HELP! Low carb/low cal but no weight loss

Hi everyone,

I can not believe that after three months of my low-no carbing, cutting out sugar, fried food, fast food, and eating way below my recommended caloric intake; usually under 500; I went to the doctor and had gained 10 pounds! I was in shock and wanted to scream. I definitely came home and cried. What to do?
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Replies

  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    If you're gaining weight, then you're eating more than you burn. Get a digital food scale and weigh everything you eat—even packaged foods.

    The Sexypants post should be required reading: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
  • Dogwalkingirl
    Dogwalkingirl Posts: 320 Member
    under 500 cals?
  • chriscrosse
    chriscrosse Posts: 39 Member
    If you open up your food diary, others can see where you might make modifications to what you are doing already. I was eating low cal(under 1000) and exercising daily and saw no loss and other people gave me some very good recommendations.

    I know losing weight and looking better are important to many of us but how do you feel forgoing the junk? Are you feeling better? Sleeping better? Skin? Are your clothes fitting better? Because those are all good things too.
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    No diary, no help
  • 17JayR
    17JayR Posts: 77 Member
    Eat more!!! It sounds like you are starving yourself and your body is holding on to everything it can because of it.
  • healthygreek
    healthygreek Posts: 2,137 Member
    Eat more!!! It sounds like you are starving yourself and your body is holding on to everything it can because of it.
    Absolutely not!
    If OP was truly eating 500 calories, she would have most definitely lost weight and in addition gotten sick due to the low intake!
  • Supertact
    Supertact Posts: 466 Member
    facepalm
  • jeffpettis
    jeffpettis Posts: 865 Member
    Eat more!!! It sounds like you are starving yourself and your body is holding on to everything it can because of it.

    ^^^NO!^^^

    No one needs to see your diary to tell you if you have gained weight then you are eating in a surplus. If you were truly in a deficit you would be losing weight. Either you are eating more than you think, burning less than you think or a combination of the two, you just have to figure out which one, but I can assure you it isn't because your body is "holding on to everything it can" because you're starving it. Sorry it doesn't work that way...
  • 17JayR
    17JayR Posts: 77 Member
    Eat more!!! It sounds like you are starving yourself and your body is holding on to everything it can because of it.

    ^^^NO!^^^

    No one needs to see your diary to tell you if you have gained weight then you are eating in a surplus. If you were truly in a deficit you would be losing weight. Either you are eating more than you think, burning less than you think or a combination of the two, you just have to figure out which one, but I can assure you it isn't because your body is "holding on to everything it can" because you're starving it. Sorry it doesn't work that way...

    Water weight.
  • MelodyandBarbells
    MelodyandBarbells Posts: 7,724 Member
    I don't know about a 10 lb gain when you were expecting a loss, but I do sympathize with you about doctor's visit. It's the middle of the day for me usually, probably some wonky time in the month and the scale always seems to be 5 lbs more than the shiny number that I somehow at the back of my mind "want" them to see :ohwell: Who cares so long as I know I'm doing right by my body, right? But you know how it is. Anyway, I weigh myself at home as often as I want but under the same controlled circumstances. First thing in the morning after bathroom, wearing as few things as possible. This minimizes possible fluctuations and makes me happier anyway. Even then body weight does fluctuate so beware

    That said if you go to the bottom of this link you'll find where to make your diary public so people can comment specifically on your logging:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/diary_settings

    Also read these for info on logging accurately:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1296011-calorie-counting-101

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1234699-logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide

    Weight loss has to do with eating less calories than your body burns. Whichever style you decide to use and if you decide to cut out items you love has only to do with preference. The total calories consumed is what matters
  • Syl72659
    Syl72659 Posts: 11 Member
    I see many can't believe only 500 calories but I can't eat just because it's lunch or dinner time so if I'm not hungry I don't eat which is often for one or two days. I'm going in to try and post my diary. Thanks guys...even for the "facepalm" from Supertact. lol As 17JayR said, I have had some major swelling in my feet and legs. Prescribed water pills.
  • serindipte
    serindipte Posts: 1,557 Member
    Go here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/diary_settings

    Scroll to the bottom and set it to public, then save changes.
  • Syl72659
    Syl72659 Posts: 11 Member
    Thank you!:smile:
  • Syl72659
    Syl72659 Posts: 11 Member
    Thank you. :smile: I didn't have so much swelling that I was put on water pills, but never thought I could be holding that much water weight. My feet were huge. Maybe I should wait to let the pills do their work and next appointment before posting again. I just don't trust the home scales. I imagine the ones that are more accurate also cost a lot more.
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    I just don't trust the home scales. I imagine the ones that are more accurate also cost a lot more.
    No two scales will ever weigh the same. The idea is to weigh yourself once a week at the same time of day, under the same conditions (clothes, food, water, urine & stool), then look for a downward trend.

