Is it possible that it won't work for me this time around

[Jacki2u]

Hi

I lost 90 pounds low carbing 5 or 6 years ago. I have continued to eat this way and pretty well maintained my weight loss. I actually decided to put 10 pounds or so back on because I felt I was abit too thin. I'm 5feet 5 inches and am happy at around 133 pounds. Over the past few months I've gained a bit and now weigh 144. I thought I had nothing better to do than just get back on the plan and I've been so good but nothing is shifting. I've been trying for 3 weeks now. First time round it was so easy and I feel so fed up.
I read on a UK low carb site that Dr Atkins said you have one Golden Shot at it and if you go back it may not work again. I can't face having to eat any other way and calorie counting and all that. This site seems full of very supportive people and I would really appreciate some support and help with what to do from here on in.

Thanks

Jacki

[Mousesmom]

Welcome back to LC Jacki - I don't believe the "one golden shot" theory.

Write out what you've been eating and maybe we can make some suggestions for you.

Also consider what else in going on in your life - stress? meds? exercise? All of these play a role.

GL, Julie

[Kisal]

There are many members here who have restarted Atkins multiple times and lost weight successfully. You should do fine, as long as you're following the information in your Atkins book, rather than the website. :)

The weight comes off more slowly the nearer you are to your goal weight. Also, you are older than you were the last time, so that may be having an effect, as well.

Best of luck to you! Don't give up! :wave:

[poindexter]

Have you done a re-read of the book?
Sometimes we remember the "rules" differently, if you kno what I mean.
Why don't you try a fresh induction by the book?

You might lose most of what you're aiming for.

[Bevaboo]

I've only low carbed this once, so I don't personally know about multiple times, but there are plenty of people on the forum who've done Atkins, strayed, and returned successfully.

When you say "just get back on the plan" do you mean return to induction or go lower carb than you've been eating? How many carbs per day are you eating versus the amount you were eating before you got back on plan?

As for the "golden shot" thing, I don't think Atkins ever said that. He recommended that we use the induction part of the diet to bring our weight back into check when it starts to get away from us, much like what you're describing.

I've known people who have done Atkins more than once, for reasons much like you've described. They succeeded, but it was different than the first time. For one girl I know, it went faster, because she didn't stray off plan so much. For my other friend, she had a much harder time, but she understood the reasons for that. She'd gotten older, her metabolism had changed, she wasn't as active, etc.

Any of these could be what's happening with you. Are you exercising in any way? If not, that might be a good change to get your metabolism to perk up. Have you thought of doing a meat and egg fast? That's a great way to get yourself into ketosis. I don't know if there's a thread for it here, but I stole this from another LC website. (I didn't know if it would be cool to link or not.)

Q. Where are the rules?
A. Since it’s not a diet, there are no hard and fast rules, but we have some suggestions. The cool thing about this is that YOU personalize it to your needs.

Q. Isn’t fasting dangerous?
A. It depends on the fast and your situation. I am a diabetic, hypothyroid and a cancer survivor, and I consider my health very important. I make sure to fast in a safe, healthy way, including plenty of good-quality protein instead of carbs. However, if you have ANY concern about doing a fast of any kind, PLEASE check with your health care provider, one who knows your medical situation, before starting anything.

Q. Isn’t this a fad?
A. No, it’s a FAST. Seriously, short-term fasting has been used for centuries to cleanse and re-set people’s systems, as well as many other reasons. Dr. Atkins suggested a fast to break a stall in weight loss. Other doctors recommend fasts of many types.

Q. Is this low calorie?
A. That’s up to you, as you know what your body does best and at what level, but NO, this is not about starving yourself or depriving yourself or not eating. Most people eat a good amount of calories in protein and fats. We don’t recommend going under 1200 calories.

Q. What can I eat on the Egg / Protein Fast?
A. You can eat whatever you choose, but the focus of this fast is to eat good-quality protein, mainly eggs, in many forms and other good proteins. Some people lose better eating good fats as well as protein, but others choose a lower fat option.

Q. What can I NOT eat on the Egg / Protein Fast?
A. You can eat whatever you choose, but most of us are focusing on protein, (mainly eggs) and are fasting from: dairy, all forms of sugar, all grains, and vegetables during the fast itself. We add back veggies and other foods during Transition.

Q. How long can I stay on the Egg / Protein Fast?
A. Again, this is up to you, but we recommend this ONLY as a short-term cleanse and fast, usually 1-3 days. After that we encourage you to start adding in veggies and other foods. However, the decision is totally up to you and how you feel and what you choose to do and how long you decide to stay on it.

