I was wondering is it possible to GAIN weight while in ketosis?

The first 2 weeks of trying Atkins I did the hard core metabolic resistance program. eating only meats, and fat. I couldn't get into ketosis for anything, and actually gained about 8 lbs. I then tried the fat fast. lost 4 lbs. I showed a trace of ketosis but, only on the 5th day of the fast. After the fast ended a gain back the weight by eating only meats and fat again. About 2 weeks ago I found out about my low body temperature, and slow thyroid. Since then i have been on a low dose of Armour Thyroid. I now am able to get into ketosis, but have still gone up in weight another 4 lbs!

Have any of u heard of gaining weight in ketosis? How is this possible?
Thank you for any help or thoughts you may have!

I am not sure about the hard core metabolic resistance program. I don't remember reading about that in Atkin's book.

Also I have no medical training. But I am going to take a stab at this.

It's very possible you were eating too many calories with just meat and fat. Plus, the types of meat you ate may have played a role in not getting into ketosis. Some processed meats have hidden sugar.

Also, if you only have a little to lose (20 pounds or less), calories really have to be watched and weight loss will be a little slower.

Have you read the book . . . Dr. Atkins NEW Diet Revolution? You completely eliminated vegetables! The trick with getting into ketosis is consuming 20 carbs a day. It does take several days of this before your body will respond by going into ketosis. And many people will be in ketosis but not show it on the test strips. Doesn't matter how dark the color is. Any color is positive.

It's my personal opinion that just eating meat and fat for any period of time may be unhealthy.

My advice, now that you have some meds to help your thyroid condition, is to get the book, read it, and follow the induction phase to the letter. Go with all natural foods and NO lc bars.

Good luck and please let us know how you are doing! This is a great support site.

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

Whistlers, I notice this is your first post, so welcome to a helpful place. If you've been reading around this forum for a while, you know that we're keen on making sure people are following the program (whatever program they choose) correctly.

Presumably, since you have been put on a thyroid supplement, you are under a doctor's care and have the go-ahead to pursue a low-carb plan.

That being the case, I wonder why you decided to start with the "hard core resistance" plan instead of regular induction? The so-called fat fast is very hard on your body, and not a healthy way to begin a long-term program.

It's very important that you review the principles of the Atkins plan. Atkins is never a "no carb" plan, and eating healthy veggies right from the start is an important part of it. Some people who lose successfully never show a sign of ketosis.

Please stop abusing your body with the "fat fast" and follow the program as it is presented in Dr. Atkins's book(s). Let us know how that goes.

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Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Ok, Whistlers, here's the deal: You have to get your medical issues settled with your doctor's assistance before we can give you any advice, other than this: Take your Atkins book (you do have it, right?) to your doctor, show the induction menu to him/her and discuss it in relation to your medical history. If you are gaining weight on induction, you are obviously not doing something right, or have an issue that needs addressing first. I strongly suggest you get your doctor's OK before proceeding, and then follow the instructions for induction.
I'm going to close this thread; I hope you understand the reason why.

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Trina

Vice-President of the Intergalactic Order of Brussels Sprouts Haters

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hello and welcome.

i'm pretty confused here as to what you are trying to do and why. with around 25 pounds to lose, what makes you think you may be "metabolically resistant" anyway? have you actually tried the normal induction routine at any point?

and while i'm quite familair with akins, but not the "hard core metabolic resistance program." if you have any info on that or where you got those ideas, i'd like to know.

i am familiar, however, with the fat fast. this is intended as a short-term measure for people who have followed the program properly and are so metabolically resistant that they cannot get losses moving any other way, from my understanding. however, it appears that you are trying to use that as a crash diet instead of a last choice resort of short term when you can't lose weight any other way.

this is a BAD idea, for many reasons. number 1, if you don't need the exceptional measures or you try to do this long-term, then it's quite unhealthy. extreme dietary measures wreak havoc on your body and your metabolism. if your body believes you're starving it, then your metaboloism will slow to a crawl. so it can actually keep you from losing weight in some cases.

#2, part of how the program is designed is to help you to learn to eat in a way that is sustainable, so you can maintain your losses for life. if you don't change your eating habits, you WILL gain whatever weight you lose back. do YOU know anybody who's lost a lot of weight on a crash diet and not gained it all back pretty much as soon as the diet was over? i don't.

it's very human to want excess weight gone yesterday, and i've been guilty of it myself. however, i know i didn't get here overnight, and i won't get where i'm going overnight, either. and what difference could it possibly make anyway? if i'm changing my eating habits for LIFE, then whether it takes me another 2 months or 2 years makes no difference at all. i know that no matter what, the changes i've made have had HUGE impacts on my health and how i feel. and that is success in and of itself.

i applaud you for taking the situation in hand, and for getting medical care along the way. but i'd be willing to bet your doc didn't ok a meat-and-fat only diet, huh? if s/he did, you may need another doc!

how about this: if you don't have the book on hand, get it. read it through. try really "doing atkins," as written, by the book 100%. if you do have problems losing under this scenario, then we can help. come back here, post some menus and the folks around here are FAB at helping you identify trouble areas. let go of the whole "if a little is good, more is better philosophy." i don't know about you, but all that kind of thinking did for me was make me fat!

i've seen many people do this since i've started myself and i'll tell you without exception: everyone i have met who's had any measure of success did NOT starve themselves, cut out vegetables, or take unnecessary extreme measures hoping to speed losses. they didn't approach it as a crash diet, but decided they needed to make healthier eating choices for life. they went into it for the long haul, and that's how you get there.

i wish you all the best in your efforts, and if we can be of help, please do let us know.

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