May be Saying Goodbye like Mitze

[AussieGal]

As some of you know, my weight loss hasn't been huge - in 3.5 weeks, I've lost 3.3 kgs or 7 lbs. That is only 1 kg or 2 lbs per week. I certainly look different - every single part of me has lost weight, but I guess I rely on the scales every morning (it's too hard to give up weighing myself daily - I've done it for years!). Today, I had a gain of 3g or .1 oz - yes, I know it sounds minimal but I don't like to see the scales go up at all when I am trying hard on the diet. I want to see them fall every day.

I've been on Induction all this time, except for today, I added some extra veg.

Anyway, I was talking to my eldest daughter tonight and she said a diet of all fruit, vegetables and wholemeal bread would make me lose weight extremely fast. You may know I want to lose it fast because of my other daughter's wedding in 3 weeks and having to walk her down the aisle. After that, the speed of weight loss won't matter.

IF my weight hasn't dropped tomorrow, I might consider the foods she said. But I was wondering if there may be a physically bad reaction of changing from Atkins to all fruit, veg and wholemeal bread suddenly?

If anyone doesn't hate me for thinking of stopping Atkins, would you like to comment on the immediate effects if any, of the sudden change of foods in my body.

I have felt a lot of tiredness on Atkins too, and don't know if fruit, veg and bread would change that.

It's 10 p.m. here and I have to go to bed but will be back in the morning to read any replies.

Thankyou all

[Scooterjam]

'Act as though it is impossible to fail' hmm ever heard that before?

Anyway, if you are considering changing gears at this point, expect to see a weight gain +, however, if your heart is not in it, or you do not believe it the plan then you are going to fail. This isn't for everybody, I don't believe you have given yourself or your body enough time to adjust to this way of life. My doctor is absolutely pro what I'm doing. My energy is off the roof, my blood levels couldn't be better, yes, I still need to lose more, and I will.

You keep referring to this as a diet. It is a WAY OF LIFE, if you're looking at it like a 'quick fix diet' you're already setting yourself up.

Sorry, I read alot of these posts, and still don't get it. We say, don't ride the scales every day, people still weigh in the morning, the afternoon, the evening and then get freaked out because they weigh an extra .3 gram of fat. This is why we weigh 1 a week.

Nobody can make you do this, you have to want to succeed for yourself. Remember 'Act as though it is impossible to fail' those are your own words.

Best of luck and I hope you have a wonderful time at your daughter's wedding, I'm sure she will love you no matter. Focus on that!

Best Wishes!

[AllieRichie]

Hi AussieGal! I'm sorry you have seen the results you were hoping to see. I am not the expert at this diet, but I am surprised you are not feeling more energy by now. I think you will probably just gain the 7 lbs back that you had lost on Atkins once you start eating your fruit and bread. When i'm on the induction phase and bite into a illegal carb, within minutes my body feels different, in a good way. Like I have regained consciousness. It feels good, but personally I get upset at myself for quitting especially when I see the lbs. come back.

Maybe you can try out Weight Watchers for the next 3 weeks. If i were you, i'd just focus on working out, getting a good tone for now. Either way, I agree with ScottJam: your daughter will love you no matter what weight you are.

Good luck with what you choose!

[attek]

It sounds to me as though you're looking for a crash diet. Two pounds a week is perfectly reasonable for any regular diet plan. Atkins is not a crash diet, and so I wouldn't expect to see your weight loss increase dramatically in the next 3 weeks.

I have no experience with crash diets. I think you would have some blood sugar issues if you immediately switch to a fruit, bread, and vegetable diet. It might be very difficult for you to control the amount of food you're eating. You will very quickly lose the appetite suppression that you should be experiencing right now with ketosis. It could be very hard to keep from gorging on the bread. Hopefully there is some sort of portion control suggestions. On the plus side, nutritionally it sounds better than some of the crash diets I've heard of. You would be getting nutrients from I presume a variety of healthy sources.

You sound desperate to me, as I might be feeling in your shoes. Whatever you decide to do for the next three weeks, I would recommend you keep reading the messages on this board. At that point you could re-evaluate whether this might work as a long-term eating plan for you.

And by the way, you might feel a lot less tired if you progressed to a higher number of carbs on OWL. Induction level carbs are quite simply not enough for me to feel very energetic on, either.

[Jace]

When I first started Atkins, my roommate tried doing it along with me once she saw my induction losses...after losing 15 lbs herself she decided not to continue and instead went to try Weight Watchers...(she just couldn't handle giving up alcohol for any length of time )

After seeing what happened to her...there is a couple things you'll want to consider before switching to another way of eating...

1)It took her body a couple weeks to adjust to the new system and during those 2 weeks she gained about half of what she had lost on Atkins back.

2)If the wedding is in 3 weeks you're most likely looking at going to it a few lbs heavier or at the very best, the exact same as you are now because of the time it will take your body to adjust and get into the new diet plan you're choosing and the possibility of gaining back a few lbs during that adjustment period.

3)Almost immediate return of cravings and hunger pangs between meals. She had a really hard time managing her eating because she was always starving.

4)Decreased energy...she completely quit exercising because she was always too "drained" and tired.

You have to remember that there are no quick fixes...there is absolutely no eating plan out there that will allow you to go to bed one night and wake up at your goal weight....no matter what you do it requires time and commitment and doing things like weighing yourself everyday is a quick way to set yourself up for failure.

However, as per your questions...the above effects that I listed were the only ones my roommate experienced, but as everyone is different I can't say they are exclusive or typical.

Best of luck on whatever you choose to do!

~Far la bella figura!

