As a long-time member of this forum, I really want to give a sincere welcome to any and all newbies to the forum before writing this post.
I am not writing this post to be nasty, or to hurt anyone's feelings...I simply want to respond to quite a few posts lately that are alot alike.

I'd love to hear more of the questions I listed at the bottom...this thread is meant to help...not offend. Just a list of things to consider before you tell yourself..."this just isn't working"...or post a thread to ask "why am I not losing?".

I've read so many posts from folks who haven't even given this WOE a full two weeks before they decide that either it isn't working, or that they haven't lost *enough* weight.
Weight loss is not going to be downward 100% of the time.
No two people are going to lose the same amount of weight at the same pace.
And the most important aspect of this WOE (meaning any LC plan) is that you are honest with yourself 100% of the time.

Are the foods you are eating prepared at home?
Does the ingredient list have words on it that you cannot pronounce?
Are the foods you are eating being marketed for "LC diets"?
Is there corn syrup, wheat, or fructose etc. in what you are eating?
Does the packaging claim 4g net carbs, but reading the label gives you 11g net carbs?
Have you followed your plan 100% of the time for the first two weeks or more?
Have you "indulged just that once"?
Are you still eating fruit because "it's good for you" and "I just can't go without it"?
Are you drinking several diet sodas a day and no water?
Are you logging your foods and counting your carbs everyday?
Have you read the book that follows your plan from front to back?

Great advice Samantha, especially the net carb info, those are sneaky.

More questions that should be answered.


Are you eating frozen prepared foods? (sodium problems)
Are you eating foods from cans? (sodium problems)
Are you eating foods/drinks with artificial sugars? (starts cravings)
Are you listening to your body as far as: tummy upset, lethargy, brain fog, sleepiness, urges to binge?

As with any plan, whether it's an exercise plan or eating plan must be allowed to be followed at least 30 days....


This is such a biggie.

2 very good points!

Another I just thought of: Are you taking Measurements vs. Weighing?



Very true.
It really does take our bodies quite a while to adjust.

Great post Samantha. I get frustrated when I see people say they are following Atkins but still have a bite of their husband's or wife's dessert (where does it say we can do that in Induction?!) The list can go on, but you brought up so many valid points.

I especially want to see more people read and follow a book just because it will benefit them more than reaching out for bits and pieces of information about the diet they are supposedly trying to follow.

More questions:

Are you really on plan? How do you know? Are you logging all your food, and weighing/measuring out your portions?

How well are you following the plan? Have you re-read the rules of your plan and gone over them with a fine-toothed comb, and are you doing it *all* ?

Are there any tweaks going on? Things you've added that aren't allowed on the plan?

How much processed meat are you eating? Meat isn't supposed to have *any* carbs at all. Where are your carbs coming from?

When I decided to go real clean and get rid of all the carbage, I have learned that it has taken my body at least 6 months to heal from the fiber that tried to destroy my intestines, to skin blotches, bowel movements...
Everything takes time to heal, after all, you've been eating garbage since you were born.

This post hits the nail on the head! I love your wording! Especiall doing it *all* when it comes to a plan..vs picking and choosing what rules to follow.

And "is it your TOM or close to it".

Even before I started this WOE I'd gain weight before my period. I'm not sure why people think that it wouldn't continue to be that way even though you're on a low carb diet?

Ah! The dreaded TOM!
How could I forget about that?!
Amazing how sometimes I just fluctuate and extra pound or two that week, and others I literally go up 4-5 pounds and stay there for several days.
Evil, I tell ya, pure evil..lol.

Don't you just wish there was a sticky thread with commonly asked newbie questions?

And I don't mean to make fun or be mean, I was a newbie once, too. It's just funny.

I actually look forward to my TOM, because I know that within 2 days of getting it, I'll be thin and tight and down at least 2 pounds. It's what I call my "window of oppurtinity"

It's a good idea...
If I were more talented...I'd create one.
The TDC club has a good thread that Melibsmile created recently, she did a great job. It would take some work and some research to link old threads.

This will sound like a pretty dumb question, but here goes:
I had a hysterectomy 2 yrs ago but, kept one ovary. So, I ovulate every month. Is weight gain during TOM only for those with the rest of the plumbing or is this a generalized gain that could effect me too?

It'll affect you too. As long as you ovulate and menstruate, you're subject to the TOM weight gain. I have one ovary too, still cycling just like normal.