If you think you are stalling or in a pause...

[pudellvr]

From the link in the ext. induction wt loss is not linear. Low Carb in the UK - The 3rd week "stall"

Low Carb in the UK

Why has my weight loss stopped after the 3rd week? Explaining the Weight Loss Pattern on Low Carb

Written by Jan Jackson in May 2001, It just got reposted to the main list. I have been meaning to write something on this for ages.. so, I will just recycle instead!
The Atkin's 2 Week induction phase:- heady stuff, weight loss nearly every day, usually enormous and unbelievable amounts!

This is very often followed by complaints of "a stall" or only losses of "just 1lb per week".

Many people don't know that weight loss is rate limited, in other words the body has factors preventing more than a certain amount to be released from storage and even more factors that prevent these released fatty acids from being used up instead of stored back in the cells.

This is called the set point principle.

The priority of the human body is survival, anything that threatens that results in a cascade of events to maintain the previous status quo.

Water fluctuations are one way the body protects itself.z During induction you may have lost 10lbs during 2 weeks, possibly 7lbs 1st week and 3lbs 2nd, then weeks 3& 4 - no loss! & weeks 5&6 only 1/2lbs each- so what's happening?

Initially the body jettisons your carb-burning enzymes whilst building fat-buring ones(around 3lbs), and the water attatched to the glycogen stores that we diligently deplete to get into BDK. This amounts to 3-5 lbs water. In addition muscle stores of glycogen are not being replaced when used, which will account for most of the rest of your losses. All in all maybe 0.5lbs fat metabolised during 1st week & maybe same 2nd, so only 1lb fat lost, but 9lbs water and enzymes.

The body senses this diuretic effect, and the sirens go off, 'WARNING! Water loss occuring... New thing! get back to status quo!!"

The Brain tells body to produce vasosupression antidiuretic hormone - more water is retained and so, no weight loss is registered on the scale.

Fat loss is still occurring however- maybe 2lbs per week- because BDK is firmly established and appetite surpresssion is in effect- but water is hiding that weight loss.

The body is preventing dehydration and that is a Good Thing. However, from the perspective of the scale this can be very discouraging, and why we all say "Get the tape measure out!"

Which is why the mantra 'Water retention hides weight loss' is helpful!! Water retention will mask ongoing weight loss for as long as the body retains the water.

We can combat this by drinking more water but we can't overcome this natural mechanism during the initial water loss phase of Atkins.

By week 5&:6 things start to get back into balance and the scale will begin to reflect true weight loss - which is still rate limited.

Individuals vary but max weight loss runs to about 2lbs per week- under extreme optimal conditions or 1% of body weight whichever is the lowest number. THE TAKE HOME MESSAGE: EVEN WHEN SCALE IS IN STALL- FAT LOSS CAN BE OCCURING. DONT USE SCALE AS AN EXCUSE TO UNDERMINE YOU PROGRESS!! GET THAT TAPE MEASURE OUT!



Copyright © 2000 Nikola Howard. All rights reserved.
This really helped me this morning since I am still the same wt now for 2 weeks!

[Sherri]

Thank you for sharing this information.
It will help many here.
If it's one thing that I have learned throughout my weightloss is the fact that we are so unique in how our bodies are so different in how it reacts to weightloss. You will develope patterns in your weightloss and recognize them as you go.
Yes, just because you're not seeing the number on the scale doesn't mean that there are not numbers changing inside our bodies. It really begin within us. Internal health is key. The outside is what reflects on what's going on inside.
Our blood chemistry numbers are changing. That is what I focus on rather than the number changing on the scale. It helps reaffirm what I am doing to get healthy.
It truly is a number game, isn't it? Carb #, Calorie #, Water #, Supplement #, BMR #, Fat #, Protein #, Glucose #, Cholesterol#, Thyroid #,.........the list goes on. Notice I didn't list weight #. Seems we always know that # all to well.
I'm glad that information helped you this morning. I see the Whooshie Ferry visit in your near future. Hang in there, YOU'RE DOING GREAT!!!!!
Sincerely, Sherri

[leesh]

Thanks for posting this. It answered some questions I have had and I think it can motivate me to push through the month without unrealistic expectations. I also read that you can prevent some of this stall by taking the supplement L Carnitine, it is a little expensive, but I noticed it helped get me through stalls in the past.

[tfek70]

Mods, can we make this a sticky? It seems like every other question is about "stalls" that aren't, why aren't my Keto sticks dark, or about TOM, who ever he is.

T. J.

[kat7hy]

Thanks for posting this! I am only in my first two weeks and after my TOM and my weight fluctuating wildly I really 'got' the measurement is key factor very quickly. As a result, I am ignoring the scale and pulling out the measuring tape every day and omigod I am shrinking! It's SO much more powerful for me than any number on a machine. I just keep thinking that - I am shrinking, I am shrinking.....VERY motivational for me!!!

[Sherri]

Originally Posted by tfek70

Mods, can we make this a sticky? It seems like every other question is about "stalls" that aren't, why aren't my Keto sticks dark, or about TOM, who ever he is.

T. J.

I'll check that out for you and get back with you on it.

[pudellvr]

Also read tidbits from Tabbycat sticky above!

I think I am going to drop off my scales at my friends house. I can't stay off of them here.

[ErinLea]

Thanks for this info. I have been loosing about 1 lb a week and my cycle is all sorts of crazy with my new birth control. This has really helped me not to be so discouraged and to know there is "light at the end of the tunnel".

[ariesdragon]

Fat calipers are great for measuring progress too!

[sweetangel27]

Thanks, that really helped me understand that a whole lot more.