How much can I lose if I eat under 20 g of carbs for 4 days?

miainwonderland

Hello everyone.
I've been following a healthy lifestyle for a year now, and I've lost some weight.
The problem is, I binged for seven days in a row now, and I've gained A LOT. The thing is, I have this casting I need to go to in just 4 days, and I want to look my best. So I was thinking about staying under 20 g of carbs for these 4 days, without counting calories. I would also brisk walk for an hour every day and swim leisurely for half an hour.
What's THE MOST I can lose by doing that? I am aware that the weightloss is not going to be permanent and it will be only water, but that doesn't matter. I just need to look skinny on that day, that's it.

So, how much can I lose (I'm 5' 11', around 141 lbs after the binge) ? Is it possible to lose 8.8 lbs?
Thank you!

caraiselite

you probably won't look any different after only 4 days. i'd say 2 pounds realistically because you're so small.

bathsheba_c

The only thing that matters for weight loss, barring certain medical conditions, is the calorie total. Sorry to say, but low-carbing it isn't going to work. The good news is that I'm betting a lot of that weight is just water retention (3500 calories is one pound of weight), in which case eating less sodium and drinking lots of water will help.

Also, is 132 lbs really healthy for someone who's 5'11"? That's my goal weight, and I'm half a foot shorter than you.

caraiselite

low carbing DOES work, but it won't do much of anything in only 4 days, AND someone that doesn't have much of anything to lose.

brneydgrlie

If you do this, and drink extra water, you may be able to drop close to 5 lbs. Almost 9 is probably not going to happen.

ChrisRN75495

Nothing does anything in four days. That's the whole point of this site and group of people.

Your problem is binging for seven days. Stop that!

A pound is 3500 calories. Twenty grams of carbohydrate is 80 calories. You can do the math.

Here's how to lose weight:

Don't buy the stuff you shouldn't eat, and don't run out to get it when you want it.

Log every piece of food and every ounce of fluid you put into your mouth, every day. Do not exceed your daily goal.

Get out and walk around, or run, or swim, or work out if that's your thing. Exceed your daily goal.

Use the same kind of discipline for managing your body as you to do learn your lines. Although, frankly, if you are just now hunkering down to prepare for the casting call that's in four days, I guess I'd say, with no harm or insult intended.....

Don't quit your day job.

Easywider

I'd say that's a ridiculous plan for starters. You're going to feel nauseous, withered, and drained by day 3. I've read journals that claim the human body needs between 50-80g's of carbs each day just for proper brain nourishment...let alone your daily activity. That's not to say carb cycling and keto dieting don't have their place in bodybuilding...but I'm relatively certain this doesn't fit your application.

In the end: You'll lose some water weight and may 'feel' leaner...but I don't think you're going to yield the results you're looking for sadly. If you want to lose weight fast...Eat smart and burn more during the day.

beachlover317

Why don't you just do it and then let us know how that worked for you?

wamplerk

I often have a low carb Monday after a big weekend and can lose as much as a 1.5 in a day. I know that it's not healthy long term, but it gives me incentive to get back on track. Eat high fiber carbs after that and you should make it!

sexforjaffacakes

Just to answer your question, you can probably lose around 5lb.

A pound is 3500 calories, I seriously doubt you binged enough in 7 days to put on 8 pounds.
It will *mostly* be water weight.
Keep your carbs as close to zero as you can, but DO watch your calories. Low carb will still make you fat if you eat like 3000 cals a day.

Anyway, I would say in 4 days you could lose 3-8lb, but it will be water weight. Do what you need to do for your thing, but after that get back on the wagon and do things properly.

And don't listen to all the people that are telling you you're going to die from lie 4 days of low carbs (low carbing is pretty safe in the long term, never mind 4 days), and the people telling you you can't lose anything in 4 days - of course you can! water weight comes off quickly and can make a huge difference. Also, if you lose like 2lb a week, you lose a pound every 3.5 days, so yes, actually, 4 days can make a difference in ACTUAL weight as well as water weight.

