Atkins and Low Carb Weight Loss
wrong way?
Ok, so I decided 3 weeks ago to stop eating any simple carbs. I haven't eaten anything except for green veggies, protein shakes (2/day), grilled chicken or tilapia & lots of fruit. Ok, YES...I admit I have been eating lots of fruit! I thought it I ate this way I'd lose some weight. 3 weeks down the road, NO WEIGHT LOSS! I had RNY 8 years ago & am trying to get rid of about 24 lbs I have regained! 3 weeks & no freaking weight loss? OMG! I am SEVERELY constipated also! I'm doing the max dosage of milk of magnesia, stool softener & dulcolax each day & still have to use a suppository to finally go ( I know, I'm sorry...TMI). What's wrong???? Should I totally go ahead & cut out fruit too? Protein shakes? (they are carb free tho). I have been monitoring my calories & have stayed around 1200/day. You would think that irregardless of the carbs from fruit/veggies that I'd lose due to the calorie restriction. I do admit tho, no exercise! Oh my, maybe that would kick it off? Please offer any advice you may have! I'm desperate!
Cyndi U
Gastric Bypass, Dr. Daniel Jones, Dallas, 2003
LBL, Lipo, Butt Aug, Full Thigh Lift, hernia repair - 5/5/11, Baylor Houston Residency Program - Dr. Echo & Dr. Bullocks
BL/BA, brachioplasty - 8/26/11, Baylor Houston Residency Program - Dr. Lee & Dr. Bullocks
Hi Cyndi, I am new here. I just started low carb about a week ago. I have dropped the 3lbs of regain, and about 2 more since starting the low carb. I am encouraged.
How much fruit are you eating and what types? I am allowing myself one serving or one piece. I eat apples, oranges, grapefruit, pears. Since it's winter they are the tastiest this time of year. Berries and melons are also pretty low carb.
Have you tried benefiber and probiotics to help keep you regular. The constipation is one of the worst things about the low carb diet. I really like the plain Activia yogurt which is supposed to help with constipation too. It isn't exactly low carb, but it is full of good stuff otherwise. I would ditch the protein shakes and add more real protein and high fiber veggies. I hate protein drinks so I always tell everybody to ditch them!!!
No advice on the exercise front.
Good luck
How much fruit are you eating and what types? I am allowing myself one serving or one piece. I eat apples, oranges, grapefruit, pears. Since it's winter they are the tastiest this time of year. Berries and melons are also pretty low carb.
Have you tried benefiber and probiotics to help keep you regular. The constipation is one of the worst things about the low carb diet. I really like the plain Activia yogurt which is supposed to help with constipation too. It isn't exactly low carb, but it is full of good stuff otherwise. I would ditch the protein shakes and add more real protein and high fiber veggies. I hate protein drinks so I always tell everybody to ditch them!!!
No advice on the exercise front.
Good luck
Phyllis
"Me agreeing with you doesn't preclude you from being a deviant."
I love these protein drinks & they are low carb, I add about 1/2 c. of frozen berries in them. I also have about 1 banana, 1 apple & 2 oranges every day. I just couldn't grasp the fact the w/1200 cal/day that fruit would be a problem. I think I have some probiotics, I'll start using them...didn't realize they helped w/constipation. I'm been doing the protein shakes 1 to 2/day because I'm going to have plastic surgery this summer to get rid of all this extra skin & they recommend it.
Cyndi U
Gastric Bypass, Dr. Daniel Jones, Dallas, 2003
LBL, Lipo, Butt Aug, Full Thigh Lift, hernia repair - 5/5/11, Baylor Houston Residency Program - Dr. Echo & Dr. Bullocks
BL/BA, brachioplasty - 8/26/11, Baylor Houston Residency Program - Dr. Lee & Dr. Bullocks
In my opinion,fruit is the problem because it is a simple sugar. Carbs in their lowest form are simple sugars and that is the form the body utilizes.
Simple sugars go into your blood stream immediately. This is quick energy your body will use first,*before*breaking down the stored *fat* into simple sugar! Our boddies are lazy and as long as there is a steady supply of simple sugars(fruit) coming in they won't break down that fat for energy plus need to break down mor fat to make energy to break down the fat! Does that make sense,lol.
That is the whole principle of Atkins,with it's high protein,high fat components. It *forces*the body to break down fat for it's use keeping the body going.
I would keep the protein shakes,and all the lean meat and non carby vegs you want and ditch the fruit.
Good luck,
Holly
Simple sugars go into your blood stream immediately. This is quick energy your body will use first,*before*breaking down the stored *fat* into simple sugar! Our boddies are lazy and as long as there is a steady supply of simple sugars(fruit) coming in they won't break down that fat for energy plus need to break down mor fat to make energy to break down the fat! Does that make sense,lol.
