I've been stalled for about 8 weeks, and in the last two weeks, have GAINED 4 pounds. I lost about 6 pounds in the first two weeks, and four pounds in the 4 weeks after that. Now I'm up to 143 again. I've convinced myself it's only water because I can't get my ring off in the morning and my hands feel puffy. This is not a TOM issue. The only thing I've changed recently, was add lemon slices to my water, because lemon is supposed to be a natural diuretic. I've also switched to Nu-Salt salt substitute.

Although I'm no longer on Induction per se, I still eat less than 30 carbs a day, drink the required amount of water, and have only added berries, nuts, and yogurt to the induction list. I cut pepperoni out (one of my favorites!) thinking the salt might be causing me to retain water. So far no change. My clothes are tight again ARG! I get my exercise by giving an hour masage each day, walking or riding my bike to the store 1 mile, playing racquetball, or Yoga/Pilates 2x per week. Should I switch to another plan that would work better for me?

Typical Day:

Breakfast: scrambled eggs with spinach, zuchinni, mushroom and garlic and parmesan cheese. Two slices of bacon. Decaf coffee with 1 TBSP cream.

Lunch: 1/2 c. full fat plain yogurt with 4-5 strawberries, a few walnuts, and one packet of splenda.

Snack: Iced Decaf and a protein bar (atkins) or some (8 or so) macademia nuts or a deviled egg.

Dinner: Chicken (sauteed in olive oil and garlic) or pork or beef, asparagus or brocolli, salad greens with red pepper, jicama, & sprouts.

Snack: Boiled egg or egg pancacke with sugar-free syrup.

My calories run about 1500. My fat is usually about 65%, protein is 30% and carbs 5%.

Any suggestions (rather than "me too!" posts) would be greatly appreciated.

Poetree,

You might try looking for sodium in your foods. I noticed you eat bacon and macademia nuts -- both can be loaded with sodium. (Do you use fitday?)

Also, if it's been hot where you live, you might just be reacting to that. Many people tend to hold fluids more in the warmer weather. Try increasing the amount of water you drink - your body may be responding to heat by hanging on to the water it gets. 64 oz may work during normal weather, but in the heat we all need to consume more water.

Hope this helps.

Joan

I agree with Joan. I have the same problem and I had to cut out my beloved macadamia nuts. You might try cutting out nuts and bacon and see if anything happens.

I know lots of people say taking a diuretic is not necessary on this WOE, but I take a "natural" water pill made by Sundown. I found it in the diet section with the Dexatrim and that other so-called diet garbage. But hey, it's working for me, so I'm going to continue taking it. And you only have to take 1 per day as opposed to 3 or more of some others.

If you're using fitday.com, try tracking your sodium intake in your custom goals. I don't normally salt my food, but I was amazed at how much sodium I was taking in with just the normal things I was eating.

Not giving medical advice here...just telling you what works for me.

Good luck!

and I agree with Scorp. A natural water pill does good things for me, too. get them at GNC.

I know that it's already been said, but, WATER! Funny how drinking water can rid your body of extra water, but it's true.

Another thing to note, artifical sweeteners tend to stall a lot of people, especially sugar alcohols. I actually have to count the full amount, not the 2 or 3 grams that the Atkin's bars suggest.

I did not see how much water you are drinking per day?

I fill two 33.8 ounce bottles (67.4 oz) and don't go to bed until they're gone. some days I drink a glass or two extra.

Thanks for your response. I actually haven't had any M nuts lately, though i did have some soynuts. You may be right about the heat...it's been really hot here lately and I got sunburned the other day...may be contributing to the water retention. IF all this is is water (sticking head in sand)

For what it's worth, parmesan is high in sodium, too.

Also, are you drinking bottled water? My allergist told me some time ago that if you drink tap water, the chlorine will make you lose fluid too quickly, so like not drinking enough, your body starts retaining fluid.

Just a thought,
Jinx

No matter how much water I pump or how much I limit the salt I retain water. At the health food store they have really good natural alternatives to help with getting rid of the water. The one I use is called K I think.

Whoa! I switched from bottled water to a Britta filter on the tap about three weeks ago...about the same time I started gaining/retaining water. You may have hit on something. I decided bottled water was to dern expensive so i would just filter it with carbon. You think???

Thanks for the epiphany Jinx! I'll switch back to bottled water and see if that makes a difference.

I did a search on chlorine and it turns out the britta filters out this chemical, so that's probably not it. Here's the link if anyone's interested:

post on water choices :