The Big Question : The One I Can't Figure Out!

[MG1]

So when does a period of weight stability (which is expected) after weight loss become a weight loss plateau?

I eat one meal a darn day and a small snack!
Under 25-35 carbs the entire day.
Implemented low caloric count now too.
Nothing! Looking at 3 to 4 weeks now. (I don’t count exactly )

Yeah complaining again! This is ridiculous!
Wanted to delete this because I sound like a big baby. They won’t let me.

If someone can’t lose weight not even a half a pound in a month doing this, something is wrong.
Got so many amazing responses, researched em all.
Going into ketosis works.
However dropping down to low carbs doesn’t?
Then why is Atkins so successful?
They only practice ketosis at induction.
After induction, it’s low carb.
Asked on blogs and they can’t explain it either.

[Carnivoor]

What is your waist to height ratio?

[Fangs]

Implemented low caloric count now too

this is probably your problem. other keto people will come on and give you more info about eating too low on the Keto Plan. I am not keto but eating too low stops weight loss for most everyone on any plan.

a plateau is like over 2-3 months of no weight loss as described by many but some say like, 3 weeks with no loss is a plateau so you will find alot of different time lines on describing what a plateau really is.

You aren’t a baby for whining. I get it We ALL get it LOL
We change our lifestyle and want more instant time results, we all do but it just doesn’t work that way at all for many. Hold on and hold strong onto your plan and you will do fine and other keto people will tell you more.

[MG1]

Honestly don’t know… I’m stuck at the last 20-(30 just to be safe )
Went to my doctor yesterday. He said you’re active 15 plus hours a day.
Your blood work is off the charts amazing! Your hormones are normal.
You absolutely do the one meal a day and now reduced calories… He said I don’t know Michelle.

Over at the Atkins blogs they say… Doing this should push at least a pound. It’s not.
I have reasons for not doing ketosis.
It’s bizzare why

[MG1]

I read this… It makes no sense to me.
Reducing carbs… Ok maybe I’m just so conformed after years it isn’t gonna work. I was around 80-100 to maintain… I did. Didn’t gain one pound in maybe 6-8 months… However now dropping caloric intake…, something is wrong.

[Fangs]

well I get that it makes no sense, cause if you think just cutting kcals will give you all the weight loss you want, alot of times that is not the case.
Thing is you are on that last leg of your weight loss to hit your like standard good weight area.

just reducing your intake might not work in that you might be going too low?

what is your kcal intake per day?

See if you are doing ‘keto plan’ there are macros one uses for their target…so are you keto? are you following the macros?

see I don’t do keto so I don’t follow what it takes on macros etc but others can tell you.

but if you are eating too low with kcals you can stop your weight loss cause your body says, omg there is not enough food, we are not going to give up any lbs…we are gonna hold onto them in fear that less food might come later.

and you say you are not in ketosis? and it is bizarre why you don’t want ketosis level?

just asking, just trying to catch up on where you are on your journey more we know about you the better the advice can be geared at you.

[MG1]

Caloric intake stands around 800-900 I only eat once a day.
I went from 50-100 down to around -25-27-30 carbs.
I mean I’m not sitting down to my one meal with a large pizza.
Just the exact opposite.
I never implemented low calories WITH low carbs. Assumed that would kick me in a little. My body is happy here.
I don’t do ketosis because I get sick. Starting salt and potassium here shortly to try to do ketosis again.

[MG1]

Fangs there are now 8 of us doing the exact same thing here. Low carbs straddling 30-80 some do 80. One woman is in induction. She just started.
None of us exercise. We do physical labor.
We’re all healthy etc… Kinda same age.
The majority are losing quite well doing what I am. Forgot to mention that.
Now I’ve been doing it for years low carb.
They haven’t. That may be the one difference between us.
This is how I’m gauging this issue with me.
I am literally seeing it.

[Fangs]

ok you told me alot on those posts put alot of insight on what type of changes you are making and you got a group doing it with you and you guys are trying new things out on ya…like that! All we can do is change and explore and hit our sweet spots.

but I have to say since I am not a keto person I best bow out.

