Trying to beat my old record...

[ChadTower]

Also look at the reality of the numbers.  A person can lose 100lb.  That person is not going to put on 100lb of muscle to fill up that space.  You can't take 100lb out of a bag, put 20lb back in, and expect it to be full.  Yeah, the skin adjusts a certain amount, but not enough to make up the difference when a person is losing that much weight.

[Mikezilla]

Also look at the reality of the numbers.  A person can lose 100lb.  That person is not going to put on 100lb of muscle to fill up that space.  You can't take 100lb out of a bag, put 20lb back in, and expect it to be full.  Yeah, the skin adjusts a certain amount, but not enough to make up the difference when a person is losing that much weight.

 

[Vigo]

Your body is going to hang onto the weight too, because its going to think its starving, and when you actually do shock it into using the last bit of fat, when you eat normal again, your body is going to put the pounds back on because it feels the need to. Look at the guy that won the biggest loser a few years ago, he gained all his weight back in a year, and then some. Maintaining a healthy weight is a gradual thing, you cant just lose 100 lbs in 3 months. Thats crazy.

Yes. There is this strange misconception out there that when you finish losing a bunch of weight, you can just resume your old diet and maintain your body weight. any person's body is going to react first and foremost by gaining weight back, so any changes away from a diet has to be very gradual. The whole, "I'm done dieting, now let me feast to celebrate" is the worst thing anyone can do.

Also, I found the best way for me to diet is to simply eat less. I am still easily getting enough of the nutrition and calories that I need, but the smaller amount of food makes a difference. I've lost weight really quickly, about 4-5 pounds a week. I just fill the hunger void with water, and have been weening myself to less and less water to allow my body to adjust to a smaller appetite. It has becoming a bit frustrating recently though, since I now eat less than my wife. She feels bad that she is eating more food than me, so she is laying on the guilt that I should eat more. 

[Donkbaca]

  Yeah, never really say a BYOACer and thought, Man, I want to look like THAT guy!

[Vigo]

Yeah, never really say a BYOACer and thought, Man, I want to look like THAT guy!

That's just because I haven't posted a picture of myself yet. 

[ark_ader]

Well I am not finished.  I have a lot more to lose over the next eight weeks (well just before college starts again) and I'm figuring that my body has gotten wise to this type of behavior as I haven't been able to shed more.  It took me a fair while to gain it back last time and I had help from Häagen-Dazs (strawberry shortcake) and Ben & Jerrys, stuffed crust pizza and bags of M&Ms.  But it didn't just pack on it snuck up on me as my exercise was constant and I was walking more.

This time around I have to me more mindful of my actions as I am over 40 and its harder to keep a slimmer figure and not indulge.  The Atkins diet is not a fad if you stick with it and have a life eating right and being healthy.

I did moan a bit about food being expensive, but eating fatty is expensive too.  I stand in line looking at those who are morbid obese buying all the bread and cakes on sale, booze and cigarettes.  So sad.

I'm just lucky this time around, but the headaches, cramps and the shakes are starting to appear.  I'm drinking more milk and doubling the protein and that is having a positive effect,and the multi-vitamins are helping.   

I went to see my doctor today for my monthly prescription and he wasn't a happy camper when I told him, as he twigged on how I looked, and he said my symptoms are due to my body going into shock.  I'm now getting my bloods done, and I have stopped donating blood at the hospital.  Oops.    That would explain why I was tired all the time..... 

So I'm in good hands.  I didn't do a before and after, but I'm sure I have some tubby photos somewhere. 

At the moment I look and feel like yuck, but that should all change when buff up at the gym.   

[ark_ader]

Also look at the reality of the numbers.  A person can lose 100lb.  That person is not going to put on 100lb of muscle to fill up that space.  You can't take 100lb out of a bag, put 20lb back in, and expect it to be full.  Yeah, the skin adjusts a certain amount, but not enough to make up the difference when a person is losing that much weight.

