Please help solve mystery.....

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2003
Please help solve mystery.....
10
Tue, 11-04-2003 - 7:53am
I am on week 3 of phase 1. I stayed on phase 1 because I wanted to lose just 4 more pounds and I was scared of going to phase 2 and gaining weight. Last Saturday, I had a bad day. Lots of cravings, it was all that Halloween candy the kids brought home. I had some candy and a cookie. Felt bad about doing it. I haven't lost since last Thursday. So far I have lost 5 pounds. From 125 to 120 but I keep fluctuating between 119 and 120. I can't figure out why I am fluctuating and why I am not losing more. I am still living by phase 1 except for the Saturday chocolate binge. My husband also is on the diet, he started a week after me. Sunday morning he woke up with the scales saying he lost 5, but now he has gained 2 pounds since then? Anybody go through this and any suggestions on what it might be?
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2003
Tue, 11-04-2003 - 8:05am
I certainly agree with you. I have the same thing. My weight stays in the range between 130 and 132. There is no rhyme or reason to why the scale goes up. I think this is why we shouldn't be weighing ourselves everyday. I only need to lose 5 more pounds. I have been doing this since Sept. 30th. I lost 4 pounds the first week of P1 and am very happy with that but the scale doesn't seem to stabilize closer to 130 for very long. I wonder if you have just a little to lose and are very close to your goal weight your body has trouble letting go. And even though you are eating the right things your body is holding on to every calorie. I find that the days my weight finally does go down to 130 is when I added an extra snack the day before. Maybe our willpower is so good that we are not eating enough? I know that I have no cravings and often have to make time to have a snack or really eat lunch. I actually enjoy this WOE so I will stick with it. Good Luck to you and your DH. Keep with it. It has got to come off soon. Cathy

       

Avatar for littlejewels
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-21-2003
Tue, 11-04-2003 - 9:20am
All I can suggest is that you are retaining a little extra water?
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-21-2003
Tue, 11-04-2003 - 9:21am
Hello and congratulations on your weight loss, since the fluctuation is so slight, it seems likely to be water consumption. Kick-up your water intake for a few days and see if that makes a difference, I can tell when I have not had enough, and remember if you are active you need even more water, or tea. Good luck, keep up the good work! Janet
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2003
Tue, 11-04-2003 - 9:34am
I bet you are right. I have not been drinking enough water. I can tell because I haven't gotten up in the middle of the night to visit the bathroom. I'll start today. Thanks for the advice. Cathy

       

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-08-2003
Tue, 11-04-2003 - 9:44am
*****This is a very well intentioned hearfelt post that in no way should be taken in a negative tone. I've read too many posts like this to not say anything:)**************

I have 2 points to elaborate on:

1. we have to remember that less is not more. meaning if you aren't losing or are gaining, the answer isn't less carbs. i've done quite a bit of research on atkins (out of curiosity even though i don't agree with the some food choices), and even there, you increase your carb intake to stay successful. their first phase REQUIRES 20 carbs and no less than 15 I think. Then they slowly add. I've seen where many of them keep their carb intake low and maintain their weight for a while. Once they see the light and increase their carb intake with more veggies or whole grains, their weight loss continues. Add slowly and don't be afraid of carbs. I know in this time it's easy to be carb phobic just as it was 15 years ago to be fat phobic. You see where that got us. People just ate more carbs and still gained weight. This is a WOE that teaches moderation and balance. For those that are afraid to add carbs, start with a piece of fruit with a meal. Look at phase 2 meal plans...I believe oatmeal and strawberries are there in day 1 (might be mistaken but i'm pretty sure it's something like that). berries are a great addition! fruit would be best to try first because who can say fruit is bad for you? fructose (fruit sugar) is one of the lowest sugars on the glycemic index.

2. when i see people live by the scale i feel like banging my head into a wall! figuratively of course. Why not pay attention to how your clothes are feeling? i grew up in a house with 3 sisters and my mother purposely threw the scale out. why? because it would set us up for this kind of self scrutiny. please don't let your scale affect your to frustration. are your clothes fitting tighter? are you measuring? a woman's weight can fluctuate up or down 5 pounds on any given day at any time of the day depending on TOM, salty food intake, not enough water (more water helps flush the retention), etc.

