Slow losers post here

[Finelly]

I'm getting a lot of pms from people worried that they aren't losing or are losing very slowly. I've also seen a couple of posts.

I thought it might be reassuring if we had a thread about it (in addition to the sticky called Slow Scales the Second Time Around) so that people could see they aren't alone.

I'll start:

I'm 44. I lost 40 lbs and regained it all plus 4 lbs last year. I started on June 20 at 218. I'm now at 200.

I did not weigh for the first four weeks, but when I did, I was only down to 212.

My pattern THIS time around (as opposed to the first, when it all came off easily) is to drop maybe 2-3 lbs, then pause for a long period of time, then drop another couple of lbs, then pause again. Right now I'm paused at 200 for about 2 1/2 weeks. As I recall, I had a LONG period of time at 200 the last time around, too.

I'm happy. Content with my food choices. Still struggle to drink the amount of water I should, but have more good days with that now than I do bad. And I feel GREAT.

[Lisa M]

Re: Slow losers post here

Well, I'll raise my hand in this one, because I'm definitly a slow loser and find frustrations often.

I'm 32 (fast approaching 33 in a few), and have gone from 228 to 211.5 since July 28th...16.5 pounds. Yep, I'm a slow loser. Always have been even since the first time I began Atkins over 2 years (almost 3 years ago). I lose 2-4 pounds, go through a "pause" for a couple of few weeks (depending on my hormones), and then drop another 2-4 pounds.

Induction was awesome....I loved watching the pounds just fluff off, but that was a lot of water and probably some fat. Now it's time to burn fat; turn fat cells into water cells and then whooosh them away.

Choosing to follow up the ladder was something I needed to do for the sake of conquering a personal goal and proving myself wrong. I have succeeded in both.

But after a consultation with a friend, I will be going into Induction Oct 1st, if not before to get a fresh start in exercise!

[Laurenfra]

Re: Slow losers post here

I am 37 OMG! I started in June '04. I lost 30 lbs by Nov. 5 months later. I am still at that Nov weight. 185. Talk about a stall. I get carb creep and put on 1 or 2 lbs and go back on induction for weeks at a time and only go back to that 185.

[healthandharmony]

Re: Slow losers post here

I stopped Atkins the first time because I stayed at 168lbs. I just could not budge any more lbs. they stuck like glue. I felt really well though and regretted stopping. I am even slower than the last time.

It is hard, but nice to know we have this place to keep us going.

[Squeaker]

Re: Slow losers post here

Age 42, I stayed at 21lb loss from end of June to last week. This was a succession of "little" cheats which meant I was just static. I've only lost 24lbs since I started mid-May so it is slow going for me. I can't tell you the inches, because not being the most organised person in the universe I keep losing the damned paper I wrote them down on. But I'd say they've been considerable as although I haven't changed a dress size things are a lot looser.

[Spikette]

Re: Slow losers post here

I've been going up and down with the same two lbs since I restarted...the first time everything just melted off...lbs and inches. I really started this WOE to feel better and be healthier...everything else was a bonus.

While I feel great, I now have more to lose than I did in the beginning...and while I keep plugging long...it's verrrrry slooooow.

[ladyinred]

Re: Slow losers post here

I'm 44 and have been in perimenopause for the last 6 years. Those hormones are wreaking havoc with my body and I have that lovely little 5 months pregnant belly (which is actually quite gorgeous if you are actually 5 months preggers!!).

Of everything I've tried Atkins has worked best for me and I lost 15 pounds in two months when I started in May. Then I guess I stalled and there was some carb creeping then a couple of out and out cheats and voila! Seven pounds came back plus a couple that kept bopping up and down. I've never lost really quickly but I was so happy about those 15 pounds.

As frustrating as it may seem, it is even more frustrating when you go off plan and the pounds come on, and your head is foggy and you're tired all the time, and disappointed with yourself for letting yourself down. I read Moochiecat's "weight loss is not linear" sticky and that helped a lot. We should re-read it whenever we get frustrated because the bottom line is, whether we lose quickly or not, whether we stall for a long time or not, we feel great, we look great and our bodies are so much happier and healthier, that even if we never lost another pound, why would you trade such a wonderful WOE for a momentary flirtation with bad carbs that can only lead us down the dark and lonely path to fatness and disappointment.

Oh, sorry!! Did that turn into a lecture? lol

[Nutri_Nut]

Re: Slow losers post here

Question: What is it about this WOE that causes people to be unable to lose the second time around? One of the criticisms I heard about Atkins is that it messes up your metabolism and makes weight loss later impossible. Could this be true??

Could we lose weight by simply using more calories than we take in? Or would that be impossible, too? If we all went on a 1,200 or 1,000 calorie a day diet, would we lose more and/or faster?

