What to do on a low calorie day?

[Designbabe]

One of my biggest stallers, I think, is not eating enough. I usually eat 1250 calories per day, on good days.

On bad days like today, I ate breakfast at 1:30 p.m. (3 boild eggs)

Snacked on 3 babybels throughout the day, then for dinner, at 7:00pm, ate 6oz tilapia pan-fried in parmesan, with a cup of cauliflower & zuchhini.

I'm a whole meal behind and it's 8:30 pm, and I am stuffed.

So do I eat at bedtime?
Top up w/ some oil perhaps?

Help!

[Porcelain]

Re: What to do on a low calorie day?

I have this problem too. I think that is why I got into PISS. My appetite dropped and I just wasn't hungry then at the end of the day, I realized that hadn't eaten enough so I would eat a few wings.

I know one thing that made a difference with me though as far as eating in the morning, is being prepared. I just now made some quiche and that is what I eat a whole week for snack and breakfast in school. I make up veggies ahead of time too, chopping etc. I find when I do this, I lose more weight. When I am not prepared and I don't eat right, I now have stalled. I am trying to get back into it.

I can't wait to see the replies you get.

[Zarabelle]

Re: What to do on a low calorie day?

I think the best thing is to try and increase fat intake and also try to have some breakfast. I have also just discovered crustless quiche. It is really delicious and I just make myself eat a small breakfast by 10am. I am usually quite hungry at 1pm and usually have salad with olive oil and a protein and sometimes mayo. I find fat really makes up the calories and speeds up weightloss.

Good luck

Zara xx

[Designbabe]

Re: What to do on a low calorie day?

Since I'm prone to eating fewer calories, AND I am very resistant metabolically, I can't be too upset over the fact that my weight loss has plateaued at 8 lbs.

Anyway, I've decided to try the Kekwick for 3 days. Just to see to see.

Here's some information for those who don't know what it is.

http://www.low-carb.com/atarfatfa.html

I plan on eating just Macadamia Nuts, since that was Kekwick's original menu. 1000 calories = 55 macadamia nuts, according to Fitday.

Anyone here have any experience with it?

[Elizellen]

Re: What to do on a low calorie day?

I have moved this thread out of the 14 day induction forum as you have been doing Atkins for longer than that already - as not to confuse new members.

[Elizellen]

Re: What to do on a low calorie day?

How long did it take you to lose the 8 pounds? How much of that was during your first 14 days?
Looking at your stats that would be about 12% loss which is not bad if you started on Feb 3rd as your signature says and have been 'stalled' for a while.

According to the chart in DANDR you have 'average' resistance to weightlos if you lost 8 pounds on the first 2 weeks of induction.

As for the fat fast Dr Atkins does say

Caution: The Fat Fast is actually dangerous for anyone who is not metabolically resistant.

I dont think I have seen anyone posting that they lost and kept off weight by doing the fat fast

There is a post by JoanH I think about her experiences somewhere - If I can find it I will post a link to it here.

[Elizellen]

Re: What to do on a low calorie day?

It was JoanOH

posted this back in June, 2004 and will cut and paste it here for you. This is my (experienced) opinion on the Fat Fast:


Quote:
I've lost 61 lbs but want to lose another 25 by October when I go home to visit old friends who don't know I've lost the weight. A week ago I started to panic -- got out the Atkins book and read about the Fat Fast. Completely ignored the sentence that says it should be done ONLY by metabolicly resistent people and it could otherwise be dangerous. Pft. Not me.

I started Saturday morning. I ate only the stuff on the Fat Fast list. I felt just fine all day Saturday. DH and I worked outside for 6 or 8 hours, which is pretty standard for us on the weekend these days.

Sunday morning I could barely get up. I just wanted to sleep. This from a person who JUMPS out of bed every morning between 5-6am after only 5-6 hours of sleep. I am a HIGH ENERGY person - until this fat fast.

