I am wondering if this is for me. This is third time I've done Induction in a year, and it surely works for weight loss. 10-20 lbs each time for me and I want to lose 50. However, I don't have that energetic feeling that is touted in the book - in fact, I'm a total slug. I am doing it all exactly right. But even worse, while I am not hungry, I am not satisfied at all. I'm doing it this time (7 lbs in a few days - water, I know), my plan is to get a good start on the weight loss for a couple of weeks, then switch to another diet that is not lo-carb. I cannot imagine not eating carbs for the rest of my life (limiting to 50/g/day). Are there some people that this just doesn't work for?

Thanks for any thoughts.

While I agree that there are some people that this eating style does not work for, I would not put you in that catagory. You know that you do lose when following this life style. Its just learning to stick with it. The tired feeling you are haveing my be your body still readjusting to the new eating style, or maybe you are lacking in vitamins? I am not sure it is a good idea to keep jumping from one eating style to another. This hasn't worked in the past, and you can't think it will work now. It is better to find one eating style, no matter what it may be and stick with it.

Remember Atkins isn't the only LC diet around. LCing obviously works for you in terms of losing weight - you might find one of the other diets is better in terms of how you feel - check out the orange quick link for a summary of other LC diets.

How long did you give yourself to get energy? I mean if you stayed on the diet for 2-4 weeks and were losing quite a bit in that time frame, you body is adjusting. I mean, this plan DOES work for you but you may be losing at a rate your body needs time to come to terms almost. Quite a shock going from eating badly to eating right. Also you should post a few days menus so we can see if you are actually doing it correctly. Not to say you aren't, but some people (me included before) do not do this right even though you lose weight. That is when the sluggishness and mood swings etc kick in. Hope you let us know. But then again, if you feel this isn't for you, there are a ton of othe LC plans out there that might suit you better(Check out the CAD/CALP forum). But thinking of starting on Atkins and then moving on to another plan, will most likely backfire as introducing carbs so early will do the same thing it did to you the three other times you stopped Atkins, MAKE YOU GAIN IT ALL BACK. Good luck to you and hope you come back on here and post your menus!

Hawaii...without knowing what exactly you were doing the other two times, we would just be guessing at why you felt the way you did. Were you drinking enough water? Taking the recommended supplements? Eating enough calories to sustain your BMR? How long did you stick with it each time before you felt the way you did?
If you could provide a few more details, it might help us help you avoid the same situation this time around.

Well you can get great variety at 50 grams a day. Those who follow the plan "right through to the end", most will tell you they are pretty darn close to eating what some would consider "normal". Meaning you can add in many of the foods you miss, but at "controlled and slowly added servings". If you are wanting a diet that will allow you to go back to eating the way some of us use to, then no it won't work. There is'nt a diet or plan out there that will allow us to go back to the old way of eating and maintain the weight loss. So it's important to get a clear mind about making changes for good.

Good Luck
Kathy

I'm a little confused. Why would I gain back all the weight from a low carb diet if I switch to another weight loss program? Isn't weight lost just that? If I don't put calories back into it, how would my body put the weight back on?

for one thing, carbs hold water, so if you reintroduce a high level of carbs you'll bloat and gain weight. Go back on LC, get rid of carbs, get rid of bloat aka water weight...endless cycle. Have to stick to one or the other. Try looking at other LC programs that aren't as low as Atkins and maybe you can find a happy medium!! Good luck in your search!

Nicole

Hawaii I am very new to this and just wanted to wish you luck.

The only advice I have has already been said.We must change our relationship with food and you need to find what works for you,but NO plan will allow anyone to continue eating the same way that put the weight on in the first place.

Stacy

I guess the best way to put it is that CArbs are what make most of us fat.............. I ate low fat for many years, no process foods, just good wholesome foods, yep I continued to grow and grow, could never figure out why til I discovered what Low Carb was all about.

Cheers kathy