What like this:



That guy needs surgery.  Mine looks like " a spare deflated tire" instead of a spare tire. 

[TOK]

A dude I work with had gastric bypass or something and lost a huge amount of weight... I'd imagine enough to look like the guy in that picture. I never asked to see his body (eek), but they wrapped his arms in legs in some kind of bandage type things to help that flab shrink back down.

He was probably over 400 pounds and I'm guessing he's down to around 200 now.

[DaveMMR]

Loose skin is a fact of life for people who lose a lot of weight.  It doesn't just shrink on its own.

Loosing weight at a slower, healthy rate (1-2 lbs a week) and muscle-building exercises does help curb excess loose skin.  Excess skin is a result of losing muscle in addition to fat as a result of "crash diets".    Again... doctor.. see one.     

You got to look at the reality of it though. Someone who has 150 pounds or more to lose, at a rate of 1-2 pounds lost a week would require a diet that takes years. You are not going to find anyone with the will go on a diet for that long. It the person is going to lose the weight and will work to then keep it off, I say the crash diet is well worth it. Better than weaving in and out of diets and various weight changes for a course of many years simply trying to lose that initial body weight to begin with, without even getting to the maintaining a healthy body weight stage.

150 lbs / 2lbs week = 75 weeks.  That's only a year-and-a-half.  And in reality, changing of the lifestyle instead of striving for "overnight weight loss" is much better in the long run.  Because crash diets, almost by definition, involve making unrealistic changes to the way you eat. 

Besides, scratch that 75 week figure.  You'll see noticeable results in much less time; enough that people will compliment you and you will be motivated to continue.  So in reality, smaller goals will ultimately lead to a big change before you'd even know it. 

Also, if you are describing dieting as "harsh" or "torture" then you are doing it wrong.  Do not diet and don't call it a diet.  Adjusting your eating habits means making some better decisions about what you take in.  It does NOT mean eliminating certain foods altogether.   Add more "greens" to your diet and maybe replace white bread with whole grain bread and cut out excess fats but with moderation, anything can be enjoyed.     

I went to see my doctor today for my monthly prescription and he wasn't a happy camper when I told him, as he twigged on how I looked, and he said my symptoms are due to my body going into shock.  I'm now getting my bloods done, and I have stopped donating blood at the hospital.  Oops.    That would explain why I was tired all the time..... 

...and yeah, then there's that.  But you know what:

I think I'll ignore any and all diet advice dispensed on this forum.

Probably the best advice in this entire thread.   

[Cakemeister]

I agree with DaveMMR on everything he's posted in this thread.

Listen to him!

[Vigo]

Also, if you are describing dieting as "harsh" or "torture" then you are doing it wrong.  Do not diet and don't call it a diet.  Adjusting your eating habits means making some better decisions about what you take in.  It does NOT mean eliminating certain foods altogether.   Add more "greens" to your diet and maybe replace white bread with whole grain bread and cut out excess fats but with moderation, anything can be enjoyed.     

True, but that's half of the story. Someone can eat a lot more vegetables and whole grains and cut back on snacking and not lose a pound. It's really good advice on preventing weight gain though. Someone with a lot of weight to lose has to plan on losing it at a strong enough rate with constant goals. This means meal times are also a factor, as well as portion control. Exercise must also be there, not so much to build muscle, but to keep the body metabolism high enough that the body knows it should not be conserving food into fat. 3-5 pounds a week, while keeping yourself nourished, is not an unreasonable goal for a serious diet. (Actual safe #/wk would vary from person to person tho) The problem just lies with how a serious dieter will transition from serious dieting to a sustainable weight maintaining diet.

Also, I was not suggesting a crash diet is healthy or good, but only that it is simply better than years of half-hearted dieting where someone's weight will constantly go up and down like an Oprah situation. If someone has a ton of weight to shed, taking it all off quickly and keeping it off is the lesser of evils when compared to the New Years resolution that goes bust after a few months every single year. It is better be fighting a malnutrition situation for a diet in your 20's and 30's than plummeting into heart attack danger in your 40's-50's.

