Second time...

[QuadTall]

I have read in previous posts, weight loss could possible be slower the second time around. With that being said, has anyone found there are certain "tricks". What I mean is....If a person is slower the second time around would it be better bet to lower fat percentages or consumer low-than-last-time calories?

Should I try to stay close to my "need caloric intake for weight loss"?
Should I eat less fat?
Should I up my carbs to where I was when I was on Atkins last time?
Should I move up the rungs/ladder quicker this time?

I am on day 7 of induction and all though I shouldn't be weighing I did (and I am sure most of us do). I have lost a whopping ONE pound...... I was hoping for more.

Thanks for anyhelp.

[dreamof145]

Hi Quadtall! Welcome back. Dr. Atkins said in his book, Dr. Atkin's New Diet Revolution, edition 2002...that people who regain weight and then go back on induction repeatedly can develop a tolerance. He states that as we get older, our body's natural tendency is to slow down metabolically. The big problem is that if you stop and start continuously, you are cheating yourself out of learning to eat healthy and develop a life-style with this woe.

There are no 'tricks'. Atkins works if you do it as it is designed. Go back on induction, do it cheatfree, eat the acceptable foods. To encourage your body to burn its own stores of fat, you need to reduce the carbs, - eating foods rich in protein and fat. If your fat intake is too low, you will not burn fat as quickly.

The tricks that work are:
Exercise
Water
Supplements
and
Support system that keeps your attitude positive (such as ADBB)

As for when to move up the rungs, that is an individual call for each of us. If you are becoming bored with the induction foods or feel the need to re-introduce the rung foods into your plan then you should start climbing the rungs. If you are getting closer to your goal -- then you need to start going up the rungs so you can move on to pre-maintenance and Life-time maintance comfortably. Remember...this is a learning experinece so you can not only lose the weight and reach goal...but so you can be comfortable and satisfied on this WOE and be able to do it for the rest of your life.

My suggestion would be to do it as Dr. Atkins' planned. Don't try to make adjustments or alterations to it. Get active here with others who are doing it, join challenges, make a journal, read/reply to motivational forums and make lots of friends. You'll can make it happen. We're all here for you! Best wishes!!

[QuadTall]

THank you for you response.

I am just afraid my shot at this WOE has passed. I truely loved being on this WOL in the past but this time it's really hard. I am a huge fan of this process and would highly recommend it BUT I am afraid of how sucessful I can be when it is so hard. I have not lost one pound, compared to what I have lost in the last attempt (and I am not expecting a miracle). But it's not just that - I am FLIPPIN' STARVING! This is just really different than last time and honestly a balance diet would be easier at this point, IMO.

[dreamof145]

I understand. First off, are you sure you are hungry and not thirsty? Try drinking more water when you feel the hunger pangs. If you are still hungry after 5-10 minutes, then you might not be following the Dr. Atkin's plan of eating till you are satisfied. Are you skipping meals or skimping on your portions? Make sure you are eating adaquate portions of fat and protein as well as getting up to 20 carbs. I know with me, it was such a habit to eat that I assumed I was hungry when I was just plain bored. Eating till your satisfied doesn't mean overeating, it just means that you are aware of what you are eating and stopping before you are stuffed.

If you are hungry between meals, you can have small snacks such as olives, small amount of tuna, or ounce of cheese. I used to have small baggies prepared to grab for emergencies. Inside I had a few chunks of meat, boiled egg and or cheese.

Have you taken your measurements? How do you feel? Are you comfortable with this WOE? One thing that will help you is to get active here in the ADBB. Make friends and enjoy the changes your making. Attitude is a big plus in changing our habits. If you feel good about the changes and have friends who share your goals with, then you find you don't struggle as much. At least thats what helped me.

Please keep us posted on your progress. Take it one day at a time, don't compare yourself to others' weight losses, your body is unique and it will lose at it's own speed. Make a plan to succeed. Plan in your foods, exercises, water intake, measurments and accomplishments to get you to your goal. If the scale is getting you depressed, then use the measurements to determine how you are doing. Re-read your book for motivation, ask questions and don't give up on yourself. You can do it!!

[MorningGlory]

Hey Quadtall:
dreamof145 has given you great advice. This is my 3rd time on Atkins and I am using as many tools as I can to help myself this time. I am not dwelling on the fact that someone has mentioned it may take longer to achieve weight change. (Why give negative statements power over you.)

• I'm not using scales, I take measurements every 2 weeks.

• I make sure I drink all my water every day. This is my mini goal every day.

• I make sure I exercise at least 30 minutes a day, and to help keep myself on track I joined the monthly exercise challenge over on the challenges forum. It's amazing how this helps!

• I use Fitday to track my fat, protein and carb intake. In addition I joined the Veggie Challenge, which doesn't actually start til Monday, but it's got me started all the same. Amazing when you track your food intake to see exactly what are eating.

Take steps to help yourself, then you'll know you're committed and you'll feel empowered and keen to continue. You're the one in charge of what you eat and whether or not you exercise~~You want to do this, otherwise you wouldn't bother posting...focus on what you CAN do. You're worth it.