New and frustrated

[dberen]

My name is David. I will be 46 in a few weeks.

I started PP 2.5 weeks ago at the recommendation of my Dr. to reduce triglyceride and BS levels as well as lose weight that is concentrated in my abdominal area.

I have done what I believe to be a pretty good job of sticking to the plan. I have eliminated all sugars and grains from my diet and focus on protein with some carbs from vegetables.

I started taking the vitamins and minerals recommended plus fish oil. I drink the required 8 cups of water on most days.

I don't exercise...

And, after 2.5 weeks I have not lost 1 pound!!! :confused:

Is this normal? Any ideas on what I could be doing wrong?

Thanks!

[maxlharris]

It sounds like you are ad hoc'ing the diet rather the actually doing protein power.
7-10 grams of carbs max per meal.
Get your minimum protein per meal.
Make sure that you read the book. Maybe twice. This has some nuance to it.

[Frank Hagan]

Max is right. You can't do this half way, especially at the beginning.

You might not be eating enough protein to lose weight.

If you can't answer these two questions with a specific number, you aren't following the diet:

1. What is my minimum protein requirement per day, and per meal?
2. What is the maximum carbohydrate, in grams, I can have per meal and in snacks?

Get either Protein Power or Protein Power Life Plan and calculate your minimum protein requirement. Figure out how you are going to get that much protein without going over the max carbs per meal.

And if you're like most of us prior to PP, get up a few minutes early and eat breakfast (you cannot skip breakfast in the beginning). When you read the books, you'll find that one of the main goals is to minimize the fluctuations in the amount of insulin in your system. Eating a protein rich, low carb breakfast is part of that.

The good news is that you should see lower triglycerides following the minimum protein/very low carb portion of the diet in 3 - 6 weeks. Mine fell from 344 to 106 in just over 3 weeks.

Weight loss should be higher in the first week because of water loss. But then it should stabilize at about 1 -2 pounds per week (my doc says that losing 2 pounds per month is excellent progress, but most LC books say 1 - 2 pounds per week.)

[dberen]

Thank you both!

I agree that I have been "winging it." I hate diets where I have to measure and count "things." But deep down inside I know that I will not achieve my goals unless I follow the plan...

I just calculated my minimum protein requirements and will pay closer attention to the carbs I consume.

Breakfast is not an issue for me. I have a cafeteria at work that makes my breakfast to order. I usually eat eggs, sausage and some cottage cheese.

Thanks again and good luck with your journeys!