Replies

The 132 men and women in the VA study started out weighing an average of 286 pounds. After six months, those on the Atkins diet had lost an average of 12.8 pounds, those on the low-fat diet 4.2. The other study involved 63 participants who weighed an average of 217 pounds at the start. After six months, the Atkins group lost 15.4 pounds, the group on the standard diet 7.

I must say I question whether these people are actually ON the Atkins diet. I would really have to examine exactly what they are eating.

Both my hubby and I started Atkins about a year ago. I had lost around 30-35 pounds at six months; he had lost around 40-45. Now, my husband is able to lose weight if he can control his mindless eating (and the Atkins diet seemed to cut down on that a lot); I, on the other hand, have a very difficult time losing weight, but it did come off in this diet.

Also, we added some fruit to our diet early on, and I was drinking a non-fat mocha a day, and we still were losing a lot of weight. So, I would really have to look at what they were eating to believe that after six months they had only lost 12 pounds.

One side note: both my hubby and I have pretty much stood still on our weight loss after about 7 months. Anyone else experience this? We haven't gained it back, but haven't lost any more either.

You have hit the "plateau" if you're not losing any more weight. I think the book suggests (or maybe I saw it on a site some where) that you ought to jump-start by upping the carbs for a day or two and then going back on induction. You can check out this site: www.lowcarbcafe.com. Lots of helpful posts there.

Stay away from the sugary stuff. I f you do go for some Ice Cream or Birthday Cake (Ice Cream is my foe!), induct for a few days and then go back on maintenance.

If you go over 5 lbs from your maintenaince weight, induct and then build back up to maintenaince level carbs over 4 weeks. You will probably not over shoot; once you are at a certain weight for a long period of time, it is tough to either lose or gain around around a weight level that your body has grown accustomed to.

Just remember, if you want to play (with sugary treats) you gotta pay (by inducting).

One side note: both my hubby and I have pretty much stood still on our weight loss after about 7 months

I had the same problem. You've likely hit a "plateau"

There is info in his book on how to "breakthrough" these.

I got stuck for several weeks, then went off it for a while and haven't gotten back on. ( I really need to ) LOL

One side note: both my hubby and I have pretty much stood still on our weight loss after about 7 months. Anyone else experience this? We haven't gained it back, but haven't lost any more either.>>>>>>>

just hang in there. even atkins dieters can come to plateaus'. I don't follow atkins but do a different controlled carb way and i haven't lost any in the past couple of months, and I had lost only about half of what I want to, 30 lbs. That took me about 6 months, it would be nice if the last 30 would leave to.

both my hubby and I have pretty much stood still on our weight loss after about 7 months. Anyone else experience this? We haven't gained it back, but haven't lost any more either.

Try adding a good calcium supplement, the citrate kind, it should help. For those with a sweet tooth, try pudding made the low-carb way: Sugar free pudding mix made with half and half instead of milk, it's like eating mousse and is much lower in carbs that if made with milk. I lost 35 pounds in two months and have kept it off for over a year. Though I did gain a few pounds during Operation Iraqi Freedom as I couldn't tear myself away from the TV and the computer long enough to exercise and eat properly. It's back off now.

One side note: both my hubby and I have pretty much stood still on our weight loss after about 7 months.

Get a scale that measures percentage body fat as well as weight. My weight loss has plateaued but my waist keeps shrinking and my body fat percentage keeps declining. My percentage body fat is down to 19.5%, in the "fit" range for a guy my age. Atkins talks about this in his book. Fat is less dense than protein/muscle. So you can lose fat and not lose weight or even lose fat and gain weight.

Also, don't forget that Atkins boosts energy tremendously, and eliminates the energy swings associated with changes in blood sugar.