# Low carb diet for 4 weeks - Anyone care to join me? \[Continung discussion\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 10, 2018, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913 "2018-05-10T11:21:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/301 "2018-06-15T20:28:58Z")
I said I liked Levi’s 501s. In 2015 I was wearing a 46" waist. A year and a half ago I was wearing 44s. Last Fall I went to 42s. A month or so ago I bought a new pair of 40"-waist 501s. Last night, my hands full with the take-home boxes from dinner, my jeans fell down just as I got into the house. These jeans aren’t even faded yet! But I may have to order some 38s. (Or start wearing a belt.) ---
**Author:** ![johnod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/dc4da7/32.png) [@johnod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnod)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/302 "2018-06-15T20:55:24Z")
Good for you. My 38s started out pretty snug, and now they are so cinched in with the belt I find they are unbuttoning themselves. Which you don’t notice till you undo the belt , then, woops. ---
**Author:** ![scootergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@scootergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scootergirl)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/303 "2018-06-15T21:55:21Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I said I liked Levi’s 501s. In 2015 I was wearing a 46" waist. A year and a half ago I was wearing 44s. Last Fall I went to 42s. A month or so ago I bought a new pair of 40"-waist 501s. Last night, my hands full with the take-home boxes from dinner, my jeans fell down just as I got into the house. These jeans aren’t even faded yet! But I may have to order some 38s. (Or start wearing a belt.) Ok fine, it’s all about your waist size :D. I have no idea what mine is, but now you have me curious and I’ll measure at some point. Congrats. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/304 "2018-06-15T21:59:22Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I am wired just the opposite. Once I cheat it takes all the king’s horses and all the king’s men to get me back up on that diet. > > The “all or none” principle works better for me. Same here; I call myself a “carboholic”. If I say “yes” to one little cheat, I have to be prepared to say “no” to a second little cheat 300 times over the next week; it isn’t worth it, especially if it cost me my hard-won ketosis. People like myself who have been in the morbidly obese range are just different from people who are a few tens of pounds overweight. > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I said I liked Levi’s 501s. In 2015 I was wearing a 46" waist. A year and a half ago I was wearing 44s. Last Fall I went to 42s. A month or so ago I bought a new pair of 40"-waist 501s. Last night, my hands full with the take-home boxes from dinner, my jeans fell down just as I got into the house. These jeans aren’t even faded yet! But I may have to order some 38s. (Or start wearing a belt.) Since the ballooning of the American waistline, larger pants aren’t as hard to find as they used to be; but yeah I’d really like to fit into the more common sizes. I’d also like to not be so heavy that I pop spokes on the rear wheel when I ride a bike. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/305 "2018-06-15T22:39:58Z")
> [@scootergirl](#): > > I’m stuck at the same weight for a week! What do you do when you hit those dreaded plateaus? Suggestions? > > I’m still at the same “down almost 10” that I posted last. I recently had a coworker say, “You don’t need to lose more weight…” \*\*I know \*\*at what weight my knees don’t hurt and my back feels good. I’m almost there. It’s not about fitting into a particular size or having a certain size waist. I feel light and healthy at just under 120. These last 10 are a killer. > > It’s so great to read about everyone’s progress. Congratulations! Add exercise? ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/306 "2018-06-15T23:00:56Z")
That is so funny about the loose clothing. I was walking around the house yesterday, carrying something with both hands, and my shorts slipped down to my knees. I was thankful I wasn’t out in public at the time. 🙂 mmm ---
**Author:** ![scootergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@scootergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scootergirl)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/307 "2018-06-15T23:10:06Z")
> [@j666](#): > > Add exercise? Yes, you are right. I walk a lot, but I need to add something else and more of it. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2018, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/308 "2018-06-16T00:58:53Z")
> [@scootergirl](#): > > Yes, you are right. I walk a lot, but I need to add something else and more of it. I’ve been clearing out the soon-to-be-demolished trailer. On trailer days, I don’t walk. But I just got out of the shower after my normal walking route. 3.4 miles in an hour and 5 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2018, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/309 "2018-06-16T02:12:44Z")
