Sanity Check or is that Reality Check?

[WeimieMom]

Hi Everyone
Well, it's another week for me, and no action at the scales. It's very disappointing because I believe I have been very very good. I log everything and along with my trusty iPhone I can see all kinds of good information. I was hoping someone could look at the stats below. The numbers there are average daily numbers month to date.

Carbs 27
Fibre 16
NET 11
Calories 1398
Fat 116
Protein 67

Calories From
Carbs 8.1%
Protein 18.9%
Fat 73.0%

Is there something wrong with this picture? I'll try just about anything!
:help:

[LStump]

An average isn't going to tell too much. Just because for some people, going over a certain number doesn't allow them to either lose weight or if they do, it is very slow.

What is way more important than these numbers, is your typical menu for each day. Maybe post 3-5 of your last days menus? That way, it will be easy to see if you need to eat more fat, less carbs, more protein, more veggies, etc.

Some people find they are no long able to have cheese because they cannot lose. Others have to cut out all artificial sweeteners. What week are you in? It is typical to hit a 2-4 week long stall at *least* once (though, over time, it will probably be more). At this time most people find they are losing inches and their clothes fit and are actually losing weight, just not on the scale.

[MicheleK]

Yeah, post some menu's...it always helps when others can look and see what you're not seeing. :)

[Elizellen]

It doesn't look like many calories for someone with your bodyweight.

I agree that it would be useful to post some sample menus.

[WeimieMom]

Most days are pretty much the same - the number at the end is the carb count. The time, is when I logged it, not when I ate it. I'm eating 3 meals a day.

Hope this makes sense to anyone who is looking... Thanks!

20/01/2011 18:42 Egg, whole, raw, fresh Large 5 Servings (5 large (50 g), 250 g) 0
20/01/2011 18:43 Celery, raw 1 Servings (1 cup, 101 g) 1
20/01/2011 18:43 Swiss Cheese, cup .01 Servings (.01 cup, 1.32 g) 0
20/01/2011 18:43 Real Mayonnaise 2 Servings (2 tbsp, 26 g) 0
20/01/2011 18:44 Cucumber, with peel, raw .5 Servings (.25 cup, 26 g) 1
20/01/2011 18:45 Beef roast, tenderloin, ln&fat, 1/4in fat, rstd 1.5 Servings (4.5 oz, 127.5 g) 0
20/01/2011 18:46 Beans, snap, green, raw, cup 1 Servings (1 cup, 110 g) 4
20/01/2011 18:47 Bacon, cured, cooked, baked 1 Servings (1 slice cooked (8 g), 8 g) 0
20/01/2011 18:48 Mushrooms, raw .25 Servings (.25 cup, 17.5 g) 0
20/01/2011 18:54 Blueberries, raw, by Cup 2 tbsp 3
20/01/2011 18:58 LC Cheesecake 1 slice. 1/6 4


21/01/2011 13:33 Flax Blueberry Muffin 2 Servings (2 muffin) 3
21/01/2011 13:33 Heavy Whipping Cream, tbsp 2 Servings (2 tbsp, 30 g) 0
21/01/2011 13:35 Butter, salted, tbsp 1 tbsp 0
21/01/2011 13:36 Butter, salted, tbsp 1 tbsp 0
21/01/2011 19:50 Snack Cracker (null) 1
21/01/2011 22:37 Curried Chicken 1 Servings (1 serving) 2
21/01/2011 22:38 Cauliflower, raw 1 Servings (1 cup, 100 g) 2
21/01/2011 22:38 LC Cheesecake 1 slice. 1/6 4
21/01/2011 22:40 Sour Cream, Cultured, Cup 2 tbsp 1
21/01/2011 22:50 Cream Cheese, tbsp 2 Servings (2 tbsp, 28 g) 0