I know there is others who can help you truly on what changes you are trying. Being a different plan and mindset of my personal approach I know my advice ain’t gonna cut it with ya so I know you will get more insight/advice from others here who probably walked the same steps you are now.

I wish ya nothing but the best and I know one thing, your asking these questions and learning more will truly pave your path forward and you will get your best menu and your final results/goals you want!!!

Thanks for sharing and it helps always to chat it out and learn and weave thru it all as we find ourselves in our personal journey.

you put alot of great info on the board for others to help you. Just use that advice and experiment a bit and change things around a tad and do you thru it all and see what fits/works/etc and go from there. I can tell you are all in and will be ok!

[MG1]

[Fangs]

I can see by your posts you are a smart cookie but have to just walk thru some adaptions to make it a personal sweet spot for you and you will get there!

[amwassil]

800-900 cals per day is really low. It’s not sustainable long term. The Minnesota Starvation Study only went to 1500! What happens when you don’t give yourself sufficient fuel is first you get hungry. If you ignore that signal long enough it might go away or might not. Many folks on very reduced calorie CICO diets are hungry the whole time for months or years, some aren’t. If you don’t respond to hunger by eating, your metabolism next adapts to match energy requirements to energy input. This is what is meant when someone says your metabolism ‘slows down’. This is what eventually sabotages all CICO diets. You can not eat a significant calorie deficit forever simply because you will eventually starve yourself to death if you try. Yes, if you keep it up long enough you will eventually lose fat, but also muscle, bone and organ mass/function. Systems simply shut down to conserve energy. Eventually something vital shuts down and it’s over.

Generally, once someone eats a serious calorie deficit for several months or a year or more, slowing their metabolism in the process, when they start to eat more food again, as you must or die, a lot of the intake ends up as stored fat. Why? Because the metabolism was slowed significantly, it’s virtually impossible to avoid an energy surplus. All The Biggest Loser contestants were followed for several years after losing their weight initially. Every one of them had slowed their metabolism by at least 500 calories per day, and that reduction persisted for several years after the program ended. Every one of them not only regained all the weight they lost, but more in addition.

You say you get sick in ketosis. From what you’ve described about yourself in various posts, I don’t find that surprising. My guess is that you’ve managed to do a lot of significant damage to your metabolism and it’s not going to fix itself quickly and/or easily. A healthy metabolism responds to varying inputs/outputs of energy and glucose/insulin changes quickly and smoothly. You can get all the wonderful test results in the world, but if you can not change your weight easily and quickly by eating more or less (carbs and/or calories) you’re not metabolically healthy. A healthy metabolism is a responsive metabolism. Inability to manage fat is a symptom of dysfunction. And yes, I know a lot of folks won’t agree with that statement.

Just my opinion, but my guess is that you will have to go very low carb, maybe even zero, for awhile (maybe months?). If you get ‘hell’s version’ of carb withdrawal symptoms for a few weeks or even a month or two, you will just have to tough it out. Adequate fluids and electrolytes will help. You got where you are after years of self-abuse and it is very unrealistic to expect to fix and repair the damage easily or quickly.

Stop comparing yourself and what’s happening to you with other people who are seemingly doing the same things but having different outcomes. This is one of those situations where you are you and very unique. No one else has done exactly the things you’ve done or has the same challenges to work on.

[MG1]

Wow! That’s a lot to take in,
I agree with some of this however…, there is a bigger point.
For me if it was about the last 20 -30 which it is obviously…
I would do the stinking exercises. Or drop down into ketosis.
Get sick, be done with it, pounds off happy.
It’s so not that at this point.

Now. It’s bigger…
I only dropped down in caloric intake to gauge body reaction.
I don’t or won’t live there. It’s unhealthy…

I have been trying to figure this out for almost a year. When the weight loss stopped.
So it is about the drop off. No question… However it’s a must to figure out why.