    If your weight trends up, you're eating too much. If your weight stays the same, you're eating your maintenance calories (aka TDEE, or total daily energy expenditure). If your weight trends down, then you're eating less than you're burning.

    Easy peasy.
  • Syl72659
    Syl72659 Posts: 11 Member
    I really appreciate everyone's feedback. However, I forgot to mention that my Mom passed away recently. For that, I'm wondering if the weight gain could be stress related? That along with the edema (swelling) in my feet and legs. I'm now downloading some good upbeat music and inspirational sermons from Dr. Charles Stanley and Joyce Meyers to start back walking with. I got rid of my scale because I was getting on it everyday :explode: so now I may weigh-in every two week. Wish me luck :wink:
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    You gain weight by eating more than you burn. Are you trying to soothe your grief with food?
  • Syl72659
    Syl72659 Posts: 11 Member
    No, I already had a poor appetite and eating even less now. The only things that I know has changed is the swelling in my feet/legs and that I don't seem to have the energy to get out and walk like I used to.
  • I don't really see any scenario in which it's healthy to not eat for days at a time, or consume less than 500 calories in a day. Is this diet based on a doctor's advice or anything like that?
  • Flyingfree83
    Flyingfree83 Posts: 60 Member
    When you don't eat enough calories for your body to keep running it goes into starvation mode. Stores everything you eat as fat because it doesn't know when it's going to eat again. Find out your basal metabolic rate. And don't eat beyond that, exercise at least 3/4 Times a week and you should see some loss. Good luck!!
  • Flyingfree83
    Flyingfree83 Posts: 60 Member
    When you don't eat enough calories for your body to keep running it goes into starvation mode. Stores everything you eat as fat because it doesn't know when it's going to eat again. Find out your basal metabolic rate. And don't eat beyond that, exercise at least 3/4 Times a week and you should see some loss. Good luck!!
    (Hugs) I'm sorry for your loss and wish you well.
  • KettyLoyd
    KettyLoyd Posts: 51
    Have you checked that this is not because of any physical diseases? If not, then may be you are eating something in your food which is high in calorie or you are drinking less water.
  • Syl72659
    Syl72659 Posts: 11 Member
    Hi KettyLoyd, my doctor only advised me to eliminate fried foods, which I very, very seldom eat, salt, which I have cut back a lot on, and to walk 30 min a day/5 days a week, which I must start back doing ASAP . Yes, I drink water throughout the day and it's usually seven or eight of those 16.9 oz. bottles or four Powerade bottles of water. Do I need to up that? Thank you.
  • emstethem
    emstethem Posts: 263 Member
    Get your thyroid checked...
  • I don't really see any scenario in which it's healthy to not eat for days at a time, or consume less than 500 calories in a day. Is this diet based on a doctor's advice or anything like that?

    i definitely think you need to be eating way more than this!!
  • Get a new doctor, you really should have enough of an appetite to eat every day, and I think you need some tests done. Sounds like this doctor isn't taking his/her time with you.

    So sorry about your loss :(

    Also, you should try listening to Big Daddy Weave. He's awesome :)

    Good luck!
  • HeidiGrrrl
    HeidiGrrrl Posts: 81 Member
    First of all, don't believe the people that start screaming "starvation mode". That is a myth. If starvation mode was real (burning only muscle, hanging on to fat by conserving every calorie ingested), then there would be no such thing as starvation in the world. Tell that to the people of Africa, India, and those that went through the Holocaust. You mean those walking skeletons were still fat? Hardly.

    Secondly, I've eaten that little on a zero/low carb diet, and if I failed to exercise, I failed to lose. If you are logging everything you eat accurately, weighing/measuring everything, and most importantly, being honest with yourself about everything you are eating, then that part is done. You need to start exercising. To burn through 500 calories of what you've eaten, you need to walk for about 2 hours per day at 3-3.5 mph. That's a pretty good clip. Exercise accounts for very few calories burned. You need to exercise a LOT to burn off what you eat. That leaves your base metabolism to burn off the rest.

