Um, this may be a dumb question, but here goes. I was on Atkins for 8 wks back 2 years ago and lost 18 lbs. I didn't excersise and did use a few too many splenda treats However, I did follow induction perfectly.... I ate lots of fat too..
Ok, now I'm back to Low Carb but doing more of the South Beach diet trying to use leaner meats and lower fat, I'm also watching my calorie intake to stay below 1000 a day... am I going to lose weight this way, since w/ lc you need a lot of fat to help the process and lots of calories... If my body thinks its starving itself, at what point will it realize we are not starving? Does this even make since?
Basically, I'm just trying to eat healthier foods w/ low carbs and watch my calories. I've also started to exercise and have lost 3 lbs in 7 days. I do feel hungry now but also did not follow induction exactly. I've stayed mostly under 20 carbs but have had carrots and nuts which are ok on SB....
Thanks for any advice.
PS: NEED SOME FIBER, help!

Chrystal

I'll start by saying I really don't know much about South Beach Diet, except I know they use leaner meats, low glycemic fruits, veggies, and whole grains. That said, I don't know where SBD stands on calorie restriction, but in my opinion, 1000cals/day is WAY too low. Why not give up the calorie counting, but stick to your leaner cuts of meat, fish, etc, unlimited dark green leafies - spring mix, spinach, etc - by the way, those are *great* for increasing fiber intake! And, lots of veggies, which it sounds like you are doing. If you're hungry, eat some legal food! One of the nicest benefits of this WOL is that you can eat when you're hungry! Exercise may cause a slight upward change on the scale at first, as muscle weighs more than fat. If you post a couple days' worth of menus, the veterans can help to pick out what may be stalling you, or advise you on what foods to increase/decrease/avoid like the plague. There's also a SBD forum which may be helpful to you (I'm sure those folks are quite knowledgeable about SBD, much more than I!!) Hope this helps.


"Do, or do not. There is no 'try'."
- Yoda ('The Empire Strikes Back')
Start Atkins 9.1.03
225/198/130ish
Valentine's Day Goal: 180

Chrystal - Tara is absolutely right. Keeping your caloric intake under 1000 cal/day is not a good idea. Yes, you may lose weight, in the short-term, but you will eventually go into starvation mode. This is not a race. If you lose weight more slowly, you are more likely to keep it off because you will be learning a new lifestyle, a new weight of eating. For now, try not to focus on the calories, but on healthy carb intake instead.

Jen
175/129/120

Chrystal, both Atkins and South Beach are good eating plans. However, if I were you, I'd pick one plan or the other, and follow it to your best ability. That is the best way to insure success.

SBD is "not" a ketogenic diet, therefore extra fat is really counterproductive. Atkins is, therefore legal food on SBD (like carrots during induction)may sabotage your loss on Atkins.

There is also no advantage to limiting calories when you could be enjoying more by following either plan. Your best chance at success will come if you pick a plan, read the book, and follow it.



BC
172/108/108
Zone since 4/98

[This message was edited by BC on 01-12-04 at 07:56 PM.]

Check out Maggie's Cereal recipe from the recipes up top: Maggie's Cereal
It's great for um, constipation.



Barb - 30 lbs gone FOREVER!
www.iwsgroupinc.com - website design and development


Atkins-3/14/03
174/144/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Knowledge is POWER

Thanks for all the good advice. I have decided to stick with good ole Atkins because it's easier for me to follow and understand, plus I can eat a bit more However, I still have trouble trying to eat more calories, because I feel like they will keep me fat?? I have a friend who's endocronologist (sp) said she should eat LC w/ only 700 cals a day??!! Because of Insulin Resistance, so I guess I was trying to do a bit of her diet, but I'll try to up them a bit
I lost another 2.5 lbs and also finally had a BM, sorry! I am finally into the zone where I don't feel cravings and excess hunger...
Thanks All!!

There really is nothing wrong with watching your calories, but under 1000 just isn't enough. Your body needs a certain amount just to survive.

Through fitday they can tell you what # of calories you need to eat considering your lifestyle and weight that you need to maintain your weight.

Take that number and lop off 500 calories and you should get a reasonable # to shoot for.

One of the hardest things for me to learn how to do on this WOE is to eat MORE. I still fight it everyday.

400/335/200

I've done low-cal/low-fat, and I can assure you that I've had better success, and a much more comfortable experience, with Atkins on MORE calories, fat included.

For almost anyone (who is not a very tiny person), 1200 calories is minimal. But I'd suggest that you not worry about calories at the beginning of Atkins. Make sure you eat ENOUGH fat--as much as 70%. Counter-intuitive, I know, but this WOE is about a different metabolic chemistry, among other things.

Best wishes!

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

Hi Chrystal~~,

Some great points have already been made here but, I just wanted to comment on <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> If my body thinks its starving itself, at what point will it realize we are not starving? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Your body don't just say.. oh wait.. we are not starving... what it will do is adapt by slowing down your metabolism which will slow down your weight loss. And going back to eating more calories/food will not make your metabolism jump back to where it was. It can really sabatoge (sp) you for a long time possibly forever!




"No more looking back and saying "what if", now I look forward and see success!"

Tanya
Member since Jan 2002
Way of Life since Jan 2003!
272/180/172&lt;--(next goal)

Tanya, I couldn't have said it better. That doctor needs to go to nutrition school.............unbelievable!!!!!!

Barb - 30 lbs gone FOREVER!
www.iwsgroupinc.com - website design and development


Atkins-3/14/03
174/144/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Knowledge is POWER

Thanks Barb L thats the word I have been looking for since I have been LCing
( comfortable)

BigLez Soon to be Littlelez

If you have never made a mistake then you've done nothing