"I'M SUPPOSED TO HAVE HOW MANY CALORIES A DAY!!!!!!!!!!

[Guy_solo]

Hey i just posted my menu in the review my menu section and have been told that i should be eating my BMR in calories to get more effective weight loss.

I'm so not sure about that, at the moment i'm comfortably eating about 1580-1800 kcals per day but according to my BMR is should be eating about 2573 kcals per day.

Does it matter?

Am i not eating enough?

This is my 8th day on induction ive lost about 7 pounds of weight (water i guess)

This is freaking me out a little. If i feel satisfied with my 1580-1800 should i still eat more anyway?

Here's the link to my menu please help:

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/viewtopic.php?t=74411

Guy.

[Isabeau]

Eat until you're satisfied. Follow the rules of induction. Drink your water and exercise. It is true that you should eat above your BMR and below your AMR in order to not put your body in 'starvation mode'. I look at it in terms of averages. One day you may be much lower, but another day you may be higher. I would suggest that during induction, don't worry about the calories but focus on following the rules of induction cleanly.

[tabekat]

i'm a no count gal

I personally never counted calories on induction. I counted carbs and followed the rules on the approved food lists. I love Atkins because it is simple and easy to do.

[Moochiecat]

I agree with tabekat.

I've lost my 40+ pounds by following the Rules and eating correctly from the Acceptable Foods list. Without a big effort from me, my fat/protein/carb ratio's stayed pretty much in the correct ranges, and I paid more attention to them than the calories.

Take a few weeks and focus on the ratio's rather than the calories...Fitday can help you with that.

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/viewtopic.php?t=66107

You may also want to read this about the nature of weightloss

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/viewtopic.php?t=63916

Also, we need some more information!

Take a moment and go up into your Profile and in the signature line let us know your age, gender, height, start weight/current weight/goal weight, and that'll help us tell you how you are doing.

[Guy_solo]

Thanks you guys, i was getting worried for a while think i'll take your advice.

And i'll put my stats i the signiture line as well.

Guy.

[ttdriver]

While counting calories isn't stressed in the early phases of Atkins, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU CONSUME ENOUGH CALORIES FOR YOUR BASIC BODILY FUNCTIONS (i.e. basal metabolic rate). Anything less and your body will cling to every pound because it thinks you are trying to starve it.

You should calculate both your basal metabolic rate and also your active metabolic rate (factoring in your exercise, etc) and eat somewhere between the two for effective weight loss.

Trust me, as you get closer to your goal, the calories become MAJOR players in your success.

Betty

[Sherry1963]

I have been keeping track of my eating on FitDay.com and was shocked to see that I have been steadily taking in fewer calories. I started out at about 1,400 calories, but the last 3 days I had less then 1000 calories, even though I feel like I have been eating alot! I am following the induction rules to the letter with no cheating, and I only eat when I am hungry.

I don't even feel deprived, and I had a half rack of ribs Saturday that made me feel like a huge slice of chocolate cake used to make me feel before starting this WOE. It felt like a delectable treat!

The main thing is, I feel good and I feel healthy. Not deprived in anyway. AND I had my burst of energy Saturday too. Got lots done around the house. I think I am past the induction flu because I am not having bizarre nightmares and inability to stay asleep at night. My Ketostix are almost purple and I have lost 6 pounds since last Tuesday so it must be working :yes

Last year I lost 20 pounds in 12 weeks with this WOE. This year I hope to reach my goal by December 1st. If not then, due to stalling or whatever, I want to reach it by May 26th next year, my 43rd birthday :joy

[FightingTheFight]

Trust me, as you get closer to your goal, the calories become MAJOR players in your success.

Mainly because you are smaller, but still eating the same amount as your former BMR which could be alot higher than now. Also when you get to pre-Maintainence and maintainence, you are not longer in ketosis and your appetite suppression no longer there.

[snorkelman]

I agree that you should focus solely on carbs and exercise when you start Atkins.

The quick explanation is that Atkins works because the high fat fills you up and you tend to take in less calories.

But I strongly suggest that you completely ignore calories and strictly watch carbs. I tried to stay around 10-12 carbs per day during induction, and I lost 16 pounds in 3 weeks.

Calories are always important when it comes to fat loss, but I promise that you need to ignore them and focus on carbs and the body will do its thing and you will lose weight.

The trick is to make sure you don't eat any of the hidden carbs. that is what kills most people. They go to McDonalds or somewhere else and eat a hamburger and not realize that it contains soy or sugar or something else (fillers) that add up the carbs.

[Isabeau]

Trust me, as you get closer to your goal, the calories become MAJOR players in your success.

Mainly because you are smaller, but still eating the same amount as your former BMR which could be alot higher than now. Also when you get to pre-Maintainence and maintainence, you are not longer in ketosis and your appetite suppression no longer there.

Just as an aside, if you're using fitday, your bmr will change as you enter your weight changes.