Ketosis, is that a guarantee your losing weight?

[jbaer]

Ive been in ketosis for 21 days, full purple when I check every morning. But I don't seem to be losing any weight I stay under 25 carbs a day, Ive been going to the gym now at night only doing cardio, 45 min on the elliptical. I think im retaining water, I drink a ton of fluids, atleast 60 ounces but im not going to the bathroom very much. I lost some weight in the first 9-10 days but I know it was almost all water. I need to lose almost 100lbs. I know the cardio could have brought a little bit of muscle but not enough to offset the weight loss this bad. Ive only been going to the gym for 11 days now. My question after all of this is being in ketosis a guarantee that im definitely losing weight? Its just terribly slow?

[DaddioM]

Strictly speaking.. being in Ketosis is a guarentee that you're body is using fat for fuel.

I've seen a lot of people start an exercise program the same time as low carb and have their SHAPE change, but not their WEIGHT. If you are trading fat for muscle, even staying the same weight, you are ABSOLUTELY doing the right thing.

You can also post everything you eat for a few days.. to get input from others.

GOOD LUCK!

Mike

[camaromom]

Check this out from the Tips section:

http://www.lowcarb.ca/tips/tips011.html

[jschwab]

"Ive been in ketosis for 21 days, full purple when I check every morning. But I don't seem to be losing any weight I stay under 25 carbs a day, Ive been going to the gym now at night only doing cardio, 45 min on the elliptical."

Cardio can often make people gain, regardless of diet or ketosis. I run and if I follow a strict induction type diet, I still gain when I run regularly (and I'm in ketosis).

"I think im retaining water, I drink a ton of fluids, atleast 60 ounces but im not going to the bathroom very much."

60 ounces is an awful lot of water to be drinking in a day. 40 ounces is the current "guideline" and may be too much for many people. Usually what happens, though, is it all gets peed out, but the person keeps drinking because they are still thirsty since they are not absorbing any of the water. Do you feel like you are bloated? Is your pee clear (not good IMO; should be yellow).

"Ive only been going to the gym for 11 days now. "

Give your body some time to get used to the extra stress and inflammation and then reevaluate. You are likely losing visceral fat and not so much visible fat.

[jbaer]

I do feel bloated, but I drink when im thirsty, I work for an airline on planes, theres no ac and its been almost 100 degrees everyday for over a week now. 64oz is the recommended amount by pretty much everyone (8 glasses a day) So I dont think im drinking all that much water especially when its so hot. The cardio theory could be right, I was losing steady until I started exercising. I think im not eating enough. And that may be the problem. Im gonna post my menu tomorrow, show people what im eating.

[DTris]

If you are sweating a lot you can need upwards of a gallon of water or more a day. I have seen people get cramps from dehydration and it is not pleasant. Water consumption is really determined by your activity and size. I drink over a gallon most days but I also do some exercise that makes me sweat through 3 layers of clothes almost every day too.

Also it seems common to have a slow period after the initial big loss so just stick with it and don't be discouraged.

[koolaunt]

I totally agree w/Daddio. For months my weight did not budge, yet my shape became like an hour glass (I was a pear before). Then a few months of being in ketosis, the pounds finally dropped. I would say it took me 6mos. to see the scale where I wanted it to be (I did not have much to lose). So hang in there it will happen. And just remember its all about maintaing muscle!
I was on a low fat diet years ago, I became anorexic thin about 120lbs at 5ft. 7. I looked horrible, ill and flabby (although Iam a jogger). Now, my weight is pounds heavier, yet I fit into the same clothes I did at 120 and look healthier, more toned and alot better:)

[jschwab]

I do feel bloated, but I drink when im thirsty, I work for an airline on planes, theres no ac and its been almost 100 degrees everyday for over a week now. 64oz is the recommended amount by pretty much everyone (8 glasses a day) So I dont think im drinking all that much water especially when its so hot. The cardio theory could be right, I was losing steady until I started exercising. I think im not eating enough. And that may be the problem. Im gonna post my menu tomorrow, show people what im eating.


You might want to get some extra salt, too. Sometimes, if you don't have enough salt to help absorb the water into the cells, you can drink and drink and just become thirstier and thirstier.

[hooleywood]

You might want to get some extra salt, too. Sometimes, if you don't have enough salt to help absorb the water into the cells, you can drink and drink and just become thirstier and thirstier.

I dehydrated myself when I was trying to drink more water because I was drinking too much and not enough salt.

[DaddioM]

The cardio theory could be right, I was losing steady until I started exercising. I think im not eating enough. And that may be the problem. Im gonna post my menu tomorrow, show people what im eating.

ok.. just don't think of cardio as "the problem", k?

...the exercise WILL make you trade fat for muscle....

Here is the same person.. 30lbs HEAVIER in one of the pics.. one doing LC and exercising, one doing low fat.

Guess which one is 30lbs heavier?

Which would you prefer?

Just stick to it.. slow and steady wins the race.

Mike