Ugh...advice?

[sugarbum]

Ok, I’m probably going to sound ridiculous or just outright crazy, so I’ve been hesitant to post…but here goes anyway…

I started Atkins at the end of February for about the third time around…a couple years in between attempts. I *really* want to stick to it this time. I have basically been on induction up to this point…partly because I ‘cheated’ a couple of times and went off while on vacation and then started over, and partly because I’m insane and can’t seem to get myself in the right frame of mind.

The first two weeks, even while eating low-carb snacks and shakes a few times because I felt so sick, I lost 8lbs, which is great! But since then, which is about a month, I’ve been pretty much stalled. Sure, I cheated a couple times, I’m not really exercising (and by really, I mean almost not at all.) I have trouble, though I’m trying, to increase my water intake. I haven’t been terribly strict about counting carbs, though I’m certain I’m staying under 20, and I’m not counting calories. I’m eating enough that I’m not going hungry, and I’m taking at least a multivitamin daily.

I have a few questions…I cheated today =( and now I’m obsessing(which happens frequently) and feeling like I should start induction over AGAIN. Should I just up my carbs slightly and try to eat more veggies and protein? How bad is it to go a little over on your cheese intake? I’m honestly going to start exercising soon, but shouldn’t I be losing weight anyway, even slowly? Is it just going extra slow because I don’t have a lot of weight to lose? (I’m 122 at 5’3ish, want to lose like 12 more pounds.) I’ve also been suffering from serious depression for the last several years, could that slow down my metabolism and discourage weight loss? No matter how much I read here or in DANDR about all these things lately, I can’t help but get really bummed out and want to quit. I really need some support. Someone tell me I’m being unreasonable…

[*Emma*]

okay - you dont have that much to lose, dont expect miracles!

You need to do a 14 day CLEAN induction then work up the rungs, you'll be at goal before you know it but you need to do it clean!!

That means no shakes or bars! just eat of the acceptable foods list!

also because youre so close to goal your going to have to exercise, it doesnt need to be anything major, but commit yourself to doing an hour a day of something, anything! swimming, walking running weights... something to burn off the fat

Water is another must, im sure you already know all this, but if you want it to work you NEED to follow the rules, if you dont drink enough water your risking your health, I and many others have suffered severe kidney pains only because we dont drink enough water... besides, it seems to me like the more water you drink the more weight you lose!

On the depression front, *hugs* to you, its not a nice thing, ive been there myself, theres a forum for depression on atkins in ADBB - go search it out!

Honey, good luck to you, this is a great WOE that is easy to live with, but you need to get into the correct frame of mind to succeed!

[KH135]

Oh my goodness I could have written that post myself a few months ago! You sound just like me at the time when I ditched Atkins because I was in the very same spot you're in. Now that I'm older and wiser, I have just a few tips which may or may not help. Just take what 'resonates' and hopefully others will have some better advice. According to the book you should definitely be slowly and methodically working your way up the ladder of OWL now, especially since you have so little left to lose. Lots of water is a must. Exercise, well, that's a must, too, but I know how hard THAT can be, especially when you're depressed. Interestingly enough, it can really help. I also got majorly depressed and ached and a bunch of other stuff because I stayed on Induction too long. Don't get carb=phobic like I did. And one last thing, maybe more supplements will help. Don't give up, just learn and adjust and go forward. Good luck!

[tmn]

I"m curious. Are you male or female? How old are you? How are you physically? Are you losing inches?

I ask because at 5'3", you already sound like you're at a healthy weight for a young woman. Not sure about a man; sounds light for a male.

Being your first post, it's hard to tell what's going on with you. If you're obsessing over the scale, please reconsider this. I thought I was too big in a size 14 when I was about 28 years old. Now I look at one particular picture and wonder what was I thinking?? Size 12 or 14 for this 50 year old, 5'3" woman would be great; wish I was satisfied with it when I was younger.

It's hard to suggest anything for you because we don't know enough about you. Like others are stating here, don't worry about the carbs so much. Get some more in. Longer induction is for people like me (BIG!), not people already in their weight range.

[floydgirl]

You are 5'3'"ish and weigh 122 pounds. That sounds right on to me.

But, to answer your questions, you should do a clean induction -- just like Emma said. that means no lc bars & shakes, etc. Just good healthy food. this will detox your body.

Dr. Atkins said exercise is a must to this WOL. Don't feel like you have to go out and run a marathon your first week. Start out small - a 20 minute walk 3 times a week. You don't have to go gang busters. Any activity is better than none at all. I have a feeling once you start exercising, you may find that you can't live without it! This has happened to so many of us on the ADBB.

