Metabolism

[LittleLinda]

I just have a quick question about metabolism. Will it naturally speed up on Atkins, or is there something I can do to make my metabolism faster?

[chinadoll]

Eat smaller meals, more frequently, and exercise six days a week for at least half an hour.

[Georgiana]

Linda... you asked about diet pills a few days ago and now you are asking if there is any way to speed up your metabolism. Are you sure you are focused on your WoE and not just trying to make your body follow the weight loss schedule you have in mind?

I could tell you Atkins will naturally speed up your metabolism... or I could tell you it won't... but will it actually make any difference? Your weight loss rate is what it is... and the sooner you accept this, the more chances you have to stick to this WoE and to be successful.

Will it naturally speed up on Atkins, or is there something I can do to make my metabolism faster?

IF there is anything wrong with your metabolism, then following Atkins correctly (eating nutritious foods, eating enough calories, exercising, etc.) might "speed it up".

IF you have a carnitine deficiency, supplementing your diet with L-carnitine or acetyl-L-carnitine might help your body's fat metabolism.

IF you have a CoQ10 deficiency, then supplementing with CoQ10 might help you lose weight faster.

IF you have a chromium deficiency, supplementing with chromium might help too.

And there are other "if's"...

Increasing your activity level will also allow you to consume more net carbs.


Since you seem unsatisfied with your results, you might want to post a menu (include quantities and net carbs for all foods) and we can take a look at it. How much water are you drinking? How did your weight loss go until now? Are you losing inches? Have you been "on plan" since your day 1 of Atkins or did you have a cheat here and there?

[LittleLinda]

Hi Georgiana. Thank you, and you're right, I probably don't have those deficiencies.

I've been on Atkins now for just over 2 months and have only lost 10 lbs. In one of my previous posts I confessed to have "cheated" twice - once when there was absolute chaos over here, and another time when I couldn't afford to buy the required food and had to eat what we had here at home.

My weight hasn't moved for about a month now, and I'm stuck at 198. I'm only asking these questions because I'm getting so incredibly frustrated. I don't think that I'lll ever be able to go back to my old way of eating though. I like how I feel on Atkins, and my body feels cleaner....if that makes sense.

Anyway, I would love to post my menus (I'll do that later today, and every day if that's okay). Any feedback would be much appreciated...really. I need all the help I can get.

As for water, I drink about 75 to 100 oz per day.

I'm sorry if I seem stubborn, this is not intentional. I'm just at a loss and so darn frustrated!

[Georgiana]

Originally Posted by LittleLinda

My weight hasn't moved for about a month now, and I'm stuck at 198.

Did you lose inches?

Anyway, I would love to post my menus (I'll do that later today, and every day if that's okay). Any feedback would be much appreciated...really. I need all the help I can get.

We'll take a look when you post.

I remember you posted another menu a while ago. Did you make the changes suggested there?

As for water, I drink about 75 to 100 oz per day.

100 oz sounds good.

[jcapulet]

Eating first thing in the morning, even if a small amount, will kick start your metabolism. Some people are not "morning eaters," (I don't know if you are or not) so breakfast is important.