Your body when eating low carb is like a well-oiled machine. The weight starts falling off and your body is running like a sports car—but what happens if that car stalls? If your weight loss goal is closer than it has ever been, but you hit your very first plateau?
When your weight just won’t budge—what then? Well, then it’s time for a tune-up. There’s no need to panic. Just think long and hard about the foods that you have been eating and pinpoint where you made a wrong turn.
Everybody is different, but when I am asked for help in these situations I rattle off the following list of possible culprits:
- Hidden sugars and starches in purchased food, vitamins, and medications.
- Hidden sugars and starches in restaurant food if you eat out often.
- Sugar alcohols, and many “so-called” low-carb products, especially sugar-free candy and ice cream are made from these corn syrup alternatives like Maltitol, Sorbitol and most anything ending in “tol” that they claim can be subtracted from the total carb count.
In a handful of people, overindulgence in more specific things like dairy, caffeine, alcohol, sugar substitutes, diet sodas, soy flour, low-carb fruit, nuts, tomatoes and onions can slow or halt weight loss, though my family never had a problem with any of them.
If you have no idea what’s causing the plateau, the best thing for you to do is to strip your diet down to the bare bones of low-carb, to all those healthy fresh foods. You may see stalls as your worst enemy, but getting back to basics is never a bad thing. In fact, you may find yourself losing as fast or faster than ever before! When you have your eye on the prize, every little bit counts.
When it comes down to those last stubborn pounds standing in your way, calories can catch up with you. I don’t advocate counting them, but eating more reasonable portion sizes may be the boost you need to see that magic number.
Always keep in mind that maintenance is waiting for you at the finish line when those same small steps you take to get to your goal can be taken in reverse toward a more satisfying, effortless maintenance—for life!
Keep on Low Carbin’!
Chef George Stella
For tons more low carb recipes, ideas, and support please visit:
www.StellaStyle.com
www.facebook.com/LowCarbingAmongFriends
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I do use the Atkins bars that have the high alcohol sugars in them. In your opinion should i avoid these products?
Is Erythritol also one that should be avoided if I’m stalled?
Thank you for the encouragement George. Low-carbing is sometimes a little lonely as it is misunderstood as something dangerous or just a “diet”. I was just getting frustrated this morning as the scale is not moving again. I will take your suggestions to heart and keep on low-carbing.
I recently received your newest cook-book f(from QVC) and am thrilled to be able to share your recipes!
I consider a stall a time to reflect on what I have been doing and what I am doing it for. Instead of going nuts with big changes, I re-evaluate what I have been doing and make whatever minor changes are needed to stay on track, remembering that the whole diet thing is not just about losing weight, but making changes to the way I eat that will last far beyond reaching my goal weight. That is a ‘stall’ that is meant to last the rest of my life.
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful post. I really like the information which you have shared in your post about the weight loss. keep Sharing such informative post in future also.
Lisa, I found that I cannot eat the Adkins bars anymore. The high sugar alcohol content gives me MAJOR “gastric distress”–I’m talking PAIN! If you are having similar problems, I’d say stop eating them. Some products even tell you on their packages that this can be a side effect for some people. Not sure if Adkins does or not.
I often find that when I stall on the weight loss.. I don’t stall on the inch loss. it plays back and forth… loose a little weight.. then loose an inch or so never seems to happen at the same time.. which might just be my strangeness 😉
Not strange at all Tammera. I do the same thing–inch loss or scale–it’s usually one or the other–rarely both at the same time.
I hit a plateau and I am not even near my goal. I did as you say and went back to just protein. I then lost only 2 more lbs. What now?
Just what I needed to hear! Love the suggestions about reviewing the sugar alcohols. This has got to be what is stalling my weight loss. The Atkins bar are wonderful but I’ll bet the sugar alcohols are the culprit here. I must admit, I am addicted to those and eat at least 1, sometimes 2 a day. Can anyone recommend any healthy substitutes to satisfy that sweet tooth? I’m tired of sugarless jello, LOL!
