Haven't lost a thing:( was it Atkins? - 3 Fat Chicks on a Diet Weight Loss Community

Jarcat · 03-14-2009, 04:08 PM

Hi guys, I've been on the online program for a week now and haven't lost a thing. I've been very careful to stick to my daily point values. I haven't yet used my weekly points because I've saved them for a special dinner we're going to tonight. I try my best to get in as many fruit and veggies and am pretty good with getting my drink and dairy for the day. I do like to have some low point snacks though like Thinsations, All Bran bars, mainly 100 points pkgs. Could these be a problem? I thought they'd be ok as long as I'm with in my points for the day and making sure that I'm sticking to the good health guidelines. I know that I haven't exercised much this week but I do get in at least a half hour to an hours worth of house work a day. Next week I'm going to slowly start on the eliptical trainer again. I also just switched from doing Atkins to Weight Watchers, could this be the problem? Maybe from taking in such little carbs on Atkins to going to much higher carbs on WW?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Cathy

primaballerina · 03-15-2009, 05:09 AM

Hi Cathy,

It could very well just be your body adjusting to the switch in programs. I haven't done Atkins, but I have done low-carb, and I found that I gained everything back when I stopped eating that way. That being said, don't worry- WW is a really good, healthy program, and if you're sticking with your points, you WILL lose. You just may not be one of those people that loses a lot really quickly (I'm DEFINITELY not one of those people!!). It sometimes just takes a few weeks to figure out what works best for you to maximize your loss. For me, it's working out, eating the Activity Points I earn, and NOT eating my Flex Points. Just make sure that you're getting enough calories, especially when you start working out. The only other thing I can think of is that those 100 cal packages tend to have a lot of sodium, and that can impact your loss because it makes you retain water. I usually try to stick to "whole" foods wherever possible (Don't get me wrong- I love chips just as much as the next chick!!)
I, like you, did everything right and had a stall in my loss- my leader told me to try eating more, because it was possible that my body was in starvation mode. Maybe you could try calculating the Activity Points you earn from house work and start adding those to your daily points target.... I know it makes no sense to lose more by eating more, but it really worked for me!

You are doing great, even if you haven't seen a loss yet! Adjusting to any program is half the battle, but it will become easier, and I'm certain you will start seeing results.

Good luck!

Ciarra · 03-15-2009, 09:10 AM

I have done Atkins in the past but had taken a long break (and a pregnancy)and then started weight watchers. I gained some weight back after stopping atkins, but am now back to about the weight where I stopped with Atkins. So I think after Atkins there may be an initial time where your body adjusts, but hopefully you will see weight loss soon.

kaplods · 03-15-2009, 10:47 AM

I use an exchange plan that's pretty flexible, I can "spend" my exchanges on mostly carbs or mostly proteins. I feel my best at a certain balance, and try to stay pretty close to that balance, but when I eat too many carbs, I do tend to retain more water. Up to a several pound difference.

I've heard others say that as well, that on a very low carb diet your body carries a bit less water than on a higher carb diet. That doesn't mean you need to go back to low carb. It just means that your initial loss of fat may be disguised by a small gain in water. It may help to drink a little extra water.

QuilterInVA · 03-15-2009, 04:30 PM

Your body stores 3 g of water for every 1 g of carbs you eat. If you are doing WW, you need to get in all the 9 HGs before you have the 100-calorie packs and other snacks.

Jarcat · 03-16-2009, 05:40 PM

Thank you so much guys. You've been so helpful. I am definitely going to listen to your suggestions and hope for a loss soon.

Cathy

tdiprincess · 03-16-2009, 06:46 PM

Quilter: That is very interesting, I never knew that! Thank you for sharing that!!
I agree with Prima, you need to find your balance. It does take a few weeks to get everything down and in order. I'm with Prima that I try not to use my flex points, I use my activity points. That has worked the best for me. This weekend, I lost it a little bit. I'm back on track now! Good thing my weigh in date I chose is Thursday!