I haven't posted here in months, because I'm so embarrassed and frustrated with myself. I began Atkins in July 2003, lost 20 lbs. in the first 2 months, and 10 more lbs. over the following 2 months for a total of 30. Now I've been playing with the same 5 lbs.(150-155) since Thanksgiving because of my old habits. I am 20 lbs. to goal and our summer vacation is 5 weeks away starting on June 19. Here's the BIG question: Can a person conceivably lose 20 lbs. in 5 weeks? Is this a pipe dream? I have done the Atkins fat fast on only two occasions for really big carb overloads (as opposed to my regular small cheats which have kept me stuck at 150-I'll stall somewhere around 40-50 g carbs). The fat fast was superb for taking off the extra water weight, and I wouldn't gain when transitioning back into induction and as long as I stayed there. Excess weight only happened when I would get near the 40-50 mark again. What I was thinking about was eating only meats, eggs, and cheese until the vacation. I am not a huge fan of the fat fast because of the lack of true meals. I DO love my veggies, and have practically become a gourmet chef at preparing most any of them. I've eaten healthy since last year and I feel great, I just need to get the last few off. I would be willing to give up the greens if it would help speed things along. I know some people around town here who started Atkins, not really knowing what they were doing, and dropped ALL their weight quickly by eating this way. If I continue my supplements (I take all the recommended ones) should this be "doable" and safe within a 5 week time frame ?

I guess I should mention that for the past month I have upped the exercise to 6 days a week from 3 previously. I walk 4 miles in 1 hour M,W,F and do the Firm Body Sculpt and Ab Sculpt on T,Th,Sat. My shape has changed tremendously, and friends and family thought I had already lost the rest. Nope. Still stuck at 150!!!

I don't use LC treats anymore, and all I drink is water. I know I'm not stalled; that's not what I'm asking. I'm wondering if I cut the carbs WAY low, and don't cheat at all if this might be attainable.

Need lots of feedback on this one ... somebody please give me something to go on here!

Well first of all congrats on your loss. Also need to change your stats (always fun to update) not an expert at the least but this is what I would do, Change the way I exercise, sometimes you get into a routine and you don't work your body enough. Switch up your ways of excerise. water intake, up that too. As far as lowering carbs, hmm well i personally wouldn't get too low, seems most on this fourm have stalled up when decreasing to low low carb intake. Hope you make it to your goal, and have a great vaca!!!!

I wouldn't try to live on eggs, meat and cheese for 5 weeks. That would seem to be a recipe for missing the vacation due to illness....

I think your body is reshaping and since you've had people noticing, thinking you've lost it all, why not keep doing what you're doing and not worry about the number on the scale? I understand the drive to get that number down, but in the scheme of things, you're the only one who sees it anyway.

It sounds like you're building a healthy, trimmer body. Keep up the good work!

re-read the chapter on the fat fast... As the doctor says, it is DANGEROUS to do, so it's only a last resort for the severely metabolic resistant. It doesn't sound like you fall into this category, it sounds like you just have a problem with cheating.

Your best bet is to go back and do a super-strict induction and continue the exercise. You probably won't make your goal, and that is a good thing. 4 pounds a week is not a healthy speed to lose weight. one to two pounds is much better.

Also, have you checked your measurements? With that level of working out, you probably built some muscle which weighs more that fat. This extra muscle will help burn fat in the long run, so it's a good thing.

--nw