i've been on a high protein, very little, to no-carb diet since september 1 of 2001. i've almost reached my ideal weight...however the weight loss has picked up dramatically. i'm still losing.....sometimes a pound to two pounds in one day. my family and friends have commented on my weight loss, and not in the favorable way they used to. at first, they noticed a slight loss. but now, they're concern is overbearing. i'm not sure what i'm doing, but i feel like i've triggered something in my metabolism. however, here is the kicker....i'm too afraid to start eating carbs again....my body image is completely warped, and i don't know if i'm overweight or thin anymore! how can i safely introduce carbs into my diet without gaining a lot of weight. (and get my family off my back) i'm extremely worried i'm going to gain more than i've lost. and i'm soooooo hungry :-(

help!

hi Lollianne,

Here's a big hug for you

First you need to get to a doctor, and have things checked out to make sure there's not some underlying illness -- extreme hunger, thirst and rapid weight loss can be signs of Type 1 diabetes. Could also be hyperthyroid. Barring some disease process, the next thing you need to consider is that you have an Eating Disorder.

I think you already know you have a problem, and it's gotten way out of hand. It's not going to get better by itself, no matter how hard you try. You have the insight to know that your body image is warped and you've lost the ability to objectively assess your own thinness or fatness. You're afraid to eat carbs -- are you afraid to eat fat and/or protein too? And you're hungry. You must respond to your body's cries for food and nourishment. Right now, I know it bothers you that your family and friends are upset, but what's more important is YOU.

Something Fishy is an excellent site on Eating Disorders. There are links to non-profit organisations and a questionnaire. It's very gentle, and non-threatening.

Mirror-Mirror is a personal site by an ED survivor named Colleen. Very well-laid out, with lots of links, and lots of personal insights. She's also posted some tips on how to do Normal Eating, especially when you have fears about eating certain foods and getting fat.

You've posted here, and asked for help. I think you're ready to move on to the next step. But go to your doctor first, to make sure there's no physical ailment. If you're afraid to go to your own dr, then check out the resources from the Something Fishy website. They can put you in touch with someone in your area who can help.

Good luck to you, I hope you find some peace.

Doreen

I admire your courage and honesty in sharing your concerns about body image and fear of regaining weight.

You probably know about using ketostix and gradually adding carbs. The issues you describe seem to lend themselves to precisely the course of action you took in posting your message. I agree that a visit to the doctor would make sense, to check for any underlying metabolic or physical disorders. Likewise, a search for evaluation and, if needed, support for eating disorders, makes a lot of sense.

Best wishes to you as you get the support you deserve.

I have been there. I did Atkins and wound up really lean, but looking great! It was fab for sure! The after seeing my parents for the first time since I lost the weight and getting such a positive reaction, I became affraid of carbs to. Then came the hard part. I got thinner and thinner and...finally my family and people started freaking out, (even telling me I looked sick...even though I didn't!) This made me think it was okay to "east whatever I wanted" for a while. I binged on sugar and all of the food I hadn't been eating, and I didn't really miss...untill I ate them agian. Well, to make a long story short your taste buds have become used to not eating sugar, so if you addict your self to it and arn't careful...your going to get into trouble. I ended up with Anerexia/bulima. It took me a year to get over it. I lost everything. And put on all the weight I had lost back. I would say if your looking to add carbs, make them veggies or simply just add more fat into your diet. Just don't mix carbs and fat! Sugar and processed foods are what you need to stay away from...always. This isn't a diet. It's a choice. In other words...eat more, stay away from sugar, sugar free products, proccessed products and junk food. But feel free to eat more of a variety of safer foods. Nuts, steak, eggs, peaches and pulms, yogurt, vegg's and butter. Sugar is not something you need, don't turn to it. It's seriuos trouble. If I would have known that when I lost the weight and was looking to stay at that weight, I would have not ended up with bulimia, or these 30 extra pounds!

Take care and don't let people influence you and the way you think. But they only care and probablly don't know how to help. It is likely that you have devoloped an eating disorder. Get help before it gets worse...and it will, they always do. The good news is that your going to be okay. Think back to when you started Atkin's? What was your goal? Now that you have lost the weight, you do not need to get any thinner.You already are there. Now take it seriously and concerntrate on the other things in your life that are important to you and bring you joy and happiness. If you don't know what they are...think back to what you used to enjoy and do those things agian. Don't be affrid of anything, not food, not yourself, not others opinions. YOU know you. And I am here to tell you that I have been in your shoes. Get help before you need it...trust me. It will only save you pain and heart ache that you don't have to go through. This should be a time where you are celebrating and enjoying your success...not surcoming to fear.


You'll be alright...let me know if you have any questions about what not to add back in and what is safe to do so...and the right carbs wont make you gain weight...your maintaining now...you've already lost it! Congadulations!

protein4me-- that was great advice! I would whole-heartedly echo the same. Also, remind yourself that you're not all of a sudden going to balloon up by eating one higher-carb food. You're in maintenance now--congratulations, now enjoy it! If you look at Atkins for Life, there are actually many foods that you should be eating regularly that have a fair amount of carbs. Stick to the healthy ones though ie. certain fruits, cereals like all-bran not frosted flakes, even oatmeal--complex carbs will really help you out.
I know what you mean about body image being warped--i feel the same way sometimes! Maybe take a look at your BMI, body fat %, and ideal weight charts? Or again, see a doctor. Best of luck!

Suspect low-fat too? Your saying you're hungry is the clue. Really, you don't have to be hungry, esp. two pounds away from "Goal." (Whole 'nother issue about "what is goal," anyway.) Add fat first, at least to where you're not hungry anymore. As long as your total calories are at the level your body needs, you won't gain. If you stay hungry, you pretty much have to keep losing. Not good.

Hello...i am somone who was eating once a day zero carbs...i am now eating 3 meals a day because instead of loosing weight, i was gaining weight...now i feel even bigger than i use to be whats going on?....

I hate to break this to you but I'm sure someone will....

What is the deal with eating no carbs and only once a day?

Are you trying to get sick? That might be a way to do it....

If you want to get healthier and lose weight in the process....you might want to try a lowered carb lifestyle..

bob

My God girl!! I have sat back and watched as the best people in this forum have tried to explain to you just what will help you reach your goals. Eating once a day and consuming no carbs will either kill you slowly and/or make you fatter in the long run.
Have you been listening to these people who have taken the time out of their lives to hopefully help you??? If so, you know that it is important to feed your body if you expect it to carry you thru the next 60 yrs or so. If I remember correctly, you are 19 yrs old. Your father and boyfriend are concerned about your health. Correct? Obviously you realize that what you have been doing ,up to this point, is not working. Eating no carbs and only once a day will do nothing but keep you feeling ill and make your body fight for nutrients.
PLEASE...eat at least 3 balanced meals a day (meat/eggs, tons of veggies, some real butter, olive, sunflower or coconut oil!!) and get some exercise. How many times do you need to be told before you GET it??? Do you understand these basic principals?? If so, quit playing ignorant and DO it!! If not...I'm sorry for you...

Please, please get yourself to a doctor! You really seem to have the beginnings (ok, it's not the beginning) of an eating disorder and we are all worried about you! It's hard to understand disordered eating but there's lots of help out there.

It's obvious that everyone who has replied to you really cares about you and how you are. Now it's time to take action to get healthy. Just because you are at or near goal doesn't mean you are healthy. No carb will kill you - you aren't getting enough nutrients.

By posting here it shows that you are aware that something is wrong with what you are doing.

See your doctor and let us know how you are doing.

We care.

Julie