Support for Atkins diet, Protein Power, Neanderthin (Paleo Diet), CAD/CALP, Dr. Bernstein Diabetes Solution and any other healthy low-carb diet or plan, all are welcome in our lowcarb community. Forget starvation and fad diets -- join the healthy eating crowd! You may register by clicking here, it's free!
Plan: <50g a day, gluten-free
Stats: 202.8/180.6/145
BF:
Progress: 38%
Location: Toronto
A question for the ladies
So, I'm not really a newbie, but I did just recommit to eating clean about a week and a half ago after going somewhat off the rails for the early summer.
Imagine my surprise this morning when my period came a full week early! I am usually verrrry regular, so this was out of the ordinary and I was wondering if anyone else has had changes in their cycles from LCing? Or is this some correlation-does-not-equal-causation thing? Thoughts?
Many people with irregular cycles, and especially those who suffer with PCOS, often find that low carb eating makes their cycles regular but I've never heard of it going the other way so I'd hesitate to assume LC has caused this for you based on one month. Could it be that regular for you was every 5 weeks and now you might be 4? Also, keep in mind that losing weight can cause some hormonal changes (good and bad) in the beginning, so this might be happening to you.
Plan: LCHF, IF
Stats: 265/210/135
BF:
Progress: 42%
Location: Phoenix, AZ, USA
I was past menopause when I started LCing, so it's not exactly my cycle that changed, but something did. Out of nowhere, I had a few weeks of spotting, and then it disappeared, and then a year or so later, I had it again. That was a couple of years ago. Also, suddenly in my sixties, my boobs are growing. Maybe all these changes are our new normal.
I was past menopause when I started LCing, so it's not exactly my cycle that changed, but something did. Out of nowhere, I had a few weeks of spotting, and then it disappeared,
It was similar for me, Megs! I had a couple of episodes of spotting about 6 months into my Atkins journey then nothing. 8 years later I still have in the bathroom cabinet the half packet of tampons I had to unexpectedly go out and buy back then
Plan: The Vegetarian Low-Carb
Stats: 187/149/144
BF:
Progress: 88%
Location: United States
A different kind of question for women
I know low-carb isn't really about calorie counting, but since I'm using fitday to track my carbs, the calories are counted.
I'm five foot six and 42 years old. How many calories are most of you eating? My carbs are between 25-30 (I'm a vegetarian and therefore in-taking a bit higher due to nuts) and my calories are between 1000-1200. If I go higher than that it's because of butter or oil.
This calorie range would be normal for me on a calorie restriction diet but I know from experience that this level of low calories won't last for me for a lifetime. I'm more of a 1600 to 1700 calorie a day eater when I'm being healthy (higher when I'm not, obviously).
Many of my fortysomething friends who are thin eat almost nothing. My sister lives on 500 calories a day with the once a month splurge. I can't relate to this kind of eating. But is that the reality of middle age? If you aren't extremely athletic that is. Obviously women doing 100 mile bike races are in a different category.
So what are your calorie ranges? The long term LC people and short term. Men obviously have a different range.
Plan: <50g a day, gluten-free
Stats: 202.8/180.6/145
BF:
Progress: 38%
Location: Toronto
I am 5'7 and 32 - I average between 1600 and 1800 most days, but can go as low as 1200 or above 2000 depending on what the day is like. I am also moderately active, biking and walking everywhere and practicing yoga for an hour to 90 minutes daily. Carbs are below 20 for now, but after this week I'm going to start adding in 5 at a time and see how that goes.
I am hoping fat loss triggered the early cycle and that this is my new norm - that it doesn't shorten to a 21-day cycle or something. Thanks for the answers everyone!