Q.What if I don’t like eggs?
A. Well, you picked a funny fast to try! Seriously, use another protein if you don’t care for, or are allergic to eggs. If you don’t think you like eggs, check out our recipes to see if there may be a preparation using eggs that sounds good to you. Look our recipe thread in the "Other Plans" forum, same forum as this thread:

RECIPES FOR EGG/PROTEIN FAST.....
RECIPES FOR EGG/PROTEIN FAST.....


Q. What if I have questions?
A. Come and visit our thread, there a LOTS of helpful, caring and supportive people there.

Q. Will it work for me, guaranteed?
A. The only thing in this life that is guaranteed is that one day you will die.
Everyone is different and some people tried it, but didn’t get the results they wanted and others say it has changed their lives! So, we really do believe that everyone is different with different bodies, different needs and different metabolisms. The only way to see if the EPF will work for you is to give it the best shot you can and follow the suggestions.

Q. Is anyone making anything promoting this fast?
A. Only the egg farmers! Seriously, this is not a book or a diet and no one is hawking this to promote anything except an option that has been successful for many people. We are here because it works for us and we want to help anyone that wants to try it. And, it’s FREE (well, you gotta buy your own eggs!)


Q: What is “Transition” you keep talking about?
A: That is when you end the EPF and start adding vegetables and other foods back into your diet. We recommend a Transition because it helps to make it a slow addition, not all at once. You can stay on Transition as long as you like and are adding in healthy foods. Next you can go back to your regular Low Carb plan, or cycle the EPF again.

Q: What are your tips and suggestions for the best results from the Egg / Protein Fast?
A. I’m GLAD you asked!

Here are 2 posts by people who have done the fast and had great results!
Here are my SUGGESTIONS (written by Vickilynn (MountainGirl):You can do the Egg / Protein Fast 1-2-3 or more days. Whatever works for you. I did 3 days, then Transitioned.
I do better with higher fat, I lose better and feel more satisfied.
I eat mainly eggs, and prepare them simply.
No veggies, no cheese or dairy, nothing with sugar in it.
I eat often, never skip meals!
Whenever hungry, I eat an egg or 2.
Drink lots of liquids, I like water and stevia (http://www.netrition.com/cgi/goto.cgi?aid=281&url=sweetleaf_stevia_page.html).
I take my supplements.

Here's more SUGGESTIONS, (written by Emily):

As far as "rules" for the Egg Fast, we discussed not having a set of hard and fast rules, but rather guidelines (eat eggs and meat and fat until satisfied) because people really do tweak it to their likes/dislikes and how their body feels.

PERSONALLY, I have been eating only meat and eggs for about a month now and I've recently cut out dairy (except eggs! duh), which has gotten the scale moving again and helped with cravings...I really seem to find that, like sweets, eating any amount of cheese usually leaves me wanting more and eating none makes cravings go bye-bye!

I'm sure I'll add in cheese again eventually but for right now I'm trying to lose the last 10ish pounds and pinpoint what's causing some health issues, specifically my GERD/chronic heartburn. Since dropping fruits and veggies (gasp!) and dairy and eating just pure clean eggs, meat and fat (think butter, CO and homemade mayo), my weightloss has started up again, I'm dropping inches and I feel AMAZING!

I'm a huge believer in YMMV and encouraging each person to get in tune with their body and find out what works for them. There is no one size fits all WOE! What works for some may not work for others and the most wonderful thing about a very clean Meat & Egg fast (or for me, a more extended WOE) is it is very much a clean slate that allows you to "figure things out"...much like an elimination diet that doctors put people on to figure out food allergies.

Some variations on the Egg/Protein Fast (EPF) theme include:

- with or without meat
- higher or lower fat
- with or without dairy such as cheese and cream (tho many who do eat this keep it moderate
- with or without artificial sweeteners...my sweetener of choice is stevia and only 1 to 2 packets/day max
- with or without supplementation, which may include a multi-vitamin, CLO (http://www.netrition.com/gol_cod_liver_oil_page.html) (cod liver oil), CO (coconut oil, also used as a general healthy fat), and ACV (http://www.netrition.com/now_apple_cider_vinegar.html) (apple cider vinegar-- must be unfiltered and with the "mother"), to name a few


HTH!

[lpioch]

Is it possible?
Absolutely.
Do you know what the difference is?
Last time you had 90 pounds to lose.
This time you have about 10.
HUGE DIFFERENCE.

Think molasses. (as in slow)
Not because i want to discourage you...but because it is reality.
With only 10 pounds to lose, you could reasonably expect a rate of about 1 pound per 2 weeks. Many here, with only 10 pounds to go now, lose very slowly. Some even more slowly than that.

Seek out those with 10 pounds to lose and follow them along their journey as well.

