Why do you lose so much during the first few weeks?

[lonz]

I was wondering this because a lot of people say it's water weight. But I'm drinking the same amount of water as I did before I started doing Atkins again last Monday. I have always drank between 2 and 3 litres of water every day. So how could the 7 lbs I've lost in the past 6 days be water weight? I'm wondering if it's actual FAT that's being lost? Because if it's not water weight, then it has to be fat right? But if it's neither then what could it possibly be?

[Evermind]

Re: Why do you lose so much during the first few weeks?

A lot of it is water during the first two weeks. Carbs and all of the toxic yuckiness in the bad foods (sugar, refined flour, etc) tend to keep us retaining water in our systems for long, long periods of time. When we eliminate those from our diet, and replace them with veggies and such, our bodies let go of the water.

Also, when you switch from burning carbs for energy to burning fat for energy, your body will release water as well. Fat cells are still there (but the fat is starting to disappear) and as they shrink, they release fluid, too.

The thing to keep in mind is that when your body is releasing the water, it's not coming out as just water. The ketones in the water will be showing that you are in ketosis - burning fat for energy. And the water is flushing out fat, so fat is coming along with it, not to worry.

There's nothing to be disappointed in, here. We are fat. We are bulky. And losing the fluids is a sign that our bodies are consolidating, and this is why your clothes feel looser, you lose that bloated feeling, and start feeling so fantastic!

(by the way, in any diet you try, including the Atkins way of eating, you will lose water first.)

[not2late]

Re: Why do you lose so much during the first few weeks?

According to Chapter 11 of the book,

On any weight loss program, the first weight lost is water weight. Atkins is a particularly effective diuretic, so the water weight tends to come off fast on my program. But be assured that after four to five days, the pounds that come off are primarily fat.

[Giving_It_Another_Try]

Re: Why do you lose so much during the first few weeks?

Yep. It's water weight that comes off initially

[Promise]

?uestion

IF the 1st 2 weeks its Water Weight coming off... why do some of us NOT lose too much weight during Induction? even tho we are Totally Comitted, Not Cheating, and Drinking All Our Water...? i know with ME its probably my Meds (HRT and SINGULAR for allergies) but what are some other reasons this might happen...