Hi everyone,

I've done Atkins etc a few times before with great success. Usually I lose weight fairly quickly for at least the first 2-3 months.

I just had my first fill after having my band empty for 5 years and the band is working great.

I eat 1 cup per meal, Protein first and and then mostly green veggies. I stay under 20g carbs per day and that's mostly real/ not processed food ( no atkins bars etc).

I lost 17.5 lbs during the first few weeks which was fantastic but for about 10 days now the scales have barely moved.

I'm wondering if the small portions could actually slow weightloss down while low carbing?

What were your experiences?

I've tried a fat fast since yesterday and again no loss.

I check carbs and calories. I don't worry about fat. At the begining I ate 800 - 1000 calories a day. No cheating. There were weeks that I lost nothing and then a week later 5 lbs. I till today keep a running list of calories and carbs eaten per day. I include everything no matter how small a piece. Use my fitness pal if you can. I achieved my goal and then some in 6 months. The trick don't cheat and don't give up. You will succeed.

Sounds to me like you're doing fantastic!!!! 17.5lbs in a couple of weeks is ALOT of weight to lose. I know it seems like if the scales aren't moving that you're not losing but that's not true. When the scale stops moving this is when your body is catching up to itself and while doing so is shredding inches. This is just the cycle of weight loss. When the scale is "stalled" the inches are coming off, which to me is the most important thing. Measure yourself in other ways beside the number on the scale, like how you clothes are fitting etc. Keep doing what you're doing and the weight has no choice but to come off! You're doing great!

As we all know when starting a diet the weight loss in the beginning is substantial because 1. we are losing Water weight and 2. our bodies are used to a much higher caloric intake and our metabolic rate is higher.Whether its the band or low carb or whatever your body will try and lower your metabolism to compensate for the reduction in calories. With all the diet plans and "miracle pill" garbage out there weight loss is a very simple formula: Calories burned > calories consumed. If you are eating less calories than your body requires to run, it will have no choice but to tap into its fat stores for energy. There are several online BMR (Basal metabolic rate) calculators out there. Find your BMR and if you are consuming fewer calories than that number, you will lose weight.

I wss told by a great trainer that if you dont loose on atkins you aren't taking in enough fat!

I am a low carber. I make sure and get a lot of fat with my meals. Also, your body is catching up with that big loss.

Just a suggestion. I joined www.emeals.com and chose the low carb meal plan. Has saved dramatically on groceries and tons of fantastic meals. Very tasty and low carb.