I had horrible muscle weakness throughout my body and a nasty nasty headache. I ignored it and decided to keep going and ate only from the fat fast on Sunday as well.

By Sunday afternoon I suffered incredible exhaustion, but EVEN WORSE, I suffered true emotional depression and the most god-awful carb cravings I've ever experienced. I have not experienced ANY cravings since the first two weeks of starting this WOE 7 months ago, but because of the fat fast my body was SCREAMING for carbs.

By Monday morning I couldn't take it anymore and started eating my normal Atkins foods. At work, I almost screamed at a co-worker over something that normally wouldn't have phased me at all. I was edgy, depressed, out-of-sorts and feeling physically worn out and just plain terrible.

It took me a good 3 days to get back to being my high energy pleasant self again.

I didn't lose any weight, I gained almost uncontrollable cravings for carbs (if I'd had any carb food in the house I don't think I would have made it through without binging), emotional depression, physical lethargy, muscle weakness, mental weakness (fuzzy headed feeling) and probably risked losing my job if I'd continued on the fat fast.

I learned a HUGE lesson. I would not wish that fat fast on my worst enemy. There are altneratives that are SMART and HEALTHY and those are what I'm doing now -- up'd my water intake, increased my exercise from 3 to 6 days a week, monitor my carb intake much more closely AND gave up artificial sweeteners. I've done that in the last 5 days - and lost 3 lbs.

Dr. Atkins knew what he was talking about -- that fat fast is ONLY for a small percentage of metabolically-resistant people and should not be played around with just because you've lost patience with the rate you're losing. There are healthy "drastic" measures you can take -- more exercise; more water; post your menu for review; cut back on cheese, sodium-laden meats, caffeine, artificial sweeteners; use fitday religiously to watch for carb-creep.

I can't tell you how strongly I feel about this. THE FAT FAST IS DANGEROUS to both your mental and physical health.


And by the way - I actually met my weight loss goal last October simply by sticking to the plan TO THE LETTER, taking my vitamins/supplements, drinking water and exercising. No cheats, no "just one bite's", no excuses.

And here is a link to the entire thread
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ad.php?p=73691

[APanthesilia]

Re: What to do on a low calorie day?

Design Babe, I think 8 pounds is good! It doesn't sound like you are metabolically resistent to me! The fat fast sounds too intense for someone who doesn't positively need it and if you have average weight loss then you don't. I just want you to do the right thing for your body! If you decide to do it please post here about your experiences, I'm very interested!

[Adena]

Re: What to do on a low calorie day?

Since I'm prone to eating fewer calories, AND I am very resistant metabolically, I can't be too upset over the fact that my weight loss has plateaued at 8 lbs.

Anyway, I've decided to try the Kekwick for 3 days. Just to see to see.

Here's some information for those who don't know what it is.

http://www.low-carb.com/atarfatfa.html

I plan on eating just Macadamia Nuts, since that was Kekwick's original menu. 1000 calories = 55 macadamia nuts, according to Fitday.

Anyone here have any experience with it?

Designbabe, 8 pounds since Feb. 3 (according to your signature) is a good loss. You're right about low-calories slowing you down. I would suggest that you aren't metobolically resistant -- your body just thinks you are starving it, so it's conserving! You need to be eating a lot more than 1250 calories per day. THAT IS SLOWING DOWN YOUR WEIGHT LOSS for sure. I know the purpose of this post is to ask about getting more calories, but I think you need to be looking at getting A LOT more caloires. Since you know you are "prone to eating fewer calories," you might need to consider that Atkins doesn't work well that way; if you can't get in more than that, is Atkins right for you? You NEED those calories and fat to fuel a ketogenic diet....

1250 is NOT "a good day." I don't know your height/weight/etc, but seeing that you have about 60 pounds to lose, I'm guessing your MINIMUM calories should be at least 1600-1800. Have you ever figured out what your basic calorie needs are? If you'd like to, follow these links:

First, find your BMR (http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/).
Then, adjust it based on your activity level with the Harris Benedict Equation (http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-c...edict-equation/).

