

Well I find it easy to be long winded as you can see but that is it for now. Correct carb counts and Critical Level for me to keep losing. I wanna be a loser for the first time in my life!!!

Debbie