22/01/2011 12:24 Lc Pancake 1 Servings (1 pancake) 2
22/01/2011 12:24 Heavy Whipping Cream, tbsp 4 Servings (4 tbsp, 60 g) 0
22/01/2011 15:38 Flax Blueberry Muffin 1 Servings (1 muffin) 1
22/01/2011 15:40 Cream Cheese, tbsp 2 Servings (2 tbsp, 28 g) 0
22/01/2011 15:41 Celery, raw .5 Servings (.5 cup, 50.5 g) 1
22/01/2011 15:42 Real Mayonnaise 1 Servings (1 tbsp, 13 g) 0
22/01/2011 15:42 Turkey, breast, meat and skin, roasted 3 oz 0
22/01/2011 21:44 Flax Bread 2 Servings (2 slice) 1
22/01/2011 21:45 Provolone Cheese, Slice .25 oz 0
22/01/2011 21:45 Provolone Cheese, Slice .25 oz 0
22/01/2011 21:45 Butter, salted, tbsp 3 tbsp 0
22/01/2011 21:46 Beef roast, tenderloin, ln&fat, 1/4in fat, rstd 1 Servings (3 oz, 85 g) 0
22/01/2011 21:47 Cabbage, common, raw 1.5 Servings (.75 cup, 52.5 g) 1
22/01/2011 21:50 Sour Cream, Cultured, Cup 1 tbsp 1


23/01/2011 15:01 Egg, whole, raw, fresh Large 3 Servings (3 large (50 g), 150 g) 0
23/01/2011 15:02 Mushrooms, raw .25 cup 0
23/01/2011 15:04 Butter, salted, tbsp 1 tbsp 0
23/01/2011 23:01 Beef roast, tenderloin, ln&fat, 1/4in fat, rstd 4.5 oz 0
23/01/2011 23:01 Flax Blueberry Muffin 1 Servings (1 muffin) 1
23/01/2011 23:01 Cauliflower, raw 1 Servings (1 cup, 100 g) 2
23/01/2011 23:02 Broccoli, raw 1 Servings (1 cup, 91 g) 4
23/01/2011 23:03 Heavy Whipping Cream, tbsp 4 Servings (4 tbsp, 60 g) 0
23/01/2011 23:03 Provolone Cheese, Slice 1 Servings (1 slice (28 g), 28 g) 1
23/01/2011 23:04 Bacon, cured, cooked, baked 1.5 Servings (1.5 slice cooked (8 g), 12 g) 0
23/01/2011 23:09 Butter, salted, tbsp 1 tbsp 0
23/01/2011 23:09 Salami, cooked, beef 1 Servings (1 oz, 28 g) 1


24/01/2011 17:50 Butter, salted, tbsp 1 tbsp 0
24/01/2011 17:50 Egg, whole, raw, fresh Large 2 Servings (2 large (50 g), 100 g) 0
24/01/2011 17:51 Flax Bread 1 Servings (1 slice) 1
24/01/2011 17:52 Mama Lupe LC Tortilla 1 Servings (1 tortilla) 3
24/01/2011 17:52 Turkey, breast, meat and skin, roasted 3 oz 0
24/01/2011 17:52 Almonds, cup 6 tbsp 4
24/01/2011 18:19 Pork Ribs, backribs, lean and fat, roasted 1 Servings (3 oz, 85 g) 0
24/01/2011 18:20 Cauliflower, raw 1 Servings (1 cup, 100 g) 2

[Syrah]

Wow, what iPhone app are you using for those detailed stats? It's almost TMI!!!!

[melibsmile]

On quick glance, I see too many fake breads/tortillas/muffins for someone who is not in maintenance. I would advise sticking to whole foods for now and ensuring that you're eating enough food.

--Melissa

[Fialka]

Also you are relatively new-ish??? If so you my have hit the plateau that always hits after the first initial weight loss.

Other than that I would try to cut back on the dairy a bit and limit the 'breads' to one serving a day. i.e. either the flax muffin OR the tortilla but not both on the same day.

Beyond that, drink your water.

If things still aren't moving look at the supplements that Atkins talked about (L-Carnitine etc...) and consider a small carb load to see if that will move things along.
F

[WeimieMom]

Wow, what iPhone app are you using for those detailed stats? It's almost TMI!!!!
That's CarbsControl. I think it was 2.99 when I bought it, but now it's 3.99! It is developed by a company specializing in Health Management Tools. See http://www.coheso.com/

What it doesn't do is give you net carbs, but they say that is in the works for a future release.

[JenMcBride]

That's CarbsControl. I think it was 2.99 when I bought it, but now it's 3.99! It is developed by a company specializing in Health Management Tools. See http://www.coheso.com/

What it doesn't do is give you net carbs, but they say that is in the works for a future release.

The app is now $1.99:)

[WeimieMom]

Thanks for the input everyone.

I've gone back and re-read the appropriate setcions of DANDR and I am just a bit confused -
He mentions cheese should be counted as 1 carb per ounce, yet the nutrition panel on the cheese I buy shows 0. What's right?

