Question:
What can I do to jumpstart my metabolism?

My doctor has me, basically, on the Atkins diet--mostly protein and only 15 grams of carbohydrates per day. I try to drink a protein drink for breakfast, but it always makes me feel bloated and yucky, so I wind up drinking only half. I have lost 50 pounds in two months, but I have not lost anything in 3 weeks. Its very discouraging. I exercise about 4-5 times a week, walking 1 1/2 miles. Please advise!    — Kay J. (posted on October 8, 2001)

October 8, 2001
You may want to add a few more carbs to one of your meals in the week, a small baked potato maybe, I read that info on here and it worked for me. 50 lbs is nothing to sneeze at Good For YOU! Your body may need to catch up with the wieght loss that you have already had, take measurements that also is encouaging when the scale isn't moving. Try to remember this isn't an overnight sensation it sounds to me that you are doing exellent! Best of luck to you, take care...
   — [Anonymous]

October 9, 2001
RELAX! You're doing great! LOL I should have posted when I hit that first plateau. I thought 20 pounds was it for me. I was so depressed. Just keep on the diet your dr has prescribed for you and you will lose more weight. Did you take you measurements preop? If not, take them TODAY and keep track of your progress with that for a couple of weeks while your body adjusts to its new routine. I was on that plateau for 3 weeks and then I went down 2 sizes almost overnight. Measure your progress by other means than the scale if it isn't cooperating with you. You will do fine!
   — ctyst

October 9, 2001
Don't worry, you are doing great. When the body loses alot of weight rapidly, it goes into starvation mode. What this does is the body holds onto whatever it can so it doesn't starve. Everyone experiences plateaus with this surgery. If you increase your food intake, even just a little, the body will know you are feeding it and you will start losing again. I know it sounds weird, but increasing your food intake will get you losing again. You can bet on it.
   — Kim B.

October 9, 2001
Kay, you are doing great! One suggestion I have read of is to vary your exercise a bit. If you are walking alot, try walking more hills, or a little faster. Perhaps you can bike? Or maybe walk a trail in the woods instead on a walking path or street. How about swimming- any way you can vary the exercise your body is getting will help it jump start again. One way my metabolism was really changed is by lifting weights. Muscles burns calories even at rest, so if you build a little muscle, you will burn more calories all day long. You can get 1- 10 lb hand barbells almost anywhere and start using them- they will help tone your upper arms too! Good Luck!
   — M B.

September 2, 2002
For those that cant manage to purchase hand weights..Dont let that stop you..Dry beans or driveway gravel, weighed and sealed in double plastic bags can be used in hands or hanging from hands,off thumbs, for resistence exercise.They can also be tied to or dangled from feet for doing leg lifts. Two to Five pound cans from your shelves are excellent weights.Have fun and enjoy losing!
   — Cheri P.