Doing the low carb thing and pretty successful so far.
Been here before with similar results--lost 25 pounds in three weeks--but always went back to the bad old ways and gained it back over the next few years.
I'm mostly committed to doing some sort of maintenance diet like foregoing potatoes, rice and other high carb/calorie foods.
Here's the question: after three weeks on the "induction" phase I hit a plateau. Need to lose another 15 pounds but for the last month I'm stuck. Haven't changed from the 20 gm carbs/day routine but no loss.
Both South Beach and Atkins make a big deal about not going past a few weeks on the induction phase. I'm keeping calories at or below maintenance level but still no loss. Is there a reason for this? Is it normal to plateau like this?
I'm not suffering and frankly rather enjoy the variety of foods I'm eating, hence the new commitment to maintaining but I really want to dump that 15 pounds.
Thanks.
= new reply since forum marked as read
I'm there also... would love to see about 10-15lbs more go
I find that 'shaking things up' a bit helps to get past a plateau... must say that 25lbs in 3 weeks is extreme and not surprising that your body is rebelling... 
a different exercise routine might restart your body...
from the mayoclinic site...
"...The progression from initial weight loss to a weight-loss plateau follows a typical pattern. During the first few weeks of losing weight, a rapid drop is normal. In part this is because when calories from food are reduced, the body gets needed energy by releasing its stores of glycogen, a type of carbohydrate found in the muscles and liver. Glycogen holds on to water, so when glycogen is burned for energy, it also releases water, resulting in substantial weight loss that's mostly water.
A plateau occurs because your metabolism — the process of burning calories for energy — slows as you lose muscle. You burn fewer calories than you did at your heavier weight even doing the same activities. Your weight-loss efforts result in a new equilibrium with your now slower metabolism.
At this new equilibrium, calories eaten equals calories expended. This means that to lose more weight, you need to increase activity or decrease the calories you eat. Using the same approach that worked initially may maintain your weight loss, but it won't lead to more weight loss.... Whatever you do, don't revert back to your old eating and exercise habits. That may cause you to regain the weight that you've already lost...."
