Encouragement needed

[TeresaH]

Please help. I've been lurking for a while and decided to join the board. I started Atkins this past Monday.

A little history of me: I used to weigh 320lbs. I lost 135lbs and got down to 185lbs but it was really hard to keep off. Believe it or not, I am one of those people that eats like a bird, my biggest sin probably skipping meals and I would eat too many carbs when I did eat.

So, over time, my weight creeped up to 230 again and I REFUSED to let that happen. So, I dieted and 10lbs came off pretty easily. That was three months ago. I've been stuck at 220 forever.

The morning I started Atkins, I weighed 218. So yes, I know I am not supposed to but I got on the scale this morning. I am in tears. I weigh 220.

Am I forever bound to weigh between 218-221?

I am in full ketosis - dark purple stick.

I am drinking plenty of water though the first three days, I was having one diet dr pepper in the mornings. (I cut that out just in case caffeine is an issue for me... though it wasn't going from 340 to 185).

I understand plateaus, but I am frustrated to tears. Please encourage me. Please tell me this is going to work. I have NO trouble with discipline, following the diet to a tee.

Please help... encourage me, please.

[Tiggerdagibit]

First off.. welcome! I'm glad you finally decided to join.

You can do this and it WILL work! It might just be water retention from foods you've eaten. Is TOM in sight? Are you on any meds? How much is plenty of water? Are you eating any bars or shakes? All of these things can affect you. Try posting some meals for review in that forum. Maybe someone can spot a problem. Have you measured? I haven't lost much weight, but the inches are coming off. It hasn't yet been a week.. stick with it hon!

[Ms Blue]

Awww, we all get stuck, frustrated and annoyed by what seems to be our lack of sucess. First of all congrats on your big weight loss. Hon, if you can do that you'll be able to do this. I too have been discouraged because I am deep purple and have not seen the scale move down. However, we just need to cut ourselves a break. I am a little ocd and tend to weigh myself like 5 times a day. I am going to take the week off from weighing and see what happens. You try it too. You said you are disciplined in your eating, so let's try not weighing for a week and see what happens. I am about the same weight as you and I have a ways to go myself to get where I want to be. We are not destined to be at this weight. We are gonna lick this! You certainly aren't alone here! Hang in there! Just remember when you get down, depressed or discouraged there are a ton of people to pick you up or prop you up until you get strong on your feet and can pay it forward. We all want success, for ourselves and each other (including for you!). We'll come out the otherside feeling and looking better, you wait and see!

[TeresaH]

Thank you for responding Brandi. I am drinking about 80-100oz of water per day. I have been reading on here and I am going to try the fitday to see if that can help me figure out if I am doing anything wrong.

It is not TOM, in fact, it is middle of month, so I am wondering if others retain water during that time.

I will have to admit that I do see a slight difference in my clothes (it has only been a week) and the other thing that I forgot to mention is exercise.

I am working with a trainer two times per week and doing cardio 3 times per week. I can understand gaining muscle (muscle weighs more than fat) but it just seems odd that I would gain 2lbs in 5 days vs. losing.

Thank you for the encouragement. The one promise that I have made to myself is just to stick to it. I will not quit because of this plateau. I just won't. I've done that 5-6 times over the last three months and I'll never get anywhere with that behavior.

[Mickkey]

I'm a newbie myself Teresa (actually second timer) but, first off, you've lost 135 lbs in the past, and no one would know better than you it can be done. That's amazing. So now you have enough determination to keep it off when it starts creeping up again, and you seem totally dedicated to get it off. Again, amazing.

Your scale weight went up a few pounds and that could be nothing but water retention. You've only been dieting for a few days... don't be so hard on yourself, it will work, give your body some time to adjust.

Have you done the Atkins diet before? I've tried other diets in the past, mainly low-fat and actually Gained weight. I know this diet works if you follow the rules, and do it exactly as it's layed down. I've seen people on here who have lost tremendous amounts of weight on this diet. Go look at the before and after picture forum, it helps.

If you're in full ketosis, then you're doing Something right. I truly believe that if you follow this correctly and stay with it, it Has to work even if it takes longer for some than others.

You Know all this I'm sure. Just try to be patient, it's very hard sometimes when dieting. You can do this, just don't give up.

[deber26]

GIRL!!!! First, YOU GOTTA COME OUT WITH BOTH GUNS COCKED AND FIGHT THIS BLAH MOMENT!!!!! Many things could be going on right now with you. And Guess Numero Uno might just be water retention - could be TOM, could be something salty you ate - could be that you're body is getting used to taking in more water so it's just letting it hang out for a while. Really, karate chop "whoopa!" and stuff. Maybe get up and do a happy dance because you've already made the decision and are acting upon your decision to lose weight! That's smoothe like melted butter on glass! Awesome! The first little while is a series of up and down emotional battles - but your learning. We're all learning. The more you learn about your body - the better able you'll be to have the "a-ha" moments and pinpoint what just happened. So don't sweat this. This is just week one. YOU HAVE THE WHOLE REST OF YOUR WONDERFUL LIFE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ALREADY DECIDED YOU WANT TO GO. Isn't that great!?

Second stop beating yourself up. You just joined a wagon train of folks just like you who are learning how their bodies respond in this diet. And that you *just* got started means you're in the genesis of your new weight loss regime. This is a lifestyle that will change more than your life - it will change your outlook. And you've chosen it. Stick to it and it will make dramatic changes. To quote a woman I know "jeez-o-peet" you already lost so much weight! So it's obvious you have amazing willpower! That's awesome!

Third "Eating like a bird" is such a funny statement....birds eat ALL THE TIME. They have to to maintain their body's metabolism. So if you're eating in super small amounts - your metabolism is probably really slow right now. So start eating more like a bird. Eat until you feel your hunger subside. Eat according to the regime laid out in the book. Stick to your induction foods and move through the rungs. Make sure you're getting your water and make sure you're moving around in your day...and I promise, the next times you look at your scale those will be tears of joy, my dear. Tears of joy.

Hope this put a dent in the blues. No, I hope this hjelps you open up a can of whoop-@!! on your blah Moment. GRRRRRRRR! We've got your back, girl........and you've got this. Don't even sweat it.

[TeresaH]

I just wanted to say thank you, you are all so kind.

Ms. Blue, I did not see your post before, but thank you so much. It seems you and I are fairly close in our start date and our weight and yes, I am OCD about weighing too. I know I just have to stick with it but I am just so afraid of doing that and 4 weeks later still weighing 220lbs. UGH. But, you are right, I will keep focused and try to stay off the scale for a week.

Mickkey, I've not done Atkins before, but I've been in ketosis before. Thank you for encouraging me when you're just getting started yourself. Perhaps we can all stay on this journey together.

[TeresaH]

deber, just read your post... lol. Thank you, thank you! You made me go to the closet and dig out my gloves!

[spirittalker]

OK, when you start new exercise routine it is very very common for your body to retain water. Secondly I agree with the posting your menu in the review my menu forum. Often times those more experienced can spot something troublesome we had no clue could be holding us back. Thirdly, it's only been a few days. Back away from the scale for the remainder of your 2 week induction and just trust that this WOE works.

[Aussieinaz]

Stick with it the same thing happend to me the first week I got on the scales after 4 days to find I gained a pound and I wanted to cry too. I stuck with it and got past it and now Im down 7 in the first week. You will lose just stick with it and maybe dont get on the scales for awhile... You can lose inches and not show on the scale..

Good luck and Im sure you will do it, the people on this board are amazing and so kind.