Also, with 2-3 cups a day of salad vegetables and 1 cup of higher value veggies, how do you even get close to 20 carbs, or is that important?

He also mentions eating ground flaxmeal, so how can making it into "bread" have a negative impact? The recipe I use has 2 cups of flax in it, which is about 2.5 tablespoons per serving. Net carbs is 1.

I don't confuse easily (well most days!), but now I am stumped. That said, although I am in ketosis, I am going to get back to basics for a few days and see it that kick starts anything

Thanks again everyone!

[WeimieMom]

The app is now $1.99:)
sunnuvagun! I swear it was 3.99 a minute ago! LOL!

[melibsmile]

Thanks for the input everyone.

I've gone back and re-read the appropriate sections of DANDR and I am just a bit confused -
He mentions cheese should be counted as 1 carb per ounce, yet the nutrition panel on the cheese I buy shows 0. What's right?

Also, with 2-3 cups a day of salad vegetables and 1 cup of higher value veggies, how do you even get close to 20 carbs, or is that important?

He also mentions eating ground flaxmeal, so how can making it into "bread" have a negative impact? The recipe I use has 2 cups of flax in it, which is about 2.5 tablespoons per serving. Net carbs is 1.

I don't confuse easily (well most days!), but now I am stumped. That said, although I am in ketosis, I am going to get back to basics for a few days and see it that kick starts anything

Thanks again everyone!
The US nutrition labeling laws allow a label to record zero for any amount under 0.5. So for cheese that's labeled zero, round it to 0.5 per serving (since it could be 0.49 carbs per serving). The limit for cheese is 4 ounces per day, but many people find that their weight loss improves by observing a stricter limit than this. Personally I find that I do better with less than 2 ounces daily, sometimes none.

12-15 of the net carbs in induction should come from veggies. You may find that this is actually more than the 3 cups that he discusses, which is good news--that means that you can have more! The new Atkins book (New Atkins for a New You) recommends up to 6 cups of veggies in Induction. The thing to keep in mind is that the majority of your carbs in Induction should come from veggies. As you progress into OWL and move up the carb ladder, you will keep this veggie base and add to it. You won't be removing any of the Induction veggie amounts in order to add items further up the ladder though, you'll be slowly decreasing your meat portions instead. Does that make sense?

Many people find that any flour-like substances can prevent weight loss. Ground flaxseed is allowable, but IMO it shouldn't be a daily part of your diet. Likewise with things like LC tortillas and pancakes etc. I would suggest limiting your cheese intake to 2 ounces daily and eliminating the flour substitutes and see if this helps you. When you think about your cheese intake, keep in mind that this includes soft cheeses like cream cheese, cottage cheese, etc. Some people find that they need to limit dairy somewhat during weight loss but are able to eat it more liberally in maintenance. Good luck.

--Melissa

[LStump]

I would look at the LC cheesecake, too.. When I made this a few years back, it made my weight loss come to a screeching halt. And it was hard to come back from.

[Mama Sebo]

Lots of good advice above, you could also check out this article, it might help you to understand whats happening in your body, and relax about the scale:

http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=365499

keep on swimming!

[WeimieMom]

Everyone... thank you. All of the information you have provided has given me some new insight for this journey. I am going to seriously take all of your suggestions to heart and with any luck I will see some positive results. I have to not lose sight of the fact that even though the scales may be messing with my brain, no matter what, good things are still happening in side me. I feel better, I sleep better and have more energy. So here's to "new beginnings".

.... and I will get on that exercise bike today.....

Thanks all...

I'm now just a little annoyed with myself - kinda like I just wasted 3 weeks

[JenMcBride]

You've not wasted 3 weeks:) This is a learning process for all of us and you've just learned early what doesn't work for you. Your journal has helped me tremendously!

[Kristine]

You didn't waste three weeks. :thup: I would bet you're doing fine and you still are losing fat. If your stats are correct and you lost ten pounds right away, a lot of that was water. As your water balance evens back out, the scale comes back down to earth, so to speak.

I would agree with Melissa that there's a lot of maintenance food in your menu. If you're motivated to be strict, I would eliminate those foods, but it might not be necessary.

Good luck. :wave:

[Syrah]

I'm now just a little annoyed with myself - kinda like I just wasted 3 weeks

Be proud that you have started to turn your unfavourable metabolic state around. And look forward to "after"!

[purcy55]

The app is now $1.99:)


I bought this app for my iPod Touch, it's great, especially for $1.99!!

