Weight loss is not linear

[Moochiecat]

Just a note to the newbies and the not-so-newbies!

Something we hear again and again at ADBB from newbies is concern about the rate at which they lose. We see worried people posting about how they lost X many pounds the first week, and didn't lose, (or lost very little) the second week, maybe even went up a few during the second or third week, and then nothing at all happened for a while.

Normal.

It's all normal, and most of us here have our own stories about this. Most people will have a good little whoosh of water weight come off in the first week and then it's as if your body needs to pause and take stock of the situation during the second week. This is why we recommend strongly that people stay off the scale until day 14.
After that initial two weeks, there may or may not be another little pause, but rest assured, if you are following the Rules of Induction, and eating the proper amounts from the Acceptable Foods list, you will no doubt lose weight.

Weight can and will bobble around day to day before it truly comes off...and this is true for any stage of weight loss. It'd be terrific if we could bank on losing x amount every day, but that's just not how it works. Some days you'll be down, some days you can be up a little. It can depend on all sorts of things...for example the amount of sodium you ate the previous day, and in the case of women, it could be TOM messing around with you.
Don't sweat the day to day fluctuations. There's just no point to it. Set a day to weigh in, journal what the number is, and then put the scale away. At the end of each month, evaluate your progress, and check yourself to see if you're sticking to the Rules.

In the beginning of Atkins, I lost fairly steadily (I had the pause, and a 2 pound weight gain, then more weight loss, then another pause..been there done that! :yes ) and now my weight continues to slowly work it's way down. My body has it's own pace though, and I have to be patient. We all have to be patient.

Another thing to remember, which I keep telling myself now that I'm halfway to my goal, is that as you near your goal, your weight loss will start to slow down. This is why we see people who have large amounts of weight to lose having bigger losses on a regular basis than those who only have 20 or so to go.

On average, during the first two weeks of Induction, a person will lose from 5% to 10% of their desired amount.
Keep that in mind, and don't compare yourself to other people.

I think the biggest thing in the beginning weeks of Atkins is that we are all worried about how effective this diet is going to be, and we haven't learned to relax, enjoy our foods, and have faith that we will lose weight. Trust is something that is earned, and if you give Atkins the time, it will earn your trust. :yes

Have patience...give it a fair chance to show you how it can work for you, and do the best you can, people! :icondance

[vharper]

:yes 100% agree with that..I only lost 4 lbs in induction but my inches sure went down much faster..remember this is not a quick fix it is a way of life!!!

[Desertthorn]

Great reminder ladies.

[HarlemUSA]

Your suggestion for newbies and beyond is really inspirational. I need more patience and spend less time getting on and off the scale. I don't want to miss the miracle.

In addition, you look great. :clapping :clapping

:wave ha

[CarbCop35]

I agree about losing inches. Losing inches is even more encouraging to me than seeing numbers on the scale decreasing because with inches at least you actually see and feel the results. And other people notice too, which is always encouraging. I used to be obsessed with scale numbers and would get discouraged if the scale didn't indicate that I had lost pounds, but over time have come to appreciate that losing inches are just as, if not more important.

[Kristik99]

I can't help but feel a bit panicky because I am not losing weight as fast on this diet as I have in the past. I am only down 8 pounds in 4 weeks--only 2 in the last 3 weeks. It's not what I was hoping for--the inches may be down, but it doesn't feel that way. My pants are still tight. But, I will keep plugging along....My 20 yr highschool reunion is in July and I will only go if I am 40 lbs lighter. If I continue at this rate, I should be there--hopefully I won't slow down anymore.

[AlliCat]

Excellent post Moochiecat! This is the exact attitude I'm trying to take. It is more important to me to feel my clothes getting lighter, rings getting looser (which they were substancially looser this morning YAY!) and overall feel better than any number on the scale. I think it's important to remember that any time a lot of weight is shed, the body has to adjust internally as well. You may not see any change for a week, or longer, but if you're following all the rules, you can rest assure that the changes are taking place on the inside. This is all part of making weight loss permanate.

[dficks]

just simply eating right and excercising can make lose a pound a week

[niccofive]

Originally Posted by Moochiecat

Just a note to the newbies!

Lately I've read a lot of posts from discouraged worried people about how they lost X many pounds the first week, and didn't lose, (or lost very little) the second week, maybe even went up a few during the second or third week, and then nothing at all happened for a while.

Normal.
I've lost on average just under a pound a week since I started...but I went lots of weeks here and there where nothing changed, and then out of the blue had a nice little loss. It's just how it goes.

I think the biggest thing in the beginning weeks of Atkins is that we are all worried about how effective this diet is going to be, and we haven't learned to relax, enjoy our foods, and have faith that we will lose weight. Trust is something that is earned, and if you give Atkins the time, it will earn your trust. :yes

Have patience...give it a fair chance to show you how it can work for you, and do the best you can, people! :icondance

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. That is exactly what has been happening to me and I was trying so hard not to sweat it but I *Was* getting discouraged. Thank you for being a calm voice of reason.
You look GREAT!!!! :hug

[Moochiecat]

Thanks muchly! :yes

I'm really pleased that this has helped you folks! :ThumbsUp


I think what makes the roller coaster ride easier is the knowledge that it happens to all of us in our weight loss journey, and that we're all normal.

Well...as normal as us crazy Atkineers get!