Hi Brian --
I was so glad to find your post about suddenly gaining weight after a year on LC, because the same thing has happened to me and I can't figure out how to turn it around again. Have you been able to get back on track again since your post a couple of months ago?
I started Atkins in March 2002 and lost 25 lbs over the next 9 months. But 6 months ago, I stopped losing and have gradually regained almost half the weight I lost. This is so discouraging!
I've been doing a fairly careful 20-30 net carb/day intake since I started, and haven't really made any big changes to what I eat. It's pretty much a routine now. The only changes I can think of are:
1) I discovered Ross low-carb chocolate bars a few months ago and am now addicted (1-2 bar per day habit
). I think I know what I need to do here, but it's so hard to go cold-turkey!! Did giving up sugar alcohols work for you?
2) We had a very harsh winter and my exercise level has really slipped from where it was (I was walking 4 miles almost every morning, plus occasional biking and upper body weight workouts). As the weather improves (will it ever? my furnace still kicks on every morning, and it's JUNE!!), my exercise will increase again. It already is -- I'm doing a 50K bike event this Saturday!
3) I have a new boyfriend in my life who is making me VERY happy! He's understanding about my LC eating habits, and is even considering trying it himself! But I wonder if happiness is somehow counter-productive for weight loss?
4) I started taking blood pressure medication last fall, Altace. Is this something that's known to interfere with weight loss?
My body is very resistant to weight loss at this point in my life. I have a history of yo-yo loss/gain, fueled by long bouts of semi-starvation dieting. I once lived for almost a year on less than 500 calories a day -- YIKES! I lost 50 lbs and looked great, but eventually collapsed from exhaustion. My doctor couldn't figure out what was wrong with me because I "accidentally" forgot to tell her about my strange eating habits.
I love LC eating -- it's good for my diabetes and blood sugar control, and I still feel great and full of energy. But unless I can figure out how to start losing again, or at least stabilize somewhere, I may need to try something else.
Thanks for any advice you can share!
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