I need a lot of encouragement!!! No matter what plan I use nothing has worked!

What plans have you done, for how long and why DO YOU think they dont work?

Jo xx

The more info you give us, the better we can help.

Would love to encourage you, but need to know a little more. What kind of low carb diet are you thinking about? Have you ever low carbed before?

And when do you plan to start?

Looking forward to learning more about your history so I have a better idea of how to answer.

Also, have you read the book for your choice of plan, or are you trusting what you've read online? We aren't trying to be difficult, we really do want to help!

I have tried Atkins, Suzanne Summers, Cabbage Soup diet NO CARBS, LOW CARBS, JUST MEAT AND VEGGIES!!!! My metabolism is gone! I have arthritis and when I could walk 3 miles everyday the weight fell off! I retain a lot of fluid also with the meds that I have to take.

I have done Atkins 4 times since the first book came out in the 70's. The last 3 times were HARD.

This time it is just wonderful. I went all day today without feeling the slightest bit of hunger. I made LC chocolate/peanut butter fudge for hubby and I have had no desire to even touch it.

I have bad knees and can't exercise like I used to either. But the weight is still coming off.

I hope that you can latch onto some hope and give it another shot. This might just be the time it "takes" for you.

All the best!

Thank you for those kind words of encouragement. What is so different this time around? That is my problem! I don't want to eat when I am not hungry and you know as well as I do that you have to eat in order for the metabolism to do it job. It will hold on to what is there!!!! AM I RIGHT???

In his book Dr Atkins suggested eating when hungry unless it was 6 hours since your last food. at that point he suggested eating a small high fat/medium protein/low carb snack.

I sometimes make a hard boiled egg or cooked chicken drumstick do the job if I don't feel like a meal.

I'm not so sure you're right. If you're not hungry, don't eat. Or eat less. Your metabolism might slow down if you are hungry and you starve yourself. But if you're on a good ketogenic diet, and you're not feeling hungry, it could be that your body is burning stored fat for fuel. That's what you want, right?

I'm going to add my 2 cents....

It is extremely important to follow the plan TO THE LETTER. From my experience, and from what I have read, there is NO room to cheat, deviate or make your own plan.

Those that say it is more difficult after multiple starts are right...but it is not impossible. Ruling out any hormonal, physical or psychological issues, a low carb plan is by far THE best way to lose weight and get healthy. IMHO.

If you haven't yet, pick a plan, read the book and follow it. Medications can make it more difficult and I can't say what problems for sure as I take none. (now anyway...) But finding your plan and knowing it inside and out and then make a very sincere commitment is the first and perhaps the most important step.

It is uber frustrating...I know because this time the weight is REALLY coming off slow. And there are plenty of success stories and journeys to read on this forum that will help you along the way.

I'm ok with slower loss...I'm following the plan without deviation and know in the end, I'll win. I just keep plugging along. I know my reward of good health (and better looks!!) is worth the day to day challenges. You just have to find your niche and embrace it completely.

This is a new way of eating and a true lifestyle change. Change takes time and commitment and after a few weeks, it will be so easy, you'll wonder what took you so long!!

Best wishes for a New You Year!!
Deanna

Deanswife, I think what is different this time is that I am not just doing this to lose weight like I was before.

This time I am doing it to save my life -- to get my blood sugar back to normal (which I have already succeeded at) and to get enough weight off that my arthritic knees and COPD don't turn me into an invalid. It's much easier on my knees and lungs to haul around a normal weight body than an obese body.

I still want to look better in my jeans, but it is a secondary motivation now.

Yes, I can relate. My back is arthritic, but I can walk. My metabolism is gone too. I seriously can't lose at all unless I also cut calories. However, I also find exercise doesn't really help either.

That's the bad news. The good news is, by staying on a mostly-Paleo, low carb diet my health stays good and I don't gain weight (unless I go nuts). I did find a lot of relief from arthritis by going gluten free. Have you tried that?

Same here. I have NO arthritis pain unless I eat wheat. If I eat wheat, the joints in my fingers start aching. It's like clock work.

I think thats rubbish. I certainly dont eat when I'm not hungry. I only eat when I am and then just enough to stop me. I never have breakfast. I usually first eat at lunchtimish - somedays, its mid afternoon.

...... and yes, I'm another one who gets arthritis if I eat wheat!


Jo xxx