Hi, I am back and I need help!

[Patty1340]

Hello to everyone! I am new to this message board but not new to Atkins. I successfully lost 115 lbs 2 yrs ago, but I had surgery to have excess skin removed about 1 1/2 yrs ago, and I have never been the same since. I went into surgery weighing 164 and came out weighing 172! they said it was the fluid they pumped into me and it would go away, not to worry. So I waited,
I got a lot of pressure from everyone around me that I was to thin, and I still wanted to lose 25 lbs- I was 157 lbs, but I know now thinking back, I had no more weight to lose, I was down to the bone for my age and frame, but I needed to eat "normal" 1800 Calorie diet. I caved to the pressure because I knew what worked for me but I didn't listen to me I listened to them. I know,My Bad, so after a year of YO-YO dieting, and then not dieting then No Carbs, then carbs, My metabolisim is shot! I started induction on Tues of this week, and I hoped for the same results I had when I started it 2 yrs ago, but I have gained 3 lbs! Granted it is my time of the month, but come on! I think I am going crazy! I am 44 yrs old and it gets more difficult as time goes on to lose, and so easy to gain, I don't know what I am doing wrong, becasue it is exactly what i did before. I know this is long and I might not even be writing this in the correct section of this board, but this is what I have been eating and then I will close:

Breakfast:
7 oz of tuna with mayo- not miracle whip
Lunch
2 small hamburger patties with 1 slice american cheese
1 cup french sliced green beans
Dinner

Steak- about 7 oz
Salad with green peppers and shredded chedder cheese

Low carb yogurt ( 4 net carbs)

Lots of water

2 cups coffee in the morning with splenda ( no cream)
Sugar free jello
I appreciate any help
Thank you
Patty

[Georgiana]

I assume you're on induction, correct me if I'm wrong...

First of all, you are not allowed to have yoghurt until you reach the diary rung.

Second, coffee, splenda, jello... these are known stallers. You might consider avoiding them at least during the first two weeks.

Third... I don't think you gained fat from eating a yoghurt and drinking coffee. What I believe is that you gained water weight from too much sodium. If you enter your menu on Fitday (FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal), you'll see there's a lot of sodium in tuna, hamburger patties, cheese, etc.

[Razzle39]

Hi Patty
Welcome! You have come to the right place. I have only been here myself since July28th and with all the encouragement and support not to mention great information here you will have that metabolism humming again in no time. There is a lot of women here who will agree a 3lb weight gain during TOM is not unusual. Keep up with what you are doing and I am sure in a few days you will see the water weight disappear.
Read everything you can in the induction tabs under forums. Even if you did Atkins before there may be information there that you might find valuable. What foods can be eaten on Induction?
THere is also a second time around club for people that have come back to the program that you may find helpful.
Second Time Around Club - Atkins Diet

[Patty1340]

Hi, thanks for the input, I am familiar with fitday, Do you know what the acceptable amount of sodium allow per day is? Tuna was my life saver back in the day, Without it, I don't know what to do! Sugar free Jello is my sugar fix, any idea on that one? It was so easy before, I was 272 lbs at my high, and I went down to 157, my low, and now I am at 200 lbs this morning. This weight thing has been a battle all my life. I was a nice little size 6-8 and now a size 14-16, Very frustated, I have had a gazillion tests done and thnak God nothing major is wrong , but also didn't get any answers either as to why I gained 40 lbs in a year, and didn't really eat anyhting that bad, maybe fast food once a month, or a couple a glasses of wine every now and then, but that shouldn't cause the weight gain that I had, Everything was fine until the surgery, and it has been down hill from there. Thanks for your help.
Patty

[Spirit_Wolf]

I too am a second timer, though I did not follow through the first time. Now I am not an expert but I have come to the conclusion that some people are not meant to eat refined carbs or sugar and will gain weight even with a decent level of calories. I have certainly read a lot of posts that seem to back that up. Refined carbs and sugar affect your insulin level and that contributes to a whole host of problems including weight gain. Of course some people do very well with carbs and even Dr. Atkins admits that a small percentage of the population does not do well on his diet. I know for sure that I am not part of that small percentage!

[Georgiana]

Originally Posted by Patty1340

Do you know what the acceptable amount of sodium allow per day is?

In Europe the recommended amount is 1500 mg, in the US it is 2400. Why this difference, I have no idea... but for me the European RDA works fine, while the American RDA does not. You will have to try and see which is ok for you.

Originally Posted by Patty1340

Sugar free Jello is my sugar fix, any idea on that one?

I found that not eating sweets at all is better for me; it helps me avoid cheats in the long run. But if you really, really need something sweet, I would go for something without aspartame (known staller). One of the sweeteners allowed is Splenda... another is stevia (this comes from a plant, so if you buy the pure thing it has no artificial crap in it). You can drink a sweetened tea or prepare some fancy dessert. There are awesome recipes on Linda's website:
Linda's Low Carb Menus & Recipes - Home

[Patty1340]

Thanks so much for all your help. This afternoon I finally turn my keatone stick purple! Hopefully I have crossed over the hump.Yippee. I will keep you posted, Thanks again!

[Razzle39]

YEAH PURPLE! Congrats!

[sugarsack]

i try to think of it as an allergy.. i am allergic to refined sugar, flour, etc... it helps...

also, come here often, read everything, ask questions..

you will find amazing support and encouragement... it really helps.. YOU CAN DO IT !!