middle age spread

[pemalf]

Hi, I just joined the group! I've been on induction for 11 days and have lost 8 pounds but feel like I should've lost more.

I am 55 and weighed 162 at the beginning. I am 5'4" tall. Normally, I didn't have a problem with losing weight, but it's really tough now that I'm older.

I find that I'm obsessing over the fact that I can't get my keytone strips to move past the 'small amount'. I've read some of the other suggestions like cutting out caffeine etc, but these don't really apply to me. Can anyone give me some more suggestions?

I also wonder if I'm eating enough. I just never seem to have much of an appetite.

Would love any and all suggestions, and help.

Thanks!
Patty

[Georgiana]

Welcome to ADBB, Patty!

Originally Posted by pemalf

Hi, I just joined the group! I've been on induction for 11 days and have lost 8 pounds but feel like I should've lost more.

Setting up a weight loss schedule, i.e. expecting to lose X lbs in Y days, is a bad idea, imo.

I am 55 and weighed 162 at the beginning. I am 5'4" tall.

What's your goal weight?

I find that I'm obsessing over the fact that I can't get my keytone strips to move past the 'small amount'. I've read some of the other suggestions like cutting out caffeine etc, but these don't really apply to me. Can anyone give me some more suggestions?

The color of the ketone test strips is not important. They only measure the concentration of acetoacetate (one of the three ketones our body makes) spilled over into urine at the time when you test. As long as they change color at all, you are in ketosis. If there is no excess acetoacetate, then you can also be in ketosis without changing the color of the strips; the strips don't tell you anything about the two other ketones. In my opinion, ketone test strips are a waste of money.

Furthermore, being in ketosis does not guarantee weight loss; it simply means your body is using fat as its primary source of energy. Nor does the color of the strips mean that you are following Atkins correctly.

I also wonder if I'm eating enough.

How much are you eating?

You might want to post a menu, including quantities and net carbs for every food.

I just never seem to have much of an appetite.

Appetite suppression is one of the "side effects" of ketosis.

[Georgiana]

This is a sticky thread explaining the physical signs of ketosis: http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...g-ketosis.html (What are the physical signs of being in ketosis?)

[arcticsp2003]

Originally Posted by pemalf

Hi, I just joined the group! I've been on induction for 11 days and have lost 8 pounds but feel like I should've lost more.

Welcome to ADBB.

For you starting at 162 lbs... 8 lbs in 11 days is pretty good.
You lost ~5% of your weight in less than 2 weeks.

[chinadoll]

Hi, I just joined the group! I've been on induction for 11 days and have lost 8 pounds but feel like I should've lost more.

Well, for a menopausal woman your loss is excellent for Induction so I would say count your blessings. My past 4 weeks of Induction netted me 3 pounds. Middle aged (and older) woman tend to lose much more slowly.

I am 55 and weighed 162 at the beginning. I am 5'4" tall. Normally, I didn't have a problem with losing weight, but it's really tough now that I'm older.

Yes that is normal, AND you are not overweight by a lot so you will lose much slower than someone who is obese.

I find that I'm obsessing over the fact that I can't get my keytone strips to move past the 'small amount'. I've read some of the other suggestions like cutting out caffeine etc, but these don't really apply to me. Can anyone give me some more suggestions?

Ketostix are like a pregnancy test. You either are in ketosis or are not. Color change to a darker color doesn't mean you are doing better. In fact, It probably means you need to drink more water if your strips are very dark. And absence of color does not necessarily mean you are not in ketosis either. MOst of us go by physical indications as well: metallic taste in mouth, urine smells different and kind of a flourescent (sp) yellow color, lack of hunger.

I also wonder if I'm eating enough. I just never seem to have much of an appetite.

You need to eat at least your basic metabolic requirements, usually about 1500 cals a day minimum. If you go lower you will actually slow your metabolism and slow your weight loss. Do you use fitday.com to track your food intake?

Would love any and all suggestions, and help.

[pemalf]

Thanks everyone for your welcome, help and suggestions!

[imagood1]

Welcome to the Atkins Board.

I hope you already have the 2002 DANDR book and have read it, it is the edition we follow on this site. If not it's worth a few dollars to purchase. Get enough pure water in daily (64oz is recommended), exercise and take a non-iron multivitamin.

Don't forget to eat enough vegetables (check the acceptable food list (What foods can be eaten on Induction?)(What foods can be eaten on Induction?)http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-low-carb-dieting-faqs/6781-what-foods-can-eaten-induction.html) - 2 cups from the first list and 1 cup from the 2nd list daily. The recipe sites will help keep you from eating the same thing over and over -- check them out!

Recipe Sites

http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/menus.html (Linda’s)
(Never ending induction recipes)(Never ending induction recipes)(Never ending induction recipes)http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/58513-never-ending-induction-recipes.html (induction recipes)
(Never ending induction recipes)(Never ending induction recipes)(Never ending induction recipes)http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-diet-14-day-induction/58513-never-ending-induction-recipes.html# (additional induction recipes)

If you need anything we’re here to help you!! The new challenges will be starting in the next few days -- check them out and join a couple that interest you. Good luck.

[Jenileigh]

I think that 8 pounds in 11 days is a great loss! Don't be disappointed in that!

[sham]

You have had great results so far so be proud of that.All the best.