stopped losing weight

Hi, I am new to this forum, but I need help from anyone who can offer assistance. I began Almased almost three weeks ago. The first week, I lost a whopping 16 POUNDS! Yes, WOW! I was pleased. I am a big girl, however, and I am accustomed to losing at least 10 pounds during the first week of any program. 16 pounds was unexpected, but definitely welcomed.
 
As of now, nearly three weeks later (this Sunday makes three weeks) I have lost nothing else!!! Of course I have backtracked to make sure I am following the plan as suggested. I did the 3-day fast, then breakfast and dinner shakes and the suggested lunch choices. I drink all of my liquids. My last ph check was 7-7.4. Why am I not losing weight? All I can think is that I am consuming too much protein --- much more than I usually would. Yes, I am exercising, at the moment about 30 minutes a day, which is a marked increase from my usual no exercise.
 
I am a diabetic, and my blood sugars which were in the 200's hang out around 100 now. That is super. But why no more weight loss? I am somewhat surprised because just 2 years ago I lost nearly 80 pounds on Michael Thurmond's six week body makeover in about 3 1/2 months. Weight loss comes easy to me when I adjust my eating. I do not crave the rebound that I experienced with 6wbmo, so that is why I am attracted to the Almased diet.
 
What could I be doing wrong? I make my shakes with water, and occassionally -- really rarely with half skim milk/water for added flavor. I do not add juice or anything that might spike the blood sugar.
 
Please, anyone, offer me some helpful suggestions or your journey stories to encourage me, because I am getting worried. I cannot continue to sacrifice the money, time and effort, if no results. I get so excited when I read all the positive posts on this forum and outside forums, and I think that will be me soon, but so far I think, maybe not. PLEASE HELP!

GoodMorningSunshine


Hi, I am new to this forum, but I need help from anyone who can offer assistance. I began Almased almost three weeks ago. The first week, I lost a whopping 16 POUNDS! Yes, WOW! I was pleased. I am a big girl, however, and I am accustomed to losing at least 10 pounds during the first week of any program. 16 pounds was unexpected, but definitely welcomed.
 
As of now, nearly three weeks later (this Sunday makes three weeks) I have lost nothing else!!! Of course I have backtracked to make sure I am following the plan as suggested. I did the 3-day fast, then breakfast and dinner shakes and the suggested lunch choices. I drink all of my liquids. My last ph check was 7-7.4. Why am I not losing weight? All I can think is that I am consuming too much protein --- much more than I usually would. Yes, I am exercising, at the moment about 30 minutes a day, which is a marked increase from my usual no exercise.
 
I am a diabetic, and my blood sugars which were in the 200's hang out around 100 now. That is super. But why no more weight loss? I am somewhat surprised because just 2 years ago I lost nearly 80 pounds on Michael Thurmond's six week body makeover in about 3 1/2 months. Weight loss comes easy to me when I adjust my eating. I do not crave the rebound that I experienced with 6wbmo, so that is why I am attracted to the Almased diet.
 
What could I be doing wrong? I make my shakes with water, and occassionally -- really rarely with half skim milk/water for added flavor. I do not add juice or anything that might spike the blood sugar.
 
Please, anyone, offer me some helpful suggestions or your journey stories to encourage me, because I am getting worried. I cannot continue to sacrifice the money, time and effort, if no results. I get so excited when I read all the positive posts on this forum and outside forums, and I think that will be me soon, but so far I think, maybe not. PLEASE HELP!

Hi GoodMorningSunshine, 


Congratulations on the 16 lb weight loss that you experienced. Although you're at a standstill now, do not be discouraged. Sometimes the body reaches a plateau after a large amount of weight loss and so needs to stabilize before additional weight is loss. Losing 1-2lbs a week is a healthy weight loss, 16lbs a week is quite dramatic; however, understand that you are in good progress. It takes time to shed off weight, you do not have to cycle through the program just continue using Almased 2x/day until you overcome the plateau and reach your ideal body weight.  


Have you measured your inches? We recommend to focus on inches rather than the scale, since the scale does not give an accurate value of the changes that occur during weight loss. You may even notice a bigger difference with your inches by measuring 1x a week.


