Hello,
Atkins book has a formua for metabolic resistance calculated according to lbs lost during induction. i.e if you have 20-50 lbs to lose and your rate of loss during induction is 6lbs, you're normal; 9lbs you have low resistance.

I read a rather stunning post here of a woman who averages 2-4 lbs per week on Atkins. Pretty impressive. But is that unrealistic? Or unhealthy?

Nat's posts claim 1-2 lb per week is healthy. SO would that woman's loss be unhealthy? It's hard to see that as a bad thing. But if it's unhealthy, then I'd like to know more about it.


Thanks for clarification.

Ruby

Assuming this woman has a typical lean body mass it's unhealthy. 2 lbs of FAT is generally the limit a woman can lose a week. 3 lbs of FAT is generally the limit a man can lose a week. Sure you can lose more than 2 lbs of WEIGHT a week - but remember WEIGHT incorporates lean muscle and water. We all lose water the first few weeks - because we have eliminated carbs and carbs attract water (1g of carbs will hold 3g of water). However, the absolutely last thing you would ever want to lose is lean muscle. Sure you'll weigh less - but you'll also have slowed down your metabolism. Muscle burns fat. The prefered source of food for muscle is FAT - more muscle mass, more fat burning - even while you're doing NOTHING.

Have you ever noticed that some people can lose 30 lbs of WEIGHT and still look flabby and soft?

While LCing provides an excellent environment for building muscle (adequate protein / lowered carbs) if you do not perform some kind of weight bearing exercises you're not going to build any. Also keep in mind its much easier for your body to tear down muscle for energy than it is for it to use fat.

HTH
Nat

Nat,
Thanks very much. I certainly don't want to lose muscle. I didn't know about it being easier to burn muscle than fat for energy!

I didn't know this. That means I better keep up those calories. I'm doing quite well right now. But don't, absolutely don't, want to lose any musclel mass - because years ago, I did Jane Fonda's diet, and literally as starving. I lost weight but I think a great deal of muscle mass too. BTW, if I do weight training, can I build back what I lost, I mean restore my metabolism? Your post was great. And a very important reminder. I was tempted by this woman's results. And I sure don't want to look flabby............ isn't this the point.

Thanks so much. (You're such a glamour puss. I love that photo of yours. Are those ostrich feathers? Very fetching Nat. I'm going to get myself something like it when I'm down near goal.)

Thanks
Ruby

Ruby you certainly can build back muscle. And LC is a great environment to do it in - adequate protein and lowered carbs. If you're interested check out the subforms under Exercise. There are some great threads on getting started (at home and at the gym) and some ideas on the best exercises to do.

And thanks, that's my favourite little black dress (and those are ostrich feathers!). I think I'm going to have to have it taken in for next years holiday season though

N

Thanks, Nat! I needed to read that today!

Janice