That is the whole principle of Atkins,with it's high protein,high fat components. It *forces*the body to break down fat for it's use keeping the body going.
I would keep the protein shakes,and all the lean meat and non carby vegs you want and ditch the fruit.
Good luck,
Holly
If you are super carb sensitive like I am even fruits and good carbs are gonna mess me up. I truely have to stick with super high protein and ultra low carbs, like under 20 a day, even better under 10 grams of carbs a day. I know some people say you should have up to 100 g of carbs to keep your brain function right but I could never go that high. So you may have to try going with less fruit and more veggies and protein. Good luck to you.
Hi me again! Just out of curiosity I did a quick carb check on the fruits you listed and even going with just a med, size you are getting slightly over a 100 g of carbs just from fruit, so I really think that is your main problem. Keep on trying with less fruit. I can eat quite a bit in calories as long as I keep the carb part low, don't know why but it just is what it is.
thanks! I guess I'll have to cave & give up my fruit for awhile. I really figured w/the low calorie intake I'd be ok, but :(. Bummer.
Cyndi U
Gastric Bypass, Dr. Daniel Jones, Dallas, 2003
LBL, Lipo, Butt Aug, Full Thigh Lift, hernia repair - 5/5/11, Baylor Houston Residency Program - Dr. Echo & Dr. Bullocks
BL/BA, brachioplasty - 8/26/11, Baylor Houston Residency Program - Dr. Lee & Dr. Bullocks
I agree with the others that you need to cut out the fruit for now. The first 2 weeks of low carbing is usually an "induction" period and puts your body into ketosis. Make your carbs count by eating plenty of veggies like salad, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, etc. After your 2 week induction then you can add the berries back in so you won't go without them forever.
As for the constipation, definitely take some probiotics. If the ones you have are old, get some new ones. I recommend the Trader Joe's brand - get the ones that are $14.99, not the cheaper ones that are on the shelf...it's a 2 month supply. You also might to try and eat more whole food rather than drinking the protein shakes because I know from experience that the shakes will cause constipation. One more idea is to add more fat to your diet if your RNY can handle it but if you dump then ditch that suggesstion!!!
My usual net carbs (carbs - fiber = net carbs) are between 20 and 30 grams, I rarely go above that. I have a sweet tooth and if I eat too many carbs from sugary foods, even fruit, it just makes me want more so I avoid it.
Good luck and keep posting here :)
As for the constipation, definitely take some probiotics. If the ones you have are old, get some new ones. I recommend the Trader Joe's brand - get the ones that are $14.99, not the cheaper ones that are on the shelf...it's a 2 month supply. You also might to try and eat more whole food rather than drinking the protein shakes because I know from experience that the shakes will cause constipation. One more idea is to add more fat to your diet if your RNY can handle it but if you dump then ditch that suggesstion!!!
My usual net carbs (carbs - fiber = net carbs) are between 20 and 30 grams, I rarely go above that. I have a sweet tooth and if I eat too many carbs from sugary foods, even fruit, it just makes me want more so I avoid it.
Good luck and keep posting here :)
Jean 
I'm 45, 5' 4-1/2" -- 315/272/230 -- 43 lbs lost pre-op
"Progress, not perfection..." ~Dr. Roger Gould
Breast reduction & lift - 11/11/11 (sooo wonderful!!!)
Fruit is simple carbs as in sugar. This may be part of the problem. When I eat fruit my weight loss stops and I may even gain. An apple and a banana can throw me off for weeks.
Try getting your produce from veggies only and lower sugar fruit like blueberries. Also ensure you are eating enough. Check your calorie deficit. If it is more than 1500 a day (approx 3 lb/ wk fat loss), you may not have enough calories and start holding on to fat (starvation response).
Weight loss is very difficult for me as I am metabolically challenged. Recently I discovered that I get better results if I increase fats as a percentage of my total calories.
Good luck. I hope what you learn in this thread is useful.
Try getting your produce from veggies only and lower sugar fruit like blueberries. Also ensure you are eating enough. Check your calorie deficit. If it is more than 1500 a day (approx 3 lb/ wk fat loss), you may not have enough calories and start holding on to fat (starvation response).
Weight loss is very difficult for me as I am metabolically challenged. Recently I discovered that I get better results if I increase fats as a percentage of my total calories.
Good luck. I hope what you learn in this thread is useful.
MSW Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass: Eat sensibly & enjoy moderation
Links: Are you a compulsive eater? for help OA meets on-line Keep Coming Back, One Day At a Time Overeaters Anonymous
LV'N MY RNY. WORKING FOR ME BECAUSE I WORK FOR IT.
