Newbee Question

[eve2apple]

Hello,

First time posting. I am on my 9th day of induction and have lost about 3 pounds. After reading some posts, I found out I was doing a lot of things wrong.

1. I drank diet soda
2. I ate too much protein and not enough fat
3. I didn't take fiber chews or tabs

I do exercise and have been running about 4 miles a day. I used to run 6 because I have been a runner for many years and running really didn't help my weight loss. Actually, my trainer said it impeded it. I guess I am running too much? Metabolism dropped?

Anyways, I have about 15 pounds to loose. I was wondering if I should extend my induction phase since I did not follow it correctly.
I am fine being in induction for another week and love how I am feeling so far even with only 3 pounds lost. I have reduced cravings which is awesome!! Carb attacks seem to come up even with a small amount of sugar (like a bite of fruit) so I feel good with the "cold turkey" approach.

Thanks for your support!
Eve

[not2late]

Originally Posted by eve2apple

Hello,

First time posting. I am on my 9th day of induction and have lost about 3 pounds. After reading some posts, I found out I was doing a lot of things wrong.

1. I drank diet soda
2. I ate too much protein and not enough fat
3. I didn't take fiber chews or tabs

I do exercise and have been running about 4 miles a day. I used to run 6 because I have been a runner for many years and running really didn't help my weight loss. Actually, my trainer said it impeded it. I guess I am running too much? Metabolism dropped?

Anyways, I have about 15 pounds to loose. I was wondering if I should extend my induction phase since I did not follow it correctly.
I am fine being in induction for another week and love how I am feeling so far even with only 3 pounds lost. I have reduced cravings which is awesome!! Carb attacks seem to come up even with a small amount of sugar (like a bite of fruit) so I feel good with the "cold turkey" approach.

Thanks for your support!
Eve

You should clean up the little goofs you've made, in order to make Atkins more effective.

But you should also know this....we can expect to lose 5-10% of the weight we need to lose during the first 14 Days of Induction. For a person with a 100 pound weight loss goal, that's about 5-10 pounds. For a person with a 10 pound weight loss goal, that's about 1/2 to 1 pound.

You have a 15 pound weight loss goal and you have lost 3 pounds. That's about 20%.

[jimmyolsenblues]

well reading your post...i am a little jealous to be honest.
i have a lot more than 15 pounds to lose and you are exercise much more than me.
i don't think running stops weight loss at all.
i think heavy weight lifting of course builds muscle but i don't think running builds big muscles and retains body fat.

[liv]

Not sure what you trainer meant. But mixing things up for exercise it good - some strength and some cardio and throw in some different things to keep the body doing new exercise. Maybe throw in a spin class or some step.
As for losing yes you are doing great. You can clean up a bit - especially with the fat. But don't expect it all to come up super quickly. It is a relative thing.

[eve2apple]

Thank you so much for responding back. My trainer told me that when I run, I burn so many calories that my body goes into starvation mode and the first time I do eat something it will be stored as fat. That is why I am trying to weight lifting now and reduce my running to only 2-3 miles a day as opposed to 6.

About the weight. I understand that I don't have a lot to loose and I feel almost embarrassed considering there are people with much tougher journeys. I am 150 now and trying to get to 135 before my wedding date on November 21, 2009.

I have had my share of yo-yo dieting and my weight has fluctuated so much the last 6 years of my life. I have been at 170 and also at 120. Now I am back to 150. So as you would imagine, I am super scared of rebound effects from strict dieting and realize my metabolism may be damaged.

Anways, I am still wondering if I should stay in induction for one week longer due to my 'goofs'. What would be the danger in staying to long if you don't have much to lose?

I truly do appreciate your comments! Thank you!
Eve

[JulieB]

The rungs of OWL are designed to teach you how to eat long-term in order to maintain your losses. You don't have much to lose, and it takes time to go through the rungs properly, so you should move up the rungs. I am assuming that you are in ketosis - do you have the funny breath or reduced appetite...

[Georgiana]

Fiber supplements are not a mandatory part of Atkins. I take my fiber from veggies (and now from some OWL foods) and only take additional fiber if I have... bathroom problems (didn't have any during Induction).

As Megs said, 20% is fantastic! But good for you for giving up diet sodas. Much healthier this way, even if they were sweetened with Splenda.

Originally Posted by eve2apple

About the weight. I understand that I don't have a lot to loose and I feel almost embarrassed considering there are people with much tougher journeys. I am 150 now and trying to get to 135 before my wedding date on November 21, 2009.

Hey, no need to feel (almost) embarrassed! Good for you that you work hard to be healthier.

Anways, I am still wondering if I should stay in induction for one week longer due to my 'goofs'. What would be the danger in staying to long if you don't have much to lose?

I would not stay in Induction for another week. I imagine you are in ketosis and your appetite is under control. Since you don't have a lot to lose, it would be good for you to move to OWL, so that you have time to move through OWL while you still have weight to lose. You should lose the last 5-10 lbs in Pre-Maintenance.

I did the mistake to stay a long time in Induction and my weight loss has stalled. It restarted when I added more nutritious veggies in OWL. There are many other members with similar experiences. Plus, you start OWL by adding only 5 net carbs of veggies, so it's not a drastic change from Induction.

Are you in ketosis?

[eve2apple]

Hi! Thanks for responding. I don't have a funny breath and my appetitie fluctuates. Sometimes I am good. Sometimes I am SOOOO hungry. I lost 3 pounds but it could have been from calorie reduction (which happens naturally from being full off of meat and fat). So I am going to buy some sticks to see if I am truly in Ketosis.

Thanks again!
Eve

[Georgiana]

Originally Posted by eve2apple

Hi! Thanks for responding. I don't have a funny breath and my appetitie fluctuates. Sometimes I am good. Sometimes I am SOOOO hungry. I lost 3 pounds but it could have been from calorie reduction (which happens naturally from being full off of meat and fat). So I am going to buy some sticks to see if I am truly in Ketosis.

I wouldn't bother with Ketostix. Physical signs of ketosis are often more reliable. Ketostix are a good way to check for ketosis, but they might not turn color even though you are in ketosis. The hunger might be a result of overeating protein or a cephalic response to sweetener (in diet soda). Once you start following Induction correctly, things should adjust.

But it's normal to have larger appetite some days... as long as it doesn't evolve into cravings or binging.