Stop treating her like she's crazy, she said she knows it's water weight. And she didn't say "I'm gonna starve myself and work out for 1000000 hours for 4 days", she just said she's gonna cut down on carbs and do moderate exercise. Isn't that what a lot of us do anyway?

dad106

Stop treating her like she's crazy, she said she knows it's water weight. And she didn't say "I'm gonna starve myself and work out for 1000000 hours for 4 days", she just said she's gonna cut down on carbs and do moderate exercise. Isn't that what a lot of us do anyway?

No.

A lot of us when we binge get back to eating normally(Ie within our calorie goal), and drink extra water to help combat the water weight... and not go on a crazy crash diet.

To OP:
You can try it, but I doubt you'll get far with that low of carbs and not counting calories.

Without knowing how much you are eating, you can still binge and thus gain more water weight instead of lose it.

My suggestion, cut the low carb crap.. eat under your calorie goal for this site, drink extra water and watch sodium.

sexforjaffacakes

Stop treating her like she's crazy, she said she knows it's water weight. And she didn't say "I'm gonna starve myself and work out for 1000000 hours for 4 days", she just said she's gonna cut down on carbs and do moderate exercise. Isn't that what a lot of us do anyway?

No.

A lot of us when we binge get back to eating normally(Ie within our calorie goal), and drink extra water to help combat the water weight... and not go on a crazy crash diet.

No, I mean, plenty of people LIVE in a low carb diet. It's not a crazy crash diet, it's a lifestyle that many people choose to live. And live healthily.
As far as I'm aware, all the paleo people aren't dropping dead - in fact some of the healthiest/fittest people on this site have been living on low carb plans for a while.

Eating nothing but cabbage soup for like 4 days would be a crazy crash diet, maybe, but you're all treating her like she's anorexic or something for saying she's going to cut down on carbs for a few days. She's not starving herself or anything.

And like it or not, low carb diets are a very very effective way to flush out water weight. 4 days of low carb is not what most would all a "crazy crash diet"

But I agree that she should still count calories

psuLemon

low carbing DOES work, but it won't do much of anything in only 4 days, AND someone that doesn't have much of anything to lose.

Low carb does not have any better benefits long term short term you could come lose a few lbs more. The only difference is if you have hormone issues or have an issur like pcos.

ElizabethRoad

Eating low carb and getting moderate exercise for a few days is a "crazy crash diet"? Um... no. I'm not sure how much weight will come off - as you know it is going to be mostly water, it kind of depends on how much water you're retaining.

The only concern I'd have is "carb flu". If you aren't used to low carb, suddenly starting it can cause some fogginess and lack of energy at first, in some people. If you are doing this for a casting call, you probably want to look and feel your best on that day.

pundas

I wouldn't even bother. You are probably going to feel like absolute crap in 4 days for whatever you have to do. I would just eat healthy so you feel your absolute best for your thing in 4 days.

Sabine_Stroehm

Given how thin you are? I'd say you'd like a couple of pounds of water.

Consider what it does sound like though.

You "binged" for 7 days straight (what YOU mean by binge we don't know).
Now you're looking for get rid of it in 4 days.

LexyDB

Hello everyone.
I've been following a healthy lifestyle for a year now, and I've lost some weight.
The problem is, I binged for seven days in a row now, and I've gained A LOT. The thing is, I have this casting I need to go to in just 4 days, and I want to look my best. So I was thinking about staying under 20 g of carbs for these 4 days, without counting calories. I would also brisk walk for an hour every day and swim leisurely for half an hour.
What's THE MOST I can lose by doing that? I am aware that the weightloss is not going to be permanent and it will be only water, but that doesn't matter. I just need to look skinny on that day, that's it.

So, how much can I lose (I'm 5' 11', around 141 lbs after the binge) ? Is it possible to lose 8.8 lbs?
Thank you!

So you've binged and think that going to the opposite is going to undo the damage in a short space of time?

Good luck with that and let us know when it hasn't worked.

gust1247

What you are talking about doing is like Atkins Induction phase, or a Ketogenic diet. When I tried this, I lost about 6 pounds in the first 4-5 days. But here is the deal. You just want to do it for 4 days, that's fine if that's what you want to do. But as soon as you start eating your carbs again, you WILL put all that weight back on, because most of the weight lost will have been water weight. Replenishing those glycogen stores will add weight back.

douglasmobbs

141 lb is skinny for 5-11.

tbresina

141 lb is skinny for 5-11.

