Gained it all back in one weekend! *sob*

[Rhianwen]

Been LC since January 1, lost a few pounds in the first couple of weeks, and since then nothing.

This past weekend was a long weekend for us, and we went away with the in-laws. I didn't stay LC, although I did try not to eat too much, and certainly ate less than I normally would have on such a weekend! And I'm back on LC today.

So this morning, I get back on the scales... and I'm back to my starting weight. :tears: I know its mostly water from my body re-stocking its glycogen stores and holding 4 times the glycogen weight in water or whatever, but I still want to cry!

Talk about disheartening! :help: Encouragement plz!!

[KikiKitty]

Wow, that's hard. When you are away from home for a weekend and with family, it's hard to plan ahead or bring things that you can eat. If it helps, in time you will know the plan so well that you will learn how to find food that you can eat and stay on plan in almost any situation. It helps to be frank with those you are with as well. I find that family is usually accommodating and understanding, even when they think you're crazy:-) Get back on plan, push the water, and in a week, you'll be back on track.

What exactly is "Atkins-ish" anyway? Maybe you need to clarify the plan you are following a little more clearly so you know exactly where the boundaries are?

[Rhianwen]

Hi Kiki!

Thanks for posting!

It is hard, especially as at this stage I'm not telling people what I'm doing... like a lot of ppl I have tried (and failed) so many times that I don't like to announce when I'm trying something new as the support can be less than overwhelming!

I feel like I know the boundaries of the plan pretty well. I do have a few questions with regards to things like cheese, cream etc that are not satisfactorily answered by the information I have on the Ketosystem. The book my doctor gave me only says these things are allowed. There is no mention of how much/little is acceptable, although nuts are limited to 1/4 cup per day (I rarely eat that many as I don't particularly like them).

I will ask my doctor about these items when I next visit her in a few weeks. However in the mean time I'm just trying not to eat too much of them as I have read they can stall some people, despite the fact that as far as I can tell from the Ketosystem information, there is no limit on them and they are acceptable foods.

Does that make sense? LOL

[ImOnMyWay]

Xlnt advice, Kiki.

Rhianwen, what is the title of the book your doctor gave you?

I highly recommend that you read "Dr Atkins Diet Revolution". It's an easy read and may answer some of your questions. I also highly recommend "Protein Power" and other books by the Drs. Dan & Mary Eades.

Forgive yourself for cheating. Back to plan. You'll feel so good!

[Rhianwen]

The book I got is The Ketosystem... I doubt anyone's heard of it, it doesn't seem to be well known, but if you Google it you can find their website and download a copy.

I'll try to get my hands on some of the other LC books as you've recommended... just didn't want to get confused because they all seem to be slightly different!

[KikiKitty]

I really can't comment on the plan you are using because I am not familiar with it at all. However, for Atkin's induction, cheese is limited to 3-4 ounces a day (an ounce looks like a tube of lipstick, or one string cheese, if that helps.) Cream cheese and heavy cream are also permitted in restricted amounts. DANDR says one ounce of sour cream and three ounces of heavy cream are permitted. Cream cheese is factored into the 3-4 ounces of cheese you are permitted. Nuts and seeds are not permitted in the induction period of Atkins. You really ought to pick up a copy of DANDR and read it, he spells things out very nicely, so that not only do you know what to do, you know why it works! The plan you have been given sounds rather vague on the details, and that can mean the difference between success and frustration.

[shreveport]

you fell off the horse,you got back right on,welcome back!!!!
Dont beat yourself up,you are here,remeber lifestyle not diet, there is no finish line :) There is no time limit,glad you are back on track

[perpetual_]

Do you do any weightlifting or exercise? If so one day a week carbing is fine, if you are then going to work it off - as you said yourself it replenishes muscle glycogen to prevent you losing muscle in the following weeks work out.

I personally eat carbs Fri evening to Sat night - to replenish my supplies, it allows me to get my fav food, pizza in. (still avoid candy and soda though) to give my muscles the food for the following week. Sunday to Fri its back on low carb. If you are interested in knowing more, the principle is known as Cyclical Ketosis Diet - CKD. I can send you some research if you like.

Of course getting to eat carbs for a little bit of resitance training is potentially a good motivator.

However if you don't weight train - then just try and plan ahead so you arn't in a situation where you have access to carbs.

I still go to family meals at the weekend, they all tuck into raost beef, vedgetables and potatoes - i join in but I leave the potato aside.

[Rhianwen]

I work out 5-6 times a week. Usually cardio on the eliptical 3 mornings, weights 2 mornings, and my poledancing class on Sundays (which is harder than any weights workout LOL)

I've heard a bit about the CKD before... and I have thought about trying it because on the straight LC diet I often feel muscle fatigue, especially in my thighs when I climb a flight of stairs (this was not normal before I started LC).

Would be great if you could send me some more information!

[LessLiz]

I've heard a bit about the CKD before... and I have thought about trying it because on the straight LC diet I often feel muscle fatigue, especially in my thighs when I climb a flight of stairs (this was not normal before I started LC).This likely comes from a potassium/magnesium deficiency.

[Rhianwen]

Really? I'm already taking magnesium supplements every evening... I'm not taking potassium tho, unless its in my multivitamin, so I'll give that a shot

[BluePants]

Careful of potassium, its potent. Atkins allows cream but he wants us to limit it to two or three tablespoons a day. He also limits cheese to 3 to 4 oz daily, but its full-fat, frim, soft or semi soft aged cheese, like cheddar, cream cheese, swiss. We don't eat cottage or ricotta until we start up the OWL ladder.

[Rhianwen]

So, I checked the contents of my multivitamin, and apparently it contains Potassium phosphate 48.73 mg (equiv. potassium 14mg)

I looked up the RDI for potassium and its between 1950 to 5460 mg, so that multivitamin ain't doin' much!!

I do have general tiredness which can be associated with potassium deficiency... in fact, this is why my doctor started me on the magnesium supplements I am now taking.

Also, when I do cardio I get pins and needles in my feet after about 30 minutes, she thought this may be related to a magnesium defficiency, and although it helped at first the pins and needles have now come back - could potassium be part of this too? Or am I doomed to tingly feet forever? LOL

Incidentally, she was the first doctor to ever have any idea what might be causing the problem - every other doctor told me not to lace my shoes so tight *sigh*

[ElleH]

Atkins allows cream but he wants us to limit it to two or three tablespoons a day.

If you're referring to the 2002 version, you're also allowed heavy cream in the special category foods, from which you may choose one (with the disclaimer that comes along with it). If you choose cream as your SC food, your limit would be about 9 TBL a day, or almost 1/2 Cup. :)