Nutri-Nut..calorically speaking

[cleochatra]

You wrote this

Could we lose weight by simply using more calories than we take in? Or would that be impossible, too? If we all went on a 1,200 or 1,000 calorie a day diet, would we lose more and/or faster?

Calories do matter. To me anyway.

We know that while on Atkins we metabolize fat differently than on a low-cal way of eating. We will lose more eating 1500 calories on Atkins than we will eating 1500 calories in a regular low-fat, low cal regimen. Why? Because the body requires more fuel to burn fat and protein for energy than those readily-available carbs.

Dr Atkins says not to worry about calories in the first two weeks, but I've always been a calorie counter and will continue to be on this way of eating. Why? Because for me it has ALWAYS worked.

I don't worry about my BMR. I cannot force myself to ingest the over-2000 calories a day I'd have to eat in order to meet me BMR. I eat when I'm hungry and I stop when I'm full. This means I'm ingesting at most about 1200 calories a day.

I'm not in starvation mode, either. Why? Because I'm exercising and eating to satisfaction. My body is satisfied.

I do agree that people will lose weight eating their BMR, and possibly even above that. But if you're stalled, and have tried exercising for a month and still find you are stuck, see how many calories you are ingesting and whether or not you are eating above your BMR (for women it is weight X11; men, weightX13).

It's something to try anyway, if you go the exercise route and give it an honest try and are still finding you are stuck.

[wannabethintoo]

Re: Nutri-Nut..calorically speaking

In my experience, calories didn't matter when I started Atkins. I lost most of the weight during the first month and a half....after that it was very slow. I've recently (yesterday) reduced my calories and I am now seeing great results.

[cleochatra]

Re: Nutri-Nut..calorically speaking

I've recently (yesterday) reduced my calories and I am now seeing great results.

[Zarabelle]

Re: Nutri-Nut..calorically speaking

Really? I will have to try that. I must admit, when I have had lighter weeks in the way of calories (volume of food), I have lost more weight.

I am going on holiday in 28 days (YYYYYYYAAYYYYYY) and really want to lose those 10.5 extra pounds for my mini goal. I know I shouldn't be, but I can't help being disappointed that the scales didn't move this week......

I think I may try the reduced calorie way for a few days just out of interest.

Good luck everyone

x

[cleochatra]

Re: Nutri-Nut..calorically speaking

Zarabelle-- it works for me consistantly. Even Dr A discusses in his book that, in the end, calorie counting DOES matter, especially as we move out of induction and towards maintenance.

Restriction of calorie intake (so long as you are satisfied and not hungry) coupled with exercise does more for weight loss, in my experience, than simply going low-carb with exercise.

Eating beyond hunger, whether it's protein, veggies, or fat, will still be feeding your fat cells and not your body's need for food.

[Finelly]

Re: Nutri-Nut..calorically speaking

I disagree that you are not in starvation mode because you are eating until satisfied. That is simply not the gage for being in starvation mode.

Starvation mode occurs when you consistently eat substantially below your bmr. Your appetite is reduced as is your capacity for food, due to shrinkage of the stomach and a slowing of the digestive process.

It may be that a person can lose consistently for up to 8 months or so on starvation mode, depending on the amount of fat in his or her body. But there will come a time when the weight loss slows and even stops. The body simply will not let go of the remaining fat.

I'm not saying that Cleo should eat more calories. I AM saying that it isn't a good idea for most of us to try on a long-term basis. Most people in long stalls find that UPPING their calories actually helps them start to lose again.

As for whether eating less makes you lose faster at certain times, it is true that at FIRST, if you reduce calories the pounds will drop. But later on, it will slow again. The key in Atkins is not to eat too little, especially too little fat. Your body needs fat to burn more fat.

I am willing to bet my last dollar that the people who do not lower their calories substantially below their bmr on a consistent basis are the ones who have the fewest cravings and are least likely to cheat or binge.

