Weight gain on low carb...?

Michaud99

Hi All,
I am trying to hard to lose weight. I was on weight watchers and it was working, slowly. My husband wanted to try atkins so I decided to try that and see how that would go (so it would be easier to cook meals and such). I lost 5lbs pretty quickly on atkins, but in the past 5 weeks I have gained back that 5lbs. I am down only 14 lbs and have been dieting since October. I don't understand...I haven't changed my eating. It is so discouraging.
The only thing that I am pleased with is that I am no longer eating a ton of processed/chemical foods. I am scared, I am so motivated and trying to hard. I've done all the recommended things on the website.
I decided to sign up here and track this way, see what is going on. I do miss some carbs, but am so afraid to gain. I know that WW works for me but am scared to gain if I go back to carbs. Right now I am only at 20g net carbs a day.
Does anyone have any advice on how to make the transition? Has anyone had low carb not really work for them?
Thanks!

xxanishxx

its all about calories in versus calories out calculate your maintenance calories and iff you got that just sit about 250-500 calories under it to lose weight thats all no need to do those low carb diets etc thats only for contest prepping

himilayaneyes

At the end of the day to lose weight u have to burn more calories than u consume. Low carb diets aren't realistic for everyone. U have to do what works best for u. If WW worked then continue it. U can cook a healthy low carb meal for ur hubby and make some brown rice or the like for urself. Good luck.

Crochetluvr

I have to do low carb because I am diabetic but I don't go that low. I go anywhere between 60 and 100 carbs on a given day. And I am losing weight. I cant say I am losing fast but I don't want to lose it fast. I want to lose it slowly so it stays off. I honestly don't think I could do 20g of carbs a day. I don't think its necessary.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

Are you logging? Do you weigh/measure everything you eat? How does your calorie goal compare to when you were doing weight watchers?

Lleldiranne

It really isn't low carb that makes one lose weight. It's because when one drops all those carbs, one is almost surely reducing calories too. I've never been a fan of diets that restrict carbs so very much.

I would suggest going with this site's suggestions for at least a month. Start out gradual, maybe 1 lb per week loss. Eat back much of your exercise calories. If you want to adjust your protein and carb portions, do that (many people say this site gives too little protein and too much carbs). I think I set mine to 25% protein, 20% fat, and 55% carbs, or something. Also, you can look at protein as a minimum to reach and carbs and calories as maximum.

Carbohydrates really are an essential part of your diet. But carbs doesn't mean just starches and processed junk. Try to get most of your carbs from whole grains, fruits, and veggies (and most of your sugars from fruits!). I think you'll feel much better and lose weight better when you slowly add some healthy carbs back in!

meeper123

Why not just eat healthy and work out?

poco424

Sometimes, if you eat too few carbs and/or calories for more than just a few weeks your body goes into a starvation mode. Might want to look into that. Even at low calorie intakes your body will stay at a certain weight or even gain some weight. It's kind of a reflex your body does when it thinks you are starving.

Michaud99

Thanks everyone! I do work out so am healthy in that respect. I am insulin resistent due to PCOS so low sugar/carb is supposed to be good for my body. However, I think I am going to add fruits back in and have less protein, see how that goes.