    Now, let's talk metabolism. Are you diabetic? Do you have low thyroid function? Those things will cause you to hang onto weight. Have you had a metabolic workup done at the doctor? Maybe they can pinpoint what's going wrong with you hormonally. If you just see a general practitioner, make an appointment with an endocrinologist or bariatric specialist to see if they can pinpoint what's up. You should be dropping weight like it's nobody's business even without exercise on a low carb diet (provided it's truly low carb--meaning no more than 20gm of carbs per day)

    Third, and most important, with that kind of edema I'd be more concerned about a number of serious health problems, beginning with your heart. It sounds like the beginnings of congestive heart failure (the inability of the heart to pump effectively, causing fluid to back up), or, and I hate to say it, coupled with the anorexia (lack of appetite) it also sounds like cancer. Ascites is when fluid builds up between the tissues. That comes on in late stage cancer, and you don't necessarily have to have any other symptoms. How is your urine output? There's also a chance you're in kidney failure. Low carb/high protein diets are very, very hard on the kidneys. You absolutely must be drinking lots (upwards of a half to one gallon a day) of water when on a low carb/high protein diet. Far more than the average person needs. I'd get back to your doctor immediately and have a more thorough check-up, but if that was a thorough check-up, then I'd find another doctor and get a second opinion.
  • Syl72659
    Syl72659 Posts: 11 Member
    Thank you everyone. Okay; thyroid test were said to be okay, I'm drinking a little over 135 oz of water per day (7-8/16.9 oz bottles) Should I up that? And no, eating under 500 isn't doc recommended, but I thought I needed to cut what is recommended in half. Like now, FP tells me I need a net of 1390 calories to lose 5 lbs per week and reach my goal weight of 130. To me that means I should consume half or no more than 700. Isn't cutting what is recommended in half creating a deficit? I'm probably all off the radar. Plus, I can't eat if I'm not hungry and since I'm an empty nester I don't have to cook. If I get hungry and I don't eat within the next 30 minutes or so, the hunger goes away and I wont eat until the next day and it starts all over again. Sometimes I try to plan ahead and make a good amount of tuna salad. I like salad but lettuce goes bad so fast so I might send for a side salad from McD's and often can make two salads from it. I've read you need to eat to lose so I'm open to any and all quick and easy recipe ideas. Thanks again guys and I really thank you for the condolences.:flowerforyou: You're the best. I know you all are going to help me get through this. Just wish I'd posted sooner.
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    Thank you everyone. Okay; thyroid test were said to be okay, I'm drinking 135+water per day; should I up that? And no, eating under 500 isn't doc recommended but I thought I needed to cut what is recommended in half? Like now, FP tells me I need a net of 1390 calories to lose 5 lbs per week and reach my goal weight of 130. To me that means I should consume half or no more than 700. It's cutting it in half creating a deficit? Plus, I can't eat if I'm not hungry and since I'm an empty nester I don't have to cook. If I get hungry and I don't eat within the next 30 minutes or so, the hunger goes away and I wont eat until the next day and it starts all over again. Sometimes I try to plan ahead and make a good amount of tuna salad. I like salad but lettuce goes bad so fast so I might send for a side salad from McD's and often can make two salads from it. I've read you need to eat to lose so I'm open to any and all quick and easy recipe ideas. Thanks again guys and I really thank you for the condolences.:flowerforyou: You're the best. I know you all are going to help me get through this. Just wish I'd posted sooner.

    Don't cut it in half. Eat what it tells you. Eating too little can be just as bad for your health as eating to much. There is already a calorie deficit taken into account with the 1390 calories that MFP suggests you eat.

    A salad can be a quick healthy option.

    I like to use:
    - Spinach
    - Chicken (you can buy pre-cut/cooked chicken strips that just have to microwaved a few seconds)
    - shredded cheese (full fat kind)
    - sliced almonds
    - full fat dressing (whatever fits my mood)

    Make crock pot meals, portion them out and freeze them. Then when your ready to eat, just throw it in the microwave.
  • JoyeII
    JoyeII Posts: 240 Member
    Thank you everyone. Okay; thyroid test were said to be okay, I'm drinking a little over 135 oz of water per day (7-8/16.9 oz bottles) Should I up that? And no, eating under 500 isn't doc recommended, but I thought I needed to cut what is recommended in half. Like now, FP tells me I need a net of 1390 calories to lose 5 lbs per week and reach my goal weight of 130. To me that means I should consume half or no more than 700. Isn't cutting what is recommended in half creating a deficit? I'm probably all off the radar. Plus, I can't eat if I'm not hungry and since I'm an empty nester I don't have to cook. If I get hungry and I don't eat within the next 30 minutes or so, the hunger goes away and I wont eat until the next day and it starts all over again. Sometimes I try to plan ahead and make a good amount of tuna salad. I like salad but lettuce goes bad so fast so I might send for a side salad from McD's and often can make two salads from it. I've read you need to eat to lose so I'm open to any and all quick and easy recipe ideas. Thanks again guys and I really thank you for the condolences.:flowerforyou: You're the best. I know you all are going to help me get through this. Just wish I'd posted sooner.

    Your deficit is already worked in for you. And you shouldn't be trying to lose 5 lbs per week. That's not reasonable. Try changing your goal to 1-2 lbs per week. Losing weight takes time. You didn't gain it over night and you're not going to lose it without doing the work. Starving yourself isn't doing the work.