It's just not working. Any ideas why not?

[bookwormswot 0]

I have been following low carb since February. I am not losing at all but actually gaining. I just don't get it. The diet makes sense and I am not cheating, it just doesn't work for me. HELP?!

I have a gluten allergy so it's been years since I had cake or pizza or a sandwich, so I really didn't have to change my diet much to go low-carb, just cut out the yogurt and banana that was my Breakfast.

My BF is diabetic and a follower of Atkins for his blood sugar not so much for his weight (he's only 5 pounds over). I decided to be a good GF and follow his diet because it makes cooking/grocery shopping easier.

I log EVERYTHING that I eat/drink on fatsecret.com and it gives me my total carbs, net carbs, calories, Protein, etc. I know I am not overeating. My daily net carb intake is between 18-22, with most of it from veggies and berries, and a calorie intake between 1100-1300.

Logically, I should be losing, but I'm not. I gained 1.4 pounds last week. It's driving me crazy. A few girls at work are doing it and they lose like 6 pounds a week. I just don't understand why I can't be doing the same.

Does anyone know of any reason why low carb won't work for some people?

[Cleo's Mom 257]

I have been following low carb since February. I am not losing at all but actually gaining. I just don't get it. The diet makes sense and I am not cheating, it just doesn't work for me. HELP?!

I have a gluten allergy so it's been years since I had cake or pizza or a sandwich, so I really didn't have to change my diet much to go low-carb, just cut out the yogurt and banana that was my Breakfast.

My BF is diabetic and a follower of Atkins for his blood sugar not so much for his weight (he's only 5 pounds over). I decided to be a good GF and follow his diet because it makes cooking/grocery shopping easier.

I log EVERYTHING that I eat/drink on fatsecret.com and it gives me my total carbs, net carbs, calories, Protein, etc. I know I am not overeating. My daily net carb intake is between 18-22, with most of it from veggies and berries, and a calorie intake between 1100-1300.

Logically, I should be losing, but I'm not. I gained 1.4 pounds last week. It's driving me crazy. A few girls at work are doing it and they lose like 6 pounds a week. I just don't understand why I can't be doing the same.

Does anyone know of any reason why low carb won't work for some people?

You might be interested in this article:

Low-Fat Diet Tops Low-Carb in Long Run

[rainbow_runner 1]

Hi - are you also drinking plenty of Water and exercising? I think the Water thing is very much part of the formula for success with low carb. I often drink more than 100 oz of water a day (usually with crystal lite). The only exercise I do is walking for 45-60 minutes a day. My carbs average 35-40 a day.

It's interesting that you say you've never eaten a lot of carbs - maybe you're just one of those people for whom low carb eating just isn't critical for weight loss and instead should be concentrating on lower fat.

[bethfitz 0]

:thumbup:Are you eating low fat Protein sources? And are your Protein sources processed or unprocessed foods. When I was on a low carb diet before my surgery, I noticed that I often had an inch loss but not really too much of a weight loss. Also, there were times when I would eat a lot of processed protein sources, like beef sticks, Protein Bars that tasted a lot like candy, protein "chips, etc.

I've also been placed on a low carb low fat high protein diet since my band in February. This is the first time that I actually added low fat to the whole low carb high protein mix, and I'm suprised that it is working. My meals consist mostly of protein sources only, as the doctor said that for now, I can get in my veggie nutrients from my daily Vitamins. But if the low carb option isn't working for you, you should definately call your Dr and ask for a different eating plan. We have several different surgeons in our practice and they each have different approaches in their food plans. Anyway, take care and good luck!!!

[elcee 3,343]

I can't tell you why it's not working but maybe you should try the Australian approach.

Eat a balanced diet with food from all food groups!

I am almost 1 year out from surgery and when I went for an adjustment this week I also saw my dietician.He was surprised as normally he only sees people at this stage if they are having problems.I saw him as I have been on a diet almost my whole life and now I am at goal am a bit nervous about not being on one.

He emphasised that it is important to try and eat from all the 3 major food groups at every meal. Protein/carb/fruit or veg.Balance is important.

Obviously food that is unprocessed and close to its natural state should be the first choice rather than processed food.