Yeah, and skinny unfortunately does not always = healthy :frown:

Masharitos

My first week of keto, I lost 9lbs. I'm 5'6" and was 173 at the time. It's definitely water weight, but you feel much better. I didn't get keto flu, so I had no issue with consuming under 20g.

naomicp

Hi, it depends what kind of carbs you are cutting out? if its rice/bread/pasta, then yes that wont do your body any harm at all, I eat a "low carb diet" as in I aim to avoid processed carbs, but I eat a lot of fruit & veg which are stacked with carbs...... so its all dependent?
I spent time following slimming world, which on red day is very "low carb" as you dont eat potato, pasta & rice, but because it is stacked with protein, it works wonders.
I think there is definitely something in the whole netting above 1200 cals, and obviously ensuring that they are all "good healthy cals" other than that, you need to have a play with your macros until you find that balance that works for you.
Just keep an eye on energy levels, you may need to up how much you consume a smidge to ensure you dont feel lethargic!
Drink a lot of water too, and avoid fizzy & caffiene, that will help you with the loss of excess water :-)
Good Luck hun, stay focused and stay healthy xx

hpsnickers1

It depends on how much water your body is willing to let go of. That is what will go first. And your glycogen stores will deplete a bit (more water loss).

Make sure to increase your natural fat intake. Stay away from "low-carb" processed crap. It's still franken-food. Don't go low-carb and low-fat. You will definitely hurt yourself.

Only eat what you can pick, dig or spear. Mostly spear. Live in Freedom, Live in Beauty. (gnolls.org)
"Die biting the throat" (The Gnoll Credo)

RaeannePemberton

better yet, how much will you gain back after you eat normally again.... perhaps that is the more important question?

Crochetluvr

So, how much can I lose (I'm 5' 11', around 141 lbs after the binge) ? Is it possible to lose 8.8 lbs?
Thank you!

I need to ask this and please DONT think I am being snarky or anything. But if you have the will power to spend the next 4 days eating that amount and exercising to lose 8 pounds why didnt you have the same willpower to not binge? I honestly dont understand how that works.

Masharitos

It depends on how much water your body is willing to let go of. That is what will go first. And your glycogen stores will deplete a bit (more water loss).

Make sure to increase your natural fat intake. Stay away from "low-carb" processed crap. It's still franken-food. Don't go low-carb and low-fat. You will definitely hurt yourself.

Only eat what you can pick, dig or spear. Mostly spear. Live in Freedom, Live in Beauty. (gnolls.org)
"Die biting the throat" (The Gnoll Credo)

Amen!

3shirts

You might be able to drop a couple of pounds but honestly I don't think it'd be noticeable. What you need to consider is that a sudden drop in calories or carbs will impact your energy levels and that could have a far more negative effect on your performance at the casting than a couple of pounds of weight.
I think you'd be better just dropping your calorie intake just a little, doing some exercise and getting plenty of water and sleep.

bagge72

Wow people act like you are going on some crazy binge diet, all while being anorexic! Seriously she just wants to drop some water weight for a casting call, she isn't asking if this is what to do to drop weight, and keep it off! So yes if you do this, and drink plenty of water you have a good chance of dropping a decent amount of weight especially if what you gained in that week was water weight. I can gain up to 9lbs in water weight, and drop it in 3 days by reducing my carbs (not even close to that low though) and getting in my regular workouts. I do it every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, because I usually eat higher sodium foods on the weekend, because I like to enjoy myself.

bagge72

Also take some BCAAs and drink some green tea every day while doing this.

hoosier8

I think your concentration of losing from a binge ignores the elephant in the room.

What caused you to binge?

I find that keeping my blood sugar level consistent keeps me from binging. When you eat high glycemic foods, your blood sugar rises, then falls later, that is when you will be driven to binge. Avoiding foods with a high glycemic index will do that for you. Look for foods with a glycemic index of 50 or below. Some diets use foods that have a low glycemic index. Google it.

tigersword

Hmm, let's see 7 days of "binging," wanting to crash away 9 pounds in a few days, in order to get to an underweight BMI, yeah, sounds like an eating disorder to me.