Discouraged
catrainor
Posts: 12 Member
Week two of this journey. I became intrigued by the concept of Keto Diet watching a fellow co-worker work her but off (litterly 65lb-1 year) So when I began my weightless journey I decided I wanted to give it a try. Giving up carbs was a scary concept. But the first week I was very happy with a 7lb lose, this week not so much, 1lb. Very discouraged. I feel I have been watching myself closely. Is this a average weight lose? I have lost 1-2lbs decreasing my cal intake before, never cutting out one food group. Any thoughts/ideas?
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So why are you discouraged?
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Ok...I just had to edit post. It cut off have of it. Thought I would lose more than a 1lb.0
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I had a week like that but then I turned around and lost 5 lbs. I find that if I'm not losing I cut back on my cheese intake and keep my carbs below 20 grams and it seems to correct itself. I hope others have some advice for You! Keep up the good work.3
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Do you mind me asking what grams do you keep your cal. Fat and protein at?0
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Initially you will lose a lot of water weight. Then while you are actually losing real weight it may seem like the number isn’t moving, but you are making progress. Realistically losing a pound a week is a good rate.6
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1-2 pounds per week is usually a pretty good goal... has a doctor told you to lose faster? If you're trying to lose faster than that, talk with your doc. The electrolyte swings that rapid weightloss (from any diet, not just low carb or keto) cause can be problematic.1
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I've been eating low carbs for seven months. Strict keto for the last three. I've had some stalls. Weight has gone up and down a few pounds several times.
Still, I've dropped 40 lbs. I'm very pleased with that. Just follow your plan and you will lose the weight.5 -
No. I realize that 1-2 is a good goal. I lost that lowing my food intake across the board before. Not ever cutting out one food source. I did not feel as deprived then as I do now. Although I like that I have not eaten any processed food. I hate the thought of not having something.0
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There's good workarounds for some things! I'm ecstatic about cheesecake. And there's delicious tortillas, for example.
Weight loss will slow due to water weight. Lest you have a very large amount to lose, you're losing at a fair rate.0 -
keep calm and keto on! It took me over a year to lose 22 lbs or so... (see my progress in my avatar picture). Stick with it and think about how much better you are feeling on lchf.4
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I’ve also been very discouraged - I’ve been trying this for a couple of weeks with no results! I’m sure I’m doing something wrong - so don’t stress; you’re on the right path!! Please feel free to add me0
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Weight loss isn't linear, and water weight will make you think all the negative thoughts in the world.
LCHF/keto helps reduce the number of calories I eat, because I'm not as hungry. It helps me keep cravings at bay, and I think keeps the brain fog away. It doesn't make me lose weight more than calories in calories out.
After a few weeks I don't feel restricted leaving out a food group, because after a few weeks my body is happier not having all the junk that I pour in it doing strictly CICO. I may have eaten less garbage, but it was still nutrient poor crap that was lower calories because the healthier fat was replaced with sugar.
FWIW, that's why I am keeping up with LCHF/keto.4 -
1-2 pounds a week is normal. You are averaging 4 pounds a week. That is not sustainable. It was a "whoosh" of water weight to begin with. From there, it will probably not be linear. Some weeks you will lose nothing. Some weeks you will lose 3 pounds. Some weeks you will gain a pound. Some weeks you might lose 5. If you stick with it, stay on plan, you will probably lose 1-2 pounds per week on average if you look back over time.
But, when you start adding in cheat meals (or days), going off plan on weekends, etc, then the 1-2 pounds a week will not be there. You will spend more time re-losing the same weight you already lost.
Stay consistent and persistent and you will reach your goals.11 -
I know it can be discouraging but you have to look at weight loss as a long term trend. If you are losing 1-2lbs a week consistently over time that is pretty good. Most people don't gain huge amounts of weight in short amounts of time so the reverse will just take time. Also focus on other things besides weight like clothes fitting better, brain fog lifting, energy increase, and improved moods.
I am 39lbs lost since early May of this year but I am more happy that I can finally fit into jean sizes I haven't been able to wear since 2003. I am slowly but surely reversing years of bad eating habits. I still have 20 stubborn pounds to go to hit my goal weight.
Also really look at the carb foods you are giving up, were they really healthy? Some can be quite addictive in nature and your body and mind will trick you into thinking you need them to get that fix.2 -
I have been on the Keto lifestyle for 9 weeks and down 6 pounds. I too am frustrated. I am ready to give up. I may not be of much encouragement but feel free to add me. If anyone has suggestions all are welcome.0
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Unless you have a medical reason to restrict carbs, you do not HAVE to go keto. Just because it worked for someone else, does not mean it will "work" for you. All weight loss results from less calories in than out. Keto gives some people an advantage because it keeps them from feeling hungry and deprived, so easier to stick to. It does not sound like that is working for you. You can lose weight many ways, just keep calories down.
