Thanks to another thread here in the forum , another member mentioned some stuff about possible slow weight loss due to eating beyond their recommended caloric intake. I realize most people on Atkins don't need to count calories..but I on the other hand am thinking I just may. Which is fine...I just didn't understand how i would figure this number out. And I also didn't understand this stuff about basal metabolism and lifestyle and activity on the fitday page for your activities. I have never done any of this before so I am completely lost sometimes.
Well thank-you frecklefluf because the link you sent me was a God send
and I saw that I was eating on most days 500 to 1000 calories or more
over my basal metabolic need. EEEEEEEK!!!!!
I did notice too, however, on the days where I was close to my basal
caloric requirement my carbs sat somewhere in between 10 and 15 for the dayAm having a lot of trouble keeping my menu straight.
I also read on that site that I should maybe count all sugar alcohols a well. I tasted my first Advantage Bar today..had 1/8 of a bar. Do most people really just count the 2 net grams? Because I took from that post you should count the total carbs minus the fiber and thats it. So one bite of that bar ..being about 1/8th would be about 2 and 1/2 grams? If the total carbs are 21. Anyone care to share their vast knowledge of lc'ing? I am btw just entering my 5th week of strict induction.

I count calories. I'm trying to stay around 1500. I think that gets me about .5 a pound a week weightloss. I don't eat bars because for me, the satisfaction versus the calories is small. I'd rather eat something else that is sticks with me longer.

I had 1/8th of a low carb chocolate bar last night and was in some mega-ketosis this morning. But my calories for the day yesterday was far less than usual. I think you just need to figure out for yourself how to handle sugar alcohols. I typically don't use them much, except for tiny fragments of chocolate ocassionally.

While there are a few ways to figure out your resting metabolic rate online I find that the only way to really know is to get it tested. There is this device called the bodygem http://www.herbrep.com/bodygem.htm Its very expensive, but most gyms around here have one or something similar and for $10 they will test your RMR for you.

I found that my metabolism was MUCH slower than where it should be due to all the starvation diets I put myself through over the years and this helped me understand where I am and how many calories my body specifically needs since its different for everyone.

I can also see how my metabolism has speeded up over time now that I am working on getting my system back to normal.

There are a lot of factors that can go into finding what your RMR is including but not limited to past diet history, lean muscle mass, smoking, caffeine intake and genetics. Some people just naturally have faster metabolisms than others. The online tests usually show an average which can work for some but not for most people that I know.

Also keep in mind that how your body processes certain foods may be different. I know if I am sick and dont eat for a few days, I will almost always gain weight. If I eat high carb low cal I will gain weight. Its just how my personal body works. These are all things we need to figure out for ourselves.

As for the Bars. I count half the amount of sugar alcohols as carbs, since SAs are PARTIALLY digested. They still work like carbs and too many will knock me out of ketosis.

I fully subtract fiber, because that goes right through you. I also try and keep SAs to a minimum and use them as treats for special occasions only.

Thank you both for replys.

My Journey is your RMR the same as your basal metabolic rate? I was given this link from frecklefluf:
http://www.countcarbs.com/advice/LC...s_WhatGives.htm
This is where I came up with the approximation of calories I should be consuming.

Wow, mine comes out to 1970 calories per day - I couldn't imagine that.

Vikki

Hi everyone...
I know that is not such a popular belief around here, but I also count calories still. When I first started atkins I felt like I was stuffing myself and almost abusing a great way of eating so I started using fitday and counting calories. Many people believe that calories don't matter, but they did and still do for me. The best thing about low carb is that you seem to get more bang for your buck as far as calories and carbs go.

My biggest problem is the sugar alcohols found in advantage bars and other lc products. I have been trying to make it my goal to count them as net carbs no matter what the package says; Mostly because I'm sure they stall me.

I just tried to check my RMR and I was wondering if you all think that is right for you? I think it was a bit off for me, but not sure.

Jenn

I have to count calories as well, since I'm near goal weight. I've had to adjust them as I've continued to lose.

I wouldn't take an online calculator as gospel. Your activity level and lean weight can result in a higher metabolism and basal rate. Also past diet history, genetics and many other factors come into play. It can give you a starting point, but form there it will probably be amatter of experimentation to see what works for you and doesn't leave you starving or wanting to explode.

They are technically slightly different but most places use them interchangeably.

Here is a clip about it so you can understand them better.



The link you showerd will actually tell you your resting metabolic rate RMR... same thing as the calculator on this site http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/calrmr.htm or hundreds of others. You want to know how many calories your body will burn just to perform its daily functions. There are more things that factor in than what was listed and thats why the only way to know for certain is to use something like the bodygem and get tested. At least that will be far more accurate.

These calculators can serve as general guidelines or some people say 10-12 calories per pound. If you want to be exact the only way to know for certain is to get a test done, but if you feel that your system is 'normal' just use the calculation you get and follow that, or some even say plug in your goal weight and just keep your calories below that amount or 10-12 calories per pound of your goal weight.

I wouldnt worry too much about it, keep calories in the back of your mind, but dont obsess over them and just take it easy :-)

Hope that cleared things up for you a bit and helped.

MJ

Thanks MJ that did explain a lot!

Bon Jovi fan, Please don't give up. Not everyone needs to worry at all about calories on this woe. As a matter of fact from what I've read only a small percentage do ...so relax.. you are so close to goal . If you are on a stall just remember the lbs come off slower in the end.

bcbeauty,

The last time I tried Atkins (last spring - fall), I remember my weight loss being slow & my best friend commenting on how long it was taking me to lose the weight. I just told her I wasn't just trying this diet to lose weight but rather to learn how to eat more healthy foods AND lose weight without diet pills or starving myself to death, as she has tried both & has lost NOTHING (actually, she gained). In the end I made it to my goal weight but I never used fitday & never ever paid attention to calories. I've NEVER counted calories in my whole entire life. Now I am left to wonder if the calories were what kept me from losing very quickly the first time OR if I had such a small amount to lose that it wouldn't come off as quickly as I would have liked. I only lost 20 or so pounds and that was enough for me. This time around I am trying to do it by the book with no cheating, using fitday, paying attention to what I put in my mouth, drinking nothing but water, taking my vitamins, etc. I just don't need one more thing to stress over, i.e. calories, so if I can catch that little *something* now, maybe I'll save myself a headache later.

Angie