Feeling very frustrated by slow weight loss. HELP!!!

[Profitweb]

A lousy 8 lb. loss in 5 weeks!!! I started cutting out carbs 5 weeks ago, but for the first 2 weeks I was still indulging in low-carb ice cream, splenda drinks, & not drinking enough plain H2O. I only lost 1 pound. So, I started on the true induction and added exercise 3 weeks ago. I've only lost about 2 pounds a week!!! THE SLOW WEIGHT LOSS IS KILLING ME. I've been really good about eating legal foods, drinking plenty of H2O, and exercising. The only cheat I have had is a small apple (16 carbs) 2 days ago and I hit 30 carbs on a couple of days. I'm a Second Time Around club member. On my first time, I lost 15 lbs. during induction & then 4 lbs. a week after that.

I have ordered some ketosis sticks to make sure I'm in it, although I can't imagine not being. I keep telling myself to ignore the weight but it's really been getting to me. Help!!! I need encouragement & suggestions. Thanks!

[Profitweb]

Nothing?!

[Brook]

Perspective Check!!!

(Let's work with the 5 weeks in total and not look at those first two weeks or the cheat since... LOL)

You've lost 28.5% of the total amount of weight you want to lose in FIVE LOUSY WEEKS Sounds like something to clap about to me!!

You've added exercise - which is notorious for slappin' a couple of pounds on you for the first week or two (WATER!) - so that's new.

I know it can be frustrating...believe me...I know. But your rate of loss for what you want to lose is fantastic. You didn't put it on overnight and it's not going to come off that way. You only stand to accomplish your goal if/when you hang in there. You're not always going to be rewarded on the scale for being good. I know this sounds harsh..but get over it! It is what it is! Slow and steady wins the race.

Isn't the 'instant gratification' mindset what got ya chubby to begin with?! C'mon! You're doing GREAT!

Well done!
~Brook

[not2late]

I lose weight slowly partly because I slowed it down purposefully. It didn't take me long to realize I had developed some really awful eating habits that needed to be changed in order for me to maintain my goal weight.

So I lose at a slower rate, making sure I fix those bad eating habits along the way.

Also, I don't mind the slower loss because I'm not as saggy as I would have been had I lost at a faster rate.

[Profitweb]

Thanks for the kick in the butt, Brook! I think I needed that. Thank you.

Not2late, you make an excellent point about sagginess. The first time I did Atkins, & lost weight rapidly, my skin was hanging on me. This time, I have nothing hanging, I'm much firmer and perkier (you know where I mean when I say "perkier") than I was a few weeks ago. Thanks!

It's comforting to hear other people's stories about slow weight loss. It gives me hope.

[adreliluc]

8 lbs in 5 weeks is great! At least those 8 lbs are gone forever and I'm sure you've lost inches!!!

Also, keep in mind you have less to lose... the less you have to lose the slower the weight loss is.

And remember, everybody is different. It may take you a little longer to lose the weight but isn't it worth it? Eventually it'll happen and you'll be where you want to be. Trust me, when you look back it will seem like the time has flown by!

[Profitweb]

Adre, you lost 91 lbs.!!! That's great. You look awesome!!!!

[2big4mysize]

yep what Brook said. if you were a 300+ pounder with the same goal weight you would have lost 48+ pounds and been asking if you were losing too fast.

Also check those inches and see how much fat you have really lost as you morph your body adding lean body mass as you burn off the fat mass working your Atkins.
Cafflygal lost over 5ft of herself and less then 40 total pounds morphing her body here in in 2003. IF you have joined the 6week exercise challenge then you know the places to measure to see how much of you is gone!

happy low carbing

[Maerow]

Heya Profitweb,

I know what you mean. Unfortunately once you get closer to goal, your weightloss does slow down. The last 20 lbs come off very slowly. I am at 136 lbs now, and my goal is 130, and I am lucky if I get 1 lb a week. Feels more like 1/2 a lb a week if that, and I have to be careful with what I eat. 2 lbs a week is still pretty good, it may get slower then that, just to let you know.

You are getting really close to the weight your body would love to keep you at, because having a backup of fat makes your body happy. So you end up fighting the bugger to get it down where you want it.

I totally understand your frustration, I was feeling like I wanted to throw in the towel, but I thought to myself...I am so close to goal, if I give up now I will be KICKING myself three months down the road, when I KNOW I would have reached it if I had just held on. I want a flat tummy dangit! >.<

A few things I did to help my weightloss:

1. I cut way back on the goodies, safe or not, that I was having, and that helped. You may not be at the point yet that you need to do this, when you are at 10 lbs from goal you may reach this point. Some people never do...if only we all could be so lucky!!!

2. You are smaller now, so you might want to consider if you are still eating the portion sizes you were eating back when you were larger. I found myself doing that, and I had to cut back, because I didn't need as much to feel satisfied.

3. When I got frustrated with atkins, I realized the main thing I was upset about was I was eating on plan but feeling like I was "working" at losing weight, and when I looked at the scale, it felt like I wasn't being "paid". So what I did was focus on switching up my menu, and experementing with different foods and different ways of cooking, so I wasn't feeling like I was having the same old, same old, for each meal and being deprived. That way I was excited about what I was eating, and focusing more on great tasting, new, atkins safe food then what the scale was saying and slow scale movement didn't annoy me as much. I know if I keep on then the scale will get there eventually.

This worked for me, though your mileage may very. Good luck!

[Profitweb]

Maerow, what excellent points and a great story! I do have fun with food and have been experimenting with new dinners that have turned out wonderfully. You made a good point about portions though. I could probably benefit from reducing my portions, just as you said, until I hit my goal weight. That could very well be a part of my problem because I am still eating the same amounts as I used to b4 Atkins. Thank you!!!!