Stall or Weight Memory

[Gina8225]

Well here I am again. After completing induction, I only lost 5 pounds. And those 5 pounds were lost in the first 3 days, so I'm assuming it's water. I am thankful for the loss, but am getting tired of this happening. I lose a couple pounds, stall for weeks or months, fall off the wagon, gain weight back, restart Atkins. Ugh! So tired of the cycle. I once read that your body has a weight memory. Your body gets stuck at a certain weight that you were in in the past and it's very difficult to get past that. This could be the case for me as I get stuck at the same weight all the time. What are your thoughts on this?

[mizski]

A lot has been written on the weight set point theory but it's hard to find advice on how to get past it as most of these sources want to sell you their product(s). This is what I know about it and what has worked for others:

Presuming that someone follows the Atkins plan as written, other ways to get past that set point is to exercise. You absolutely cannot omit exercise and expect to lower your set point. Exercise is the only mechanism proven to help lower set point. You must get into the habit of exercising for at least an hour several days a week in order to lower your set point.

If you are already working out regularly, you must begin to vary your routine. Perhaps your body has gotten “used” to your workout and the benefits of exercise to your metabolism have slackened. A great way to boost your metabolism is to begin to include increases in intensity to your workout. If your workout becomes too “easy,” it is imperative that you find ways to make it moderately difficult again if you want to drop your set point.

I think the key point is to NOT give up and just stop everything. I think we all can lose weight, it just takes more effort, thought and planning for some. HTH Good luck!

[imagood1]

Are you eating the proper foods - those on the acceptable food list and nothing else? No more than 3 sweetner packets per day? Mizski already touched on exercise - that's mandatory. How about water? Are you drinking the minimum 64 ounces daily (nothing added - pure water?) Also, are you taking any medications that might be slowing down your weight loss? Are you loosing inches? These are just a few questions.


You might want to go to the Review My Menu area Review My Menu - Atkins Diet and post your exact meals (now much of each thing you eat) - maybe someone can help find something you are overlooking.

Don't give up!

[Gina8225]

Yes, I have been following the rules. I've been doing this on/off for 8 years. But I really believe in the set point theory. As far as exercise goes, I do zero minutes everyday. I know everyone says who has time, but really, I don't have time. Single working mom of grade school kids, can't do first thing in the morning, already doing my cleaning then, can't do after work, doing the cooking, homework, baths. Don't really have a lunch break at work and I sit all day. I will have to figure out some way to get the exercise in everyday. Maybe in 10 minute intervals throughout the day? Need to do something.

[liv]

Are you sure you followed the rules? I am not asking because I doubt you. But I thought I followed the rules too first time I did induction and it turned out I did not.

Also you may be a more gradual loser. Some people are. So you just have to hang in there.

Some lose better with more veggies so move to rung one and see what more veggies can bring.

I don't know about this memory stuff - would it not make it impossible to lose weight? On this board people are losing left and right.

[Gina8225]

Yes, I know the rules. I did the plan 8 years ago and lost 36 pounds in 3 months. But then I got pregnant and we all know how that goes. Now I am in my 40's and on thryoid meds, so I know it's going to be more difficult, but I believe the lack of exercise is making it even harder for me to lose.

[liv]

I am in my fourthies with thyroid issues too. Don't you take meds for your thyroid?
Are you going by the rules in the 2002 edition then? Rules changed.

I am doing an induction right now. And I am super strict. Very little dairy, no sweetener what so every. Plenty of water. And the scale has moved. I would not stress so much about the exercise. It is not going to be the main factor in weightloss.

[Gina8225]

Not sure of the edition, original weight loss was in 2001. Basically, here is what I eat:

2 eggs
1T butter
4 oz. pork rinds
Chicken Caesar Salad
1 oz cheddar cheese
6 oz. steak
Mushrooms/Onions w/butter
And once in awhile - sugar free popsicle
Water w/lemon wedge

Does this seem right?

[liv]

The rule for DANDR (Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution) Is to eat less than 20 carbs, 3 cups of veggies from two different lists and drink tons of water.

What you are eating is looking pretty good to me. Onions can be carby so do not overdo them.
Popsicles are likely sweetener with aspartame - which is a sweetener Atkins told us to avoid. Try to make sure you have 3 cups of veggies and see how that works out.

[Gina8225]

Yeah, I know I shouldn't eat popsicles, but sometimes I just need something sweet. When I have extra time on my hands (haha), I make them with Splenda. I will try to mix up the veggies a little more. I usually have cauliflower with my chicken and mushrooms with my steak, but I'll try some different stuff and see how that works.

Thanks for the advice!!!!