[ark_ader]

The other side of the coin in the lose it gradually camp is the psychological effect when you get to a difficult goal.  There is nothing like it.  You feel so proud. 

Doing it gradually will upset you as most of the time you want it to come off quick without the suffering, and pack on a few more pounds in the process.

I ballooned in weight as I had my world caved in Jan through April, I was very miserable and I ate the crap just to feel better. Like I said it the pounds just crept up.

To get that goal read the Atkins Diet, and just stick to Induction, everything else is a fallacy and will lead you back to pigsville faster then you can say truffle.  First two weeks is murder.

You feel good on the 4th week and you must keep a trophy visible to remind you how bad you were.  I have two.  My old pants size 46L and a picture of me looking like a.. ...pig.

Your mental state is very important while going through this critical weight shedding process.  My crutch was the arcade gaming.  My poor xbox1 & X Arcade got more action last month then ever.  Even more now that Coinops2 is out.

These things keep you on the short and narrow.  No pain no gain.  Yes my doc was pissed, yes I'm going to get it in the neck from him next time I see him, but it is worth it all.

I also noticed that the girls are starting to notice me again.  Bonus. Nothing wrong with that.  Tell everyone what you have accomplished to encourage others to get healthy.

So if you have a few 100 lbs to shed, don't listen to the old women in here.  Just dive in the deep end and make a difference. Just get rid, before you become insulin resistant.

Here is a odd thing that happened to me just last night.  I don't weigh myself daily just weekly as your body weight can go up and down.  I weighed in at 238 Monday night.  Thinking that was odd as I Weighed in at 230 the previous night.  I had a full 8 hours sleep, and when I woke I was back at 230.  Where did the 8 pounds go?  I figured 2 litres of water passed through my system (yes I drink that much water a day) so that's roughly 5 pounds there, so what about the other 3 lbs?  I'm definitely going to hit that brick wall and plateau real soon, but the runaway train is still on its tracks. 

How did I lose 3 pounds in less than 9 hours?   

[Mikezilla]

Im telling you, youre going to burn out your pancreas, and maybe your kidneys drinking that much water and losing weight so quickly. Actually, nevermind about the kidneys, that isnt that much water. The pancreas for sure, because thats what I did.

[Donkbaca]

The pancreas is overrated...

[Xiaou2]

and I ate the crap just to feel better

 Thats the key issue in weight loss.

 Many people overweight are people who cant handle something.  Some sort of stress. Some relationship issues.  Lack of self worth.  Etc.   So, they turn to eating garbage snack food, rather than dealing with the stuff.

 If you cant put your mental foot down and stand up for yourself... face your demons with grace, willingness..etc..  than you are guaranteed to gain back every pound, if not add even more.

 Logically, if you couldnt run too well due to an injury that has never fully healed correctly.. would you chop off your foot cause you were depressed about it?!   Yet you chose to stuff your gut with high fat MM's & Frozen Fat-Cream.. which is equivalent to doing the same.

 What you need is some Self Help.   Try listening to some motivational stuff, corrective behavioral audio/books, get advice and help from others who have succeeded in besting their problems. Hypnosis tapes.  Whatever you can do to strengthen yourself "Internally", where it counts the most.

 The mind (and spirit) controls the body & the actions. If you gain ability to control your mind, (and your emotions) you start to take charge in your life, rather than life taking you for a ride.

 Take note, that most of the people who have lost the most, and kept it off, are people who have in fact had profound internal changes.

[ark_ader]

Im telling you, youre going to burn out your pancreas, and maybe your kidneys drinking that much water and losing weight so quickly. Actually, nevermind about the kidneys, that isnt that much water. The pancreas for sure, because thats what I did.

