No Loss on Induction--Now What? Please Advise.

[babypiggy]

I just finished 14 days of Induction and weighed in this morning to discover NO LOSS (in fact, up about 1/2 pound since two weeks ago). I need some advice from the experienced members of the board about what to do next:

1. Continue on Induction another week to see what happens.
2. Go to OWL and add in more veggies.
3. Admit that perhaps Atkins is not the right plan for my body.

This is my first time ever trying Atkins. I've done a completely clean Induction. I weigh all my food and have stayed between 15 and 20 net carbs every day of Induction. Veggies account for the vast majority of my net carb allowance. I log my food into Fitday and typically am at around 65% of calories from fat. Fat grams range between 100-120 per day. Calories are around 1400-1500, some days more if I'm exercising a lot. I don't drink caffeine and don't use any artificial sweeteners. In fact I eat very little that comes in a package so there's not much trouble with hidden ingredients. I drink plenty of water every day. I'm taking a fiber supplement (psyllium husks) which provides 8 g soluble fiber per day.

I exercise most days, but this is no change from my routine prior to starting Atkins so I don't believe there's been any change in muscle mass. I haven't had any change in measurements. For what it's worth, I've been using the ketone test strips once per day and ever since Day 2 they've been registering dark pink/light purple every time (~40-50 mg/dL).

I didn't expect a big loss on Induction, but should certainly have seen something other than a half pound gain. Prior to starting Atkins I had a clean diet and had previously eliminated wheat, dairy, and sugar. So I didn't expect the large water loss that many people see when cutting out those foods. Additionally I only have about 20 pounds to lose and I realize it comes off more slowly at that point. Believe me though, I definitely have excess adipose fat that I need to lose...I promise you I'm not one of those people who's already where she needs to be but has an unrealistic goal.

According to Atkins I would be considered extremely metabolically resistant. However I don't think the "fat fast" is something that I should consider at this point. One possibility that occurred to me is that there could be something I'm eating more of on Atkins which my body doesn't do well with. For example I rarely ate eggs before, and now I'm eating two per day--28 eggs in two weeks!! Or maybe for some reason my body doesn't do well on so much protein.

In the past I've been able to lose weight, albeit slowly, using calorie restriction (Weight Watchers) but I find that in order to be successful I need to be hungry nearly all the time. I had hoped that Atkins might be the solution I was looking for to lose those excess pounds without the hunger. And that's one thing I have definitely enjoyed, is the fact that the hunger and food cravings are pretty much nonexistent with the carbs gone from my diet. I used to be crazy with carb cravings. That's one reason I thought Atkins might be the right diet for my body.

I've been very diligent with adhering to all the Rules of Induction because I really wanted this to work for me. I'd hate to think that I just threw away two weeks doing the hardest part of Atkins, only to find out it's one more plan that doesn't work for me. I did understand going into this that Atkins isn't the right plan for everyone, just really hoped I was not one of the exceptions.

I could sure use some advice on whether to continue, and if so, whether to change something. I'm not looking for cheerleading...just help figuring out what to do now. Thanks in advance.

Heidi

[Scribbler]

On one point, yes, you might be highly-metabolic resistant.. My other thought was that you might be eating more than you actually need.. In essence high-metabolic resistance equals low rate of metabolism, i.e., a somewhat decreased caloric intake.
How much is your protein percentage?
Are you on any medication that could affect weight? respiratory medications are a prime suspect, due to the cortisol they consist of.
Are you sure that food you eat has no hidden sugars?

[Elizellen]

We have had members in the past who also lost no weight on their 14 days induction, but did feel other benefits of Atkins - better moods, no hunger, more enegry etc and so decided ot move on up the OWL ladder.

After a week or so they did notice weight lost and did reach their goal, which was mostly a total loss of 20-30 pounds like yours.

Have you noticed any change in how your clothes fit?

[babypiggy]

Scribbler--Funny you said that because I've actually had to work to make sure I get enough calories (since I know we aren't supposed to do "low calorie Atkins"). This has meant adding more fat (e.g. olive oil) to my veggies to bring up the calories and fat percentage. If anything my tendency would be toward not enough calories especially since I'm not particularly hungry or craving things on this WOE. I'm fairly active--there should definitely be a calorie deficit with the amount I'm eating the last two weeks. I do not take any medications. Protein generally runs around 30% of calories.

