Didn't lose any weight in first 7 days

[sassafras]

Today is my 7th day of induction and I decided to weigh in. Needless to say, I didn't loose any weight.

I mentally reviewed what I have been eating and read more of the forums and realized that I had been consuming too much Splenda. Some how it didn't register in my brain that 6 packets of Splenda each morning, and another 3 in the evening, with my decaf coffee, was way over the limit of 3 we're allowed to have. I have been consuming less than 20 grams of net carbs every day, with plenty of salads, steamed veggies, pepper strips, eggs, fish, grilled chicken and fats (mayo, butter, canola oil). I also log my food in a food journal, and am eating around 1300 Kcal per day.

Am I sabotaging my success in induction with the extra 6 packets of Splenda? Do these 6 extra packets a day really make a difference to weight loss? I can't figure out what else could be causing me to not lose any weight. I didn't get the chance to take my measurements on day one, so I can't compare the 7th day results to the baseline. My pants don't feel much different.

Other than being discouraged by not having any weight loss yet, I feel energetic and haven't craved anything, which completely surprises me. I am even considering going a third week for some sort of weight loss.

Thanks.
Sassafras

Weight: 138 lbs
Height: 5'
Goal: 120 lbs

[Sunny_0ne]

Sassafras, are you counting the carbs in your Splenda packets?

If you are, my opinion is that the Splenda would not keep you from losing weight. I think the 3 packet rule is to help kill the sweet tooth which could cause cravings.

You only have 18 pounds to lose. The expected weight loss over the two week induction period is around 10% of what you have to lose. So that would work out to 1.8 pounds in the two week induction period.

Give it another week, and I'll bet you will have lost 2 pounds.

[Elizellen]

I agree with Sunny One wait till the end of your second week of induction to gauge your progress.

Just because you didnt take measurements before day one doesn't mean you can't benefit from taking measurements now, so write them down to give you an extra way of seeing your losses further along your Atkins journey. Remember Dr Atkins said that 4 weeks without losing weight or inches was a 'stall' and we often lose inches (which = losing FAT) while not losing weight.

[sassafras]

Thanks for your encouragement. I am a little more encouraged that I shouldn't expect more than 1.8 lbs a week. My fiance had already lost 8 lbs eating the meats, fats and veggies, but had been drinking the Atkins shake each morning.

Yes, I had been counting the carbs in my Splenda packets. I have been in the 3rd week now, but I blew it this past weekend and had 3 glasses of wine (one each night for 3 nights) . Other than the wine, I have not craved anything sweet. The Splenda in my coffee is the only sweet thing I eat.

I cheated last night and had one cup of white rice with a veggie and beef stirfry. I finally got on the scale again this morning, and had gained 3 lbs. - could this affected the gain? Ugh... I hope that it's because of my PMS.

I will switch to OWL starting Monday this coming week.

[MagsMom]

sassafrass - I am on day 5 of induction and still have not lost anything. I have been following the plan religiously. I hope that next week we both have better success. I am getting discouraged but am going to continue

[Hoping]

What is a pepper strip? Is it that bacon with salt and pepper seasoning? Make sure you pay attention to your salt intake because you could be retaining water. But really I think it may be that you only have 18 lbs to lose which isn't much. I agree with others that you should be doing measurements. Also, pay attention how the shape of your body changes. I know it changes for me. Good luck!

[Sunny_0ne]

I cheated last night and had one cup of white rice with a veggie and beef stirfry. I finally got on the scale again this morning, and had gained 3 lbs. - could this affected the gain?

The white rice may have thrown you out of ketosis. It's a terribly high-glycemic food... definitely not Atkins fare.

[imagood1]

Originally Posted by Hoping

What is a pepper strip? Is it that bacon with salt and pepper seasoning? Make sure you pay attention to your salt intake because you could be retaining water. But really I think it may be that you only have 18 lbs to lose which isn't much. I agree with others that you should be doing measurements. Also, pay attention how the shape of your body changes. I know it changes for me. Good luck!

Pepper strips are thin slices of green pepper (or colored peppers). Make sure you are drinking AT LEAST 64 oz of water a day and ge moving - walk around the block or something -- go to the challenge area and see what there is that you can do -- you can do squats or ab work while you are watching TV or before you go to work....

Since you don't have as much as others of us to loose you will see slower results. Hang in there -- it will happen!!!

[kibskix]

splenda is my downfall. I just mentioned this in my journal chat, on thursday I had splenda in my coffee (I only use 1 packet), 1 packet in my flax cereal, Then I had a fresca and I made a cheesecake dessert for my boyfriends parents using splenda and tasted it one too many times. The next day I was up 2lbs. that was thursday and it took me till this sunday afternoon to get back down those 2lbs. So I wasted about three days just to reverse the splenda abuse. And thats after going 3 days with no splenda, no flax, no coffee, no diet drinks and no cheese. Try coffee with heavy cream and no sweetener, it isn't half bad. The splenda usually isn't necessary and leads to wanting to use more.
Also keep in mind what sunny one says, if you have less than 20 lbs to lose, you won't lose as much or as fast as someone who has 100 lbs to lose.

[myabigail]

Call me crazy, but I'd say you should be losing some weight just by cutting down to 1300 calories a day, which has got to be way below what you are burning just breathing every day.

In fact, call me crazier, but maybe you need MORE calories and MORE fat. Your body may be in starvation mode.

Also, keep in mind that TOM really messes with your weight, so you may want to wait until that's over to weigh again.