[Finelly]

Re: Nutri-Nut..calorically speaking

One more thing. Since this is a new way of eating, and a new relationship with food, eating very few calories will hurt you in the long run. When you reintroduce certain carbs and reach maintenence, you don't want your body to be used to eating only 1000 calories a day. The tendency will be to up the calories and regain the weight as you enjoy more and more different types of foods.

If, however, you intend to never eat a piece of toast again, or never enjoy winter veggies, etc, then I suppose it would be acceptable to stay at 1,000 calories a day.

[cleochatra]

Re: Nutri-Nut..calorically speaking

I AM saying that it isn't a good idea for most of us to try on a long-term basis.

I concur. This is more of a kick-start than necessarily a long-term way of eating.

I do plug everything into fitday and my percentages are right on the money. My caloric intake just happens to be quite low while having those percentages, surprisingly enough!

I find that were I to force-feed myself to reach the 'prroper' intake I actually was over-full and found that I was less satisfied and more likely to blow my way of eating.

For whatever reason, this is what has worked for me!

I definitely don't advocate strict caloric intake for everyone, but Atkins did state that counting calories is important, and if a person is stalled, I recommend looking at other angles, including incresing water intake and exercise.

{{{Finelly}}}

[wannabethintoo]

Re: Nutri-Nut..calorically speaking

But what if you are eating at your BMR and not losing any weight (or very little) for a long period of time? Then what?

[wannabethintoo]

Re: Nutri-Nut..calorically speaking

I was exercising like crazy and drinking a ton of water and eating at my bmr but nothing was happening. It was pretty discouraging because I couldn't exercise more than I already was and couldn't drink any more water. What other choices are there?

[Finelly]

Re: Nutri-Nut..calorically speaking

This isn't a race! Sometimes we eat and exercise and drink our water and our body doesn't drop pounds for quite some time. We aren't trying to lose weight fast. We are trying to be healthy and have a new relationship with food. And to lose weight - but at a rate that is healthy.

The body loses on its own schedule. If we are going to suddenly demand that it drop pounds regularly, then we are in what is called a crash diet.

[wannabethintoo]

Re: Nutri-Nut..calorically speaking

Well the problem is that I am very goal oriented and when I'm doing everything right and working so hard and not seeing any results I get very depressed.

[Finelly]

Re: Nutri-Nut..calorically speaking

Ok, so the problem is not the slow weight loss, but your own expectations.

Lower your goals. Or lower the timeframe for the goals to be achieved.

I know for a fact that I cannot lose 25 lbs by New Years Eve. So I won't even participate in a challenge like that. I can't say WHEN I will have lost x amount of weight. But I CAN commit to:

1. Not cheating for a month or two months or whatever.
2. Exercising x times a week
3. Sticking with this whether the scale is moving or not.
4. Loving my body as it is now, and as it evolves in the shape it is to be.

Isn't this demand that we become thin FAST part of the reason we got here in the first place?

[wannabethintoo]

Re: Nutri-Nut..calorically speaking

It's not like I'm looking to become thin fast...that's not it. And it's not really about the weight either...it's about goals in general...a feeling of accomplishment...seeing results from hard work. I'm so used to seeing results when I work hard towards goals that it's hard not seeing them with my weight loss. I guess it has a lot to do with the personality type that you are. I'm a perfectionist...it can be a character flaw at times.

[cleochatra]

Re: Nutri-Nut..calorically speaking

My Father-in-Law is a doctor. Hubby asked him whether or not I am in starvation mode if I'm eating 900 CPD and burning 800 by exercise: he says no. He says that because I'm satisfied with what I eat, have the energy to exercise, am not sluggish, and feel well that I'm doing just fine.

"Starvation mode" is a term thrown around too much, in his opinion, and is generally incorrectly used. He went into great detail about what starvation mode actually is, and while he states someone CAN go into starvation mode, there are very precise symptoms and ramifications, and it doesn't apply to circumstances like mine.

I have to side with my father-in-law on this one, but I respect others' right to disagree with me!