Atkins and calories... a few questions

[LisaTx]

I know we're not supposed to have to keep track of calories on Atkins, but I started using fitday.com on 9/2 so naturally it's something I'm noticing.

How many calories a day do you all consume? I've been averaging about 1300-1400 a day and about 15 carbs. My ratios have been pretty close to the 65-5-30 that Dr. Atkins recommends.

Today I was not at all hungry. I only ate 753 calories. I know that is not good to do every day, but is it ok every once in a while? I hate to eat if I'm truly not hungry. Would you eat something anyway?

 

[WebmasterAlex]

That's REALLY low Lisa. I have kind of mixed feelings about that. You could end up sabatoging your diet. When you go really low on the calories your body goes into starvation mode and it is much harder to lose weight.
On the other hand I have done the same and had it work for a while.

 

[webray]

Yes, we eat when we are not hungry...smaller portions, full meal.

 

[wovenwonder]

I would think that every once in awhile is okay. I've actually been trying to eat lower fat and calories a couple days a week. I would just make a conscious effort the next day to add in more fats, cheese, macadamia nuts, etc to up the calories a bit. Sometimes it seems good to fluxuate during the week to confuse your body a bit.

 

[LisaTx]

Don't worry. I won't make a habit of it. It was too late to eat last night, but I've already had bacon and cheese for breakfast. I love Atkins!

Does 1300-1400 calories seem about right for a normal day?

Seeing you post, Jody, reminds me to go change my cheat free star.

 

[susan514]

I find that I am eating about 1300-1500 calories a day as well. I guess our bodies will tell us what we naturally need, if we let them. I have some hungry days and some not-so-hungry ones but I don't think I would eat under 1000 too much.

 

[plutosmyfav]

Wow, at 15-20 carbs per day, with significant appetite suppression I consume 2000-2500 calories per day. No wonder I'm not losing weight!

I bought a digital scale and started measuring my food, especially cheese and nuts and discovered what I thought was an ounce is really more like 2. That was very discouraging.

I'm really good about getting my veggies in, but I still seem to want too much food. I exercise a lot, but my weight loss is really slow so I know I'm eating too much. Its very discouraging.

Could you give an example of what a 1300 calorie day looks like for you? I'm curious.

 

[LisaTx]

Plutosmyfav, I've been thinking about getting a digital kitchen scale to measure portions. I had a dinky one that doesn't work very well. Part of my problem all of these years is that my portions have been way too big.

I also have not been doing any exercise. Since you exercise a lot, you will need more calories. I am hoping to get into the exercise routine, but I'm just taking baby steps right now.

A typical day for me would be:

B-HB patty with melted cheese
L-salad with chicken, cheese, dressing
Snack-celery stick with pimento cheese
D-ham, cheese cubes
dessert-sugar-free popsicle

B-microwave bacon, scrambled eggs with cheese
Snack-cheese cubes
L-grilled chicken breast
D-1/2 HB patty, 1/2 pork chop, salad, celery
Dessert-LeCarb ice cream with DaVinci syrup

I have ice cream maybe once a week. I do tend to have a popsicle most other nights though. I like the lifesavers brand.

I've been trying to be very careful with portion sizes. I've found that I really do get full with much less food that I used to if I just pay attention to my body.