I ran across this article about Basal Metabolism and it has a link (within text)towards the bottom of the article for a handy basal metabolism calculator. This article is also Atkins-specific.

http://www.countcarbs.com/advice/LCG..._WhatGives.htm

Essentially, your particular height/weight/age/sex will have a certain basal metabolism count. This is the amount of calories your body needs just to function. So, you should eat ~at least~ this amount in calories in order to lose weight. If you do not, your body will go into starvation mode. The article further states most women can eat about 200 calories over that amount and still lose weight.

But as your weight goes down, so does your basal metabolism! Makes sense. The less weight your body is carrying around, the less energy it needs just to function. Seems that would be why those last few pounds are the hardest to lose . . . unless you change your calorie count to meet your new basal metabolism.

Just thought this might be of interest to some of you who might be struggling with stalls.

__________________
Alida
5'1" ~ 59 years old
Highest weight: 165
Atkins 7/10/2004
160/126/125
RE-DO, January 2008:
167/162/135

wow thanks Alida, it says i need 1771 calories a day. Maybe i should focus more on calories now, i have the carb thing working pretty good, hmmmmmm. Dont really count my cals, but im almost certain im not getting the minimum. Havent been really eating a lot lately, appetite has decreased so.

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Started LC 1-10-04

302/199/160, 103lbs down, 39 to go, simply remarkable.

Restart- 8-19-07
242/226/160


405 points to date ( HOLIDAY CHALLENGE )

I agree - this is one of those overlooked factors in weight loss efforts. A smaller "you" needs a smaller diet.

It can be difficult to accept that the program that worked so great for "you" when losing the first 30 pounds isn't working so well for the new, smaller "you". Thus, many of us find a need to tweak the eating program to keep losing weight; say by eating smaller portions, or more veggies/less cheese, or reducing dense calorie foods like nuts, bacon, cream.

__________________
~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

Celest,

Let me know how your body responds to upping calorie count. That article was really an eye-opener to me. And with programs like FitDay and DietPower, it is easy to keep track of calories.

Teelbee,

Since I am not the thinner me yet, I have not run across that problem! But I am still new to this WOE and am struggling. Still have the "diet" frame of mind and was perhaps not eating enough good calories for my body!

__________________
Alida
5'1" ~ 59 years old
Highest weight: 165
Atkins 7/10/2004
160/126/125
RE-DO, January 2008:
167/162/135