stalling and weight gain in 4th week of induction

[Niki_Trinity]

I am in my 4th week of induction, and have gained 3lbs back. I've not changed my eating, foods, or exercise. I have no idea what is going on. Shouldn't I still be losing? I would like to lose 50 lbs. and was down almost 20 and then all the sudden I went back up and stalled out. Any Ideas?

[Georgiana]

What is your typical menu?
What is your height and current weight, if you don't mind sharing?
What is your level of metabolic resistance?
Are you exercising?
How much water are you drinking?

Extended induction is only recommended for people who have a lot to lose or have a high level of metabolic resistance. Given your loss, I'd say you don't have a high metabolic resistance... and you don't have so much to lose either. So moving up to OWL might be better than staying in induction. I've seen many people stalling after a few weeks of induction, and their weight loss restarted when they moved to OWL.

[Niki_Trinity]

I started at 199/200 and am now 183 ( was down into the 170's).

I have thought of moving up, but right now I'm still scared about not being able to stay on top of my eating issues ( emotional eater).
Atkins has really stopped my appetite so I have to force myself to eat. A typical day for me would be

2 scrambled eggs
10 pepperonis ( I do count)
and a pork chop with cauliflower( 1/2 cup before cooked)

or bacon and eggs
tuna with mustard and a dill pickle
grilled chicken and a small side salad

I mainly drink water during the day, around 4 bottles. Every now and then I would indulge with a diet rite cherry cola( lost weight while drinking these) , but I have cut that out now.

I have no idea what my metabolic resistance is.... I just know that after having my daughter 3 years ago, I have had problems losing weight, no matter how little I eat or how much I exercise. This is the only thing I have tried that is showing any kind of results.

I don't have a strict exercise plan right now, other than playing outside with my daughter, I am hoping when the baby sitter gets over being sick that I can start back on the treadmill for 30 min. to 1 hr a day.

[Georgiana]

That is all you eat? Oh boy, I'm hungry just reading that. You should eat somewhere around your BMR. Not eating enough calories will put your body into starvation mode and it will make it cling to every ounce of fat.

Also, during induction, you should be eating three cups of veggies every day -- 2 cups from the salad veggies list and 1 cup from the "other veggies" list OR 3 cups from the salad veggies list.

Do you have the book, DANDR 2002? On page 158, there is a table you should use to determine your metabolic resistance based on how much you lost at the end of the first two weeks.

[Niki_Trinity]

That's just a typical day... every now and then I really pig out, but it's hard because I'm not hungry and when I eat it makes me feel unwell. I try to keep my calories to around 1200 or below based on my fit day account. I know I need to up my salad intake again, I have been doing just veggies (1/2 to 1 cup at dinner). I'm trying to get over my burned out spell on salad.

I don't have any of the books in my possession right now, although I do have and did read an older version last year. I just have to dig it back out.

[Georgiana]

It's better to spread your veggies throughout the day in order to avoid blood sugar spikes. So, let's say, you have 0.5 cup of fried celery for breakfast, then mozzarella & tomato salad (1 cup tomato) with tuna w/ mayo for lunch and chicken with 1.5 cup cooked spinach (measured raw) for dinner. To increase your calories, you can also eat some "hidden" calories that don't really make you feel as if ate a lot, e.g. more oil on the salad, cheese with a higher fat content, cream added to an omelet, scrambled eggs or omelets instead of boiled eggs, etc.

Eat a little more (1200 calories is not really enough) and add some veggies, and I believe you should be fine.

Also, I forgot to say this earlier, congratulations for the 17 lbs lost!

[rweeks]

even if you were eating perfect, this happens. Weigh yourself once a week. Same day, same time. Do not obsess with the scale or you will go bonkers. I had a weird weekly weigh in a couple of weeks ago where I WAS UP 13 POUNDS. The next weigh in I lost it all and then some. you could be constipated, retaining water or a thousand different things. YOu should take your scale and put it up high in your closet and break it out only once a week. That is what I do. Good luck and Happy Valentines Day!

[OzLover]

Eat some veggies! 2 cups from the salad list & 1 cup from the other veggie list. You'll find the lists in the book. Here is a link also

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...induction.html (What foods can be eaten on Induction?)