Maybe ease into this with just "low carb" to start with? I.e. keep carbs under, say 100. See how it goes. If you really WANT to go keto, it may just be a matter of waiting it out. But if you are seeing decent weight loss through just calorie restriction without carb restriction, then do that! Keto can be faster, but the hope is that it is *easier* , rather than faster.5 -
If you feel deprived then what you are doing is not sustainable for you. Consistency and adherence is far more important for long term success in weight loss than any particular method. It's not working, maybe it's time to adapt the plan. Low carb is another good option and allows up to 150g of carbs, which is more than enough to eat any food group you like in moderate quantity. You don't need to suffer or feel deprived to lose weight.6
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Have a look at your co-workers stats. If that's really 65Lbs loss in a year, it works out at 1.25Lbs per week so your on the same track!
Keep it up!8 -
I have los 32 lbs since July 3rd or 2.3 lbs per week. Not fast but steady. The main thing for me is I AM losing weight, am NOT hungry while losing and can do all my usual activities without fatigue. Also, unlike other diets, I am not constantly thinking about food. I do IMF - either 16hr (eat lunch and dinner) or 24 hr (only eat dinner). I love IMF and rotating between 16 n 24 hours I keep my body guessing. Keep trucking. The weeks will pass anyway and you will be surprised when you hit 3 months and are down 25+ pounds.1
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You're only in week 2 of keto - many people take 4-6 weeks to be truly fat adapted. Give it time - keep calm and keto on. Are you testing ketones? Are you sure that your carbs are low enough and that you aren't eating too much protein? My instinct is to eat more proteins and not enough fat and i have to check MFP macros regularly to make sure i'm close to my targets.
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There is no one true way. FWIW I lost my excess about identically to your co-worker except I was not keto. She lost 65 pounds in 52 weeks. I lost 63 pounds in 53 weeks.
If keto is restrictive for you, find a way to manage your intake that is not restrictive. You've already lost via another way. You can do it again. The key is, once you lose it, you have to find a way you can continue if your weight loss method is not sustainable long term.
Today, I eat much lower carb than I did when I was losing-to manage cravings and hunger. Higher carb left me hungry on maintenance calories. Perhaps it was that the thrill of losing was gone and reality of maintenance set in. Dunno. I tried keto for a year in maintenance but like you, less than 20 carbs per day was a bit too restrictive for me. The last 6 months I've been eating about 50 carbs/day when at home and making the best of whatever is available when eating away from home. I don't go carb or calorie crazy but I am more flexible.4 -
No. I realize that 1-2 is a good goal. I lost that lowing my food intake across the board before. Not ever cutting out one food source. I did not feel as deprived then as I do now. Although I like that I have not eaten any processed food. I hate the thought of not having something.
But did you keep it off?
It clearly isn't a good long term method or you wouldn't be looking to low carb now.
Theres way more benefit to cutting carbs than weight loss. But you also have to realize you may need to tweak some things as you go. Maybe you're eating too often. Or too much. Are you adding butter, coconut oil and hwc to everything all day because those are really unnecessary calories and most likely new additions to your diet that are unnecessary. Lots of people fail on low carb or keto because of inadvertently over consuming calories due to adding too much fat.
More importantly, how much do you even need to lose to start with? If you don't have a whole lot, you'll lose more slowly.
Another HUGE reason to stay low carb...
I lost weight with calorie restriction years ago down to my current weight. I was excited because I was wearing a size 8/10 for the first time since before my first child was born.
Now, I'm that same weight but wear a size 4/6.
I've also not lost a single pound in over 2 years. Yes! 2 years!!! But I went from a size 8/10 to my current 4/6 without any scale weight loss at all.
It's different on low carb. Don't give up. You literally just lost 8 pounds in 14 days and you're looking to quit because it's not good enough.
Does that make any actual sense?
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I'm just going to put it bluntly -- if you are trying this route because you think it's faster, you're in it for the wrong reasons and you're very likely to fail. You're upset right now, because your current 4lb per week average isn't fast enough. What are you going to do when the scale stalls out completely for an extended period of time?
In the stickies section, there's one called "The Launch Pad." There are a ton of educational resources. Read them. See what this is really about and what really makes this way of eating popular, then see if any of your non-scale goals align with them. Stick with it for those reasons and the weight will come along for the ride.19 -
Can't like the ^^above^^ post enough.
I didn't want to say too much before, because I'm a loudmouth with a big yapper. I'm likely to be more blunt and get myself in hot water, but as the topic has been broached, I agree with @Dragonwolf.
