Losing too much weight and getting emaciated

[Riverj]

Hello all
I'm a male and 20

Since I suffered from sugar swings where I would feel lethargic after a carb meal I went on Atkins to stabilize my sugar and lose 20 lbs extra weight that were stored only in my abdomen. From 16 to 19 I have started to develop a big gut without getting fat anywhere else. My diet was very high in refined carbs.

I'm very happy with the results. I have stabilized my blood sugar and I have no more the daily symptoms of sugar swings and also I have lost most of the gut and 20 pounds.

Following the book I increased my carb intake and now I'm eating 50 grams of carbs, mainly from vegetables and fruits. But I can't stop the weight loss.

Although there's still some extra fat in my lower abdomen, my face is getting gaunt and emaciated, it looks more angular and grave and people are commenting on my looking drawn, older and having dry skin and hair.

Since I have been very sedentary lately maybe I'm losing muscles too but I'm glad when I look myself at the mirror and see a very emaciated and tired looking sulken eyes face. Maybe I'm losing too much fat on the face but I'm not sure what's going on.

Do you have any suggestion?
Thanks

[phil h]

Re: Losing too much weight and getting emaciated

Unless you have an underlying medical condition or taking in inadequate calories, you will stop losing when you reach your intrinisic weight.Usually to get below 22 BMI you have to cut calories.What is your BMI now?

[Georgiana]

Re: Losing too much weight and getting emaciated

If you want to stop your weight loss, you will have to increase your carbohydrate intake above your CCLL. You said you are now eating 50 carbs. Are those net carbs or total carbs? Are you on OWL Rung 7? You should move up faster on the Carbohydrate Ladder, consume more carbs and find your CCLL and then CCLM.

Exercise is a mandatory part of Atkins and you shouldn't skip it. Anything you do above your normal activity level can be considered exercise---go for a bike ride or for a walk, go hiking, jog, play a sport... The exercise does not only help people lose weight, but also improves their overall health, so you may look less "emaciated and tired".

[sadie147]

Re: Losing too much weight and getting emaciated

It may also be a good idea to post a menu to give us a better idea of what may be the problem.

i'm thinking your calories are likely far too low.

[LeanLioness]

Re: Losing too much weight and getting emaciated

It may also be a good idea to post a menu to give us a better idea of what may be the problem.

i'm thinking your calories are likely far too low.

I concur with this!!!

[JulieB]

Re: Losing too much weight and getting emaciated

I agree - please post your menu - we'll try to help you.

[momtomany1]

Re: Losing too much weight and getting emaciated

To have dry skin and hair, you must be missing the good fats that are the mainstay of Atkins. I am sorry you are not flourishing, and agree you are likely not eating what your body needs.

[Riverj]

Re: Losing too much weight and getting emaciated

Unless you have an underlying medical condition or taking in inadequate calories, you will stop losing when you reach your intrinisic weight.Usually to get below 22 BMI you have to cut calories.What is your BMI now?

My BMI is 18.8

[Riverj]

Re: Losing too much weight and getting emaciated

A typical day for me is:

Fresh bacon
Three fried eggs
Brie (1)

Stir fried zucchini and pepper (12)
heavy cream (1)
bunless hamburger
walnuts (5)

stir fried shrimps and salmon
guacamole (8 )
pumpkin and olives (12)
strawberries (3)

[blondegypsy]

Re: Losing too much weight and getting emaciated

Hi there Riverj, I know some about sugar swings having Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) I have kept the Dr. Atkins diet in my life for 22 years.

I tried to look your issue up in my book (Dr. Atkins Diet Revolution, hard cover) and the best I can find is pg. 142: " This can be corrected (rapid weight loss symptoms) by increasing your salt intake; also by increasing your intake of potassium, either with potassium pills or liquid or by eating lots of parsley and watercress...potassium rich foods. (Also spinache, chicory, chard, and when allowed: bamboo shoots, mushrooms and avocado.) Another corrective action ...is to move on to the second level immediately. The addition of cottage cheese and the increase of the portion of salad will slow the effectiveness of the diet alittle..."

pg. 148:
"...word of caution-nothing in the diet up to this point is as likely to stop your progress dead as is fruit." Also, page 276 & 277:

"Cheating - Q. Why can't I cheat on this diet?
A. Because on this diet, cheating means adding carbohydrates, and carbohydrates stimulate the appetite and makes you eat conciderably more than you would have otherwise. In other words, a higher cabohydrate intake almost always leeds to higher caloric intake."

So Riverj, eat some of what you missed (bananas have potasium and at this point I don't think it will hurt you to splurge alittle... LUCKY DUCK!), watch how you feel and maintain your weight when it gets to a comfy level. You of anyone knows this diet works!

Keep in touch!