I love this diet and cannot seem to get any help. I lost weight on the first week at the end of June but haven’t lost anything since. I have only cheated twice in that time. The last time was last night as I was so frustrated at not loosing anything. I take in about fifteen to twenty five grams of carbs every day. I do have one Atkins bar in the evening. Can anyone suddest where I may be going wrong. I drink lots of water, no caffeine or alcohol. I’ve been so strict with myself all this time. Help. Is this just not for me. I have about twenty pounds to lose so I’m not obese but want to be a healthier weight. Sorry to go on. X
Samantha, I hear ya! It’s frustrating. Here are some things I did to help (and need to do more of since I am stuck again, too):
* Step up your exercise–it really does make a difference. The combination of diet and exercise is important.
* Add strength training to the mix. I’ve learned (after years of stubborn resistance to the idea!!) that if you add weights and/or resistance bands to your routine, it high-charges your metabolism and you burn calories long after the exercise is over. YEAH!
* Change up what you are eating, too. I tend to get into a routine of specific foods, and even though they are healthy as can be, my weight gets stuck. Your body gets used to this new norm and gets comfortable there. Make sure you don’t eat the same thing every day. I also read somewhere that if you add a day WITH carbs, then go without, you’ll see a drop. Somehow it tricks the body. It did work for me when I tried it, but I try not to do that too often, because “bad” carbs make me feel terrible. But, it’s worth a try on rare occasions. Just don’t pig out, LOL!
Good luck and thanks, because you have reminded me to get back into my better habits. Maybe we’ll both get “un-stuck”! Have a great day.
Josette, there are a few good products out there which have little sugar and no sugar alcohols. I just walk down the grocery aisle that has protein bars and I read labels. There is a brand called “Kind” which has delicious bars filled with nuts, some fruit, and are loaded with antioxidants. The ones I buy have 7 grams of sugar or less (one only has 4 grams!) so you have to read the packages carefully, even within a brand–some are loaded with much more sugar. Nature Valley and Kellogg’s have a couple of bars that have relatively low sugar as well. I wish I had the names of others (just threw the box away of a really good one that had rolled oats and peanut butter, low in sugar–can’t recall what brand it was, sorry!) but if you take a few minutes reading the boxes, you will find them! Lara Bars are also really delicious and full of good stuff, but tend to have a little more sugar than I can handle. If you are in an area of the country that has Wegmans supermarkets, they carry a brand of health bars (whose name I also can’t recall, sorry!) that is made of chia seeds. Chia is one of THE new “superfoods” and the bars are OK–not the most tasty, but not bad, and they really hit the spot and keep the hunger at bay. Hope this helps!
Increasing your healthy fat intake can also help in times when you are stalling!
Just what I was going to say, Dawn! I have found consistently that when I plateau it means that my diet is getting a little too lean, so maybe that will help someone else.
That said, everyone’s metabolism is different, and nothing is right for absolutely everyone, not even low-carb. I think the most important thing is to find out what works for *you*, whether or not it works for anyone else.
Nobody has mentioned the idea that there could be a MEDICAL problem when weight loss stalls, and this might be something to check out – especially if you have any other symptoms. I was very frustrated when I stalled recently and couldn’t lose weight no matter what I tried. As a result of a routine visit to the doctor and some blood work, I found that I was severely deficient in thyroid and have just started medication for that. (Other symptoms included general fatigue, low ambition, and occasional achiness for no apparent reason.) I hope the medication will help – will have to wait and see, as I’m told it will take a while.
It seems that Atkins has changed the recipes for their bars….they don’t taste the same, and they now cause issues for me too! I’ve had the same problem with the new version of the low-carb Met-RX Chocolate Fudge Protein Plus bars….off taste and belly ache.
I find I am not using Atkins bars as much, too. I agree that there have been changes.
There are bars from a company called Quest. If you go to their website today they’re giving out 2 free bars. I prefer these because they are GMO free and all natural unlike Atkins which are full of garbage.
Just got the George Stella book and WOW! The recipes are fantastic–delicious and EASY (which I appreciate–not much into complicated cooking!) I’ve already lost a couple of pounds! Had the Parmesan Crusted Chicken and Faux Potato Skins last night–delicioso! Can’t wait to make more… more recipes that I want to try are dog-eared… so many pages turned down! I’ll be eating well (and healthfully) for a while!!!!
What is the exact serving size?
Is it possible to not be eating enough period? I eat 3 meals a day.i know I can drink more water. And I have an Atkins bar once or twice a week when I get a sweet craving. Just seem to be at a plateau. May need to add more fat rather than protein. Suggestions would be very welcome
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