It's a LITTLE bit like the time I was doing some work experience at a medical clinic that specialised in cosmetic and aesthetic pocedures. One of the Clinical assistants (wonderful lady, liked her enormously) told me that while most people had a very legitimate reason for wanting a medical cosmetic intervention, others had a psychological issue or hang-up.
There's nothing wrong with that. It's understandable that physical appearance has an effect on our mental attitude towards ourselves.
But that should be a side issue, not the main focus.
I can't think of a single member here, with whom I have interacted, who doesn't feel miles better about themselves physically, as a result of their dietary achievements.
But I would suggest that looking good was secondary to FEELING good. Health trumps beauty every time. (Think of 'Death Becomes Her' and you'll get what I mean!
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So, yeah.
If your aim is to reach a goal via a perceived short-cut, then reconsider your motivation, drive and projection.
Please know, I really mean this in the kindest way possible.
I had precisely this convo with a colleague who is very overweight. And her motivation was askew.
She's wonderful. A lovely person.
as I am absolutely sure you are.
Take care of yourself. All the best.
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Unless you have a medical reason to restrict carbs, you do not HAVE to go keto. Just because it worked for someone else, does not mean it will "work" for you. All weight loss results from less calories in than out. Keto gives some people an advantage because it keeps them from feeling hungry and deprived, so easier to stick to. It does not sound like that is working for you. You can lose weight many ways, just keep calories down.
Maybe ease into this with just "low carb" to start with? I.e. keep carbs under, say 100. See how it goes. If you really WANT to go keto, it may just be a matter of waiting it out. But if you are seeing decent weight loss through just calorie restriction without carb restriction, then do that! Keto can be faster, but the hope is that it is *easier* , rather than faster.
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Thank you all for advice and encouragement. Yes, like most people you want I quick fix. I am ok with losing 1-2 pounds per week. Unfortunately, I am still having cravings and feeling deprived. I think I will ease into it, i was trying to stick to 20 carbs. Looking at my food intake I'm between 25-35. I do like the fact I am watching and eating healthier and fresher foods. Time will tell. thank you all Again. My current weight is 190 would love to get to 170. I'm 5'7".1
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It may take a little longer than 2 weeks for the cravings to go away. I'm wondering if you're eating enough protein and fat?
What are you craving? Maybe you need to find satisfying low carb alternatives? I keep fat bombs in my freezer and eat one or two if I feel like having something sweet; nuts, seeds or pork rinds can replace chips/crackers. There's lots of recipes for low carb bread or mug cakes. These are all things that helped me transition to this diet in the beginning. Now, after 2 months on this diet I hardly have cravings. Btw, I've lost 14lbs in 8 weeks. I lost 7lbs the first week and nothing for 3 weeks straight so the weight loss is definitely not linear or consistent. I know that initial big loss is exciting and motivating but like others have mentioned it is almost all water weight and you should be proud of losing a pound of actual fat the 2nd week.2 -
Thank you all for advice and encouragement. Yes, like most people you want I quick fix. I am ok with losing 1-2 pounds per week. Unfortunately, I am still having cravings and feeling deprived. I think I will ease into it, i was trying to stick to 20 carbs. Looking at my food intake I'm between 25-35. I do like the fact I am watching and eating healthier and fresher foods. Time will tell. thank you all Again. My current weight is 190 would love to get to 170. I'm 5'7".
How’s your sodium intake. Low sodium can drive hunger and cravings. Get more salt.1 -
As you compare your weight loss to your co-worker's, is she diabetic and on insulin? Are you under more stress than she is? Is she taking other diabetic medication that can interfere with weight loss? The initial weight loss you had was probably mostly water weight. At 1 lb. per week you are doing great! Don't compare yourself to others. As lowjax75 put it, don't sabotage your efforts (as I have consistently done over the past few years) by getting discouraged and having a "bad" food day with the attitude "why am I even doing this". It is great advice and something I plan to follow from here on out. It's why I keep losing and gaining the same 2-5 pounds over and over, despite all my hard work. Since I've been on Levemir (45 u per day) it's been very difficult to lose and I had a 10 lb. instant gain. But I need it to keep my BG under control for now. But I won't give up . . . at the very least, I am maintaining but my plan is to get 'er done!0
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Thank you all for advice and encouragement. Yes, like most people you want I quick fix. I am ok with losing 1-2 pounds per week. Unfortunately, I am still having cravings and feeling deprived. I think I will ease into it, i was trying to stick to 20 carbs. Looking at my food intake I'm between 25-35. I do like the fact I am watching and eating healthier and fresher foods. Time will tell. thank you all Again. My current weight is 190 would love to get to 170. I'm 5'7".
Play around with your macros to see what's right for you right now. There was no way I could stick to 20 carbs, but 20 NET carbs was the answer that made keto fun for me. Good luck and don't give up. It takes a bit of experimenting to get find what is right for you. 2
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