So I started low carb dieting about 2 weeks ago and the first week was great. It seemed like it didn't matter how many calories I was eating as long as I remained in the low carb zone. About 6 days into it, I had a moment of weakness and binged...eating ice cream and pizza. Binge eating has been something I have struggled with, specifically binge eating carbs which is why I made the decision to go low carb. After that night of weakness I woke up the next morning and got right back on my low carb plan. Ever since then I remained stuck at the same number on the scale. It has been 6 days since then and I have loss half a pound. I have been eating low carb, but eating over my calorie limit. Do you all find that calories DO matter? Should I be staying under my maintenance caloric intake? Any similar experiences, tips, words of advice would be appreciated!

Your question is complex and you will likely get a variety of answers. First, weight loss is almost always great the first week as you dump glycogen stored in the liver, along with several pounds of water stored with it. While you may have lost a pound or two of actual fat that first week, most of it would have been water. When you ate ice cream and pizza, the glycogen was likely restored, along with the water. So, since your off plan eating, you have been re-losing that water. It's hard to know how much actual fat you might have lost since re-starting, but 1/2 is not unreasonable for someone not too overweight.

As for calories, some people find they can eat more calories eating low carb than they did previously, but many of us do not. I have found that I have had to decrease calories as I approach goal to keep losing. If you read the New Atkins for a New You, they suggest you not pay any attention to calories the first couple of weeks and see where you land. If you don't lose weight, they suggest a half dozen tweaks, including women restricting calories in the range of 1500-1800 per day to see if that starts reliable weight loss. Are you on a specific plan? How many carbs are you eating per day? It may be carbs and it may be calories...

Thanks for your response... that all makes a lot of sense! I am doing more of a general low carb. I make sure I stay under 80 carbs a day, but have consistently remained under 50 carbs per day. My calories range from 1500-slightly over 2000 which is why it seems it's mainly calories. I am sticking with it and sticking to the plan!!

Excellent advice from Liz. It could be either.

When I'm losing weight well, I find it's when I keep my calories up to around 2000. The most important thing is to learn about your body and what it responds to the best.

Personally I wouldn't judge something as not working based on 6-days, I'd give it a few weeks at least before I decide if it works or not.