Hi, all. I started Atkins on November 7, 2003. After a week and 2 days I had lost 13 pounds!! On the 9th day we had a banquet at church. I decieded to allow myself to cheat and to make it up in the gym that night. I had a small piece of lasagna, and two pieces of pound cake,,the best pound cake ever!! Well, its been 3 days, and I havent gained anything, but I havent lost either. Usually when I feel I have overeaten I drink extra water which is why I think I didnt gain. But I work out 4 times a week. 45 minutes cardia and 45 minutes weight training. This really sucks. I was thinking of cheating on Thanksgiving, but if I start losing again, I will NEVER EVER cheat again. I dont ever want to mess this up.
Anyways, I have a question. Before I started atkins, I was addicted to food. I just loved the taste of food. But now that I've started this diet, I am almost never hungry. I have to make myself eat. Anyone else? It took a couple of days to break the habit of eating at certain times, as opposed to eating when I was hungry. I also had tried the low-fat, low-calorie diets before, and even going to the gym I had never been able to lose weight that way. I see atkins as a God-sent.

Never say never Odds are all of us cheat at one time or another.

I personally shy away from the word cheat. Most people associate that word with *diet* and for me this is a way of life. I occasionally allow myself a treat here and there, sometimes within my alloted carbs, sometimes not, but I consider it life, not a cheat per se.

One of the wonderful things about Atkins is ketosis and the lack of appetite that comes with it. So to answer your question, yes, this is normal!

Stay focused and you CAN do it! 13 pounds in less than a week and a half is great! Your body will sometimes slow down after a big weight loss, it is common to not lose anything at all in the weeks following induction. Everyone is different. Good luck to you and welcome to the forum!

The really cool thing about Atkins is you are allowed to eat really great foods that you were denied in the past making you eat foods that helped get you to the overweight status.

Just eat whenever you want, eat the right food and lose weight. I too LOVE food, more the texture than anything. I enjoy some foods merely because they feel good in the mouth and offer some bite or crunch.

Okay, I never said I was not a strange one.....okay.

As far as cheating is concerned. Who really cares if you cheat or whatever you call it. In the end, the only person that should care is yourself. If you think it is okay to eat whatever you want, that is not a cheat. It's just what it is......

So eat, be happy, share the smaller you with the larger them and show yourself you can do it.

Can I get an Amen?

Max

Amen! Nice picture, Max!

Thanks, I got a big head but at least it is covered with hair I came into the world with........

Max