Question.....questions.....

[Fiftieschick]

This has me puzzled. And it may have been asked here somewhere on this board, but as big as the board is, I could be here 'forever' trying to find the answer. So I'm sorry if this is a repeat...

Hopefully someone out there can answer this and perhaps someone else can learn from this as well....

It's about BMR. OK, according to mine...I should have about 1800 calories everyday just to live and breath. No where close. And I have read that because of that it can slow weight loss...which I have had none in the past 2-3 weeks(still doing induction...have been for 5 weeks...and have lost 13 lbs).

So, if I increase food intake to meet this amount or even surpass it, do I up it with protein? Fat? Good carbs? Really confusing to say the least!

Typical menu...
eggs, bacon or mock danish for breakfast
salad with meat and dressing for lunch
meat and veggies for supper...

snacks..sugar free jello, string cheese

[Chicklady]

If you decide to up your calories, keep the percentages the same----60% fat 10% carbs, 30% protein. I actually like 65% fat, 8-12% carbs, 23-27% protein.

[mitzimarie]

Originally Posted by Fiftieschick

It's about BMR. OK, according to mine...I should have about 1800 calories everyday just to live and breath. No where close. And I have read that because of that it can slow weight loss...which I have had none in the past 2-3 weeks(still doing induction...have been for 5 weeks...and have lost 13 lbs).

So, if I increase food intake to meet this amount or even surpass it, do I up it with protein? Fat? Good carbs? Really confusing to say the least!

Typical menu...
eggs, bacon or mock danish for breakfast
salad with meat and dressing for lunch
meat and veggies for supper...

snacks..sugar free jello, string cheese

Hi, Fiftieschick

BMR - For those of you reading this who may not know what BMR is, here is a website where you can read about it and calculate your own: http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/
On this site, after you calculate your BMR, you then click on "Harris Benedict Equation" to find your calorie needs based on your activity level. BMR is your Basal Metabolic Rate, and that is what it takes to just exist.

I never got too hung up on calories while in Induction or OWL, but I did try to eat to at least my BMR so that my body would not go into starvation mode... that's when you restrict your calories too much and your body thinks you aren't going to feed it enough, so it hangs on to all of the weight you have.

A basic rule of thumb for percentages while in Induction is 65% Fat, 30% Protein, and 5% carbs. As you progress through the rungs in OWL, your fat percentage will lower as your carb percentage increases. Your protein should always stay at about 30%... it is a constant. Having said that, I never got too hung up on exact percentages. However, I DO keep track of them because the one percentage I do watch is protein... I don't like it to ever be over 30% because excess protein turns to glucose. So many people think that Atkins is a high protein diet, but it's not. It is high fat, moderate protein, low carb.

Too few calories may, or may not, be the reason that your losses have slowed. I noticed that you list sugar-free jello as a snack. Aspartame (and sometimes Splenda) are known stallers for many people. Some can get away with it, but many cannot. This could be a factor. Also, more specific details about your menu items may illuminate other potential problems. A good place to get feedback about menus is in the "Review My Menu" forum.

Also, maybe you can tell us why you are doing an Extended Induction. While it is OK to extend Induction, it really is not necessary in most cases. Many experience PISS (post induction stall syndrome), and jumpstart losses again by moving to Rung 1 of OWL (more veggies).

It would help us, help you, if you could provide a little information about yourself. How about putting a few stats in your signature? This is how you do it: On the blue bar at the top, click on "Quick Links". Then, click on "Edit Signature". Now you can add info like: your age, your starting weight, your current weight, and your goal weight. These factors can determine the kind of advice we will give.

Good luck!