Help

[jende]

My husband is quitting. He was very emotional after gaining 2 pounds this morning and went off Atkins and started eating toast.

I was trying to figure out reasons for the gain (particularly 1 hour of weight training yesterday) but he was too obstinate.

What else could account for this?

His total loss is about 7 pounds I think, over 2 weeks.

[losetocruise]

I don't know the reason for his gain although I've heard that weight lifting and new excercise programs can cause a temporary gain because of the heavier muscle. Also it could be fluid. That is usually the reason you bounce up or down a pound. Just the salt in cheese or olives can affect the fluid weight.

But if he does Atkins, IMO, he has to do it because he wants to not you. I would suggest just staying the course yourself, letting him know how you are progressing and hopefully he will come back when he sees you losing. And he knows he can lose since he already has lost several pounds.

Good luck!

[rosetoes]

Hi Jende:

As losetocruise said, you stick with it and as you continue to lose, your husband may jump back on the band wagon. It is a hard diet at first, especially because you give up alot of the foods that you love (at least I love, smiles) and that is a sacrifice. You expect immediate gain from your sacrifice and if don't see it, we get discouraged. Seven pounds is a great start and just because he ate some toast, doesn't mean that he can't resume his diet.

My husband is on the diet with me and he of course loss 7 pounds to my 4 in the first 5 days of induction....and he cheated! He is eating much more and has sneaked popsicles, fruit and popcorn within the last 5 days. He didn't eat alot of those things, but he did have them. Now if I cheated, I'd probably would have put on weight. I have to lose probably 15 to 20 pounds more and he only has to lose 8 at the most. Maybe he is looking at this differently than I, but I know that I have to remain focused and get to my goal.

I am sorry to hear that your husband gained a couple of pounds but maybe after his disappoint subsides, he will get back on track with you.

Best Wishes,
Rose

[Jace]

There are several reasons that could account for weight gain on the scale...

1. How often is he weighing? Weight naturally fluctuates during the day and over several days. Ideally he should only be weighing once a week, on the same day, at the same time, wearing the same thing to get the best and most accurate results.

2. Has he taken his measurements? You mention he was weight training. This is a strain on the muscles and they need to repair themselves. To do this, they need to absorb water which will cause a temporary gain on the scale from water which will be expelled when the muscles are finished repairing themselves. Also, muscle is more dense than fat. He could be gaining muscle mass but losing fat, which is why taking measurements is more accurate than the scale when you are weight training.

3. How is his menu? Is the toast his first time eating off plan? Is he getting enough water? Enough veggies? You might want to analyze his menu.

4. Is he really emotionally ready to lose weight? The fact that he jumps off so easily is a sign he may just not be at a point where he can emotionally handle the strain of losing weight. Many people will take any small sign as an excuse to say that this way of life is not working for them so they can, in their mind, justify returning to eating the junk they used to. The point being if he's not ready he really shouldn't be forcing himself as yo-yo dieting will seriously screw with the metabolism and make future attempts at weight loss even more difficult. It is in his best interest to wait until he's ready to take this way of life seriously.

Like others have said, stay the course Jende regardless of his choices. You need to do this for yourself! Support him as best you can, but don't let this bring you down.

All the best,

~Far la bella figura!

[joee5]

Could be he built up muscles, would possibly be the reason for the weight gain. You stick it out and stay focused. God Bless, Joe

[jende]

Thank you for your replies.

He is back on track. When I wrote that he made toast, I'm not sure he did. I know he made a sandwich. I wouldn't even keep bread except for the kids. Anyway, I don't think he ate the sandwich he made. I emailed him as you gave as possible reasons for the gain and he's trying once again.

I am staying the course. I lost another pound. I think I'm down one and it's day 13 or 14 of induction today. I think my first day 1 got screwed up.

Anyway, he is also one that has a lot more to lose than I am, and I think I read here that people with a lot of weight to lose, hold onto it and keep it for a few days then have a 'woosh' effect, where 3 or 4 are seemingly lost in a day.

And he definitely weighs himself daily. I don't think I'll be able to get him to stop.

[losetocruise]

Hey,
I'm glad he gave it another try. The first time we did Atkins together, my husband had a terrible time at first. he would go for several days without losing, terrible "induction flu" etc. I never had the induction flu ever (thank God) but I always lose slower then him. After a while he started losing very quickly. And like your husband, he and I have both seen times when it went up.

My husband laughs at me though cause like your husband, I'm a weigh a holic. i weigh about six times a day. Iknow it won't make me lose faster but I can't help it. At leasrt the scale can't add carbs or calories LOL

[jende]

What does ADBB stand for anyway?

I also weigh myself a LOT. I've notice with Atkins, sometimes I seem to weigh less before dinner than I do before breakfast?

[Elizellen]

Originally Posted by jende

What does ADBB stand for anyway?

Atkins Diet Bulletin Board

[jende]

thank you!



I figured it had something to do with atkins.