Tulipgirl6's Journal, 24 November 2013

Where's your lettuce? I don't see it posted in your diet calendar. Try upping your fat, and maybe lowering carbs to help start weight loss again. 

Hi MJGH! I had 2 entire heads of romaine lettuce today; ugh; I don't record "free" foods . . . . I started my diet with a nutritionist and it's about low carb & portion control and I lost 20 pounds but then nothing! I still totally don't understand Atkins! How much carbs are you talking about?  

I don't record veg as the carb content is so low it's negligible. Now it's colder I am allowing myself between 30-50g carbs daily to help stop cramping. I'll inbox you a link for a formula to work out your min and max protein for your body (links are always redacted on these replies); it could be your protein intake is higher than you need - some people metabolise excess protein into fat. To lose 20lbs in two weeks was a huge amount in a very short time and your body is probably still adjusting. Have patience - this is not a sprint; your body is an organic machine and it takes time for it to process changes. Low carb eating is a lifestyle and at first is baffling as it is completely counter to everything the diet industry and outdated medical opinion have been literally forcing down our throats for decades. More and more research is showing that what was once considered gospel is now incorrect - just like smoking was once considered healthy, more so called healthy foods are being proven to be far more dangerous than the once so called bad foods. Don't rush at this. Take your time to adjust your thought patterns and w.o.e. and your body will follow and thank you for it.  

Record your veggies and romaine! With Romaine, depending on the brand you buy it may have carbs. Plus it has protein and calories that need to be monitored. And Crystal OMG veggies do have carbs some very high. If you are cramping you need extra calcium and magnesium. I also work with a nutritionist but a natural one who know about Atkins and other natural diets. I do agree that you have lost a pretty good bit of weight and your body may be adjusting. I lost 22-23lbs during the first week and half and then seemingly nothing over the next two to three weeks. I would lose a tiny amount and then gain it back or even gain a little more. My body had to adjust and revamp its storage - that's when you'll notice inches lost or moved around. My body would do all sorts of weird stuff. I would lose a half inch on my arm and gain a inch on my ribs or vice versa. I could just imagine how it was all shifting around and picture it in my head - very funny.  

When I first started this woe, it took me an extra 30-60 mins at the grocery store. I read every label on just about everything. It really is amazing to learn what all is really in the stuff you buy. Somethings you would never think there would be carbs or sugars and there are, and the same thing by different companies can be so different as well. Now at least I know what brands are safe/healthy and which are not so I can just shop. But I will still look just to be sure. Like with the romaine - Fresh Selections and Kroger brand actually have 1 carb per cup. Walmart/Great Value brand has no carbs. That 1 carb can add up over the week.  

wow! thank you thank you thank you! It means a lot to me to have some support out here! 

Mjgh06 - I'm not doing Atkins, I'm doing LCRF and if you read up about it there is absolutely no need to count the carbs in green veggies like lettuce, etc. which is what I meant. I count them in tins of tomatoes, squash or any of the other higher carb veggies, but not cauli, cabbage, broccoli, etc. It's completely unnecessary, but if it makes you happy, then do what you have to do. To lose dramatic amounts of weight on a constant basis is dangerous; you are burning lean muscle first before you burn fat because that is what is easiest for your body to metabolise - the first week or so it is a lot of water loss, but after that, if your body really needs quick energy it will use lean tissue first. This has been documented by many researchers. And I do take cakcium and magnesium - I cannot go much lower than 20g carbs per day without suffering for it. Everyone is different. 

*calcium 

PS I'm talking nett carbs (carbs - fibre) which is why LCRF considers you need to literally eat a boatload of green veggies to make it worthwhile taking any notice.  

I agree Crystal about everyone being different and what works for some will not work for others. I did not know you were doing LCRF and do know about that way of eating as well. But you are 100% mistaken in believing the body will go to LBM when losing dramatically. If the body has enough protein, your body will NOT burn the LBM. Period , end of story. It is when you go into a deficit on protein that your body will turn to muscle. There are absolutely NO scientific studies that prove if you have adequate amounts of protein that your body will start burning into the lean muscle regardless of your weight loss. The 'starvation mode theory' has been debunked time and time again by the scientific community. Fasting even has been shown to have many health benefits if done correctly.  

I won't go into all the studies unless you want the information, you can pm me. I will tell you my example though - In 50 days I have lost a total of 30.8 lbs and gone from 43%body fat to 37% body fat with no loss of muscle. Without doing any exercise as I am disabled, so I basically sit on the couch all day, I have actually gained muscle %. (I have a Lot of time to do real research on diets and different ways of eating.) And that was with fasting every other day for 3 weeks, then keeping carbs under 10net a day. My calories at my highest was 1700 and when not fasting my lowest was 287. But my protein with the exception of fasting was always where it should be to maintain LBM for my height, weight, age and body %. Your macros/required protein grams daily will change as you lose weight which is why it is so important to watch your macros and use a keto calculator if not under doctor's care. When I started my protein requirement was around 80g a day; now I only need around 70grams a day.  

It wouldn't let me edit comments - I hate that.. I was going to add in about fat being very important as well. If you have to little fat your body will start burning protein and not enough protein then it will turn to muscle. Nothing at all to do with how fast you lose weight, but having the correct amount of macros. Under 30g fat will also cause gallstone formation. 

I agree that if you have enough protein, then lean muscle mass will not be utilised - I did not make myself clear and I too use a calculated min/ max per diem for my protein intake. Sadly I have known/know too many crash dieters who didn't/don't know anything about this subject and based my comment upon them. You have done incredibly well and I commend you for it and appreciate your conversation; that's what I love about this site - meeting so many different types of people with varying lifestyles. I would very much like to read the studies you mentioned; I'm always interested in broadening my knowledge base. Please do pm me with them if you have the time.