Losing too much weight and getting emaciated

[Riverj]

Hello all
I'm a male and 20

Since I suffered from sugar swings where I would feel lethargic after a carb meal I went on Atkins to stabilize my sugar and lose 20 lbs extra weight that were stored only in my abdomen. From 16 to 19 I have started to develop a big gut without getting fat anywhere else. My diet was very high in refined carbs.

I'm very happy with the results. I have stabilized my blood sugar and I have no more the daily symptoms of sugar swings and also I have lost most of the gut and 20 pounds.

Following the book I increased my carb intake and now I'm eating 50 grams of carbs, mainly from vegetables and fruits. But I can't stop the weight loss.

Although there's still some extra fat in my lower abdomen, my face is getting gaunt and emaciated, it looks more angular and grave and people are commenting on my looking drawn, older and having dry skin and hair.

Since I have been very sedentary lately maybe I'm losing muscles too but I'm glad when I look myself at the mirror and see a very emaciated and tired looking sulken eyes face. Maybe I'm losing too much fat on the face but I'm not sure what's going on.

Do you have any suggestion?
Thanks

[phil h]

Unless you have an underlying medical condition or taking in inadequate calories, you will stop losing when you reach your intrinisic weight.Usually to get below 22 BMI you have to cut calories.What is your BMI now?

[Georgiana]

If you want to stop your weight loss, you will have to increase your carbohydrate intake above your CCLL. You said you are now eating 50 carbs. Are those net carbs or total carbs? Are you on OWL Rung 7? You should move up faster on the Carbohydrate Ladder, consume more carbs and find your CCLL and then CCLM.

Exercise is a mandatory part of Atkins and you shouldn't skip it. Anything you do above your normal activity level can be considered exercise---go for a bike ride or for a walk, go hiking, jog, play a sport... The exercise does not only help people lose weight, but also improves their overall health, so you may look less "emaciated and tired".

[sadie147]

It may also be a good idea to post a menu to give us a better idea of what may be the problem.

i'm thinking your calories are likely far too low.

[LeanLioness]

Originally Posted by sadie147

It may also be a good idea to post a menu to give us a better idea of what may be the problem.

i'm thinking your calories are likely far too low.

I concur with this!!!

[JulieB]

I agree - please post your menu - we'll try to help you.

[momtomany1]

To have dry skin and hair, you must be missing the good fats that are the mainstay of Atkins. I am sorry you are not flourishing, and agree you are likely not eating what your body needs.

[Riverj]

Originally Posted by phil h

Unless you have an underlying medical condition or taking in inadequate calories, you will stop losing when you reach your intrinisic weight.Usually to get below 22 BMI you have to cut calories.What is your BMI now?

My BMI is 18.8

[Riverj]

A typical day for me is:

Fresh bacon
Three fried eggs
Brie (1)

Stir fried zucchini and pepper (12)
heavy cream (1)
bunless hamburger
walnuts (5)

stir fried shrimps and salmon
guacamole (8 )
pumpkin and olives (12)
strawberries (3)

[blondegypsy]

Hi there Riverj, I know some about sugar swings having Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) I have kept the Dr. Atkins diet in my life for 22 years.

I tried to look your issue up in my book (Dr. Atkins Diet Revolution, hard cover) and the best I can find is pg. 142: " This can be corrected (rapid weight loss symptoms) by increasing your salt intake; also by increasing your intake of potassium, either with potassium pills or liquid or by eating lots of parsley and watercress...potassium rich foods. (Also spinache, chicory, chard, and when allowed: bamboo shoots, mushrooms and avocado.) Another corrective action ...is to move on to the second level immediately. The addition of cottage cheese and the increase of the portion of salad will slow the effectiveness of the diet alittle..."

pg. 148:
"...word of caution-nothing in the diet up to this point is as likely to stop your progress dead as is fruit." Also, page 276 & 277:

"Cheating - Q. Why can't I cheat on this diet?
A. Because on this diet, cheating means adding carbohydrates, and carbohydrates stimulate the appetite and makes you eat conciderably more than you would have otherwise. In other words, a higher cabohydrate intake almost always leeds to higher caloric intake."

So Riverj, eat some of what you missed (bananas have potasium and at this point I don't think it will hurt you to splurge alittle... LUCKY DUCK!), watch how you feel and maintain your weight when it gets to a comfy level. You of anyone knows this diet works!

Keep in touch!