Atkins Worked the First Time...
About 18 months ago, I was preparing for a surgery on short-ish notice and needed to drop some weight. I kept carbs under ~20g/day and it worked like clockwork. I lost weight every week, 1-3 lbs (except for 9 lbs the first week), for about 12 weeks, dropping 30 lbs total (246 to 216). Great results, I was thrilled.
I had the surgery and was advised to go to a normal diet to facilitate healing. A couple months later, I tried the diet again. I lost 6 lbs the first week, and then basically nothing (228 to 222). My weight went up and down a couple pounds, but for 6 weeks I didn't lose any measurable weight.
I gave up and went on with a normal diet. My weight was stable over the intervening year, but this past December, I had a 5 week period where some stuff happened in my life that caused me not to worry about what I was eating and also not be able to exercise. Coupled with Christmas, a PR vacation, and getting married, I packed on over 25 lbs (235 to 262)! I decided I was going to try Atkins one more time after Puerto Rico.
I have been on the diet since I got back (1/10). I dropped about 6 lbs the first week, and 3 the second week, now nothing since. Same thing as last time, I am hovering in the 252-254 range.
I don't understand what I am doing wrong? I don't seem to be losing inches, either. I lift once and get in 2-4 hours on my bicycle per week. I avoid all artificial sweeteners (except for the sucralose in my shakes) I DO NOT cheat on my carbs (<20g).
For meals at home, I am eating primarily chicken thighs, steaks, some bacon, and romaine lettuce salads with mushrooms, ranch, and some cheese topped with ground beef. I don't eat excessive amounts of cheese...more like a topping. At work, I will have a zero-carb protein shake for breakfast (the only fake food I eat, uses sucralose) with a little cheese, and a can of flavored Walmart chicken breast or Tuna for lunch.
If I go out, I get wings with non-carby sauce, a steak, or salad. When I drink, it is hard liquor (unsweetened), or a max of one Amstel Light per day (5g carbs).
Anyone have any ideas? I just don't understand why I was so successful before and cannot make any progress now. I have been racking my brain, but I don't think I am doing anything substantially different than last time.
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