Often when we stick to high protein/low carb we miss out on some important minerals. E.G I was recently diagnosed with low potassium and had to drink an evil tasting supplement. Some of the best sources of potassium (other than bananas which I hate) are potatoes, winter squash, Beans, avos, apricots etc.

By including carbs the meal is generally more satisfying and lower in fat than a Protein only meal. e.g 1 poached egg on toast rather than just eggs etc.

Hope you find something that works for you and that you start losing again soon.

[BetsyB 9]

I don't know what is going on with your body, but will tell you that with mine, loss does not occur at that caloric intake. It's insane--and I spent many years in denial because every authority I ever talked to or read informed me that eating below that level would be detrimental to me.

BUT, after years of journaling my intake--whether doing low-carb or not---I concluded (with help) that my body needs 800-1000 calories/day to lose (when I have weight to lose), and to maintain (when I am at normal weight).

It sucks. But it is what it is---and thank God for the band, because it makes it possible.

You say that you log everything--that is a great start. Do you have journals going back to a point in time when you were losing well? If so, what was different then? For me, I could clearly see a pattern: I lost when within "my" calorie range, and I maintained or gained when above (depending on by how much).

Exercise is crucial for me--without it, I cringe to think how much less I could eat. (It does afford me a bit of leeway to go over without consequence once in a while, too.)

My suggestions would be to (a) really try to see patterns in your journals (what allowed you to lose in the past?), and (:confused: make sure that when you log, you're being brutally honest about serving size. Are you weighing and measuring?

I'd also suggest that you track your body measurements---when the scale's not cooperating for me, I very often still see significant changes in measurements, telling me that other changes are going on in my body. As you swap out fat for muscle tissue, wonderful things happen, even if the scale does not show it.

[CuriousJ 0]

I don't know what is going on with your body, but will tell you that with mine, loss does not occur at that caloric intake. It's insane--and I spent many years in denial because every authority I ever talked to or read informed me that eating below that level would be detrimental to me.

BUT, after years of journaling my intake--whether doing low-carb or not---I concluded (with help) that my body needs 800-1000 calories/day to lose (when I have weight to lose), and to maintain (when I am at normal weight).

I have the same problem, Betsy. My endocrinologist told me I was lucky to burn 800 calories a day, and that if I wanted to increase my resting metabolic rate, I had to exercise, exercise, exercise ... my endo was the first MD to suggest the band as well, although it wasn't until my second endo said the same thing that my PCP and I really started paying attention.

May I ask whether you have thyroid issues also?

[SwanGal 0]

It's pretty much physically impossible for low carbing not to work. If you starve your body of it's natural choice of energy (carbs... sugar) it has to burn fat in order to survive.

Please post an example of what you are eating on a regular day so I can look at it and try and help you figure out what might be hurting you as far as weight loss goes.

Thanks!

[skinnygirl 1]

I would try something different if i was you. I started weight watchers and really like it. I spread my points out over the day so I dont eat as much at one time. I have food from all the food groups each day. I have plenty of points so I get healthy Snacks during the day. At 700 I have a bag of light popcorn. it fills me up quick. I also split my exersice up all day. Betsy is right without a good workout you probably won't lose as much or at all. Hope this helps some.

[tinkerbellbeeve 1]

our bariatric coordinator said never have popcorn

it can mess up the band and they may have to

surgical remove it

i have tried to eat it a couple of times but still hear

her in my head do not eat it,,,,,'

its so hard to stay on track...

exercise and more exercise

stay away from the 3-c's

candy Cookies cake

candy is my problem!!

good luck!!:confused:

[skinnygirl 1]

My dr seems to be very strict about things. I had two eat liquids for two weeks mushy for two weeks then slow adding regular food. We can't drink cokes but he told us our band will tell us what we can and can't have. Guess all docs are different but mine does not have a problem with popcorn. I have 5cc in my band and can still have bread and Pasta and so on. But when I have those things I don't have very much. I think the workouts are the key. I had parythroid surgery and was not able to workout for 6 weeks and I didn't lose a single pound. I did still watch what food I stuck in my mouth so I maintained my weightloss.