Should I give it another go?

[MrsMinnie]

Hi guys, I'm back and struggling to lose my last 22 lbs. I started with atkins and exercise and lost just over 6 lbs in a month. I lost another 20 - 22 ish lbs through the master cleanse which was really tough.
I have tried going back to it, but because it involves fasting I just can't do it now and have so far not gained the weight back for over 3 months.

BUT - I really want to lose the last 22 lbs, do you think ATKINS will do the job? I'm 5'5 ish and 132 lbs now, and would like to go down to 110lbs. Has anyone got similar stats?
I don't mind exercising and going through atkins again, please please, please advise, I am constantly thinking about losing the weight and I end up binge eating sometimes - I'm scared I will end up gaining all the weight I lost back.

[VikaNYC]

First of all, the "master cleanse" is extremely bad for you. Anything worth doing is worth doing right. Atkins is one of the right ways. Fasting and liquid diets are the wrong way.

Secondly, I'm the same height as you and 132 is my goal weight. 110 is technically underweight for someone our height. I'm inclined to say that you're fine as you are, but it's ultimately up to you. I'd shoot for 120, if you must go lower. That's within the normal weight range.

Anyway. Good luck to you.

[MrsMinnie]

I still can't fit into the clothes someone my height and weight is apparently meant for. I gather it may have to do with the actual weight of my bones, maybe? I also have a lot of fat around my waist such that when i wear jeans it falls over and my bottom half is really big. So I still feel I need to lose a bit more and go back to my normal weight as before.
Except I am not sure atkins will help - what are your experiences if anyone has done it from that weight and height?

[kate58]

I still can't fit into the clothes someone my height and weight is apparently meant for.

I've never seen clothes with a height and weight written on them. The bones thing is a red herring. The reality is that everyone is a different shape, what fits me may be either too small or too large for someone else the exact same height and weight as me. Plus body shape changes as we age, so what fit you before may not fit you again.

Even a very skinny person wearing jeans that are too small for them will have some fat over the top, unless they are emaciated and even then skin will hang. Your body needs some fat to be healthy.

I'm not saying you shouldn't lose more weight, that's totally up to you. But given that you already are within the normal BMI range, it's going to be a slow process no matter what you do. I know you have kept off what you lost already, and well done for that, but as you creep towards what is actually underweight your body is not going to be happy and will want to put on pounds any chance it gets.

Atkins may work, but it isn't something you "go through", it's a permanent long term and healthy way of eating. At your stage you should be heading up OWL, slowly progressing and learning what you can eat, and then hitting pre-maintenance in preparation for long term maintenance. You won't lose fast, but you will lose permanently and healthily.

Of course you could just do induction but I doubt it will allow you to just drop pounds quickly and even if it does they will be easy to regain. Losing slowly on a healthy diet is a better way.

Exercise and toning up will also do more for your shape at your size now than ever.

[Desertthorn]

I would just stick with Atkins but not stress about the numbers. They will drop sometimes slower than we want, but look how well you have done. I had a friend on this board who lost like 100 pounds but the last 20 pounds took her forever to achieve. We just have to be patient

[MrsMinnie]

Thanks guys - I do still need to lose - I am not trying to figure out whether I should lose or not, I just want to find the best way to do so.
Thanks Kate - I have to go by height and stats to buy clothes as I usually buy online and outside the country - sizes vary. I'm sorry if I confused you by saying weight.

I'm not looking for a quick fix either - I currently eat a low carb diet anyway. Thanks all for your help.

[mystic]

Boy if I were at that weight, I'd just use running to get there. Run about 4-6 miles a day and you'd be there pretty quickly. I'm still too heavy to run again, but I'm anticipating the day where I can - nothing like running to remove the last bits of extra weight.

[sallyseachange]

Yes, Atkins, if done properly, will get you to goal for sure. Just remember that it is a way of life, not a "do-it-until-you-lose-then-stop" diet. If you do that, you'll undoubtedly regain.

You can do it!

[Buddrfly]

Hello Minnie,

I am 5'7" and my goal weight is no lower than 150. Anything lower than that, and I may look like a walking stick! My pics are below in my siggy and in them, I'm 174...I've always weighed more than it looks like I weigh...I guess you have that problem in reverse??? If so, it's understandable. I say 150 because I too have the extra bulge around my tummy, and I'm hoping that I will lose the extra lbs that I carry around the middle. If not, I'll have to speak with my doctor about other alternatives...it just depends on what my stomach looks like when I get closer to goal..

Try this...set mini goals, take progress pics, and measure yourself.....you may be surprised to find that you look great at around 120-125 instead of 110.

Just a thought,
Iyshia