[Riverj]

Re: Losing too much weight and getting emaciated

So Riverj, eat some of what you missed (bananas have potasium and at this point I don't think it will hurt you to splurge alittle... LUCKY DUCK!), watch how you feel and maintain your weight when it gets to a comfy level. You of anyone knows this diet works!

Keep in touch!

My pressure is too low at the moment and I tend to feel lightheaded when I quickly raise from a sitting position. Also lately the temperature is very high around 88 degree and also very humid. People are getting sick from thermic shock and I'm sweating a lot. So the salt and potassium thing makes sense.

Induction have helped me since I don't have the big swings I used to have anymore. It was like a clock, mid morning, mid afternoon and night I would become spacey, lethargic, confused, shaky and had cold spells. Now it is way more under control and I don't have the tendency to fall asleep after a meal. So I'm really afraid of going back to where I was by adding to much carbs.

Bananas used to be huge triggers to me, like honey, milk, potatoes and rice. Eating these foods used to make me feel sick two hours later. Some time I wanted to drink something and there were no coca-cola in the house. So I took a glass of cold water and added several tablespoon of sugar. The whole thing was incredibly sweet but I drunk it anyway. Two hours later I fainted. I went to hospital to be sure and my blood glucose was 38.

I have tested for celiac syndrome and everything is negative. But a small piece of bread is enough to make me feel full and bloat my abdomen, as if I had a beer belly. So this is trange and grains scare me.

What I don't understand is why my face is getting so gaunt while my abdomen is not completely flat and my abdominal muscles are not visible. Why the face, which I don't think it's a big fat store place? I remember reading somewhere that getting emaciated in the face is a sign of losing muscles other than fat, but I don't know whether if true and can't understand the rationale behind it.

Thanks for your help

[Againandagain]

Re: Losing too much weight and getting emaciated

Have your doctor run a test for celiac disease. My brother had very similar symptoms. There are two simple blood tests to check. Also, you might want to check your bone mass. I know you are young, but if this is a serious digestive disease, it will directly effect your bones.

Good Luck!
Sue

[boonie stomper]

Re: Losing too much weight and getting emaciated

Hello all
I'm a male and 20

Since I suffered from sugar swings where I would feel lethargic after a carb meal I went on Atkins to stabilize my sugar and lose 20 lbs extra weight that were stored only in my abdomen. From 16 to 19 I have started to develop a big gut without getting fat anywhere else. My diet was very high in refined carbs.

I'm very happy with the results. I have stabilized my blood sugar and I have no more the daily symptoms of sugar swings and also I have lost most of the gut and 20 pounds.

Following the book I increased my carb intake and now I'm eating 50 grams of carbs, mainly from vegetables and fruits. But I can't stop the weight loss.

Although there's still some extra fat in my lower abdomen, my face is getting gaunt and emaciated, it looks more angular and grave and people are commenting on my looking drawn, older and having dry skin and hair.

Since I have been very sedentary lately maybe I'm losing muscles too but I'm glad when I look myself at the mirror and see a very emaciated and tired looking sulken eyes face. Maybe I'm losing too much fat on the face but I'm not sure what's going on.

Do you have any suggestion?
Thanks

"Following the book" - did you see your Doctor before starting???

[mitzimarie]

Re: Losing too much weight and getting emaciated

Bananas used to be huge triggers to me, like honey, milk, potatoes and rice.

Everyone always cites bananas for potassium, but there are LOTS of sources that are at least as good, and even better, than bananas for potassium.

From www.fruitandveggiesmorematters.org :

Best of: Potassium

High in Potassium

Fruits and vegetables that contain 700 mg or more potassium per reference amount (20% or more of the Daily Value per reference amount) qualify to carry the label “high in potassium.”
Pink Beans
Lima Beans, large
Small White Beans

Good Source of Potassium
Fruits and vegetables that contain 350 mg to less than 700 mg potassium per reference amount (10-19% of the Daily Value per reference amount) qualify to carry the label “good source of potassium.”
Apricots, Dried
Banana
Broccoli
Cherries, Sweet
Chickpeas
Kiwifruit
Lentils
Lima Beans, small
Peas, Split
Pigeon Peas
Pinto Beans
Potato
Sweet Potato
Tomato
White Beans
Winged Beans


Have you tried introducing any kind of beans into your diet? How about expanding your fruits?

Grains - even in Maintenance, I avoid them.

Also, while everyone is urged to get checked out by a doc before starting Atkins (if for nothing else, to see how you improve!), you sound like someone who would especially benefit from being closely monitored.

[Riverj]

Re: Losing too much weight and getting emaciated

"Following the book" - did you see your Doctor before starting???

Yes and he said I was very healthy (although I didn't feel good for the sugar swings) but my blood tests were perfect, my fasting glycemia was normal, heart functions under stress very good, I tested for celiac and even food intolerance but everything was negative, digestion and digestive and pancreatic enzyme are all perfectly working.