struggling with numbers

**Porcelain** · January 27, 2008, 02:24 PM

Re: struggling with numbers

When I was doing it before and had trouble getting into ketosis or breaking a plateau, I would do the fat fast for a day or two then eating very cleanly. I just started using FitDay so I can't help as much there. I would think you picking something you like that is very high in good fat and upping it in your diet to balance it out more would help tremendously.

**Porcelain** · January 27, 2008, 02:25 PM

Re: struggling with numbers

BTW, you're hot.

**jimmie 48** · January 27, 2008, 02:27 PM

Re: struggling with numbers

ms, there is such a thing as putting too much emphasis on those percentages. they are meant to be a guideline. if peeps are using them and they are getting along fine, then so be it but it might not be what the next person needs or is comfortable with.

those percentages, if you adhere to them, will change as you get closer to goal. when you start at 65/30/5 that will end at maintenace at 50/30/20.

i've ditched the percentages and deal only with the allowed carb counts.

**sallyseachange** · January 28, 2008, 01:26 AM

Re: struggling with numbers

I agree... the percentages are just a guideline. Don't worry too much about them. Just eat to satisfy hunger and count the carbs.
Also re the percentages, how they regularly come out depends what kind of cuisine you do.
Here in Italy it's almost impossible to cook their delicious recipes without being too high in fat according to those suggested percentages. Everything is drenched in wonderful EVOO, the basis of Italian cuisine being the "soffritto" (pre sauteed garlic and chili pepper.. or onion, celery).
If Italians barbecue they even pour liberal amounts of fresh olive oil all over the meat after it's done, so you see...

Having said that... fat is v. important in this programme. If you have too little, you won't lose.

**misplaced southerner** · January 28, 2008, 10:20 AM

Re: struggling with numbers

aaawww porcelain you are a sweetie...i'm not "feeling" hot....but i will once i get a grip. i love avocados...wish they were not so darn expensive!!!

jimmie, i've been counting the allowed carbs but i have had no change in so long i thought maybe i should be more percentage oriented...i just know that it would make me insane...or MORE insane.

thanks sally...i LOVED eating in italy....i think i will just try to find little ways to add some more fat. hopefully that will help. i love my veggies so i will try adding fat when i make them....

always learning with this aren't we?

**julirama723** · January 28, 2008, 12:15 PM

Re: struggling with numbers

MS, the only other advice I could give you is to watch your protein intake. With Atkins, as long as you're eating until satisfied, a higher fat percentage won't hurt you, and in many cases, will be very beneficial! I know a couple members do well when they eat more fat/less protein than the "guidelines" and will not lose weight any other way.

So, while you may not be watching percentages, why not try eating smaller servings of meat, or eating fattier meats? Less protein and more fat might help you. As you probably already know, an excess of protein in your body converts to glucose, which ultimately converts to fat.

And I agree with Porcelain, you're HAWT!

**misplaced southerner** · January 28, 2008, 12:25 PM

Re: struggling with numbers

hey julie! yea i generally stick to chicken...usually without the skin, not on purpose but that is how i buy it. i just don't like red meat all that much..i crave it once in a while but i don't eat it too much. do you have any suggestions for adding in the fat? i do know about the protein converting to glucose...yikes! i have upped the veggies a bit too.....

and thanks for the compliment.....hawt, huh?

**ValidRouge** · January 28, 2008, 01:05 PM

Re: struggling with numbers

Betsy, I would second julie's advice. I've found as long as I keep my fat higher, protein lower, I do much much better.

It's VERY easy, very very easy, to go over in protein when you eat skinless chicken and fish or seafood. What I'd do is make sure to include a fat to replace the skin you aren't eating. This is easily done by either: making an alfredo sauce (butter, cream, parmesan cheese) or simply sauteeing your chicken in butter and EVOO. Or, just putting a pat of butter on the meat itself.

***Emma*** · January 28, 2008, 01:34 PM

Re: struggling with numbers

I will third their advice, i had to keep my protein at around 20-22% to lose, so much for this being a bacon and eggs diet.

**Porcelain** · January 28, 2008, 11:37 PM

Re: struggling with numbers

Hmm... I didn't think about making a sauce. That's a great idea.

I have no problem with fat. I love red meat and ribeye is my favorite. Of course, I was raised redneck (born and raised in Mississippi) so we love fat.

I am in Southern California too!

You are so close to your goal weight, you are really going to have to tweak your diet to get 10 more pounds off. You can do it though!

**Prya** · January 29, 2008, 01:27 AM

Re: struggling with numbers

FitDay can be a really useful tool once you get used to it, rather than drive you crazy it can help keep you from getting there

. I find that once I've entered something, it's really easy to do it again, and creating custom foods is easy as well.

I'll also have to agree with the others in the tread and say that you are smokin' hot MS.

**kate58** · January 29, 2008, 02:43 AM

Re: struggling with numbers

I'll ditto the protein thing as well, I've found that keeping it around 100g a day works for me, rather than worrying about the percentages at all.

I use fitday, and only watch the protein grams (not the %) and the carb grams and then just make sure I eat enough. Automatically if those numbers are right and I'm eating enough calories the fat % will be high, but I don't really care what exactly it is.

Having said that, I found the 65/5/30 thing very useful at the beginning while I was learning how to eat. Now I just eat and it seems to pretty much work out.

**misplaced southerner** · January 29, 2008, 06:48 AM

Re: struggling with numbers

julie joy and emma, thanks for your advice....porcelain, i am from the south too but my mama did not "sauce" anything much. i need to think a little more like that! another SoCA girl!!! aawww shucks pyra you are makin' me blush. thank you. i have reviewed fitday...oooh i am SO OCD...might send me over the edge but it is worth a shot. and thanks kate, you look great! thanks for your input too. i really do not eat all that much protein...i must pay more attention to that and the KIND of protein as well as the added fat....tweek, tweek, tweek!!!

you guys are the best for jumping in here with your help. my best friend is here from san diego for a visit and she was sharing photos from last april with me.....i am just feeling kinda old and out of shape i guess....like my get up and go got up and went. even my hair has less ooomph. but the doc is thrilled with my physical results. stress? not sure but i aim to hit 47 FEELING as good as i can. i really appreciate you taking the time to send me your thoughts on my question.

**Porcelain** · January 29, 2008, 05:17 PM

Re: struggling with numbers

That's what we are here for!

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