I'm through week 3 of Atkins. I folllowed induction to the tee, except for caffeinated coffee during the 1st 14 days. By day 7 I was down 7 lbs. Then I gained 4. I started drinking decaf 7 days ago and am back down on the scales to the original 7 lbs. But I'm SO disappointed!! I have been in mod to heavy ketosis since day 3. Inches were coming off the first 2 wks, but that has stopped, too. I did this diet 3 years ago and lost 30 lbs. I take Levoxyl for hypothyroidism and have always battled yeast infections. I drink enough H2O to drown a fish and I do NOT want to eat nuts and cream cheese for 3 days!! HELP??

Hi Admasce! Welcome. Same thing happened to me when I was on induction, I lost and then gained it back. Can't explain it but then the pounds fell off again. Then I lose and then I gain.

That's why most people recommend that you take your measurements because sometimes the scale may not show losses and sometimes it may show gains but your measurements will tell a different story. Also, use clothes that are tight or don't fit now as a gauge. I can't believe I am saying this but don't take the weight on the scale so seriously.

If you are following the rules according to Atkins, if your are getting your veggies in, if you are eating your fat and drinking your water sooner or later the scale will cooperate. For example, remember that if you had too much salt the day before and weigh the next day and are up, it cold be the sodium. Also, you are not eating like prior to Atkins so how could you gain the 7 pounds back. Man I really know how it feels, believe me but the scale is not always accurate. Last week I put on 3 lbs could have been Aunt Flo but today I weighed and I am back down to 172.

Don't give up.

Peace
red

Hi there Adamsce, welcome!

Yes, as Red says, low carbing weight loss often occurs in ups and downs. But you are more down than up, well done!

Actually, you are right on target. We've found here that the most you can expect to lose on Induction is 10% of the weight you wish to lose, followed by 5 to 10% per month after that. So your 13% is above that range!

All the best to you!

Rosebud

One more thing: maybe the info on "whooshes" from this site may help.
http://www.jalilahsahar.com/whooshes.html

Rosebud

Rosebud, very interesting, reinforces my gut feeling(LOL) to just hang in there, when nothing moves, weight or inches! Thanks for that!

I think the one good thing about my losing weight so slowly (I was one of those who lost nothing for the first 9 weeks of induction) is that I can honestly attest to the fact that if you stay with the plan, you WILL eventually lose weight. Some people seem to whoosh the fat away in no time at all, but there are quite a few of us who lose very slowly - 1 pound or even 1/2 a pound a week on average. It seems a little unfair (to me , since I'm not one of those fast-losing-types), and requires a lot more patience and determination, but the weight will come off. If you get easily discouraged (been there, done that), my best suggestion is to put the scale away for at least a month. It's really hard to do, but you will be much happier and more motivated doing so.

Good luck!
Pam

I have lost almost every one of the 75 pounds I am down two or three times. I regularly lose a few pounds, gain a pound or two, lose a few more, etc. I've been doing this for 8-1/2 months and my progress has been uneven, but it continues in the correct direction. I no longer get upset when the scale is up a couple of pounds, because I know it will go back down again (as it did for you).

I'm not sure why you are disappointed that you lost 7 pounds in 3 weeks. Would you rather have those 7 pounds back? If you stick to this way of eating, you will eventually get to goal, but the speed at which you get to goal is out of your control or anyone else's control. If you don't stick to this way of eating, you will probably not get to goal. Remember, you are older than you were 3 years ago and your metabolism is different. You will not lose at the same rate you lost 3 years ago. To be successful at low carbing, you need to treat it as a change in lifestyle, not sa a race.