I wrote to the Atkins Center because I stalled (and am still stalled) after Induction. I sent them my journal (and fitday #'s) and asked them what (if anything) I was doing wrong. They replied and I wanted to share their answer, in case anybody else was having a hard time too!.

>snip
NO CAFFEINE- Caffeine impacts blood sugar levels and can cause an impasse in your weight loss.

NO ASPARTAME-Aspartame impacts blood sugar levels and can cause an impasse in your weight loss.

CHEESE-4 oz per day maximum
<snip

I've been off caffeine for a while, but not until after I got done with Induction. I was eating sugarless (contains aspartame) jello every day, sometimes TWICE a day. I was eating way more than 4 oz of cheese every day.

They said to make the above changes and start over again with Induction! So, I'm going to give it a shot!

Hope this helps ya'll too!

Hey Tara, I really like this post! Good for you for recognizing a problem, looking for some help with it, and then making a plan to fix it. And on top of it all you shared it out to us.

I have to admit, when I saw the title of this post I thought right away, "oh oh, someone who isn't seeing miraculous results, complaining again...." but that is not at all what your post was about.

I think I needed a bit of reminding about the caffine and cheese thing too, I'm not on induction, but I probably should be to rev up and kick start my loss as I am pretty sure that I have slipped out of ketosis again after indulging on too many low carb treats. (IE cheese and nuts) Sometimes I think, ehh, it is low carb, it should be ok, but then go way overboard and wonder why I stall for a few weeks. Thanks for the reminder!

Good luck restarting, and thanks for your post,

mari

Tara. I was glad to read your post in stalling. I just finished my 2 weeks of induction and am considering going another week. I did eat peanuts and some other low carb items. I think I would have had a greater weight loss if I had been more true to the diet.

Good Luck with your changes!! Congratulations on taking the steps to make this work.

Pat

Thanks Tara,

I too let some things sneak back in after induction and have stalled. I will take note of your post and chop out o few of those potential hazards

thanks
Lesley

I didnt realize cheese was so detrimental...does anyone know the science behind that? ...I'm not a great lover of meat, so I was pleased to be able to use cheese as protein on occasion. Darn....better break out the hollandaise for my filet mignon!

hi, the atkins book say you can eat all the food you want as long as you do not go over 20 carbs? orsola

*lol* isnt life tough?

Muse, we had a discussion recently about Dairy and it's evils ... you might find a few answers there. Again, cheese is a YMMV thing... it doesnt effect some.

Nat

According to Atkins, cheese is considered a free food.

quote from Atkins:
"All cheese have som carbohydrate content, and quantities are governed by that. No diet cheese, cheese spreads, or whey cheeses. Imitation cheese products are not allowed"

I love cheese and eat it everyday

Interesting! I've noticed that nuts can be hazard for me. I lose slower if I eat nuts every day (I wasn't going overboard with them though). Lately I've been going on induction for the first few days each week, then including small amounts of nuts and cheese the other few days of the week. It seems to be working so far, the weight loss picked up again. Thanks for the info about the cheese, I didn't realize it could be a problem!

Wendy

Same here!

I started with macadamia's after induction and stalled totally.

I've chopped them out this week - haven't had the weigh in this week but I have that thin feeling going on

Cheese hasn't been a worry though

Lesley

DANDR says only 3-4 oz of cheese per day (induction pages of book). Just thought I'd point that out

Nothing is a free food if it affects you negatively. Lettuce is a free food, right? Not for me, it gives me diarrhea, so I limit it to one large serving a day, not three.

Also, since I've been reading this board and seeing the problem foods of others, I've avoided trying them in the first place, such as the nuts (though a few raw sunflower seeds aren't as attractive as a handful of peanuts), the jello and whipped cream, cream cheese, etc. Coffee and wine are my vices.

It's nice to know that the Atkins Center sent you the reply. I think that is very responsible and respectable of them.

Try Jolly Ranchers sugar free jello.NO ASPERTANE!!!! IT has saved me many nights!!!

that Bill Cosby was wrong with the Sugar Free Jello???

My only treat, DARN. Being overseas and my only shopping is on post there is no "Jolly Rancher" jello. MAN I can't wait till I get back!

I've checked all three major grocery chains in my area. None of them carry the sugar-free versions of either Jolly Ranchers or Hunts Juicy Jels. They only carry the sugar-free Jello brand gelatin. I can't even buy flavored box mixes without aspartame. So, I use Knox gelatin with Kool-Aid and Splenda for flavoring. I have to make my own, but it's better than no gelatin at all.