Trouble losing weight on Atkins diet.?

Question

Am I doing something wrong? I am follow the diet exactly and I am not losing. My husband is doing it and has lost 20 lbs in the past 2 weeks. Help!!!

TO SHIGATOXIN ,
I AM NOT DUMB I AM TRYING TO BETTER MYSELF AND NOT EAT JUNK LIKE WHITE BREAD AND PIZZA, REFINED SUGAR. I WANT TO LIVE HEALTHIER AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH DIET WHEN YOU YOU EAT CHICKEN AND FISH. BY THE WAY IF THE ONLY REASON YOU ARE TELLING ME THIS IS BECAUSE I AM NOT GETTING WHOLEGRAINS THEN EATING THE WAY I WAS AND DAMN NEAR EVERY OTHER AMERICAN IS BEING UNHEALTHY AS WELL. SO TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT IF YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT OR FEEL LIKE BEING RUDE TO OTHER PEOPLE BECAUSE YOU HATE YOUR LIFE THEN YOU HAVE NOTHING THAT ANYONE HERE WANTS TO HEAR.

Answer 1

First of all, when you say exactly, do you mean phase 1 and you're not cheating at all???

If not, there could be some other issues. I'll cover the simple (easy to fix ones) first:

1. Make sure you're drinking enough water. 8-10 cups a day. This is REALLY important, both to weight loss and to flush your kidneys out so you don't get sick from all the protein.

2. Sleep. If you're not getting enough sleep it makes a difference and can also cause weight gain.

(both of those apply to any weight loss program)

3. Drop out any diet sodas you are drinking. They mess up your insulin levels and can cause you to not lose weight.

4. Atkins gives you permission to eat "just until satiated" this does not mean eating until stuffed or unlimited food.

5. If you haven't read the book, do it now. There's a lot of information you need and you may need to be treated for yeast (it can be systematic) or try his fat fast to jumpstart your progress.

When you say you haven't lost any weight at all, could it be you lost just a couple of pounds and you're just disappointed hubby did so much better? If that is the case, keep in mind that if you are smaller, you will lose weight more slowly. Even on Atkins, after the first week or so, weight loss will slow to 1-2 lbs a week.

Is your period near? A lot of women bloat near their period. Sometimes added cardio really helps.

Go to the doctor and have your thyroid checked. A slow thyroid will make you fat and make weight loss very tough.

Lastly, if you haven't done so already, start a regular exercise program. You should be doing 30 mins of cardio, every other day AT A MINIMUM. If you really want good long term results, and faster fat loss, you need to be doing a full body weight training circuit every 48 hours (and learn how to do this right for best results).

If you started exercising at the same time as the diet, it is possible that your body is just adjusting the the changes, and that you've added muscle which means the scale didn't change, but your body did - for the better. Keep track of your measurements too because muscle is smaller than fat, so at the same weight, you'd still be smaller. IF that's what is happening, keep the faith. The pounds will start dropping off soon.

Answer 2

Exercise is important too. I am sure you know that. I just walk an hour every day.

Reduction in carbs will always help you loose weight. Normal weight loss is only 2-3 lbs a week. For heavier people it could be more at first, but that is usually a water loss more than anything. So be patient and don't give up. Also make sure you are reading your food labels. MSG makes it very hard to loose weight, so make sure your labels don't say MSG or any of the other names it falls under like Natural Flavorings, spices, autolyzed yeast and of course no high fructose corn syrup either or aspartame. I did this and now I am very happy with my weight, but it takes a while. Remember, a good diet is for life, not just for loosing weight.

Answer 3

You're not supposed to drink coffee or tea on Atkins (the caffeine makes your insulin spike just like fruit does), but I doubt that's why it isn't working. Only some body types respond to low-carb diets, and I'm guessing yours just isn't one of them. Another problem might be that you're getting too few calories. Your meals don't sound terribly calorie-heavy; even on Atkins, you have to make sure that your body is getting a reasonable amount of calories, otherwise it's no different than a starvation diet. If you're getting around 1000-1200 a day (1200-1400 for a man), your body might have gone into starvation mode (if you're getting less than that, it almost definetely has) and nothing short of total food deprivation will make your body let go of fat when it's in starvation mode. If bumping up your food intake and starting light muscle training doesn't help, you'll want to ask a doctor. You could have something medically wrong, or it could just be that your body hates you.

Answer 4

Atkins isn't working for you. Try something else.

Here's the only thing that works for me - I buy a bunch of Lean Cuisine or other frozen diet meals, whatever's the best price, and live on 3 of those a day - and just go about my normal daily activities. There is no way you will maintain present weight on 900 or less calories per day.

But, like all diets, you have to be totally committed and NO EXCEPTIONS!

Answer 5

What Lori A said....

If you read the book, you will find that he lists a number of factors that can prevent you from losing weight. Medication is one, as is a possible yeast infection. If all else fails, try the Fat Fast outlined in the book (note: Fat Fast is intended to be very short term only, to give you a jump start if you are otherwise unable to lose.)

Don't compare your loss to hubby or anyone else for that matter. Everyone is an individual, we each have our own challenges and advantages.

You don't say what weight you are starting from, it's also possible that your body is happy the way it is. Many women have an unrealistic idea of what they "should" weigh. Not saying this is you.....

For lots of info, ideas and support, try this forum
http://forum.lowcarber.org/
or
http://www.atkinsalltheway.com/index.php

Answer 6

If you are staying away from carbs, it will start happening soon. When you use protein only you body has to use fat for energy because there are no carbs. Carbs are your source of energy. They are what make you feel alive and active! Just to warn you, High Protein diets can lead to many problems, and are not worth it, the weight will return. Your husbands will most likely come back. Be very weary. It will increase your risk for Cancer as well and you will feel like you are lacking energy.... Go with high fiber foods, no snacking and lots of water plus 30min exercise. You will lose and stay healthy while keeping the weight off. Plus, knowing you did it right will give you increased self-confidence. Best Wishes!

Answer 7

Women can take longer to lose weight than men (see the Atkins books). It could also be that you have a sluggish metabolism due to your thyroid gland. Try taking a course of thyroxine (available over the net) to bump start your metabolism. Best of luck!! The diet has worked fine for me.

Answer 8

paint your own toe nails instead of sitting for a pedicure

Answer 9

In the mood for any hot meal? Make a enormous pot of veggie bean soup, divide into two-cup containers, and store within the freezer. Before bed, place a container inside fridge, then grab it before heading out the door the next day.

Answer 10

Have a carb free dinner