i have been stalled now for a long, long time. actually, i have gone up a lb or two, then down a lb or two....but as of this morning, i think i weigh exactly the same as i did almost 9 weeks ago. i don't count calories at all....just carbs....and i am pretty sure i am right at 20-30 carbs a day. i can't seem to get back into ketosis....i wonder if not eating enough could cause that? my appetite has been decreased a lot since i've eliminated all that carb junk i used to throw into my body, but i wonder what is causing this. i took sunflower seeds off my salads last week, and i have an atkins candy bar 3-4 times a week, but that's about it! i do use some gum to combat the bad taste in my mouth, but i would find it hard to belive that a little gum (2/day -- and i count the carbs!) could stall me like this. i am basically eating the same things i ate since induction--but maybe less. any thoughts or tips? i just have a little ways to go, and i am very happy with my progress, but i feel discouraged right now.

Don't be discouraged. Here's a few things that leap out at me:

You've lost almost fifty pounds. Your body has to adjust to the new weight.
You are six pounds away from goal! The body always loses the last few very slowly.
Are you letting a number on the scale control you? I'm a size smaller than I was the last time I was this weight, and it hasn't budged in two months now...yet I still lose inches.
It might not be the weight you are at. If you exercise, everything gets firmer and you look even more slender. Though you might gain a pound or two.
The scale is only a NUMBER.

thanks. i haven't been measured for quite some time. i am very happy with the progress i had made, i guess i wanted to just go crashing down all the way to goal.....i don't know why the number is so important anyway. i think it has to do with the fact that i have become such a disciplined "eater" and i expect to see immediate results. i am pleased with my new eating habits, though! it is so nice NOT to be a slave to sugary junk!

1 other quick idea may be caffine I recently read that caffine mimics the sugar and plays with your insulin levels just the same. just a thought

I would try cutting back on the Atkins Candy bars. They still have sugar alcohols in them which may stall your loss.

Patrick