Elizellen--Thank you for sharing the anectdotal information about others who didn't lose on Induction but continued to OWL anyway and eventually were successful. I would not mind a slow rate of loss if I feel that it's actually trending generally toward a loss, and not stagnation or a gain! What I don't want to do is be stubborn and stick to this WOE if it's not right for my body, and end up gaining 2 pounds a month for my trouble. To answer your question I don't really feel any difference in my clothes or my energy level. The only difference is the lack of hunger/cravings. Based on your input I believe I should move up to Rung 1 of OWL and increase my veggies by another 5 carbs per day, and see what happens this week. Do you think at this point I should start trying to tweak anything (e.g. stop eating eggs, cut out cheese entirely...) or just give it another week or two with the same foods plus the extra veggies? How on earth would I know when I've reached my CCLL if I don't see any losses? If I continue on OWL, at what point would you think it was wise to "admit defeat" if results aren't forthcoming? You have a lot of experience with this and have been reading these boards a long time, so I really respect your opinions and appreciate you sharing them. I notice you have about 20 pounds to go yourself. Are the pounds still coming off (slowly) for you? Do you have an idea about how many calories/day you're typically consuming and what your percentages fat/protein/carb tend to run most days? I am a few inches taller and a few years younger, but otherwise pretty similar to you. Thanks so much! (Sorry for so many additional questions.)

[ariesdragon]

Hi Baby Piggy,

I just started Atkins induction and havent' weighted myself yet but I also have 18 lbs to lose. I'm not overweight (my BMI is 24) but am plumper than I want to be and have put on these extra pounds through emotional over-eating in the last 2 years.

Because I'm only 5ft 2" and calories do count, I am eating 1200-1300 cals daily. I find that doable and not too low and am experiencing less hunger on Atkins than on other diets I've been on.

How tall are you and how old? I'm 44 and weight 134lbs (my start weight). I exercise (do weights 3x/week and cardio 3x/week). I will compare notes with you when I finish my induction. You may be eating a few too many calories but I don't know your details like medications you're on, whether you have any degree of hypothyroidism (probably not if you lost on other programs) etc.

I'll be interested to see what you decide to do next.

Best of luck!

E

[not2late]

Post your menu in the review my menu forum, be sure to include the amounts of all the food and beverages you consume.

Also, are your "bathroom activities" normal? Some folks get constipated to the point that the "stuff inside" adds on a few pounds.

[babypiggy]

Ariesdragon--I'm 5'7" and 50 years old. Current BMI is 24 and at goal it would be 21. No medications, no thyroid issues, no known health problems, regular exerciser. Good luck with your Induction and I hope you have a bit better results than I did!

not2late--I just posted a typical Induction menu over on the "Review My Menu" forum so maybe someone will see something I'm missing. Bathroom activites--I did have some problems with constipation at first because my former diet was very high fiber (40-50 grams/day). I started taking psyllium and that has helped get things moving. Still nothing like I'm used to--but I suspect this is the new "normal" on Atkins! You're right though, something small like weight of colon contents or water retention could be masking a small loss during Induction (since my true fat loss would likely only be a pound or two it would be easy to hide that). Thanks.

[ariesdragon]

I just took a look at your menu - looks fine and accurate to me, but then, I'm a newbie too. One thing - any added carbs in the heavy cream you're using? I know some creams have additives and thickeners.

Between you and me, I am wondering whether Atkind works best for those who are trully overweight. We're not - our BMI's are 24 - that's normal and as you noted you didn't have much water weight to lose. I don't think I have either - I just came off Body for Life. I'm still following the exercise component there. Maybe you'll lose but very slowly.

I am finding Atkins more filling so far. I hope I do lose some weight on it.

I'm interested to hear what the more experienced members will have to say about your menu. I like how you have a wide variety of veges in your diet. I know I wouldn't lose at your calorie level but then I'm only 5 ft 2".

You know what really whips the weight off me? - Stress ie. release of adrenaline (epinephrine). That mobilizes my fat! still, I'd prefer not to be stressed.

The constipation point could be valid since fiber prevents the body's absorption of some calories too. You could be missing your previous fiber intake. I know I miss my oatmeal!! What kind of diet were you on before?

E

[ariesdragon]

ps. Perhaps you are eating too many calories on some days. I'd be tempted to do another week and try dropping your calories to 1400 - or even 1300. As you say, you feel no hunger on this plan so this might indicate that you can cut back a bit more and still not suffer your previous hunger pangs.

E

[boonie stomper]

Babypiggy- there's a couple more things to consider - hormones and/or salt. If you are like me (premenopausal) the hormone cycle and their effects can be erratic at times. This could mean that your body may be masking fat loss with water gain, either from your cycle at the 2 weeks in point or from water retention from recent salt consumption. Give the benefit of the doubt to that, please - weight gain happens to me like that, so I just ignore the scales at those times.

Another consideration is, could it be that your starting weight was taken during a period of dehydration or illness?

Lastly, remember to time your weigh-in properly. If you weigh on rising before dressing, after using toilet, and before eating or drinking, you'll avoid misleading results due to weight of clothes and digestive system contents.

I'm just so happy with this WOE - even if only 1 pound comes off in a month, I feel great, without cravings, and it sure the heck beats GAINING 10 or more pounds while being constantly tired, hungry, and eating the carby fillers that temporarily give a carb addict a fix.