I just briefly googled your point and could not find any reference to what I am doing and your pancreas problem.

Maybe you had another hidden issue that caused your illness. In actuality (what I read so far) weight gain makes your pancreas work harder.

I just bought some peppermint tea.  Nice with crushed ice, instead of a soda.

[Cakemeister]

I don't see any link to pancreas disease and Atkins, either, in fact a low carb diet is recommended for pancreatitis. 

I would be okay with a "don't eat anything white" diet. But I think no carbs at all is a bit ridiculous. You can have sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes, whole grain rice, pasta and bread instead of white rice, pasta, and bread, and so on. Use Splenda or Stevia instead of sugar in your coffee/tea. Get some exercise, watch your portions, and quit smoking.

If you must have a sweet snack, do not purchas a package of cookies. Go to RJ Goodies or whatever and buy one cookie. Don't buy a gallon of ice cream, go and have a cone at Marble Slab or whatever, or buy a pint.

Do not go to the grocery store when hungry.

Dang, I should tell my wife this. She feeds me white pasta all the time.

[ChadTower]

Heh, in high school, we used to lose 6lb in a day fairly often.  Of course, we'd put it all back on with the first glass of water.   

[Donkbaca]

I find the low carb thing the easiest diet for a couple of reasons: 1) It keeps you away from garbage; 2) Protein fills me up faster.  If I eat a 10 oz steak with some steamed vegetables, I am full.  In contrast I could probable ueat like a pound and a half of pasta.  So with a low-carb diet, I find it easier to eat healthy and consume less calories.  People usually assume that a low carb diet means that you will be sitting around eating nothing but bacon, but really, I have found that I eat way more vegetables on a low carb diet.  you just substitute your rice/potato/bread with your meal for salad/squash/eggplant

[Mikezilla]

What I meant about the pancreas being burned out is when you stay on a nightmarish diet like that, and then you work out a lot. I guess the OP didnt really mention that he was working out a lot, just that he was doing this crazy diet. My mistake. I was working out like a beast, so thats what happened to me. I got ripped, but also got diabetes. And cause I was a fatty before too, but the working out really did my pancreas in.

[Vigo]

What I meant about the pancreas being burned out is when you stay on a nightmarish diet like that, and then you work out a lot. I guess the OP didnt really mention that he was working out a lot, just that he was doing this crazy diet. My mistake. I was working out like a beast, so thats what happened to me. I got ripped, but also got diabetes. And cause I was a fatty before too, but the working out really did my pancreas in.

Sorry that happened to you, man! That sucks! I wouldn't wish that ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- on my worst enemies. 

I have a buddy that blew out his pancreas. He was working two jobs, excersing for hours at the gym , and would only down water during the day. Durng the night he would be out of energy so he would down a bunch of candy bars and go to bed.

This was in college, and I was his roommate. He came home one night and I was watching a movie with the girlfriend. He crashed right away on his bed, and 10 minutes later his body was shaking uncontrollably and he was unresponsive. He was into severe hypoglycemic shock.

Called 911 and the police came before the paramedics. The police officer thought he was OD'ing on something so promptly started inspecting our dorm room. Found our fridge full of beer and my roommate and I were underage. My GF was over 21 so she claimed they were hers. She saved ---my bottom--- big time.

The paramedics came and the police officer ordered them not to treat my roommate until he finished inspecting the area for drugs. The paramedics called that in and the officer was soon ordered to leave over his radio. The officer never did though, but the paramedics were able to go in and treat my roommate and take him to the hospital. According to the hospital, he was minutes from a coma, and less than a half hour from death.

A week later my roommate put in a complaint. With the paramedics call-in backing up the story. The police officer was suspended immediately.

[Mikezilla]

What I meant about the pancreas being burned out is when you stay on a nightmarish diet like that, and then you work out a lot. I guess the OP didnt really mention that he was working out a lot, just that he was doing this crazy diet. My mistake. I was working out like a beast, so thats what happened to me. I got ripped, but also got diabetes. And cause I was a fatty before too, but the working out really did my pancreas in.

