I'm not sure what I'm looking for. I told my husband my problem and he just walked off mumbling.

For over three weeks now I have been walking approx. 3 miles a day. My life before was basically sendentary. Since I started atkins I have been loosing at least 10 pounds a month. THIS month, since I started walking, my period is WHACKED out (two weeks early and will not quit!) and I have GAINED TWO POUNDS this month instead of losing the normal 10. I'm sort of in shock and depressed and just need someone to talk to about it all.

Don't get me wrong, I feel FABULOUS after walking! I know that I am gaining muscle but I'm eating less than 20 carbs a day (have been for approx. 4 months), drinking tons of water and I'm really getting depressed about the stall of weight loss. When I get on the scales and see that I haven't lost, I cry. This is NOT ME at all.

Can someone let me know if this has happened to them, or if this is normal?? I'm just not sure what to do. I want to get below 200 SO BAD, and yet no matter what I do I am just at a stand still.

I'm so sorry that this sounds whiney, I just do not know where else to turn.

Lacey

Congratulations on losing 46 pounds!

Have you seen your doctor yet? You might have something going on that your doctor needs to check. There are so many causes of irregular periods.

You're only walking 3 miles a day, so that shouldn't do anything like that. And I don't mean ONLY, lol, because 3 miles every day is great! But it's not an extreme exercise program for you, like 30 miles would be, and it's less than the suggested minimum of 5 miles per day.

I have read that prolonged use of very low carb diets, like Atkins, can cause irregular menstrual periods in some women. You might try increasing your carbs a little. Now that you are exercising, your body needs more carbs, so that could have something to do with the stall. It may be time to move out of induction and into the OWL phase.

Carnie is right about the periods. That's something to run past your doctor.
As for the other, it's probably just time to mix things up a little. Lower your fats, add in some good sturdy carbs like oatmeal. Maybe start thinking about trying some weights.
Let us know how it goes.

Sorry to hear about your stall, but congrats on all the weight you’ve lost so far! And good job on the walking. I’m afraid I don’t know much about Atkins, really restrictive diets aren’t something I go for because I don’t think I’d be able to sustain that kind of eating in the long run. I would definitely consult your doctor, it sounds like you need to change something. Try not to get too discouraged and keep moving!

Thanks for the advice

Carnie, I had NO CLUE that five miles was the suggested amount...is it the suggested amount to lose weight, or to have a healthy heart or what exactly?

Considering that six months ago I was crawling on my hands and knees with 2 herniated disks, I'm pretty happy that I can do even 3 miles without much pain now

Yes, I definitely need to change SOMETHING, guess I'll have to crack down and go see a doctor. Thanks again, for the advice and encouragement

Lacey

It's recommended that in order to maintain your current level of health, you should walk a minimum of 10,000 steps a day, which equates to approximately five miles. If you want to lose weight, you should step that up to maybe 7 miles a day. However, that includes all of your walking, not just your exercise walking. If you were to walk three miles a day over the course of an ordinary day (i.e. walking around the store, walking around the house, out to get the mail, etc.) then you would need to walk an additional two miles a day to meet the minimum of five for maintenance or an additional few miles for weight loss. I recommend wearing a pedometer, that way you will be able to gauge your activity level on an ordinary day and then adjust your workouts accordingly. Good Luck!

You don't need to suddenly up your exercise walking from three miles to five miles. Most beginner walking programs start you at one mile and you should increase about 10% a week. Three miles is a lot for a beginning exerciser and I congratulate you. But be careful not to injure yourself by doing too much too soon. Check thewalkingsite.com for excellent information about a walking program.

The 10,000 steps program starts with you measuring your average steps in your normal day and then gradually increasing by doing activities like using the stairs instead of elevators, parking farther away and so on. Wear a pedometer and keep track of your steps for a week. Also, wear it when you do your 3-mile walk. Add the two together to get a baseline.