Hey,

I know I am not being patient, but I was hoping for some type of weight loss in the first 3 or 4 weeks of induction--it just isnt happening! I have been following quite carefully the "rules" with one little slip up over last weekend... I have yet to go into ketosis or anything near~and trust me i test all different times of day. I drink insane amounts of water, do supplements, and look for hidden carbs. Im an athlete, and have been a serious one for years... so I know its not a matter of "building muscle." I havent changed measurements either!!! The only reason I am being a baby about this is that I am having a huge birthday bash on the 12th and I really wanted to feel happy enough to wear a bathing suit. Because of past eating disorders, i know i could drop about 8-10 lbs before then, but it would be safe, and it would be following this WOE. I am just looking for a little tid bit of inspiration. .

BTW i have spent the last hour reading the "success" stories, and they have helped immensely. THose of you that have been doing this for months, or years, are truly and inspiration and motivation to me daily!!

thanks,

j

Posting menus will help. And you might not be burning muscle, but building it, your measurements should reflect that though. Are you getting enough calories, esp for being an athlete? Is there a chance you have a problem with metabolism or candidia from the past eating disorders? Have you been using fitday or another counter to be sure you aren't eating to much protien or accidental carbs?

Also you are 15%. You can expect to lose 10% of what you want in induction, then about 5% every month there after. Atkins is not a crash diet. It is ment to be a lifelong means of healthy eating. The weight will come off, but it is a slow healthy process.

thanks so much...

I really truly get thet this is not a crash diet-- i have had enough of those to know the difference. To tell you the truth, i came to low carbing as a way for me to constructively channel my food/body obsessions into something that didnt involve really damaging myself.

How much is too much protein?

Here is what i've had today:

Breakfast: scrambled eggs with pieces of steak mixed in, 1 tbspn cream cheese,

Lunch: spinach salad with ham cubes, egg, vinegar, seasoning

snack: red pepper slices with garlic butter, 3 slices of ham with mustard

dinner: a LARGE grilled chicken breast and 2 slices of zuchinni, grilled.

according to fit day, im getting about 1800-2000 cals a day, and less than 20 carbs!

Yeah, about the metabolism thing, despite being a Division I college athlete, I have the metabolism of a rock. To anyone considering super low fat or low cals: you will pay for the rest of your life if you do that to yourself!!!

thanks

j

Gatsbyjas, I just had to pop in to mention that your menu looks great! It looks quite healthy, good choices, with a good mix of protein, veggies, and fat. You're probably just not going to lose super fast and that's okay. With your past metabolism bouts, it's probably better this way anyway.

So yeah, keep eating veggies and enough fat and calories and you should do fine. And remember, you look WAY better in a swimsuit to everyone else than to yourself in the mirror. Body image is very obnoxious that way, but I bet your athletic physique is much more enviable than you give yourself credit. You're about my weight and height with way less body fat so I'd probably be one at the party checkin' you out and wishing I was athletic! Trust me.

Anyway, just my little two cents. Hope you continue along your low carb road with success.

Thanks for the encouragement.... it really does help keep my trying!

So, how much would be "too much" protein?
And, If im not losing or in ketosis, will i gain from this high fat diet?