[mitzimarie]

Originally Posted by AussieGal

That is only 1 kg or 2 lbs per week. I certainly look different - every single part of me has lost weight, but I guess I rely on the scales every morning (it's too hard to give up weighing myself daily - I've done it for years!).

First, I sincerely don't mean to sound like I am preaching. But look at your own words... you look different and every single part of you has lost weight! So what if the scale has not moved?

I work in a small clothing boutique. While "vanity sizing" runs rampant in many brands of clothing nowadays, this boutique carries brands that are true to size. I can't tell you how many beautiful women I have seen try on awesome clothes, but refuse to buy them because they simply will not buy something that is over a size X (insert whatever obsessive number they have in their head). Why in the world would they pass up a stunning outfit just because they are hung up on a number? When they admit that this is the single only reason they won't wear the clothes, I can hardly hold my tongue!

Having said that, I also want to say that I am pretty much convinced that lots of different diets (ways of eating) will work, it is just a matter of finding and sticking with what works for you. Everyone is different. I have tried the fruit/vegetable/whole grain thing, and it didn't work at all for me... too many cravings and didn't reduce my belly like low-carb does. Plus, I had to eat a ton more to feel satisfied. But, only you can determine what is working for you.

I guess my point is, please don't get hung up on numbers!! Please don't let that be the driving force behind your decision. And, I have a request for you. If you do decide to change over, please come back here and let us know how you are doing. I am curious if you are going to see more results on the "carby" way of eating.

No matter what, we are behind you!

Mitzi

[sadie147]

If you are really leaving behind this woe, careful with the fruit, fruit does contain sugar, When you eat a carb, such as fruit or whole grains, you must also make sure you balance it with protein and fats, or you will cause blood sugar instability. You really do need protein on any eating plan. you're 'fruits veggies and bread' plan will need protein added to it.

A loss of 1-2 lbs per week is what is recommended for healthy weight loss, and that is exactly what you are losing. I really wouldnt' recommend following any diet plan that promises more than that. Maybe if you stayed with the way you are eating now, but upped your exercise, you may see more loss in inches?

First, I sincerely don't mean to sound like I am preaching. But look at your own words... you look different and every single part of you has lost weight! So what if the scale has not moved?

I agree completely!!!!

[The Procrastinatrix]

You may know I want to lose it fast because of my other daughter's wedding in 3 weeks and having to walk her down the aisle. After that, the speed of weight loss won't matter.

Your main question has been addressed by others, so I'm going to comment on the quote above.

It sounds like the underlying thought process is you must look a certain way while walking your daughter down the aisle. Does that that come from within you or from someone telling you that? It's your daughter's wedding and you're her Mother and you love her and share her joy on this very special day. None of that has anything to do with your weight, size, appearance, etc. No one's perception of beauty should interfere with that, including you own. Please understand that you are beautiful right now, this moment. You won't be anymore beautiful when you've achieved your goal weight. You'll weigh less and feel healthier. But make no mistake: Your true beauty (as a Mother, as a woman, as a good person) is with you now!!!

Your continued health and well being can be achieved through the Atkins WOL or even with some other plan, but it will not be achieved unless you stick to one plan or another. Pick the plan you think will work for you and and stay with it. If I were in your shoes right now, I'd keep working on my new Atkins way of life, and start getting used to the idea that I may not lose as much weight as I hoped before the wedding, and that it doesn't really matter.

Whatever you decide to do I wish you the very best of luck and success! I hope your daughter's wedding day is as wonderful as she dreams it will be!

[AussieGal]

Thanks scooterjam - my dog's name is Scooter, he's a cute Maltese X Fox Terrier, 9 months old

Thanks Allie - I do agree I don't exercise enough. This morning, after a couple of sedentary days, I was up another gram. Today, I am going for a long, very brisk walk to the doctors, for a prescription. I am also due to have my 3 monthly blood test after having breast cancer in 2005, and it will be interesting to see if there's ANY change in the results. Of course, I don't mean cancer (it checks for signs of tumours), but also checks cholesterol, kidneys, liver, blood reds/whites etc. So far, everything has been perfect, and if the results come back that good this time, I will know Atkins is a pretty good thing. Yes, I (and my eldest daughter) have been quietly concerned over the huge amount of fat I eat - bacon dripping with fat straight from the frypan to my plate with no draining paper used (so unheard of before Atkins!) I will get the test results maybe by Friday. Also, I'm pretty sure the long walk today will give me a good number on the scales tomorrow.

Thanks attek - I started on the first rung yesterday... it was time to end Induction for sure.

Thanks jace - I certainly don't want to increase weight, so I guess I will stick to Atkins.

Thanks mitzi - I AM really glad that every part of me is thinner, especially my flat belly I want to keep that!!!!

Thanks sadie - everything you say makes sense, and if I ever do change to a fruit, vege and bread woe instead of Atkins, I will make sure I have proteins and fats at the same time to stop any blood sugar instability. Again, yes, I do need to exercise more.

Thanks Procrastinatrix - your comments brought tears to my eyes, as it was emotional... thanks for the nice things you said

I will stay with Atkins till the weekend at least, and with more exercise, then see if I am happy enough. Well, time for some bacon and eggs for breakfast!

[kylie]

Hi - I just wanted to pop in and say that Dr. Atkins recommended at least 6 weeks before using new bloodwork to evaluate the success of his plan...so if you have been doing Atkins for less than that amount of time, you may see changes that you think mean Atkins is bad for you just because of the time elapsed...I know I have read in depth postings about this but haven't found them again. Now, obviously I am not suggesting that you change your blood tests that are already scheduled - I just wanted to make sure you know that after only 3-4 weeks on Atkins, your results might not be evident in your bloodwork yet. I will see if I can find some of those other posts for you.