The stages I’m attempting, the alterations at this phase in it… Are simply to gauge my own body reaction.
The other people, I only pulled them in kinda as a study.
If I’m being honest.

Once they agreed after I hounded them, they actually were glad.
So that pin points a few of your points.

There is an absolute science to why this is happening. And zero correct reason.
If I’m attempting this from a scientific study at this point… Which I am
I can not stop NOW.
I have too much invested.
Mentally, and physically.

So now I have others questioning why, and that’s FANTASTIC!
My doctor who has been with me though this, is stumped too.
I like it! I want him to figure it out. I want people who are in this horrible situation and quit, to understand the why!

There is not many people who have continued to do what I’ve attempted to do here.

It’s a very specific study. It’s gotten bigger. I just didn’t put it all on paper because I don’t want it to alter anyones responses on my questions and blogs.

I know what will probably work. Exercise. Ketosis …that’s not what I’m attempting to do now that I’m this far in.
I can drop it. Or maybe I can’t now? Maybe once we get to a certain point… There is no more weight loss?

You’re a smart man. Can you imagine being able to tell someone that? With certainty?
Look, outside of ketosis which not everyone wants or will do. That’s a fact… Otherwise there would not be Atkins, this program that etc…
Outside of exercise Which CLEARLY most people do not do.
That’s not rocket science.
Can you explain why someone who has tried everything EXCEPT those two factors… can NOT achieve weight-loss?
I think it’s a great question.

I think we stop losing at a certain point with certain factors thrown in and I don’t think there is any shame in being honest about it. It gives better direction where to go.

This is what I’m concluding,

Now I just told you the truth is

[Momof5]

I was 293 back in February 2019 and now I am 202 -two years later, 91 pounds loss so far. I want to lose a lot more weight, probably down to the 130’s somewhere but I am guessing that that will take me an additional 2 years or more to get to that goal. I don’t mind that as I am on this lifestyle forever.

Many of us have found that we need to keep our carbs as low as possible, I aim for 10 or less a day and have been on Keto for over 2 years now. I also have found that I cannot eat very much dairy, very minimal if I want to lose any weight. Many of us have found that we had to eliminate all artificial sweeteners as they cause us not only to not lose weight, but even gain weight for some of us. I only ever have any alcohol on a very rare occasion as well (New Year’s Eve was the last time I have had any). I eat lunch at 1pm and supper at 4:30 and no snacking inbetween for a daily 20:4 TMAD IF. I also make sure to do a longer fast monthly (of about 100 hours as my goal on our Zornfast thread in our Fasting category where I only have plain tea/coffee/lots of water and pink himalyan salt during those days).

Some people have found that they have to go to Zero carbs (being a Carnivore) to lose weight. All of our bodies are different and we have to experiment to see what works for us. Keeping the carbs low and eating enough calories that you get from proteins and good fats is the key to success on Keto. I have been doing tons of walking, and a 45 minute exercise video daily and no cheating and I have been not losing again for a while now so I am doing another Fast at the moment. When you don’t lose for a while, try doing a Zero calorie Fast for 72+ hours, that often helps get your body moving again =).

The turtle won the race, not the hare (in the traditional children’s fable). We have to be patient.

Just my opinion, but my guess is that you will have to go very low carb, maybe even zero, for awhile (maybe months?). If you get ‘hell’s version’ of carb withdrawal symptoms for a few weeks or even a month or two, you will just have to tough it out. Adequate fluids and electrolytes will help. You got where you are after years of self-abuse and it is very unrealistic to expect to fix and repair the damage easily or quickly.

This is very good and I totally agree with Michael --we abused our bodies for some many years. I did with Anorexia, bulimia, tons and tons of fad dieting, laxatives --heavy abuse, and Keto has been the only sustainable way of eating for me. Eat enough, on Keto you should not be hungry.

Plateaus are frustrating, so I totally understand why you are anxious and upset about it --I once didn’t lose anything for a few months of no cheating at all --but I was only eating about 500 calories a day —(summer 2019) and as soon as I went up to at least over 1200 a day, I started losing again. Please do not starve yourself and worry so much about the calories --the carbs being as low as possible is much more important =).

