I have heard some folks say the strips never turn even pink for them and they are still losing weight.

Of course, everyone is different; find the plan that you can live with and that works for you, by all means. Atkins works far better than any other plan I've ever been on, but that doesn't mean it's true for everyone.

I just didn't want you to be too concerned over the Ketostix because some folks never see a color change and still are losing weight/inches.

Hi everyone, I've been MIA due to a bad respiratory infection. I still feel pretty rotten but am on Antibiotics and trying to get well.

As for the ketostrips, I never once tried them throughout my wt. loss or maintenance. They just weren't available in our area. I did lose my weight, so Atkins worked for me anyway. Actually it worked great for wt. loss but I admittedly have had more difficulty with maintenance than I had anticipated. Even now when I try to get back to strict Atkins the wt. just doesn't come off like it did before. It may totally be that since I'm at a "normal" weight, my body doesn't respond to trying to lose more like I think it should. But, yeah, I wanted to someday see 135 lbs. and it aint a happening.

I guess I owe Diana an apology. I didn't mean to jump back at you like that. I am extremely frustrated with the weight loss thing, but I'm also having some drama here at work that has me a little sensitive.
Kim, if I was losing I wouldn't think twice about throwing away the sticks. In fact, I don't actually have them this time round. But I'm not losing much weight or very many inches. I don't feel like I'm in Ketosis and I'm about out of plans to try.
I've done Weight Watchers and counting calories and counting fats. I've had fat blocker pills and prescription appetite suppressants. I havent' been to one of those weight loss centers and there's one that I've heard about that does a low carb type thing, but it's very expensive. It would be worth every dollar if I knew it would work, but if I spend all that money and it doesn't work...
I know Atkins didn't recommend staying on the ultra low carb indefinitely-not even for weight loss resistant people. I don't have my book here, but I'm thinking it was only until the sticks started changing. That's why I was thinking I would buy myself another supply of sticks and start all over. But I really do want to wait a while because as you can see, I'm pretty stressed out right now and we have Thanksgiving to get through. Thanks and sorry if I was too sensitive.

Hope you feel better soon!

Well, the closer you get to goal the slower the going is. But you have lost nearly 100 pounds, and that is incredible! That inspires me to keep plugging along as I still have another 40 or so to lose.

I'd love to know from those of you who have successfully lost >50 pounds what your most important five or so tips are.

Even though I haven't reached anywhere near the level of success you have so far, one important thing for me is not making the goal too daunting. If I think 50 pounds, it seems impossible. If I break it into smaller increments of five pounds it definitely seems doable.

I think everyone here can identify with your frustration. The people here are so nice, though, and it's great to get support, isn't it?

I'm curious about something. Have you actually been doing low carb/Atkins? If so, could you post a couple of typical days of your menus and maybe some of the more seasoned veterans would be able to spot something that may cause a stall or real slow weight loss? I know it's disheartening to see the scale move so slowly or not much at all, but at least it's not going the opposite direction! I'm still drinking coffee with cream several times per day. I also have the occasional glass or three of dry red wine, but that's a choice I make. I think cheese does tend to stall me some and I don't like it much anyway, so I try to limit it to a few times per week.

Honestly, I don't do strict induction and it does make a difference with how fast I'm losing. I don't do any extra exercise, either, and that is affecting me. I'm OK with this as the benefits to me of eating low carb is I feel so much better and am seldom what I'd call really hungry. I also don't weigh but about once every two weeks because there are too many things that can factor in with weight fluctuation and it gets depressing. However, I can feel the difference in my clothing so I know I am at least losing inches if not a ton of weight.

Good luck to you, and I hope you find a plan that you can live with and that works for you.

Hi Ladies

Was busy this morning and had not time to post. hope everything is fine with all you guys.I'm ok,and hoping for a whooosh this weekend.

DIANE-Thanks for helping & motivation us to keep on plugging away so we can finally hit our goal.