Sorry that happened to you, man! That sucks! I wouldn't wish that ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- on my worst enemies. 

I have a buddy that blew out his pancreas. He was working two jobs, excersing for hours at the gym , and would only down water during the day. Durng the night he would be out of energy so he would down a bunch of candy bars and go to bed.

This was in college, and I was his roommate. He came home one night and I was watching a movie with the girlfriend. He crashed right away on his bed, and 10 minutes later his body was shaking uncontrollably and he was unresponsive. He was into severe hypoglycemic shock.

Called 911 and the police came before the paramedics. The police officer thought he was OD'ing on something so promptly started inspecting our dorm room. Found our fridge full of beer and my roommate and I were underage. My GF was over 21 so she claimed they were hers. She saved ---my bottom--- big time.

The paramedics came and the police officer ordered them not to treat my roommate until he finished inspecting the area for drugs. The paramedics called that in and the officer was soon ordered to leave over his radio. The officer never did though, but the paramedics were able to go in and treat my roommate and take him to the hospital. According to the hospital, he was minutes from a coma, and less than a half hour from death.

A week later my roommate put in a complaint. With the paramedics call-in backing up the story. The police officer was suspended immediately.

Holy ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- that is crazy!!! Man. Freaking cops.  Thank you though, I appreciate your concern . Yeah, I guess it runs in my family, my moms side is mexican, so a lot of them have it apparently. The only one I remember was my aunt, I remember she had to inject insulin and take litmus tests when I was a kid.

Thats unbelievable about your friend though, thank god nothing bad happened to him. Well, aside from getting the betes lol. I wasnt as bad as that, but I worked out too much, I was eating well though, but they said that I most likely got it when I was fatter, it being hereditary, and then me working out WAY too much. Sucks, but its my own fault.

Also kudos to having an older gf at the time that saved your ass! 

[Vigo]

Yeah, it was my buddies fault, he did it to himself. But hindsight is 20/20. It took him forever to control his diet. In and out of the hospital for a couple years. He finally learned to eat right though.

I'm glad it wasn't as bad for you. Still, it sucks that you have to worry about it.

[Mikezilla]

Very true. Glad he finally got his ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- straight though.

Thats the trouble with type 2, its hard to regulate. Luckily I got my stuff under control. But youre right, it totally sucks. I wasnt even into sweet stuff too much before I was a full blown diabetic. Now that I know I cant have that kinda stuff, I want it. 

[javeryh]

I agree with DaveMMR on everything he's posted in this thread.

Listen to him!

+1.  People who categorize weight loss attempts as "diets" are doomed to fail.  Eventually you will go off the diet and gain it all back.  That's a fact.  You need to look at it as a compete lifestyle change - forever - not just for 3 months to get thin and then eat like crazy. 

Find a combination of foods that work for you.  Don't deprive yourself of anything - just eat less junk (not no junk) and eat healthier.  Drink lots of water.  Eat lots of chicken and salads.  Reduce the starches (one scoop of rice instead of an entire box or a few pieces of bread instead of the entire loaf).  Eat smaller portions.  Chew more and eat slower (you get full faster and on less food).  Get up early a few times a week and go jogging before work.  This is all very easy to do without any sort of deprivation. 

Once you get going you will feel great and it is very easy to maintain.

[ark_ader]

I agree with DaveMMR on everything he's posted in this thread.

Listen to him!

+1.  People who categorize weight loss attempts as "diets" are doomed to fail.  Eventually you will go off the diet and gain it all back.  That's a fact.  You need to look at it as a compete lifestyle change - forever - not just for 3 months to get thin and then eat like crazy. 

