Can i do a low cal version?

[CJ_07]

Hey everyone!
It's been one week on Atkins and no loss at all!!
Before trying a LC diet I did a very low calorie diet - cambridge diet where you only consume around 400cals a day after entering ketosis and i was losing 3-4lbs a week.
Is it possible to do a low cal version of Atkins? I know i read that your body will think it's starving but that didn't happen when i was on 400cals a day!?
If i stick to all the foods listed and control my portions to equal around 400-500 cals a day do you think i'd get better/quicker results?
Has anyone tried this before!?
any advice greatly appreciated!!
CJx

[apple]

Re: Can i do a low cal version?

No. It's not possible to do a "low calorie" version of Atkins.

If you're having issues with no weight loss, post your menu's that you've eaten. Share what you've been doing for exercise. And keep the faith that you can make changes to your way of eating for life.

If you're "doing" a low calorie diet, you're not following Atkins. I suggest you read the book thoroughly before you embark on your journey again and stick with Atkins as a way of eating for life not just a quick fix to lose weight when what we're trying to do is change eating habits for life When you're following Atkins as a life style of eating, you automatically end up cutting calories down because you're not consuming the high carb foods and your exercising. Key word there is exercise

Best wishes on your choices.

[Promise]

Re: Can i do a low cal version?

CJ...... "Why" would you want to do Low Cal??? you can eat So Good and stay So Healthy doing it the Atkins way! how do you live on 400 Calories anyway i would be Starving if thats all i ate... if you choose to post your Menu's here, let us know what your Weight is NOW and how much you want to lose too ok? I THINK YOU CAN DO THIS IF YOU DO IT CORRECTLY! just dont try to Mix Atkins with some Other Type of Diet you did before... Atkins works Great all by itself! and You Can Lose...!

[quotidianlight]

Re: Can i do a low cal version?

If you just came off a 400 calorie diet then your metabolism has slowed to a crawl. The reason you are not losing as fast is because your body has been starved and it's not sure if the food will keep coming so it's hanging on for dear life. Lots of people that go off a super low cal diet to a more healthy one will either not lose weight at first or even gain a little while their metabolism is readjusting. Usually after several weeks they start losing like crazy, because their body realises the food will keep coming so it doesn't need to keep the fat stores for emergencies. It's the same reason some anorexics start to lose weight a month or two into recovery and are forced to eat 3k calorie diets instead of a more normal 2k.

[CJ_07]

Re: Can i do a low cal version?

Thanks for all your replies! What you've all said makes so much sense! I'm scared i've screwed up my body for good!
I'm gona keep with it and pray the scales are going to move soon!
CJx

[Brook]

Re: Can i do a low cal version?

CJ, quotidian is absolutely dead on.

At 400 calories a day you *are* starving. Your body has had no choice but to burn it's own muscle and fat at huge rates in order to keep you going. Pro-Anorexia sites advocate that kind of calorie consumption. NOT GOOD.

It's time to do a bit of repair work. We are not meant to eat or live that way and your body is going to pitch a bit of a fit for awhile. It's the cost of instant gratification where your health is concerned. I'm going to send you something via PM to get you started.

I'm really glad to see that you've come around and decided to lose the weight in a healthy manner!

[Evermind]

Re: Can i do a low cal version?

If you eat a high-fat diet with at least 1300 calories a day for the next two weeks, your metabolism will start to get itself back to normal. Your blood chemistry will adjust, and you will be burning fat for energy instead of carbs, which means that you won't be losing muscle, you'll be losing fat.

So be patient. Drink plenty of water. And relax!

[Elizellen]

Re: Can i do a low cal version?

I agree with what has been said - stick with induction eating for a few more weeks to allow your body to sort out what is happening to it and settle into losing weight.
Dr Atkins says

People with high metabolic resistance can benefit from doing Induction longer because it gives them time to correct metabolic imbalances they may have developed over time. These include insulin resistance, blood-sugar imbalances, carbohydrate addictions and allergies. Once the metabolic imbalances are corrected, weight loss may speed up.

[ttdriver]

Re: Can i do a low cal version?

You've gotten GREAT advice thusfar. Follow it and you will succeed!

THIS IS NOT A STARVATION PLAN. YOU WILL LOVE THE FOODS YOU EAT AND RESULTS YOU GET. FOLLOW THE PLAN TO THE LETTER.

Betty

[hopejoy]

Re: Can i do a low cal version?

OMG! I love this diet! I don't feel deprived and the wt is coming off even faster now than in previous months! EAT! Give your body the nutrients it needs to be healthy and function optimally! Soon you'll be a power house of energy! I too did low fat diets for years and was a nutritionally deficient state, soon as I went off, I'd gain even more...I constantly felt hungry, and had the appetite of a truck driver! now... no hunger! no cravings! no deprivation! High energy! endorphines! and weight loss that is practically effortless! This so called diet is saving my life! I'm ME again!!!!
I love you Dr. Atkins!
liz

[jimmyolsenblues]

Re: Can i do a low cal version?

i don't think its healthy to only eat less than 600 calories a day.
Plus the main benefit of atkins for me is not counting calories.
I am sure you could do a low calorie atkins , but I don't think that would boost your weight loss.
Make sure you eat a clean induction, with making sure you eat your veggies, and exercise an hour a day, and the pounds will melt off.

http://www.atkins.com/articles/atkins-phases/phase-one/acceptable-foods/