is this normal?

[Mickkey]

It's taken me 4 wks to lose 10 pounds. Now I'm into my 5th week and I've gained two back! I'm not losing any more inches either. My metabolism is so so slow. I'm walking 45 minutes 5 times a week without fail, even in this awful heat. Is this normal? I cannot give up my couple cups of coffee. Could this be stalling me?

[jimmie 48]

is your coffee caffienated? if so, in a word "yes".
you really should give up that up. at least do it to see if it's the culprit.

check the things you are eating. are you getting too much salt? what about sweetners?

4 weeks to lose 10 pounds is fine! that's more than 2 pounds per week. and a 2 pound gain in a day's time or a couple days is a flucuation that can be caused by many many things.

[IrishIrish]

Weight loss isn't always an exact science. Total weight = muscle, water, fat. None of these stays the same. Pay attention to your food plan and follow it exactly as it is written. Post your menus and look for people to offer ideas and suggestions. Then, as long as you are following it, drinking water, exercising, tossing away the caffeine (remember, "exactly as it is written"), don't worry about the scale. You will lose.

[cain]

Mickkey,

How strictly are you following Induction? Are you eating any high sugar alcohol protein bars? Those always stall me. I refuse to eat them. Do you put splenda/sweetener in your coffee? If so, how much? A couple cups a day with sweetener will use up all your carbs pretty quickly.

Are you drinking a ton of water? This is pretty crucial as well.

Also, keep in mind that sometimes your body will store extra water if you've been eating a lot of salt, or with women, if it's that time of the month.

An interesting fact that I recently learned is that as you lose fat, your body replaces it with water. So your fat cells don't actually shrink and you don't lose weight. However, your body will eventually release a hormone which causes the fat cells to drop all their water. You will notice a big drop in weight (like a couple of pounds) overnight.

[Mickkey]

Thanks, I know you're both right. I just want that one thing ... coffee... and it will have to go. I feel like I'm really getting away with something, and all I'm doing is stalling out. I think I'm addicted, I'm almost sure of it.

[cain]

Mickkey,

When I started induction, I made a decision to give up coffee. I had been drinking at least 2 cups a day for at least 10 years. It was horrible, but I made it through and so will you. Try moving down to one cup first and then cut it out entirely. Your withdrawal won't be as horrific that way.

[boonie stomper]

Try drinking decaf instead, as you will still be able to fell like you've had your daily dose.

I found the aroma and taste were satisfying enough, the caffeine didn't matter because I already had extra energy from being in ketosis. Before the diet, I usually felt burned out and drank coffee & coke for the jolt effect.

[jimmie 48]

you can also hit the addictions forum if you haven't already. there are a couple of threads there that where members were trying to kick the caffeine and i know there is some cheerleading that went with it.

[I'mCurvin]

First off.. I give you a hand for walking 45 mins a day in this heat . It shows you are driven and have motivation.. awesome job! Also, I agree w/ others, if your coffee isn't decaffeinated you need to switch and see if that helps w/ your weightloss. My mom stalled greatly with drinking caffeinated coffee and diet pop. When she gave that up and switched to decaffeinated coffee and gave up her diet pop, it was like "Whoosh". It may not be a "whoosh" for you, but it may help! 1-2 pounds a week is a very stable permanent weight loss.. so don't fret!! After my 14th day of being on induction, I hit a plateau type thing.. and many people said it's real typical around the 2nd or 3rd week to hit this stall. I gained 4 pounds and stayed up and down w/in those 4 lbs for 5 days! Grr.. Now I am back down even lower than when the stall happened, so I just stuck with it and my body caught back up and I"m on a losing streak again. You can do it.. just stick to induction.. don't let that "one bite" mess it up for you! =) Are you drinking enough water? I know that's helped me SO much.. Well hope this helps

Sara

[Mickkey]

Such great advice and I am grateful. I did switch to decaf today and I'm trying it even though it doesn't seem the same to me. It's the jolt effect I'm wanting too. I do love the aroma more than the taste! I am drinking tons of water, however I do notice when I'm drinking coffee I slack off on the water quite a bit. I'm not letting myself get close to any protein bars because I know myself and I would never stop with just one. Yes Sara, I think I'm on a stall and I'm getting discouraged but sticking with it for now. Thanks for the kind words and thank you all so much for the help.