Find a combination of foods that work for you.  Don't deprive yourself of anything - just eat less junk (not no junk) and eat healthier.  Drink lots of water.  Eat lots of chicken and salads.  Reduce the starches (one scoop of rice instead of an entire box or a few pieces of bread instead of the entire loaf).  Eat smaller portions.  Chew more and eat slower (you get full faster and on less food).  Get up early a few times a week and go jogging before work.  This is all very easy to do without any sort of deprivation. 

Once you get going you will feel great and it is very easy to maintain.

What if you have a slow metabolism?

What if you do not have the time to slowly drop the weight?

There is no happy medium, that is where your "where diets fail" falls in.

You got to get rid, and do it fast.  I'm sitting here where I always sat in front of the PC.  My stomach is not touching the desk, me legs and my feet do not ache, the nice looking girl at the office asked me out for a drink.  You cannot do that on the slomo.  You have to dump it and do it as fast as you can.  If you put it back on that's another story.  Atkins food for life is pants.  Total crap advice unless you are a monk or stupid.

What I packed on will take me a year to put back on, and only three months to get back to non obese wonderland of the BMI.  Think about that for a minute.

I dipped down another 5 pounds.  If you walk 5 miles, you lose the same if you jogged 5 miles and you do not have any hip or knee wear.

You just HAVE TO WANT to do it.  That's the truth right there.

[ChadTower]

What if you do not have the time to slowly drop the weight?

What does that mean?  What does "running out of time" mean here?

[Mikezilla]

What if you do not have the time to slowly drop the weight?

What does that mean?  What does "running out of time" mean here?

You have to think how long it took you to put the weight on. you didnt gain 50 lbs in 3 months did you? You have to think your body will go into shock if you lose it too fast, but oh well, you seem to be happy so... I guess thats what matters.

And yeah, what Chad said. Youre not having some type of surgery are you? Thats the only time you actually NEED to drop weight quickly.

[javeryh]

I agree with DaveMMR on everything he's posted in this thread.

Listen to him!

+1.  People who categorize weight loss attempts as "diets" are doomed to fail.  Eventually you will go off the diet and gain it all back.  That's a fact.  You need to look at it as a compete lifestyle change - forever - not just for 3 months to get thin and then eat like crazy. 

Find a combination of foods that work for you.  Don't deprive yourself of anything - just eat less junk (not no junk) and eat healthier.  Drink lots of water.  Eat lots of chicken and salads.  Reduce the starches (one scoop of rice instead of an entire box or a few pieces of bread instead of the entire loaf).  Eat smaller portions.  Chew more and eat slower (you get full faster and on less food).  Get up early a few times a week and go jogging before work.  This is all very easy to do without any sort of deprivation. 

Once you get going you will feel great and it is very easy to maintain.

What if you have a slow metabolism?

What if you do not have the time to slowly drop the weight?

There is no happy medium, that is where your "where diets fail" falls in.

You got to get rid, and do it fast.  I'm sitting here where I always sat in front of the PC.  My stomach is not touching the desk, me legs and my feet do not ache, the nice looking girl at the office asked me out for a drink.  You cannot do that on the slomo.  You have to dump it and do it as fast as you can.  If you put it back on that's another story.  Atkins food for life is pants.  Total crap advice unless you are a monk or stupid.

What I packed on will take me a year to put back on, and only three months to get back to non obese wonderland of the BMI.  Think about that for a minute.

I dipped down another 5 pounds.  If you walk 5 miles, you lose the same if you jogged 5 miles and you do not have any hip or knee wear.

You just HAVE TO WANT to do it.  That's the truth right there.

I couldn't disagree with you more.  If you have a slow metabolism (and who doesn't after age 35?) then you just have to work harder to find the right foods to eat and be more consistent with your exercise.  Losing weight that fast is not good for your heart - especially the older you get.  Also, the "happy medium" is exactly where everyone should strive to be in terms of diet.  It's not good to eat huge portions and tons of junk food and drink soda or beer all the time just like it is not good to eat like a rabbit and have nothing but salads to try and lose weight.

