Day 8: Minimal weight loss but I feel a little better

[Minerva]

One reason I decided to return to a low-carb lifestyle was because I am tired all the time. When I was last on a low carb plan, I needed far less sleep and felt better during the day. (I ate low-carb for about a year and a half. )

Anyway, I've lost hardly any weight . I was down a pound but then half a pound came back. So net loss for 8 days is half a pound. :-(

But it's a little easier to get up in the morning, I feel less sleepy in the afternoon, and I'm not desperate for carbs by mid-morning like I was when I started.

This is all good but I do hope some of the fat starts to drop off soon. Is it at all common for there to be an adjustment period before weight loss begins? Or am I wishfully thinking?

[kjel]

Re: Day 8: Minimal weight loss but I feel a little better

You don't have much to lose so it'll be slow. Just make sure you take your measurements. Over the last month I've lost a whopping 2.5lbs but lost inches off my hips, waist and ribcage.

[Elizellen]

Re: Day 8: Minimal weight loss but I feel a little better

Well, with 14 pounds in total to lose you have already lost 3.5% so far - see what it is after the 14 days then start to decide how to progress!!

[LisaIsLosingIt]

Re: Day 8: Minimal weight loss but I feel a little better

I was told that yes, with having been dieting already and not having a lot to loose, it could be minimal, even potentially a gain if you were doing low-cal before (I was) and you're body wants to hold onto to it because it thought it was starving. I really think being persistent though will pay off for both of us. I also think it often comes in spurts...nothing, nothing, them bam, several pounds go...it has for me in the past...good luck!

[Minerva]

Re: Day 8: Minimal weight loss but I feel a little better

The main reason I'm disappointed is because about 5 years ago, I lost 6 lbs in 2 weeks following a moderately low-calorie, moderately low-carb plan, and starting just a few pounds heavier than I am now. I'd hoped Atkins would be even faster, with the super-low carbs. I'm not pigging out on calories (about 1200 per day) so that isn't it.

Oh well, as everyone says, things change and I'll give it another couple weeks, at least.

[liv]

Re: Day 8: Minimal weight loss but I feel a little better

Only 1200 calories. You may be under eating. Body may not be giving up fat if you under eat. Try to eat a little bit more. Be good with fats. (good means eating plenty of it) And do not eat super low carb. Eat your carbs. Especially your veggies.
Trust your body. But with a BMI of 22 nothing will be too fast for you.

[Minerva]

Re: Day 8: Minimal weight loss but I feel a little better

Only 1200 calories. You may be under eating.

Thanks for the input.
I guess 1200 cal. sounds low but I'm short (5'2"), "old" (50), and relatively light (121 lbs). I've run the numbers on various online calorie counters and they all give different results, but on average they say I need about 1800 cal/day to maintain current weight.
1200 cal/day should equate to a little over a pound lost per week by strict calorie count alone. A pound a week is not supposed to be excessive by any criteria I've ever heard of. I haven't been all that hungry since the first 5 or 6 days, and I'm eating approx the 20 g net carb specified by induction, and I'm eating veggies.

But with a BMI of 22 nothing will be too fast for you.

???? I've got a fat percentage of 31% despite having a good base of muscle from years of strength training. I've got a major "muffin top", flabby thighs, and my face looks fat. Regardless of BMI, I need to lose some poundage.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Day 8: Minimal weight loss but I feel a little better

>>because about 5 years ago,>>

It's never a good idea to compare "then" to now. It's simply not 5 years ago ... you have a different metabolism.

>> 1200 cal/day should equate to a little over a pound lost per week by strict calorie count alone.>>

Atkins isn't a calorie in/calorie out way of eating.

If you don't eat enough, you won't lose.

Why not try eating what your BMR says ... and see what happens.

[Minerva]

Re: Day 8: Minimal weight loss but I feel a little better

Why not try eating what your BMR says ... and see what happens.

Actually, I am eating the calories required for BMR. The 1800 calorie per day figure I mentioned is not BMR, it is the number for maintaining current weight *with activity factored in*.

From BMR Formula

BMR = 655 +(4.35 * 121 lbs) + (4.7 * 62 inches) - (4.7 * 50 yrs)
BMR = 1237.7 calories

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Day 8: Minimal weight loss but I feel a little better

Many find that eating 250 above BMR works.

Also, some feel that a woman shouldn't eat under 1500, regardless.

Try eating more ... see what happens after a week or so.

[Elizellen]

Re: Day 8: Minimal weight loss but I feel a little better

Are you exercising as well?

[liv]

Re: Day 8: Minimal weight loss but I feel a little better

I've got a fat percentage of 31% despite having a good base of muscle from years of strength training. I've got a major "muffin top", flabby thighs, and my face looks fat. Regardless of BMI, I need to lose some poundage.

You're female. That is who we are. We need some fat and when menopause gets closer fat will deposit certain areas. Embrace it.

[Minerva]

Re: Day 8: Minimal weight loss but I feel a little better

Are you exercising as well?

Yes, I go to the gym several times a week and do both aerobic and strength training-- I've been doing that most of my adult life. I also walk more than the average person.
When doing the calculation for needed calories, I put down "moderate" for activity level, and the calculators averaged 1800 cal for the result.