I've lost 8lbs in 4 days! I am extremely happy about it, but is it safe. will my skin sag and stuff.. Just want to know! some friends of mine are telling me i'm losing way to fast to be safe

Liz
Mommy to one (8 months)
Started Atkins 11/28/2003
240/232/160

Your friends are right IN THE LONG TERM, however, you’ve just started Atkins so that’s completely normal.

Most people lose between 5-15 pounds during the induction phase. Myself, I lost 12 pounds during my first 2 weeks.

If you were to begin losing 2 pounds a day for several weeks, that would be EXTREMELY dangerous but you’re not so don’t worry.

The first few pounds you have lost are water weight. Why? Well, when you eat lots of carbs (generally, more than the body needs) much of the excess is converted into the body’s version of energy called glycogen. These glycogen stores are what the body uses to run itself if you go too long between meals or need an extra burst of energy for some reason.

Stored with this glycogen is WATER. So, because you have drastically lessened your carb intake, you body starts using up this glycogen and with it, goes the water. Part of why you’ve probably been using the potty a little more the last few days.

Once your body has depleted its glycogen, it will want to replace it. However, because you’ve started a low carb diet, it won’t really be able to. Starting induction will force your body to switch from carb-burning mode into fat-burning mode. This takes a few days but once completed, your body will being to use its own fat for energy rather than looking for ingested carbs or stored glycogen.

I hope that made sense!

After the first week or so the weight loss pace WILL slow down. Most people average out to losing between 5-10 pounds a month on OWL.

Congrats

Member since 2001
http://www.ilovelowcarb.com
Size 24(start lowfat)/Size 18(start LC)/Size 14/Size 8

Be glad you've lost that much in the beginning, 'cuz as Marcie Lynn said, it WILL slow down. So don't worry.

Barb
Atkins-3/14/03
174/146/135 5'2"
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