Also, running 5 miles is way better for you in terms of burning calories than walking 5 miles.  It just is - your heart rate is much more elevated and as a result you burn off more calories.  Obviously if you have knee or hip problems you have to adjust for that but generally speaking, the key to losing weight through aerobic exercise is getting your heart rate up and maintaining it.  

What if you do not have the time to slowly drop the weight?

What does that mean?  What does "running out of time" mean here?

I'm curious too.  If you don't have time to do it right, make the time.  Change your life.  I work approximately 12 hours a day plus the commute and I still make time to get up at 5:30AM to go running.  I'm in bed by 11:30 most nights and it works.  There's always time for your health - nothing is more important.  

[Cakemeister]

ark_ader is to health and wellness as noice is to finances.

No offense, Ark, just making a joke.

Just try to do some exercise to avoid losing muscle mass. If you can't run, take some brisk walks or do stair stepping. Do weights and cardio.

[ark_ader]

My sister-in law was told by her doctor to lose weight or she would die 15 years ago.  She was three times her current body weight.

That lady worked like she was on a mission and dumped more weight than I could possibly imagine and kept it off to this day.

When your doctor tells you to get rid of the weight, you take notice.  If your wife/partner/family says anything about weight loss you can (I did) get upset and ignore it.

That is why time is definitely important.  Time to realize and get rid. Quick.  Do it slow and you will be back putting more pounds on and getting depressed.

Some people cannot afford to visit the doctor, that is why the time factor to lose weight is crucial.  Like my next door neighbor who was in his late 50s, and a real porker.  He died of a heart attack getting his morning paper.

My weight loss wasn't medically incentive, but when I started having difficulty sleeping, and my legs and feet were in constant pain, I knew I didn't need a doctor to tell me. 

[DaveMMR]

That is why time is definitely important.  Time to realize and get rid. Quick.  Do it slow and you will be back putting more pounds on and getting depressed.

Citation needed.  

Oh wait, nevermind, I have one:
http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/lose-weight-fast-how-to-do-it-safely

The bottom line? Weight loss experts agree that any rapid weight loss diet should be identical to a long-term, sustainable plan -- and not a fad diet.

[ark_ader]

Well I kept on my Atkins Induction diet as I described previously and the weight came off.  

When I started five weeks or so ago I was pushing 285.  I looked in the mirror in despair.  I had to get my game on and shed it quick.

I stepped on the scales this morning and I have reached the first part of my goal. 231 lbs.  

I have started to plateau and I have not lost weight dramatically as in previous weeks as I figured that my body caught on to my shenanigans.

I have started to change my exercise regime and look at reducing my intake of protein and increase the amount of water I am consuming.

I am considering doing the cold water diet which seems safe enough, but I have consulted some friends that have tried the water fasting method.

If I do not see any change in weight loss in the next week or so, I shall go on the vitamin and water diet for a week to see if I can shift any more weight.  I'm not looking forward to fiber-gel....

When I can get to 200lbs I can resume Atkins Induction again and bring it down to 180lbs.  I'll be happy then.  

[ark_ader]

http://www.atkins.com/Program/phase1.aspx

[Scott84]

Go to a nutritionist, get a weight trainer to keep the weight off.

To keep the weight off you need to change your life.

You can't expect to diet, get off the diet and not balloon back up.

good luck to everyone.

[eds1275]

I am considering doing the cold water diet which seems safe enough, but I have consulted some friends that have tried the water fasting method.

If I do not see any change in weight loss in the next week or so, I shall go on the vitamin and water diet for a week to see if I can shift any more weight.  I'm not looking forward to fiber-gel....

When I can get to 200lbs I can resume Atkins Induction again and bring it down to 180lbs.  I'll be happy then.  

Hey man sounds like you have a real plan in mind there. Good luck!