We are all here to encourage you and help you figure out what will help you feel happy, satiated with your foods, so that you don’t feel hungry and will start to lose weight again. I wish you the best =).

[MG1]

I totally understand that. I really do. I believe that once you get low in weight… You will come very close to stopping. Regardless what you do.

Very unpopular, however I kinda think it’s possible. I really do.

I think we believe we are in charge but we’re not. Not at all.
I think we believe we have the power to dismantle this amazing machine.
But at some point, we do not.

I think at that point, before someone stops (depending on where you’re stopping. Mine is stuck at 20) perhaps psychological help could assist.
People in record numbers quit… Because of this. And that’s sad to me.

We do not have total control over it once we reach the point where the body says no.

Could I be wrong? Maybe… Could I be right? I think so.
Shrug
Don’t know for absolute certainty yet

[Fangs]

A healthy metabolism is a responsive metabolism. Inability to manage fat is a symptom of dysfunction. And yes, I know a lot of folks won’t agree with that statement.

I am not one, I agree 1000% on this statement

We do not have total control over it once we reach the point where the body says no.

Could I be wrong? Maybe… Could I be right? I think so.
Shrug
Don’t know for absolute certainty yet

I like this. This is why we experiment on us and other factors have to hit like our ‘work stress’ our ‘day to day life’ and how we function cause we are more than just biology now in our lives, we are ‘civilized’ living among high tension wires, or near other situations like crop dusters sending out pesticides over fields or or or ? hey it is all wild out there with what each of us do deal with ya know… we have SO many external forces that what nature was to us is now different for each of us ya know…not saying it is be all end all ever, but at some point we have to think ‘everything’ about us ya know.

I love your wondering thinking and challenges you put to it…cool

[amwassil]

I agree. The control we actually have is what we do with what we’ve got. Human metabolism has evolved over several million years and the more we examine/study it the more complex and remarkable it seems! We get a notion of the way things ‘should be’ based on what? Social norms? Personal preferences? Moral qualms? Government food pyramid? Grain Growers Association of America? Then we do short-sighted, dumb stuff that gets in the way and causes problems. Most of us could use a big dose of introspective observation.

[MG1]

Thank you! I’ve had people get really mad at me.
Here is the thing.

Acceptance! If you’re healthy and just mentally programmed to look a certain way, pounds off… Don’t matter.
Psychologically we’re a programme civilization.
It’s terrifying.
I’m flipping sick of it.

If exercise isn’t your thing. Or… Even ketosis, and one really really tries, and they just can’t achieve it… ACCEPTANCE.
Acceptance creates individuals with confidence.
How the world would be different if we just accepted what we tried to change, but just couldn’t…

I know so many women who did AMAZING, and stopped. No matter what they tried.
And regained!
It made me furious.

The body is going to do what the body will do. We must strive for excellence but before we end up backwards… Acceptance. That’s my opinion.

My fight, is still to figure out why. However I’ve kinda come full circle here.
If I didn’t accept it, and did the mind control thing (you must LOOK a certain way! You must! Ugh !) I would be at the gym killing myself with something I DETEST only to probably stop! And perhaps go backward

I ain’t doing it!
However I still really wanna figure out why with low carb and low Cal my body won’t budge. It’s perplexing and I’m a tenacious woman! Bwaha

Thank you so much!

[MG1]

A men!

[PaulL]

Why are you cutting calories? What you risk by doing that is signaling to your body that there is a famine going on. Then the body hunkers down and clings to its resources, including its fat store. If you are trying to shed fat, then eating more might actually help. We have a number of people here who found it worked that way for them.

The standard advice is to keep carbohydrate intake as low as possible, eat a moderate amount of protein, and get enough fat to satisfy hunger. Insulin then rises gently when we eat and then falls during the period between meals, to let fat out of our adipose tissue to feed us. And since our hunger is satisfied, the body feels free to shed any excess fat it has accumulated.