[illiniastibly]

Greetings everyone,
I am new to this forum. I'm Asian and live in Japan. English is not my first language, so please bear with me if my grammar is not perfect.

This is my second attempt with Atkins after 4 & half years. I’ve lost about 60lb the first time but I gained it all back and than some. I’m sure my story is not new. Anyway, I’ve been doing induction for a month now (32days) , and manage to lose 22lb. My dilemma is (I never thought I’d say this) I may not be eating enough. According to Fitday calculation, I’m eating 900 – 1200 cal a day (250cal from olive oil and butter). After initial week, I tend to get full easily (I’m guessing my stomach is getting smaller). Since I’m not hungry, I don’t have the urge to snack. I feel as though my body seems to know when I’m hungry and I have settled in comfortable routine. Breakfast is around 6:30 – 7:00, lunch 11:45 – 12:00, and dinner 6:00 – 7:00. I do not eat after dinner and I go to bed around 11:00. My question is, should I force myself to eat even if I’m not hungry? I fell very satisfied after each meal, I don’t feel deprived. But I’m afraid I may be forcing my body to starvation mode unintentionally. Any suggestion/advice is very welcome.

Here are my stats; I’m 5’1, 249lb, zero exercise. Scale shows slow movement but not stalling. I drink 2-3 liter of water every day, intake daily dose of vegetables and in ketosis. I also feel great 95% of time.

Now, if only Poop Fairy comes visit me more often, I be all set…

[toyboy]

It does sound like you aren't enough calories, but you shouldn't be force feeding yourself. If you feel satisfied then that should be the most important measure. You may need more fiber in your diet. I would recommend eating flax seed. I make flax seed pancakes with just an egg and a couple spoonfulls of flax and that helps me keep regular.

Congrats on the weight loss! Keep it up!

[JasminBerkova]

If you exercise EVERY DAY you will POOP MORE OFTEN. I promise.

Leave the fairy to help Peter Pan. 8)

Also, as long as you do not go more than 5 waking hours without eating and eat your veggie carbs, you are OK at around 1000 calories.

Good luck!

[anxpuna]

The only thing about your routine that worries me is the zero exercise. It's really important. Now it doesn't have to be pushups and treadmills. Anything that gets your heart pumping is fine--biking, walking, flying a kite, playing softball, anything at all. Dr Atkins called exercise non-negotiable. A must.

Other than that, I think you're doing fine.

[illiniastibly]

Thanks for taking time to reply. I wasn’t aware about the starvation mode or the other worrisome stuff until recent net-surfing on low-carb. Information overload I guess. It really helps to hear I’m doing okay.

maxomo: I been dying to get hold of this magic "Flaxseed" fiber. I want to try so many new things, but none available in Japan that I'm aware of

wheresmycoat: You had me worried for a full minute, thinking I had to conjure up another meal until I realize 5 waking hours was a typo. But thank you! It gave me an opportunity go over DANDR again. When in doubt, go back to basic, right? 8)

karenjs: One of the biggest reason to get in shape is because I can no longer walk more than 5 minute without resting my legs. Bad circulation. I'm hoping to lose another 20lb to help ease burden on legs before taking up walking again. I don’t know why I let myself go this far, I use to love walking…Anyway, no more excuse as of today! I’ll have to be more creative with exercise.

[JasminBerkova]

Go swimming, its better for your legs/joints and overall circulation.