Low Carb without Ketosis - help please

dewsmom78

How low in carbs can I go to trigger weight loss without going into Ketosis? I basically want to cut out refined carbs like breads, pasta, flour, sugar, etc. Would 25% of calories be too low?

I am a new Mom with 30lbs to lose. I'm 5'3. Pre-preg weight was 130. Current weight of 160.

I can't do any strenuous exercise for 3 more weeks. Any advice is helpful.

Toblave

Generally speaking, there is wide variation of course based on metabolism/activity/etc., under 50g is where ketosis can start. That's an average, it can be as low as 20 or as high as 75 depending on the factors. However, weight loss is really about calories in vs. calories out, lower carb diets can help but are not required unless there is some underlying medical reason. So long as you're eating enough vegetables, fruits and other un-refined carb sources then you will not enter ketosis, ketosis is something that doesn't just occur because you cut out breads, it requires effort.

If you were to eat zero carbs but exceed your daily calorie expenditure, you will gain weight. If you eat all the carbs but eat below your daily expenditure, then you will lose weight.

WBB55

How low in carbs can I go to trigger weight loss without going into Ketosis?

To trigger weightloss, you don't NEED to lower carbs. You trigger weightloss by eating fewer calories in a day than your body uses thru your activities. I'm not against low carb lifestyles, I'm just letting you know it's mainly about the calories reduction, not any magic with reducing carbs specifically.

dewsmom78

Thanks, I am recording calories as well. I have a Body Media arm band. I am burning 2400 a day and eating around 1400. This should put me at about 2lbs lost a week, but I haven't lost anything in 5 days. Not sure why. I am drinking tons of water.

eddiesmith1

Thanks, I am recording calories as well. I have a Body Media arm band. I am burning 2400 a day and eating around 1400. This should put me at about 2lbs lost a week, but I haven't lost anything in 5 days. Not sure why. I am drinking tons of water.

I won't speak to what carb level will avoid ketosis. I'm eating very low carb right now because i had stalled for a few weeks and it works for me at kick starting the loss again but i lost a good number of pounds eating 60% carbs;)
How are you arriving at your caloric intake number? Do you weigh everything solid and measure everything liquid and log it? it's really easy to be off measuring solids. I try and use info from USDA numbers for the raw products (and for frequent recipes i enter a recipe and follow it)
As for water intake a lot of people will follow 10 cups a day should be your target based on weight (1 ounce per 2 pounds of body weight so 10 cups a day should be your target based on weight . not necessary its water, any liquid that doesn't have sodium (like pop) tea and coffee are fine in moderate quantities toward the goal

I know you can't do strenuous exercise yet but how about going for longer walks

Edit- I'll add 5 days is not a long time to stall if you have been dieting a while

Toblave

Weight loss is non-linear, give it longer, don't weigh yourself everyday and the scale lies. Your body will change and those changes will not always be reflected on the scale.

WBB55

Current weight of 160.

I am burning 2400 a day and eating around 1400. This should put me at about 2lbs lost a week.

With only 30 lbs to lose, setting a goal of 2 lbs per week is way too ambitious. I really think you'll be happier, healthier, and saner in the long run if you shoot more for 1 lb per week of loss.