[WeimieMom]

I bought this app for my iPod Touch, it's great, especially for $1.99!!

It takes a bit of getting used to, but I agree it's good! The other thing that's good is the support from the developer. I emailed them with something and they responded within hours!

Just a tip... watch the cheese - they have a bunch of different measurements for some of the cheese (check swiss) and I have found some inconsistencies.
Other than that, it's good.....

Good Luck!

[melibsmile]

I would agree with Melissa that there's a lot of maintenance food in your menu. If you're motivated to be strict, I would eliminate those foods, but it might not be necessary.
Yes, it might not be necessary, but it's very individual. I do agree with LStump that eliminating the LC cheesecake as well seems wise. The cheesecake and foods made with flour substitutes can be used for special occasions, but most people find that the process goes more smoothly without artificial sweeteners, flour substitutes, and other frankenfoods. You will hopefully be able to eat these things more often in maintenance if desired.

--Melissa

[WereBear]

I bought this app for my iPod Touch, it's great, especially for $1.99!!

I'm trying it out, too - always have my Touch with me!

[Syrah]

I would look at the LC cheesecake, too.. When I made this a few years back, it made my weight loss come to a screeching halt. And it was hard to come back from.

What are you saying? Bawdy's wonderful, decadent, low carb creation? The recipe we all know and love? :tears:

[LStump]

What are you saying? Bawdy's wonderful, decadent, low carb creation? The recipe we all know and love? :tears:


I'm afraid so. Of course, not everyone reacts the same way! So try it if you must. But I think everyone should wait until they are at the right rung or adding in things they way they should with their plan if it allows. If you start too early, I think you're more likely to fall back into old eating habits and foods because you haven't seen as much success. I was about 35 pounds in when this happened and it was just SO hard to throw away half a cheesecake, and it took me a week or more to get back to losing again.

[melibsmile]

What are you saying? Bawdy's wonderful, decadent, low carb creation? The recipe we all know and love? :tears:
Yes, that very same one. It won't make me gain weight, but it usually won't let me lose either. So it's fine once in a while but definitely not as a regular part of the menu. This is why I only make these sorts of things for special occasions like Thanksgiving when we have guests and won't end up with 10 slices of cheesecake leftover.

--Melissa

[WeimieMom]

Yes, it might not be necessary, but it's very individual. I do agree with LStump that eliminating the LC cheesecake as well seems wise. The cheesecake and foods made with flour substitutes can be used for special occasions, but most people find that the process goes more smoothly without artificial sweeteners, flour substitutes, and other frankenfoods. You will hopefully be able to eat these things more often in maintenance if desired.

--Melissa

Ya, the cheesecake.... It was a special occasion, and not something that I would even dream of doing normally. In fact, I can't remember ever making a cheesecake in the last 15 years! LOL!

I'm going as clean as I can now and see if I can kick start this with a nice reward of a few pounds down.

Too bad my new wall oven arrived today. :lol: I guess it won't be seeing t LC Cheesecake any time soon!

[melibsmile]

I'm going as clean as I can now and see if I can kick start this with a nice reward of a few pounds down.
How recently did you start this WOE? I'm just asking because many people find that their weight loss temporarily stalls for a couple weeks once they've lost all the water weight etc. This is the body reacting to the change in diet and adjusting to burning fat. Weight loss usually restarts again, so there's no need to panic. That said, I think that eating clean can only help you.

--Melissa

[WeimieMom]

How recently did you start this WOE? I'm just asking because many people find that their weight loss temporarily stalls for a couple weeks once they've lost all the water weight etc. This is the body reacting to the change in diet and adjusting to burning fat. Weight loss usually restarts again, so there's no need to panic. That said, I think that eating clean can only help you.

--Melissa

I started Jan 4, so you may well be right there on the timing. I guess I'm just impatient. But I have to remember that I didn't get like this overnight, so the solution isn't going to be overnight either. Patience! Patience!

[melibsmile]

I started Jan 4, so you may well be right there on the timing. I guess I'm just impatient. But I have to remember that I didn't get like this overnight, so the solution isn't going to be overnight either. Patience! Patience!
Yes, patience is hard but it's so important. We live in a society where everyone wants instant gratification, so you have to remember the real goal here. The goal is NOT to lose the weight super fast--the goal is to lose the weight and KEEP IT OFF. So if the process goes a little slower but you are able to sustain the loss for many years, it's worth it. That's my philosophy. Much luck to you.

--Melissa