I was on the Atkins diet about 4 years ago, and lost about 75 pounds. Well, one thing led to another (it always did, you know), and before I knew it, I had gained all that weight back and about 35 more to go with it. So, then I get married, and my wife and I try to start Atkins...and try...and try some more. In reality, before we started this diet last month, we had tried about 5 other times, and never lasted past a few weeks.

So here's the rub: Since we bounced off and on the diet, is it possible that we have sabotaged ourselves into a slower, or possibly less-effective Induction phase? I remember that during my last real foray into this WOE (wasn't a WOL then to me, should have been though), I lost almost 50 pounds in the first 8 weeks. Doesn't look like that will happen this time. I was down 18 pounds at week 3, and thought I was booking...all of a sudden, I turn up at my weekly weigh-in and have lost only 1/2 pound (wife lost only 1/4). Both of us are frustrated.

Anyway, to sum up my question, Does yo-yo'ing off and on the diet make it less effective, or less efficient?

Thanks guys for all of your help.

SOme people say that yes-it will become more ineffective the more you bounce back on and off of it. In addition, lots of us have had a "slow down" in week 3. Seems to be some kind of pattern. You should also take measurements as well as weigh-I find that I either shrink or lose weight-not both at the same time. Even if your scale isn't moving, your tape measure might be.

I started Atkins on Dec 01, 2003. I just decided to take it slowly and see what happens. Well I've just gotten over a 4 week stall. The scale did not move, the tape measure did not. I did not do anything wrong, did not cheat, but slowing down happens. Yes, it is very frustrating, but in the end you will see changes.

I think you are asking if our bodies actually become adjusted/immune to the low carb so that it's less effective????
pardon my comparison, but kind of how rats and mice become immune to rat poison, or even how our bodies are becoming immune to some antibiotics. Is that kind of what you are asking, because if it is, that is very interesting, and wonder if anyone would know this!?!?!

Heidi

I wish I had the link to an article I read about the exact same problem.... The author went into a lot of detail about how you get a "golden shot" with low-carb, where weight loss is fast and easy... If you go off, then try again, you supposedly won't get the same "bang for your buck", but you WILL lose on the plan. It will just be a slower pace.

Don't give up, it'll work!

Here Potatofree ... is this the article you were referring to?

http://www.lowcarbluxury.com/goldenshot.html

Yes..that's the one!