ILOVEMIKE--Big congrats on moving the scale downward,and you were afraid of the potato that you ate last night. Sometime starchy carbs aren't as bad as they claim.


DIVA -Thats good that you maintained.Don't like it,but its better than a gain. You posted great questions,I hope that I can get into a smaller size like a 11 or 12 would make me happy.and the second question I would have to think about that one.Great joblosing another pound you're on a roll keep it going.


LILY-Sorry that you're aren't feeling well.Sending some Get well wishes your way.I ever used the strip either,as I asked before on this board and you told me that it was necessary,as long as you eat the right amount of carbs you would do fine.


Have nice day


Hugs BB

WOW - LC Chat has been really busy! It's great to have new LC Chatters, isn't it? Been enjoying your Posts diva/msister/mothermavis/lynnar/ilvemike4a & also all of our veteran chatters!

Where ya at today beachie & bouncie? I'm getting psyched for a 3 day weekend (celebrating Veterans Day tomorrow(?????? - whatEVAH! *shrug* Have NO idea why they made it a Friday - deer season maybe?) Major plans? Spending more time at the Y getting my $64 a month's worth-LOL! Think that I Posted b4 that if I think of it that way - I GO!

Gosh it seems like me & you & beachie have taken a LOT of anti-biotics this year lily! Doesn't it? Hate to admit it - but I'm hoping for a BRUTAL FREEZING winter . . . MUST KILL all these germs/viruses and INSECTS that are lasting year round is my world view! Get to feeling better!

Let's concentrate on how you FEEL for a second lynnar. Do you feel better on LC than you did on your other "diet"/eating lifestyles? I've run the gamut myself - yo-yo'd on all of them and more importantly felt like a the proverbially pile of *expletive deleted*

A few more questions if you can stand it:

Do you feel good?

Do you have lots of energy?

Have you had any blood work done?
a) anemia?
b) lipid/cholesterol panels?

(I find the "b4 & after" blood work to be TOTALLY INSPIRING regardless of my weight loss status. The HEALTH improvement ALONE make Atkins a joy for me!)

Do you take ANY prescription medications that could be interfering with weight loss?
a) don't have my book handy either - but I know that there is a Chapter devoted to this. My Big Sis could not lost with LC due to her lupus medications. (But FEELS great when she eats the LC way.)

I didn't take any of your Posts to be making excuses and hope that I have been supportive in your quest for answers - hope my few more questions can lead to some answers for ya Girl!

Water: Must drink it! Your body will adjust to the Pee Needs - you need to drink at times you will be able to go of course and you need to drink it (especially after alcohol) until your pee is almost colorless each day. Very important on Atkins/kidneys.

Tx for running Jody's Pumpkin Bake recipe again fittie! Like beachie - I need to get the supplies in for this TG treat I'm planning!

HI AZURE if you're out there!!! Was thinking of one of your Posts when contemplating fitties motivational questions of what I want when my goal is reached and I thought of you and your "breast" Post!! Gosh I would love to have these monsters at least LIFTED! I'd love to be fit looking and actually go BRA-LESS for the first time since . . . oh about 1977!

* . . . it's a sweet dream.*

PS to an already loooong a$$ Post: I've never used keto sticks - I think I can tell when I'm in ketosis by my energy level & also a dry mouth.

My own quest is to really just get in touch with my body & spirit - try to LISTEN to what it tells me. When I feel the most energetic & thirsty - is usually when I lose the most weight, ya know?

Hi Lynnar,
Don't even give that a second thought! I totally understand the feeling, even for me, to see KIM, with all her weight loss wishing it was me!! LOL

But seriously, I wouldn't try to hurt anyone, I am the type that say's it like it is and I forget that writing and not seeing the face or expressions makes it seem like we're mad or something.
So please accept my apology!

I just to see all of us doing good!!

Diana

S/C/G: 243/205/150

Wow, you're doing great too! It won't be long until you give Kim a run for her money!

That's why I come here, to get pumped up!!!