Weight Loss is Very Slow...Why?? page

**Stella1964** · 04-02-2012, 03:41 PM

I was on Atkins for over a year and just switched 3 weeks ago to Primal Blueprint. I am following the program 100% and have had no problem dropping the grains, sugars, starches etc.

However, for 3 weeks now I have not lost anything. I track my food on All Things Food and Diet - FatSecret so I know exactly what I'm consuming. Other threads here say it takes time and the scale doesn't mean anything but to me it does. I am still very much overweight and I don't understand why the weight isn't coming off when I have so much to lose. I would understand if I was close to my goal, but I'm nowhere near it.

Height: 5'4"
Weight: 205 lbs
Goal: 140 lbs
Age: 47
Carbs: 30-50 g per day
Cals: 1200-1500 per day
Exercise: walking
Water: 6-8 glasses

Not sure what I'm doing wrong. I'm not fit enough to move more (like sprints or lifting heavy things) so walking is all I can do right now.

Oh, I also can't sleep. That's new for me.
Thanks for your help.

**Stella1964** · 04-02-2012, 04:07 PM

In reading some other blogs on this same problem, I think I know what my issue might be...cheese, nuts, and not enough exercise. So I'm going to lay off the macadamias and sprinklings of cheddar on my eggs for a week and see what happens.

Thoughts?

**Pamsc** · 04-02-2012, 04:31 PM

Some people seem to do better on somewhat higher carbs, but primal ones. If you don't have blood sugar issues you might try it--particularly as you have been on Atkins so your body is already adapted to low carb.

**PaleoPenn** · 04-02-2012, 08:23 PM

I did Atkins maybe 10 years ago, lost 20 lbs then put it all back on. I think your carbs AND cals are too low. Shoot for 100-125 carb, 1800-2000 cal range. You may be in starvation mode? Don't worry about the exercise just yet, learn to eat Primal first.

I love nuts too but they really flatlined my weightloss.

**DarthFriendly** · 04-02-2012, 08:29 PM

Because people here stopped believing in the magic of low carb.

Now you must eat sweet potatos by the truck load.

**jammies** · 04-02-2012, 08:45 PM

Lots of women find they lose weight more readily if they eliminate dairy (butter seems to be okay for a lot of people). You may want to try that.

You could also try taking some measurements and just hanging in there a little longer. Some people find there is an adjustment period where the don't lose weight for a few weeks. Others find they lose inches first and then the weight comes off. I only weighed once a month or so when I started and lost about 6 lbs a month. Doesn't seem like much, but it adds up very quickly.

As long as you are losing, I wouldn't worry too much about the rate.

ETA: The poor sleep could be that you are in ketosis or that you need more magnesium. Try a topical magnesium brine at night or a good quality oral magnesium supplement (natural calm is popular around here - but start with a low dose and work up if you chose the oral route).