Hi everyone -

First of all, this forum is wonderful. I've learned so much from reading all the posts, articles, recipes and other resources here. Most of all, I've been so encouraged by all of your stories, successes, struggles and especially the way in which everyone encourages each other!

That said, I'd appreciate any advice from all you Atkins experts.

Tomorrow is Day 7 of Induction, and I have lost NO WEIGHT. None. I'm discouraged because I know that there are women here who have lost 10-12 lbs during induction. I was feeling pretty down earlier tonite, but now I'd like to understand ways to improve my Induction "performance"....since it's easy for me to just feel sorry for myself and possibly break induction! grrrrr

Can you guys take a look at my journal and provide any feedback? Specifically, I'm wondering:

- Should I keep my calories at or below 2200? (~12 x my current weight)
- What is the best fat vs protein ratio?
- Am I eating anything that has caused other people to stall?
- I'm lactose intolerant, but to my surprise I haven't had any of the normal symptoms I get when I eat certain cheeses and definitely ricotta and cream. However, even if I don't show symptoms, could the dairy be creating a stall internally?
- There were two days that I went over 20g carbs, according to FitDay. If I go over 20g, does it mean I officially "restart" induction?
- I'm tempted to wait another week, and if I don't lose anything significant, I'll get a bottle of Xenadrine that's gotten some good reviews on this website. From the threads, it seems Xenadrine might kick start my weight loss. Any strong opinions on this?

I haven't been measuring myself, so I'm getting a measuring tape tomorrow. My clothes don't feel any different though.

I admit I'm not exercising. That could also be a factor. lol

I would greatly appreciate any advice!!! I envy you women who have lost 10+lbs during Induction!

Thanks alot -
Anshim

Hi in Texas,

just quick questions:

do you drink lots of water?
do you eat more salty foods than usual?
have you gone from lowfat diet to Atkins?
are you expecting TOM?

What it also could be: some people need longer time before the big whoosh. Please, hang on now, complete the induction. Believe me, you don't want to do it again.
I'll wait for your answers.
Alina

That sounds good. I wouldn't worry about calories too much at the beginning. Ketosis is a process that doesn't depend on a caloric deficit. Crazy, I know.

The generally recommended ratio is 65-70% fat, 25-30% protein, and 5% carbs. I find my foods usually balance about like this on their own, especially with good use of dressing, oil, and butter.

Sorry, didn't check for a journal. Common stallers though are sugar alcohols, aspartame, and dairy.

Interesting thought. It's quite possible. Do you take Lactaid or other enzymes to aid in digestion? Why are you eating cheese if you know you are lactose intolerant anyway, missy?

Nah. I would only recommend restarting induction if you eat bad (high GI) carbs or other things not on the allowed foods list. If you went over with legal substances by a few grams, I wouldn't sweat it.

I'd definitely wait until the end of induction to judge your progress. You just may be slow getting into fat burning mode. Once you're there, you may just be a fat burning engine! I'm not that into things like Xenadrine, so I'm not the one to ask. I would be afraid they'd mess with my metabolism in the long run. That's just me, I know some use them with success.

Phew... hope that helps a bit. I'll check out your journal. Alina's questions are up there too. Water is a MUST, salt and TOM will make you retain water, and going from low fat may mean your body is soaking up all the protein it can get right now for the first time in your life! That is a good thing.... it just may take a while for it to register on the scale.

Best to you!

Hi,

Sometimes processed meats can slow you down such as ham, salami and sausage that I noticed in your journal, otherwise I can just suggest that you really try hard to stay at or under 20g of carbs for induction. Stick with it - it does seem hard but you'll get there.

Cheers
Simone

Hi again!

I agree with Angela. Checked your journal, too - you should add some power veggies like broccoli or cauliflower and take it easy on cheese for a while.

About the importance of water...check this...
Visit my journal if you want, we can keep in touch and monitor your progress, which will certainly come soon!!!
See you soon, I hope.
Alina

The last time I did Atkins, the first week of Induction I didn't lose A THING. The second week....WHOOSH! I lost 6 or 8 pounds (can't remember which). Just be patient; by the end of the second week you may see results!

Remember to drink your water.

I'm on Induction again (just started last Wednesday 3/23) so I don't weigh/measure myself until tomorrow. Please, please, please let the tape and scale say I lost!!!!

I know, I know. I shouldn't let what the scale says affect me. But darn it, he's mean!

Hello everyone!

Alina, Skamito, sim1 and Spongebutt, thank you so much for your suggestions and encouragement!! It really means so much knowing that there are women out there who are knowledgeable and know what you are going through.

(by the way, how do you include quotes in a reply?)

Alina:
To answer your questions,
I average about 2 liters of water a day (approx 80-100oz). I'm definitely going to try and step up the amount of water I drink....my goal is a minimum of 4 liters a day.
I'm definitely eating more salty foods since I've started Induction. Besides chicken, most of my meats have been proccessed, deli meat. I don't usually eat this much processed meat.....I've been looking at the recipes section and I'll try some of the meatloaf/ground turkey recipes.
My previous eating habits weren't strict-low fat, really, though. And my TOM left right before I started Induction. I don't usually get PMS until about 1-2 weeks beforehand....but that's good to keep in mind.

I'll also take up your advice on eating more broccoli and cauliflower....steamed brocolli is soo yummy. Thanks Alina for your suggestions - I'll definitely check out your journal too!

Skamito:
No, I'm not taking Lactaid....I'm still surprised about my lack of symptoms. Usually, I get pretty sick from eating "fresher" dairy such as feta, cream, and sour cream. But now, I have no symptoms I can tell of. Could it be Atkins? In any case, even though I'm lactose intolerant, I LOVE CHEESE. You're probably right that I should cut back though. hee
Also, that's an interesting theory about my body absorbing all the protein......I'm glad that this WOE is doing something good for my body!

Spongebutt and Sim1: thanks for your encouragement! I hope I get *my* WOOSH too!

All of you, thanks again for your encouragement. I feel better again, and not as hard on myself as I was last night.

Thank you!!
Anshim

The easiest ways are to 1) hit the button below the users post labed Quote or 2) hit the button up top of your post field labeled Quote and cut and paste.

I'm definitely not an expert on lactose intolerance and its symptoms, but some people find that Atkins clears up candida yeast that breeds with high carbohydrates. There's a candida forum here... perhaps your problem isn't the lactose, but candida masquerading as lactose intolerance?

Glad to see you feeling good!

Thanks!!

Don't sweat it too much. I did not lose a darned thing till half way through my second week. It just takes some perserverance, you'll get there!

Thanks for the encouragement....I hope the pounds start leaving me soon!!!

Hi folks -

One more question....

Today, I cut out deli meat and cheese and increased my veggie count.

According to Fitday, I'm low on calories....I've been averaging 2270 calories a day, and today I'm down to 1437 calories!!! Also, my carb count is alot lower than previous days....17g, minus 6g fiber, leaving only 11g net carb!

I know the general rule is 10-12x your weight.....and at 1437, I'm definitely below that guideline. Should I "force" myself to eat something high in calories to meet 10x my weight? I'm feeling very full right now, and since my appetite is steadily decreasing, I wonder if there might be more days where I'm "low" on my calories.

What is the best thing to do if you're low in calories and carb count?

Thanks in advance for your help!!!

Anshim