I'm going on week three; and as of this morning, I have lost only one pound. I have 30 pounds to lose. At this rate, it'll take me almost TWO YEARS to lose what I need to lose. Any other time I've lost weight, it took only a few months. Losing only a pound every three weeks does not motivate me to continue the sacrifice and inconvenience of eating this way. I was maintaining my weight when I was eating what I wanted!

Has anyone tried some other way to lose weight other than Atkins? I just wonder if something - anything - else would work or are our metabolisms too messed up now???

[pjade1]

Re: Slow losers post here

I fit this category now. The first time on Atkins last year, I lost 15 lbs in 2 months. Then I gained back 6 lbs going off of Atkins but that took me about 6 months to gain back. I have been on Atkins again since July 28 and only lost about 6 lbs. I am hanging in there though because I know it works and I like not being hungry.

I have one more pound to lose and I will be at the same weight I was last year with the 15 lb weight loss. This time, I plan on sticking to this WOE and reach goal!!!

[Nutri_Nut]

Re: Slow losers post here

Linda - You don't have much to lose. But with me, I have 30 pounds to go, and I don't think it's reasonable to wait two years to get there. Perhaps I'm fighting a losing battle and this is the weight my body is meant to be at?

[I lost it]

Re: Slow losers post here

I wonder with all the different diets we have all experienced through the years,plus none of us getting any younger,metabolism could be a part of the equation. The last month I have done everything the same as I did the first eight months,and I am frozen at the same weight. Changed workout this past week hoping to break this stall.

[pjade1]

Re: Slow losers post here

I remember reading somewhere that people who diet alot tend to lose weight more slowly. The body seems to remember and have set points. It is trying to hold onto the weight because it doesn't really believe that you are going to continue your way of eating. Let's face it, most people give up on diets and resume their old ways of eating. Even if they've reached goal, they go back to what made them fat in the first place. I think once people reach goal or get close to goal, they get slack.

I think age has something to do with metabolism too but we can counteract it with exercise. Oh ya, that ugly word "EXERCISE". I am guilty of not doing enough of that too. We just have to remember, Atkins is not a diet but a way of life. This time, reach goal, learn and stick to the maintenance phase. We can do this together!!!

[Finelly]

Re: Slow losers post here

Nutrinut - I have 60 lbs to lose as of today. And that will get me to 140, which used to be what I would consider fat!

I strongly, strongly recommend that people not experiment with other woes. If you have experienced success previously on Atkins, and then gained it back, it's because you didn't develop the proper relationship with food and didn't go through all of the stages of this woe. Probably most are like me - did great, then went off and started eating anything they felt like, gaining it all back.

It's well-established that the second or third or whatever time around, we may NOT lose as fast as we did the first time. This is because our body is not longer shocked about being in ketosis. It also doesnt' really trust the process, since it got used to ketosis once, then had to go back to burning carbs for fuel.

The key is to accept the slowness. To be patient. To embrace the way our bodies are, that they go at their own pace, and that the biggest gift we can give ourselves is to be healthy.

[knicknack]

Re: Slow losers post here

Yo Yo Yo.

That is to say, yoyo-ing weight absolutely messes with your metabolism. I'm sure anyone who's done a low fat diet found that it worked for a while, then stopped working, then they stopped eating low fat, and then gained the weight back, and when they started back up again it didn't work as well.

Least, that's how it's worked for my mom. Doesn't matter what diet she tries. In the long run, she stayed on atkins and has been on it for oh, 5 years or so. She and my dad are on maintenance at this point, but they still do it right (cept the mashed potatoes on turkey day!). She's a slow loser as well, but she's able to stay on this diet whereas on the other ones she always slipped and ultimately couldn't get back on.

For example: The zone diet. the 30-30-40 at every meal one. She says it's the best for losing weight but it's nearly impossible to get the exact mix of foods at every meal. So, it didn't last.

now she just cooks meat and veggies, some fruit. Low carb bread. It's easy, in the long run. It helps that both of them are doing it, of course.

One thing to note though, and correct me if i'm wrong, Dr. A says himself that if you're on a long stall you might want to go to a low cal/low fat diet (or some other kind of diet) for a while to 'shock' your system. I've never tried it, has anyone else?

[jersey]

Re: Slow losers post here

I am in the slow boat too. I started last November (04) and have lost about 30 pounds...strict induction was humiliating for me as I lost only 2 or 3 lbs during the two week period. I've moved to Owl after a somewhat longer induction and the weight loss is s l o w...I am two pants sizes down (22-18 in jeans)...I stick with Atkins because it has cured some physical symptoms (heartburn, reflux to name two). I truly believe that my perimenopausal state is drastically effecting my progress...

Even though I know that the scale is evil, I certainly would like to see it move steadily downward and not jump all over the place depending on TOM or the lack of it...*sigh*