Can someone help me please? I started the Atkins on Aug 15 and can't seem to lose. I was on my own diet before and lost 25 lbs. I've stuck to the 20 gms. of carbs( usually less). I was told that it's ok to add the low carb chesecake, shakes, etc. which I did in moderation. I walk about 2 miles a day and I am in ketosis. What am I doing wrong? Thanks, Val

You are not doing anything wrong. It is your exercise that is not moving the scale. Your muscles weigh more than fat. Are your clothes fitting better? If not then give up the shakes and low carb cheese cake and see if that helps. They might be stalling you.
angie

Thanks alot.Do you think that because I lost over 20 lbs. on a lo cal diet before Atkins, that it's affecting my weight loss now? Should I exercise less? I was going to join Curves for the winter.

If you have been on a diet before low-carbing, then it may take more time to begin to lose. If I am exercising, then the scales may not reflect a loss for longer.

The best gauge of how you are doing is how your clothes are fitting. Don't worry about the scales if the tape measure or some piece of clothing that was tight.

Thanks alot but my measurements aren't budging either. Clothes fit the same, too.
Val

Hang in there. Have you read DANDR? Have you tried the suggestions in the book for High Metabolic Resistance? Have you given up Caffeine? Maybe too much cheese? Are you eating enough...too little calories or fat can cause slow loss too I believe. Remember not to try to do low carb and low fat together. Stick with it and you will ultimately succeed!

i second archie and saffron's opinion. i also recommend reading Dr. Atkins book and following it as gospel.

please post your typical menu and approximate portions, and we'd love to help!
plus, are you on any medications?
do you drink alcohol of any kind on a regular basis?
how much water are you drinking?
do you have any chronic illnesses?
have you ever had a yeast problem or thyroid trouble?

more info!! i haven't found a question yet that doesn't have an answer. tell me more- i want to see you succeed!

Thanks to all of you! I'm wondering if this diet is good for my ulcerative colitis. I'm on asacol(3 pills per day). I used to take 9 a day but cut back. Today I'm having a severe attack - hope it's not all of the fat I'm eating. I drink about 6-7 sometimes 8 glasses of water but it's a struggle- hate the taste, constantly running to the bathroom, and too much gives me a stomach ache! I was a heavy coffee drinker before Atkins but did cold turkey switch to 1 cup decaf with terrible withdrawal. I've read both of Atkin's books, and I don't drink. As a help to you I went on Atkins Diet in the early 70's and dropped to 108! I know that it will work again.

valespo,
Ulcerative Colitis sucks. It lead me to having surgery to have my entire colon removed. Now life is wonderful again. The only other person I have ever come across that has seemed to have escaped the pain and misery of UC says she gave up Wheat, Wheat products of any kind and anything with even a trace of Wheat. I haven't seen her for some time but at the point she told me about it she hadn't had a flare up in months! For me that was unbelievable! I suspect that if I had started eating this way many years ago that I wouldn't have had UC.
Be carefull because if it is severe you can begin to lose weight unintentionally which is not fun and rather scarey. See if your doctor understands Atkins. Ask him/her about wheat issues and see if you can learn anything. Don't do anything without the input of a good doctor. They are by no means always right but they can give you one educated view. Hang in there.

Here is my usual daily menu-
Morning- 1 cup decaf with 2 TBSPS Light Cream
3 eggs scrambled with 1 TBSP light cream and 2 oz. mozzarella and cheddar cheese(combined), cooked in butter
Lunch - I boil a skinless chicken breast in the microwave.chop it up and add mayo; or I have 1or 2 cans of tuna(in water) mixed with mayo. Sometimes I eat an Atkins Breakfast bar as a dessert or mid morning snack.
Dinner- Either steak,hamburger, fish or chicken breast ( last two cooked same as lunch in microwave), 2-3 cups iceberg lettuce with 1/4 sliced cucumber( dressing is mayo/wine vinegar mix) or 1-2 cup salad and 1 cup canned string beans cooked in butter.
I was eating no sugar/no carb cheesecake,atkins shakes, and candy bars, but rarely more than a small taste and not everyday.other than the cheesecakes the others I just taste tested for future use. BTW,they're all excellent!

Thanks, Archie - Luckily, I have ulcerative Proctitis which doesn't usually involve the whole colon. My other doctors said Atkins was ok for only 3-4 months because they are not sure of the long term effects! Over 30 years ago I lost about 40 lbs. on it and I'm still kicking!LOL I don't always trust the doctors because they treated my mom for Parkinsons and depression with tylenol and ritalin when she really had lung cancer. no one took an xray and she was going to the "experts". didn't get morphine until the last 6 days of her life.
Val

HI - I just tried fitday and found out that I'm eating about 68% fat and 30% protein and only 15 g carbs. Still not losing and had a bad attack of colitis. What gives?
Val

Anyone on who can read my posts and help me?

First of all cut out the Atkins bars, they can stall some people. I would also reduce the amount of cream you're having. Check your mayo and be sure it doesn't have sugar as an ingredient or contain carbs. Homade mayo is fun to experiment with and only requires a blender.

68% fat is a good percentage, most try to get between 65-70% on induciton. It's good you are having a snack. What you might try is eating 6 smaller meals a day instead of 3 larger ones. That really helps me.

Your percentages look good, but how many calories are you having? Nothing stalls me faster then getting my calories to low. It's easy to do on high fat because you feel full much sooner.

You also only have 33 pounds to lose. While it may seem like a lot to you, it isn't that much and means things will go slower. During induciton you can expect to lose 10% of the weight you need to, and 5% every month after, so 3 pounds would be an average induction loss.

You might want to explore different veggies as well. Darker lettuces have ahigher nutricional content then iceburg, and I think taste a ton better. Spinich added to an omlette tastes great and gives you a good dose of potassium and iron.

Are you taking proper suppliments btw? A good multivitamin is a start. Many on LC need potassium/calcium and magnesium as well.
With the tuna you may want to read up on mercury poisoning, esp if you are having quite a few cans a week. Last months readers digest had a great article by the doctor who has been working to raise awarness about high murcury levels.