I'd strongly recommend more closely following Atkins to the letter, rather than looking for a quick fix like the fat fast. Be patient and follow the plan... and for goodness sakes, eat! It works!

Best of luck.

[Alien Monkey]

Re: What to do on a low calorie day?

Ok Im curious and confused at the same time since I seem to have the same issue of not being hungry and not getting enough calorie intake.

I just went to the site and caluculated my BMR and its 1820.04. So should my goal be to eat that much in calories of fat/protein and carbs to keep steady on the weightloss? My brain keeps saying I need to eat less calories which is the mindset of WW which is what I was just on. Please can someone clarify this point for me. I know I need to be eating more fat in the Fat/Protein/Carb triangle but how do you all do this if your not hungry?

By the way Im having to start induction over again as I fell of this week due to a bad cold/Flu so this information will definately help me out to keep up with getting the correct amount of calories everyday.

Lica

[kate58]

Re: What to do on a low calorie day?

Yes, you should eat to your BMR at a minimum. Remember your BMR is the energy you need just to exist - to breath, for your body to work - even getting out of bed is not counted in that!!

One of the most common reasons seen here for losses to slow or stall is people simply not eating enough. Atkins is NOT, in spite of what you will read, a low calorie diet in disguise, and it will not work if you over restrict your calories.

There will be days when for one reason or another you eat less, and that's ok, it's the averages that count, and there will also be days when you eat more. But if your body is short of calories it will, as Adena says, conserve them like crazy. Unless you are actually starving, it will have enough available to to that, but not enough to allow it to settle down and start to let go of the fat.

So, eat. And eat plenty. Just eat right.

Design babe, I'd add my voice to the others, please don't do the fat fast. At the very least, before doing anything so drastic give it another couple of weeks trial, move on to OWL, up your calories to a decent level, eat your extra veg - it's at least worth a try, isn't it?

[Alien Monkey]

Re: What to do on a low calorie day?

Thanks Kate!!! I have one more question. Since I didnt exercise the first time around on induction but plan to excerise this time around should I still stick with the my BMR or do I need to increase it a little becuz of the exercise?

Im sure all of these questions and answers are in DANDR. I really need to go pick one up this weekend!!!! Actually I will get one on my way home tonight.

[kate58]

Re: What to do on a low calorie day?

You should probably eat a bit more, but don't worry much about it at all. It's easy to get too obsessed. As DrA says, just eat to appetite, don't count calories. Although he added that that doesn't mean calories don't count, I think that was more a warning to people who no longer know what it means to eat to appetite and were at risk of taking it as meaning 'eat until you can eat no more'!!

If you are eating the right food and as much of it as you feel you need, you are unlikely to go wrong, especially if your problem is normally eating too little!!

[Elizellen]

Re: What to do on a low calorie day?

To add to what Kate said, if you find you have very little appetite then (when you do eat) try to choose foods that pack a lot of goodness into them.

So instead of maybe a small skinless chicken breast with lettuce, have chicken thighs with the skin all crispy and delicious with maybe some broccoli in a cheese sauce to make the small meal full of nutrition and taste.

[Designbabe]

Re: What to do on a low calorie day?

Thanks sooo much for all your replies.

Just to explain a bit...
I've been on Induction for a month now, and plan to stay on it till I get tired of the food. I've been doing ell on the Induction. My average carb intake daily is about 16g, and I am not in the least sick of the food I've been eating.

I lost 8lbs during the first two weeks on Induction, and weeks 3 and 4 (still on Induction) I have lost ZIP, NOTHING, even though I even started exercsing then.

I have pitting oedema in my legs, which has imprved after the first 2 weeks. Hence I think the 8lbs I lost was just water. Why else would I not lose anything on weeks 3 & 4?

ANyway, I have not done the Kekwick fast yet. I'm still considering all the procs and cons. Thanks for the wealth of info, guys.