Frustration

[ConstantCraving]

Here it is, the end of week 3. I chose to extend induction as the second week I lost very little, only a pound. The first week of induction was incredible. I lost 12 pounds. The second week I lost a pound, the third week has been even less than the second. I haven't lost any inches, actually gained a pound, the Ketosticks show I am out of ketosis, not even a trace. I have no idea why. I'm doing nothing different than the first week. I posted a days a menu here and was told it looked good. I've scoured the DANDR, my daily records looking for anything I could possibly be doing wrong. I'm eating just above my BMR.

I have had a clean induction, I eat very simply and have not gone over the carb intake even by a gram. I drink lots of water now. I've had good support in my doctor. She is very familiar with Atkins. Because I have had spells of not feeling well and I have been unable to work out at the gym for more than 15 minutes without being exhausted and hurting she ran some blood work.

So, on top of what I have already mentioned, my blood sugar is low, my CK (muscle) enzymes are high and my A.M. cortisol is just a bit out of whack. This is all new to me. I haven't had results like this before. The doctor said that I can continue doing Atkins even with the blood work showing what it does but wants me to modify it some. Don't do the rungs and go to eating nuts etc. To me this seems to be defeating the whole purpose of what this WOE is all about. I am not losing now, out of ketosis by the stix etc, then doing the diet in a modified manner would have me gaining weight.

While I feel physically somewhat unwell, my moods are swinging all over the place the past few days. I am becoming very frustrated. I lost 120 pounds 4 years ago on a low cal, low fat regime and I have kept it off until the past 6 months when I gained 15 pounds. It became clear that I had become metabolically resistant so I had to make a change. I chose Atkins. I always wanted to go down another 15 or 20 pounds from my original loss so that makes it about 30 pounds total that I have been wanting to lose.

More than anything I guess I am just blowing off steam. I want to cheat, go and have pasta...or even just toast and peanut butter.
Can I have some cheese with my whine?

[Georgiana]

It's very normal to lose more in the first week than in the second. The purpose of the induction is not to make you lose a bunch of weight, but to put the bad eating habits away and help you stay away from cheats when you move to OWL.

Now having only 30 lbs to lose you should not be doing extended induction. Move to OWL by adding another 5 g of carbs from veggies. More cucumber/lettuce/tomato/etc. won't make you fat. :-p

About the nuts, what your doctor recommended you is more or less the South Beach diet. I don't know if it would be better or worse for you, but I (like many people around this board) have an issue with nuts... they are just not compatible with weight loss, be it because I eat more than an ounce or because my body just doesn't tolerate them...

Move up the rungs and see how things go... I really believe you should be fine if you don't force yourself into an extended induction. Don't expect to lose something like 10 pounds per week though... you could do this if you had 100 lbs to lose, but with 30 you'll have to be patient.

Oh, and by the way, here's your cheese.

[Chicklady]

I agree, The less you have to lose, the slower it goes. Sad but true. And frequently, moving up a rung actually kickstarts foks into losing again....try it!

[auntiesocial]

I've always inductioned myself into cheating (sad but true).

This time I'm doing it by the book -- I did three weeks of induction and then moved into OWL. My weight has started dropping again since moving into OWL, after almost NO loss at all my second and third weeks on induction. Also, I feel better. I was feeling pretty bad by the end of that third week doing strict induction, but I'm feeling better now.

Go to OWL, that's what I'm trying to say.

[liv]

Yes as the previous posters says - you body just halts a bit after that first big loss. Keep sticking to the plan - move up OWL.
Take some vitamins - maybe some B vits will help if you mood is giving you a hard time.
These last few pounds are not going to come off fast - the important thing is to get healthy and have some fun. Try and see if you can find some exercise you can do that you enjoy.
Hugs to you. Hang in there.

[sugarsack]

i agree.. i find if i am stalled if i eat more (on plan just more) i actually lose weight.. disproves the whole thought of you have to starve to lose weight

[ConstantCraving]

Okay...message heard and followed!

I moved up a rung today and I'm having a few more veggies. I dug my weights out of the storage closet and will work slowly here at home.

I have "food issues" and have had all my life. I weigh less now than I have since I was 12 yrs old. I get very afraid when my weight goes up even a pound or so. The support of this board has kept me going. I want so much to have a healthy and life long WOE.

I came to a crossroads last night after I posted. I got an invite to go out to dinner. Talk about a make or break moment. It was the first time I have gone to a restaurant since starting induction. To cheat or not to cheat. I sat with the menu in my hand and decided it was a test. I passed.

auntiesocial, I have to wonder if I have been doing the same. Inductioning myself into cheating. That idea bears some thinking for me.

My heartfelt appreciation to all.

[determined2shrink]

I somewhat know how you feel. Is there any vitamins that can help you? I have a cronic vitamin D deficency that makes me get horrible pain in my bones( previous condition, not from this WOE) so i take calcium +D. Cramps in my muscles and wearing out early- potassium. Still left with fatigue which i take 2 things for 1. coconut oil-tbsp in the morning and afternoon( really works ). 2. B-complex vitamin( also helps stablize your mood). I also take my multivitamin every morning (with iron because i am anemic) I haven't felt this good ever before in my life.

See if your doctor can run some blood tests to see if you are low on any vitamins or minerals.

[ConstantCraving]

Yes, the doctor already checked my absorption and certain vitamin levels. I have pernicious anemia and get B12 injections regularly. My iron is higher than it ever has been. Everything was good there. I do take some supplements as advised.

I'm on rung one now, exercising lightly and looking ahead......