Literally desparate for progress!!!

[blessedbyHim]

Hi everyone,

My name is Stephanie, and as I mentioned in my profile, I'm what I call a "cross-over" I guess. We learned mid January from our adoption agency that the country we chose to adopt from changed there policies for the new year that required me to lose about 45 pounds in order to proceed with our dreams to adopt a child internationally. In the past Atkins had helped me lose the weight between pregnancies, however, the very last time I did the diet it didn't work as well as before which prompted me to chose another diet (Medifast) in order to help me take off the weight as quick as possible (by Mar. 20) so we could continue with our adoption and get on the waiting list.

Things were going well until the last week when I guess I hit that dreaded "plateau". Knowing I couldn't afford to not lose at least a quarter-half pound each day after being stalled out for almost a week I decided to go back to Atkins thinking it could jumpstart my weight loss. I am one day into it and actually gained a half pound. I'm hoping that's normal and in a few days I will start to se results again.

I know I must sound crazed, but I am I guess. We've come so far in our adoption process and the longer it takes me to lose the weight, the longer it is before we can bring home our little girl. 16 pounds to go!

Any advice, insight or ideas would greatly be appreciated. Right now I'm wondering if not eating enough carbs could cause you not to lose. I don't think I got the 20 carbs in yesterday. Thanks so much for listening, it's so nice to be around people who are supportive and going through the same challenges as you. stephanie

[mitzimarie]

Hi, Stephanie

Welcome to ADBB!

OK, a few things I'll touch upon. First, it would really help us if you could provide some stats in your signature, that will appear each time that you post. We need to know your start date, age, height, starting weight, current weight, and goal weight. I've put a "sticky" at the top of this forum that contains a lot of good info, including how to put this kind of information in your signature. Here is the link to the sticky - http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...-new-read.html (If you are NEW, READ THIS!)

Next, I'm curious why you didn't make Atkins your way of eating for life... it appears that you just used it as a means to lose weight between pregnancies. That poses a problem, because when you use Atkins as a means to lose weight, then go back to your old way of eating, you will gain the weight back. (This is true of any "diet") In the 2002 version of Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution (which is the book that this board is based upon), Dr. A warns us not to go back and forth with this way of eating... meaning, you need to do Atkins for Life. If you keep switching back and forth with eating plans, it tends to screw up your metabolism and it gets harder and harder to lose the weight.

Also, it is imperative to realize (and accept) the fact that weight does not come off in a linear fashion. It would be GREAT if it did, but it just doesn't... so I wouldn't get my heart set on losing a quarter-half pound each day. I average a loss of between 1 and 2 pounds a week... that meant that some weeks I lost 2 pounds, most weeks I lost 1 pound, and some weeks I lost 0 pounds. I understand that you are wanting the pounds to come off fast for a certain deadline, but you just can't count on that.

In answer to your question, yes - many people break a plateau by adding more carbs in the form of veggies. Also, it is possible that you are eating something that is causing your weight loss to slow. In the sticky I referred you to, there is a link to a forum on the board called "Review My Menu". You can go there and list the details on exactly what you are eating and drinking (make sure to include the amounts, too). Members will read your post and offer suggestions on what might be the problem.

Good luck!

[Desertthorn]

Welcome Stephanie, glad you found us. Hope this works for you.

[Sunny_0ne]

Hi, Stephanie,

Glad you are back to Atkins. It's the only diet that works for me.

I'm concerned that you might be planning to lose the weight just so you can go through with the adoption, and then not worry about maintaining it.

With a new little one, you are going to need all the energy and good health you can muster! So it's important to look at Atkins as a lifelong way of eating.

Once you get past the strict induction phase, you can broaden your choices to construct a plan that you can live happily on for life.

The weight will come off at its own rate. As Mitzi said, there will be ups and downs. Understand and accept that so you don't get discouraged.

The VERY best of luck to you. And I'm look forward to seeing pictures when your new little family member finally arrives!

[blessedbyHim]

I thank you all for your replies and supportive comments.

I have always been a low carb eater. I wasn't using Atkins in order to only lose weight in between pregnancies, nor am I using it just to lose weight for adoption.

My last pregnancy was a difficult one and I just have not begun to try to lose the 75 weight gain that I had put on with my daughter. I have been very lazy. My OB informed me that it was not healthy to do Atkins while pregnant so you can imagine after years of low carb; eating them again for 9 months certainly packed on the pounds. It's been difficult however to go back which is why I'm deciding to commit at this time. My daughter will be 5 this March so I have no excuse to call it pregancy weight anymore!

The adoption is not the only reason I am losing weight by going back to my old low carb lifestyle. In fact, we were right on schedule with me at the 250 weight to adopt from the country we chose until they changed their policies for the new year rendering me now ineligible to adopt. My race to lose the pounds in order to proceed however is precisely the kick in the pants I needed and I believe God's way of spurring me on.

The reason I chose another diet first is because in the past my low carb WOE worked, but at a slower steady rate. I do not have the luxury of taking my good old time this time around. With the country of China slowing down on their adoptions, many more families are turing to South Korea to adopt- therefore making the wait time much longer than before. The longer it takes me to lose the weight, the longer it is before we can get on that waiting list and bring our new daughter home.

My husband and I felt the call to adopt many years ago and we would like to do this while our other children are still young and they can truly grow up together as brothers and sisters. Losing the weight in order to adopt will be a blessing, getting healthy again for my husband and children is another one all in itself.

Thanks for reading and again for you replies and suggestions- stephanie

[Sunny_0ne]

My OB informed me that it was not healthy to do Atkins while pregnant so you can imagine after years of low carb; eating them again for 9 months certainly packed on the pounds.

That must have devastated you, Stephanie.

Thanks for giving us a little more background. It really helps understand your dilemma.

I hope the pounds come off at an amazing rate for you!!!