Ok...I cannot remember. I still haven't gotten my Atkins yet. I'll be getting it tomorrow. So I can't go back and reference. I read the book when I borrowed it from the library. So ANYHOW, How much do calories count. My calorie count for today is going to be 933 w/ carbs at 21. Should I get more calories. They have been pretty low. What are some consequences of not eating enough calories. I have a hard enough time some days eating at all ESPECIALLY when I'm at home all day. I have 3 boys 5, 1, 3 mo! My boyfriend is a huge help but we STILL have 2 babies, no matter how you look at it. One baby is enough!

Proactive not reactive!!
222/211/165

With your carb count around 20, sounds like you're doing induction. Don't worry about counting calories, in saying that, I mean you should get plenty of calories. Eat plenty of protein, do worry about good fats and green veggies.

Take care~
Susan


LCE Member since 01/02

Suenos,

Actually, it's very important.

If you don't get enough calories, then your body will go into *starvation mode* and your metabolism will slow WAYYYY down. This is because your body thinks it needs to conserve all of your stored fat in case it needs it later (because it's starving). AND, what's worse is that this effect is not short-term. If you eat below your minimum requirement of calories over an extended period of time, it can cause your metabolism to remain slowed even after you have increased your food intake.
I know that I have a harder time losing now because I did so many low-fat, low-calorie extreme diets in the 90's... Hopefully, someday, my metabolism will pick back up, but since aging tends to slow it down, too, I'm not going to delude myself.
I definitely sympathize with your situation, but you simply must find a way to add more LC calories to your day!
Try adding butter to things. Add heavy cream.
Throw on some cheese. Eat another serving of vegetables and saute them or drizzle them in butter. Have fun with it, but definitely DO add more calories!
One warning, however... it IS easy to get carried away & start adding too many calories; there is a fine balance. But as Susan states above (we must have posted at the same time), while on induction do not stress about eating too many calories. Focus on learning to eat this way.
HTH,

Summer


www.herstorygirl.com

Thanks! I do cook with butter and didn't add that into my calorie count. That said I am probably fine then! I LOVE butter and I used it to cook my vegetables and in the morning with my eggs. I'm pretty sure that the butter I eat should bump me to over 1200. I'll go to Fitday and add that in there. I believe you suggested fitday to someone else if I'm not mistaken. That is a great site! That's what flagged me to the low cals!

Proactive not reactive!!
222/211/165

What Summer said! For us former fat-phobics, adding nutrients in the form of fat is one of the hardest things about going to Atkins.

Butter those veggies. Use plenty of legal salad dressing. Make deviled eggs with real mayonnaise.

At your current weight, 1200 calories seems like too few even for basic metabolic maintenance. If I were you, I would try for more like 2000--with at least 60-70% fat. It seems counter-intuitive, but Atkins supports this approach.

Barb L.
Started Atkins January 2003
162/137/130

Sneak some cream cheese with splenda and cocoa powder in there sometimes too. Or mock danish. Or LC cheesecake. YUM YUM

Barb - 30 lbs gone FOREVER!
Atkins-3/14/03
174/144.8/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Knowledge is POWER

Hiya Suenos,

I saw in another thread you'd posted about low energy levels... this is something I notice myself if I'm not eating often enough or if my calories drop too low. A 'legal' snack with a glass of water usually improves things greatly With three little ones to take care of, I'm sure your activity level is high, so try adding a snack to boost the fuel your body has available to burn.

Hope this helps!

Ginger

Life is NOT a dress rehearsal.
159/143/139

Proactive not reactive!!
222/211/165

OOOOOH Ginger! That sounds like tha tcould be EXACLTY my problem. I don't snack enough and I KNOW I don't eat often enough but it's hard because I'm not hungry! I just have to force myself. I'lll definitely give that a try. Thanks!

Proactive not reactive!!
222/211/165

What they said!

Good luck

Member since 2001

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
http://www.ilovelowcarb.com