[Bevaboo]

Is it possible?
Absolutely.
Do you know what the difference is?
Last time you had 90 pounds to lose.
This time you have about 10.
HUGE DIFFERENCE.

Think molasses. (as in slow)
Not because i want to discourage you...but because it is reality.
With only 10 pounds to lose, you could reasonably expect a rate of about 1 pound per 2 weeks. Many here, with only 10 pounds to go now, lose very slowly. Some even more slowly than that.

Seek out those with 10 pounds to lose and follow them along their journey as well.

I forgot about that point, and it's totally correct. I lost my first 18 pounds in a month. It took me another 3 months to lose the next 12 and get to my goal weight.

[zorra_1]

I've fallen off the wagon too many times to count. LC still worked to get me back to goal.

[advantagec]

In my case, there are at least two golden shots. This is my second one and it has gone much further than the previous one.

[blumunz]

Welcome and good luck

[Jacki2u]

I am overwhelmed at the support and encouragement. You have no idea how good it feels to have people on side like this. LC is not so popular in the UK now and the forums there are pretty quiet. This is amazing I'm sure my guardian angel led me to it :) Anyway, in answer to some of the points raised I have been pretty stressed lately I am older and I'm not exercising as such. I also have not re-read the book and will dig it out and read it again. Today I have eaten the following:

No breakfast (too rushed)
Mid Morning 3 ounces of Gouda Cheese
Lunch 1 can of tuna in oil (drained), 1 tablespoon of mayo,
2 ounces of mixed cheddar an mozzarella cheese,
5 cherry tomatoes, diet coke
Dinner Steak
Fried Mushrooms
Brocolli
Brussell Sprouts (4)
Sugar Free Jelly
Heavy Double Cream

I would be so grateful if anyone would comment on the above. It's a pretty typical day for me.

I also wonder if anyone could give me some ideas of what they would eat on a normal day while trying to lose the last 10 pounds or so.


I'm wondering if I should try the egg and meat fast for 3 or 4 days and see what happens.

Thanks again

Jacki

[Bevaboo]

It looks like a pretty good Induction day, unless you overdid it on any of the veggies. The version of Atkins I'm doing doesn't allow tomatoes or mushrooms on Induction, I think. Don't quote me on that, though. I don't like either, so I may have just skipped over that part. :lol: I did find this site that lists them as allowed on Induction, so I'm probably wrong. http://astrogirl.com/atkins-induction-vegetable-list/

Sounds good, though. Very balanced. I think that's the best way to approach Atkins. My husband is a typical man and loves overdoing it on the meat, but I gotta have my veggies!

According to Dr. Atkins, you should lose the last 10 pounds very, very slowly. But, I'm a typical American. I don't like waiting. :lol: I only had a couple of times where I thought I was plateauing, and I immediately did the Meat & Egg Fast when I hit the 2nd week with no loss. :rolleyes: My final weeks, I was experimenting with Intermittent Fasting, where you fast 19 hours of the day. http://fast-5.com/index.html I read about it here, but dropped out of the thread on this forum. I could do it for awhile, but it made me very cold, so I didn't feel like I could make it permanent. It's not supposed to cause rapid weight loss (the guy who wrote the site for the link says 1 pound a week), and it's not supposed to cause weight loss at all when you first begin. But I was the exception to that and immediately started losing at least a pound a week.

I'm thankful I only had 30 pounds to lose, though, because I was trying to constantly change what I was doing in the hopes that my body wouldn't get used to anything and stop losing. I have no idea if my theory is true, but that's what I did until I ran out of ideas. It worked for me, anyway. I lost 18 pounds my first month, then things slooowed down, and I had a couple of plateaus. I'm so glad I stuck with it now, though. I still eat like I learned to on Atkins, with the exception of a little peanut butter while making my daughter a sandwich today.

[*Sheila*]

I agree with the posters who reminded you of your 10 pounds to lose verses the 90. Think back before when you lost that 90 pounds. Didn't it take you a while at the end to lose? Just give it time, and continue doing what your doing. It works, and I don't think your body is going to give you a full out "NOT THIS TIME SUCKER!". LOL

[Jacki2u]

Thanks both of you. I'll just stick with it and I'll check out induction stuff all over again. Funny how you think you know but are probably eating stuff you shouldn't be.

Jacki

[Kisal]

The Atkins books that were written during Dr. A's lifetime do allow tomatoes and mushrooms while on Induction. The most recent edition was produced by Atkins Nutritionals, and is quite dramatically different from the advice Dr. A. gave. They have turned the Atkins plan into a low calorie, low fat plan, which is not at all the sort of thing Dr. A. promoted. JMO. :)