primitive doing the low-carbohydrate thing

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1154522

Oh my.

I thought this was bad.

flamin lib (4,806 posts)  Sat Jul 21, 2012, 05:00 PM

Doing the low carb thing and pretty successful so far.

Been here before with similar results--lost 25 pounds in three weeks--but always went back to the bad old ways and gained it back over the next few years.

I'm mostly committed to doing some sort of maintenance diet like foregoing potatoes, rice and other high carb/calorie foods.

Here's the question: after three weeks on the "induction" phase I hit a plateau. Need to lose another 15 pounds but for the last month I'm stuck. Haven't changed from the 20 gm carbs/day routine but no loss.

Both South Beach and Atkins make a big deal about not going past a few weeks on the induction phase. I'm keeping calories at or below maintenance level but still no loss. Is there a reason for this? Is it normal to plateau like this?

I'm not suffering and frankly rather enjoy the variety of foods I'm eating, hence the new commitment to maintaining but I really want to dump that 15 pounds.

noamnety (17,901 posts)  Sat Jul 21, 2012, 10:34 PM

1. I didn't do atkins or south beach but I've been doing mostly low carb for nearly a year, and I'm active on another forum for that. Here are my suggestions:

Drink more water - 1 to 2 gallons a day.

If you are eating beans (slow carbs) drop them for a week. If you aren't eating them, add them for a week.

Make sure you're getting enough sleep.

Expect losses to slow as you get closer to your goal, that's normal.

Mix up the number of meals you are eating, even if calories stay the same for the day. Try intermittent fasting - skip breakfast or breakfast and lunch, but load your calories into the evening meal for a day or two.

Step up the strength training exercises, if you are doing a lot of cardio, drop it for a week or two.

I had several month long plateaus in the last year. They did eventually break - my body seems to be a big fan of "the whoosh effect."

flamin lib (4,806 posts)  Mon Jul 23, 2012, 09:28 AM

3. Thanks, I'll give the 'good carbs' a try. Was thinking along those lines anyway.

Not doing any exercise routine, just child care for 5 grand-kids ages 2-10.

handmade34 (8,774 posts)  Sun Jul 22, 2012, 11:16 AM

2. ahh plateaus... ugh

I'm there also... would love to see about 10-15lbs more go

I find that 'shaking things up' a bit helps to get past a plateau... must say that 25lbs in 3 weeks is extreme and not surprising that your body is rebelling...

a different exercise routine might restart your body...

from the mayoclinic site...

"...The progression from initial weight loss to a weight-loss plateau follows a typical pattern. During the first few weeks of losing weight, a rapid drop is normal. In part this is because when calories from food are reduced, the body gets needed energy by releasing its stores of glycogen, a type of carbohydrate found in the muscles and liver. Glycogen holds on to water, so when glycogen is burned for energy, it also releases water, resulting in substantial weight loss that's mostly water.

A plateau occurs because your metabolism — the process of burning calories for energy — slows as you lose muscle. You burn fewer calories than you did at your heavier weight even doing the same activities. Your weight-loss efforts result in a new equilibrium with your now slower metabolism.

At this new equilibrium, calories eaten equals calories expended. This means that to lose more weight, you need to increase activity or decrease the calories you eat. Using the same approach that worked initially may maintain your weight loss, but it won't lead to more weight loss.... Whatever you do, don't revert back to your old eating and exercise habits. That may cause you to regain the weight that you've already lost...."

flamin lib (4,806 posts)  Mon Jul 23, 2012, 09:36 AM

4. I knew it was gonna get harder as I made progress but I didn't expect a complete cessation of weight loss for this long.

I'm trying to keep calories to 70% of maintenance and carbs >20 g/day which should result in 1 pound a week. I'm either counting wrong or I'm using a bad calculator.

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Jemmons (411 posts)  Sat Sep 15, 2012, 06:57 AM

5. Are you testing for ketosis?

I don't understand the point in maintaining low carb diet if you are not aiming for ketosis and fat-burning.

It's nice to see not all primitives are sitting on their asses playing computer games.

[GOBUCKS]

While the DUmpmonkeys discuss various bogus dieting schemes, I'm disappointed the Las Vegas Leviathan didn't show up to give testimony for his cult diet doctor.

The whale has matriculated his way from a quarter-ton to a hair under a quarter-ton, and back again over a quarter-ton, all with the guidance of his cult doctor, and vast amounts of taxpayer-provided groceries.

[JohnnyReb]

Flaming lib is on the racist diet....doesn't eat anything white.

[dane]

I think diets with names (Atkins, South Beach, etc.) are not as effective as a simple, sensible diet (with 'diet' meaning every morsel that goes down the throat.)

A good health care provider and/or dietician can be a valuable resource.  And 20 grams of carbohydrates sounds unhealthy, especially if that regimen lasts for a period of weeks.

I shoot for my daily caloric intake to be 30% protein, 20% fat, and the rest carbs, and under 2000 calories/day total.  That's not all that hard to do.  And, when I add a long bicycle ride into the mix, I get to eat more that day - maintaining close to the 30/20/50 ratio.