I'm in phase 2 and eating the oatmeal pancakes, a half a bagel with cream cheese, kashi cereal, whole wheat pasta, pizza (on occasion), whole wheat pita sandwhiches, and carb smart ice cream. Not every day of course! I look at what I'm going to be doing that day. If I have a long run coming up or an intense workout, I pick more of these foods and choose to eat the low GI foods before workouts and high GI foods after workouts. I've lost 20 pounds on this WOE doing it this way. I know it may not work for all but the point is to find what works for you (everyone...not just you jhillenburg:). You'll never know unless you start adding!

Keep eating from the food list, add slowly, and check your pants:) for the loosening effect of course LOL!!!

Alison

168/140/148

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-12-2003
Tue, 11-04-2003 - 12:05pm
I actually am at the same point. That silly pound. What difference is a pound in the whole scheme of things, anyhow, anyway!

I started phase 2 a few days early. I could not stand all the eggs, cheese and roll ups! I needed variety. I have added fruit and light yogurt and I feel great and my pants are still loose! And even though the scale has not moved in a few days I know it will again soon. I have yet to add bread and low carb pasta and other stuff back into my diet, but the truth of the matter is I really don't miss it.

I too went crazy on Halloween and did not feel the least bit guilty. I felt good. I got it out of my system... as opposed to the night before TOM when I ate everything allowed in Phase 1 and nothing else and ate too much and 2 pounds came back on.

I am 6 pounds down in two weeks, which for me is good since I do not have much to lose in the first place. I am eating my protein and tons of veggies and fruit and snack on light yogurt and sugar-free Jello, sugar-free Fudgsicles and nuts, hard boiled eggs, etc. I did find when I was really strictly following Phase 1 I was eating a lot of salt... may that explain that one fluctuating pound issue you have? I know that in addition to eating low/healthy carbs I do very much need to watch my calorie (though not be obsessed by it) intake.


What I really like about SBD is that I can go out to dinner with friends, have a glass of wine every once in a while and not feel deprived. If I do go off, as I did on Halloween, I can jump back on oh so easily the next day.

Good luck with that silly pound!

Jessica

120/114/108

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-02-2003
Tue, 11-04-2003 - 12:29pm
Well said Alison. I wasn't quite sure how approach the "scale" rider subject because at times, I have issues with my wording... no kidding, huh?




Edited 11/4/2003 12:31:43 PM ET by ria925

Lilypie - Personal pictureLilypie First Birthday tickers
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2003
Tue, 11-04-2003 - 2:46pm
Thanks to all who have replied to this message. I know I need to drink more water. So I have started doing that today. I did not take offense to the "scale rider" comments. I just like to see the progress but when you look on a daily basis, it does make it frustrating. I can't help it and I know I won't stop that. BUT, my pants do feel better. As a matter of fact, the pants I wore to church on Sunday were WAY too big for me and I just bought them 2 months ago and they fit perfect at that time. I have lost 2 inches off of my waist. So, I know no matter if I lose another pound or not, I am a whole lot better off then a few weeks ago. And another thing, this WOE has made me realize that I want to raise my kids to eat better and I have taken many steps to reduce their sugar and bad carbs intake. I searched the other day at the grocery store for peanut butter that did not have sugar or hydronated oil in it. Before I just grabbed Jif and was off. So thanks again for all of the support, I don't think I could of done this without this board!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 11-04-2003 - 2:58pm

Another thing people need to remember... just because YOU say you should weigh 116 (or whatever) doesn't necessarily mean that's really what you should weigh. And oh my goodness, just because you weighed that when you graduated (or got married, or whatever) doesn't mean that's right for you.


Look at the overall picture. Are you healthy? Do you like the way

210.5/<

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-02-2003
Tue, 11-04-2003 - 8:09pm
The "scale Rider" comment was not directed at you. It is a grouped term I use for people who live and judge their success by the scale. It frustrates me to no end to see someone doing so well, and freak out because they gained .5 lbs because they are always on the scale.

This is my only deviation from my philosophy of making this diet your own. If your clothes fit, you feel great, and your mind is right, just go with it:)

Lilypie - Personal pictureLilypie First Birthday tickers