I started on Saturday the 25th of Septmber and I have gained 3 lbs. The test strips show darkening,ut not the highest level. I am barely eating the 20 carbs each day and I am exercising. Is it possible because I used to eat a HIGH POTIEN (really high)and no redmeat but I did eat a lot of cookies/tortillas and bread?
I am trying to not get discouraged...can someone tell me if they have also gained weight in the beggining? Maybe due to a menstral cycle?
Thank you

Hi Tooloolaa

I tend to gain water weight at my time of month - sometimes up to 5 pounds!! So that could definitely be your problem.

I also gain weight (temporarily) if I become constipated, which is a common problem discussed on this site. You can check out the health forums for discussion/advise about that.

HANG IN THERE - IT WORKS!

Tooloolaa - I just posted under your other thread. I made several suggestions on how you might modify your eating in order to successfully lose weight and get healthier. I'd like to add, maybe you should re-read your Atkins book to really familiarize yourself with what you should be doing and why.

shortstuff

Tooloolaa,

I'll copy and paste a thread I posted a few weeks ago about why the Atkins diet didn't work for me at first. How is the diet going for you now?

good luck!

Low carb diest won't work for you if you are deficient in human growth hormone (HGH). Those people who tend to be deficient in this hormone include those who have had pituitary problems (brain injuries or concussions) or those with past brain cancers or tumors.

MY story: in 1998 I gained 40 lbs on the Atkins diet. Thinking back, I should have stopped the diet before I gained that much, but Dr. Atkins swears it will work....and I tried and tried to get it just perfect. I had too much faith! I haven't been able to loose that weight since....even on a 1,000 calorie a day diet for weeks.

I finally found a wonderul DR. with the answer to why! I am deficient in HGH... according to my symptoms and a 3-hr. HGH stimulation blood test. I had a brain injury from a car wreck in high school, so it all makes sense. My DR said if you don't have enough HGH in your blood, your body can't break down protiens, and it can't recover from exercise!

Priase the Lord we found out what it was! I'm sure you can imagine how many people actually believed Atkins didn't work for me when I was doing it right on point!

So now I'm giving myself a shot of HGH every night before bed. I went on Atkins 5 days ago, and have lost 4 pounds! Whoo hoo! I haven't sceen an ounce of weight loss in 7 years!

If you think this could be your problem, write me, and I'll give you my Dr.'s name. She's in Kansas, but she travels to NY every month to see people there, because aslmost no doctors do these tests. She has people from all over the nation come to see her, and is successful in treating them.

If you're discouraged, my heart goes out to you....I've been there!

I gained 2lbs while exercising but it came off fairly quick and now I am at a stand still going on 4 days which isn't bad. I hear the way to look at it is to say its a uneven exchange...muscle weighs more and you are losing fat and putting muscle in its place...My strips have been the darkest possible color and I don't know how much difference that makes.

just don't get discouraged by the weight gain. This is a weird transitional period for your body. It will adjust and the fat will fall off. STAY with it, you will soon see results.

But the water weight gain, is more than likely due to your period, that too will go away within the week.