Kudos for taking your vitamins. Glad to hear that you are feeding your hunger. That is the ticket.

Try to get all of that water in. That is so very important.

[sugarbum]

I’m a 26 year-old female. While 122 may be a healthy weight, I definitely have some fat I could stand to lose according to the way I'm built. I don’t think 110, at my height, is unreasonable, or even 115…though I do think I’m obsessing over the scale a bit. Maybe I’ll have my husband hide it. I failed to measure myself at the start but I must be losing some inches if my jeans are fitting a bit loosely. I guess I thought that in a month-and-a-half I’d see more results, but I guess I wasn’t being realistic.

So, I started a clean induction today. I'm going stick a calendar on the fridge and also some bold reminders to help me along. I will just do the normal 14 days and go right on to the second phase. I think that’ll probably discourage me from ‘cheating’ again anyway, since it’ll give me more food options.

The weather is, hopefully, warming up for good this time which I think will help encourage me to get out and exercise. I'll start small. =) I’ll also try to keep up with my water intake and vitamins – I think they both help a ton. By the way, has anyone heard anything about or used Rainbow Light vitamins? I’ve been eye-balling them for a bit.

Anyway, even though I’ve been kind of straying a bit, I’ve been feeling a little better, a little healthier overall. =D I AM betting too that when I start to exercise I’ll feel even better. Maybe it seems silly, but all of your responses really have been helpful for me - giving me the reassurance (or little kick in the butt, if you will) that I needed. I really do appreciate it. Thanks!

[Elizellen]

Hi sugar
You are doing fine so far, so relax and keep up the good work!
In your first 2 weeks you have lost 8 pounds out of a total of 20 you want to lose, which is a loss of 40%

A 'normal' loss is between 5% and 10% so you are doing exceptionally in fact and shows you have a low metabolic resistance to weightlossThis means you're probably going to have a CCLM of 60-90 carbs which is great!

As the others have said - dropping the bars and shakes as well as upping the exercise will probably increase your chances of losing more too!!

[MorningGlory]

Hi there
I'm sure glad you posted...there's a lot of people here who are very good at supporting and helping. Asking for help is a big step, but also an encouraging one~~shows you really do care about yourself.

Throw the scale away! It's a stressor, not a helper. Take measurements today and then every couple of weeks...not every day! Judge your progress by how your clothes fit and look. Much easier!

As for water....what I discovered by accident is that I can guzzle room temperature water, but I cannot tolerate cold water. Might be your problem too; something to consider.

Make a point of going for walk every day. It clears your mind and wakes up your body!

Keep coming here and checking in...I hope we see you often....this is a great place!

[tryingagain]

Hi Sugarbum!
I am new here and don't know you, but I wanted to comment on your post.
First, I also know how depression is and let me tell you it can really hinder your weightloss efforts. Exercise is CRUCIAL! Not only for weight loss but for depression. It has been clinically proven to release endorphins, the "feel good" hormones". I know when I feel down in the dumps or downright completely depressed, if I can just get myself on that treadmill one time for 30 minutes, it changes everything, and when I remember how good I feel after, physically and mentally, I am that much more committed to it.
Even 3 times a week, for 30-60 minutes will make all the difference. It just takes one time getting yourself out the door or to the gym.
Otherwise I agree with the others. Kick the shakes and all that crap. Eat clean, your body will thank you and you'll also be helping defeat that depression by feeling good about yourself for saying no to that stuff and making better decisions.
Cheese can be a killer for some, I know if I want to lose steadily, I have to cut back on the cheese, but everyone is different. You have to sit down and look at what you are eating and take one thing at a time and cut back on it, and see if it makes a difference. If so you found your culprit.
Also, don't forget, you are so close to goal, that you will lose slower and thats a GREAT thing! Losing too fast is no good, and the slower you lose, and take your time, the better chance you have of keeping it off and keeping this WOE a lifestyle change.

Good luck I hope that helped some!

[lbrowne]

As Kim said, exercise is a must for dealing with depression. The kicker is depression makes it much harder to get started with exercising. It will get easier as you go if you can find a way to get started.

Don't be freaked if you gain a bit on a the scale or don't lose with adding in the exercise. Your body will be adjusting, holding onto water, adding muscle (which weighs more than fat per inch), etc. What counts is how you look and feel and how your clothes fit. Try not to get wrapped up in what the scale says.

~ Linda