It sounds like you are following the Almased protocol. How many tablespoons of Almased are you using for each meal? Also, what is your typical meal like?


- Jamie

Thanks Jamie for responding. Yes I have been checking inches and I have been losing inches. My clothes are definitely loose. I guess I am comparing this weight-loss experience with others. Like I said I lose weight fairly easily when I put my mind to it. Generally at this rate I would be seeing marked differences on the scale.
 
But yes, I am watching inches as well, and they look good. Hopefully the pounds will lower too. I am not giving up just yet. I have experienced a 3-4 weight loss since the first post.
 
As far as amount of the Almased, I do 1/2 cup because I am 5'8". My meals are generally fish, shrimp or chicken breast sauteed in the olive oil, brown rice or sweet potatoes so far (small portions), and lots of veggies. I love spinach greens. I have done collards (I live in the deep south :), asparagus, etc. I snack on crunchy cucumbers and a few almonds or walnuts when I feel I need to, which is really rare because the Almased holds me.
 
Cole slaw stir-fry is the absolute best. Cook it with some onions and ground turkey in olive oil, and you can eat the fork!
 
I am continuing the journey. My husband has joined me. He works at night, so he has special challenges to how to do his meals, etc. He too loss right away about 10 pounds and hasn't see much change. He is only 2 weeks in though, and I am trying to get him to watch inches as well, which obviously he has lost.
 
Thanks for your reply, and I am waiting for any others who can assist me in my journey.

Hi GoodMorningSunshine,

I am also a new member and new to this forum.  I can empathize with how you're feeling.  I am sort of feeling the same way but I will offer you my comments because it sounds to me that you need the feedback.  My husband and I started this diet a little more than 2 weeks ago.  I heard about it coincidentally  through a service rep who did some work in our home who is diabetic and in need of losing a good deal of weight.  He heard about it through another customer and his Doctor approved it for him.  When I heard that it speeds up your metabolism, I was convinced it was for me since I have a snail of a metabolism.  I lost most of my weight in the first week which was 8 lbs.  Unlike you who lost an incredible 16 lbs. the first week, I don't lose weight easily.  My husband lost 9 lbs. the first week and since lost a total of 13 lbs. which I believe is great for about 2-1/2 weeks.  My total is 10 lbs. in 2-1/2 weeks.  We also decided to do the 3 days of shakes and then start one meal which we do midday.  We eat very small quantities of food during the one meal.  Usually 3-4 ozs. of fish or chicken and a steamed veggie with a small salad of greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, green and red peppers and a few multi grain croutons (sometimes) and some fat free Feta.  I use a dressing of a little olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar.  Sometimes we omit the salad and have just our protein and veggie.  Because we are eating so few calories at the one meal, I was surprised as well that we weren't losing faster as some of the testimonials speak of.  Nevertheless, and with all that said, we both feel great and healthier than ever on this plan. Unlike most other diets where you feel hungry all the time and never see the scale move, or hardly ever.  Also, this is the most weight we've lost in this short period of time on any other diet.  So, we're hopeful that although it may take longer than we hoped it would, that we will see a consistent weight loss over time.  I have about 30 more pounds that I would like to lose and I'm not quitting.  I believe that it's true what Jamie said about losing so much weight at once, that your body needs to adjust to the loss and that it takes a while until you see another drop.  So please, if you're feeling as great as we are, don't give up!  Gotta go and make our evening shake which by the way, we happen to love. 

Hello GoodMorningSunshine and roesbud622,

I wanted to follow up on another point that is very important and often gets neglected during a diet.
Please make sure to consume your essential fatty acids which are your omega-3s (especially) and omega-6s. Therefore, adding ground flaxseeds or flaxseed oil to the shakes would be beneficial as well as adding olive oil when preparing your foods. Try to consume about 2-3 Tablespoons of those healthy oils per day. They are important for many bodily functions and well as your metabolism and can aid in weight loss.

Good luck with your weight loss journey and keep us posted!


Silke