> [@scootergirl](#): > > I’m stuck at the same weight for a week! What do you do when you hit those dreaded plateaus? Suggestions? > > I’m still at the same “down almost 10” that I posted last. I recently had a coworker say, “You don’t need to lose more weight…” \*\*I know \*\*at what weight my knees don’t hurt and my back feels good. I’m almost there. It’s not about fitting into a particular size or having a certain size waist. I feel light and healthy at just under 120. These last 10 are a killer. > > It’s so great to read about everyone’s progress. Congratulations! I don’t weigh myself every week or even every month; maybe every 6-7 weeks. In the long run you’re not going to lose weight much faster than 1-2 pounds a week, and one can easily vary by that much simply by how much water you’re retaining on a particular day. As I understand it, when fat is burned the cells temporarily hold water to replace it until they readjust, so you can be losing fat with no visible difference for a while in your weight or size. And what I noticed in my case was that when my pants started to get a little looser, they weren’t constricting my waistline as much so my waist expanded. So long story short, remember that you can be making progress even if it doesn’t show in the short term. Remember plateaus you’ve gotten past before and have faith this one will pass as well. (And may it be sooner rather than later!) ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2018, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/310 "2018-06-16T02:14:28Z")
> [@scootergirl](#): > > Yes, you are right. I walk a lot, but I need to add something else and more of it. When I started getting fit enough that walking just wasn’t as aerobic as it originally was, I added light (1 lb) hand weights. Not only do they increase my workout but they seem to counter-balance my stride so walking is less stressful on my legs. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2018, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/311 "2018-06-16T02:14:34Z")
> [@scootergirl](#): > > Yes, you are right. I walk a lot, but I need to add something else and more of it. Maybe a little free weights? Work on the arms a bit, because the legs are already getting a decent workout? I’ve been walking a lot his week, but it takes me about a hour for two miles, twice what it should have take. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2018, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/312 "2018-06-16T04:49:22Z")
> [@scootergirl](#): > > Yes, you are right. I walk a lot, but I need to add something else and more of it. Switch exercise. If you walk flats, walk hills. If you walk sidewalks, move to park trails. Alternate bike days with walk days. Look for swimming, yoga, tai chi, or other classes at the Y and through in 1 or 2 of those a week instead of walking. Try doing a work out video at home instead of walking. Basically, switch it up. Your body gets used to what you’re doing and it’s time to try something new. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2018, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/313 "2018-06-16T13:48:22Z")
Heading out to two graduation parties today. Hoping there are low carb food options. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2018, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/314 "2018-06-16T15:32:45Z")
> [@scootergirl](#): > > I’m stuck at the same weight for a week! What do you do when you hit those dreaded plateaus? Suggestions? > > I’m still at the same “down almost 10” that I posted last. I recently had a coworker say, “You don’t need to lose more weight…” \*\*I know \*\*at what weight my knees don’t hurt and my back feels good. I’m almost there. It’s not about fitting into a particular size or having a certain size waist. I feel light and healthy at just under 120. These last 10 are a killer. > > It’s so great to read about everyone’s progress. Congratulations! Yep. I’ve drifted from 12- 8 lbs lost and am stuck there. Problem is, the losses slowed and even backed up a few pounds because I had to stop the gym. Well, stop the Elliptical. The hip replacement recovery isn’t going well and I have to modify a LOT of walking and movement behaviors to protect the right femur, while the bone ( literally one cell thickness at a time ) builds up more layering than normal. I await confirmation from the surgeon, but I’ve not been on the Elliptical in 10 days give or take. Coincides sadly with the cessation of slow weight loss. Just…need to stick at this. Even if exercise is cut for the next many months. Suggestions? If your body goes into decent Ketosis rapidly, then indulge yourself at ONE meal. Kick out of Ketosis, you’ve given yourself a treat, and get your body back into that state. Frequently works for me !! ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2018, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/315 "2018-06-16T19:36:19Z")
Did an hour on the rowing machine today and weighed in at 164 pounds. So that’s down from 195 1.5 years ago, and more than 10 stubborn pounds from when I joined this thread! Tomorrow’s both Father’s Day and my birthday, so am going to have a cappuccino for breakfast, more than a few beers, the cake my kids will bake me and something where I’m not looking at the carbs for dinner at least. Definitely sticking to 170 as the redline I cannot cross. Kinda hoping I can keep going to making the redline at 160. I’ve got additional motivation as I have mild sleep apnea. I haven’t tried it yet, but maybe with this weight loss the apnea (and the cpap machine) goes away. In other milestones, after 24 years, China Wife and I will divorce. Goddamn, depression and the side effects from anti-depression meds are an evil thing. Wish I had understood that earlier but even then probably wouldn’t have helped the train wreck. Le sigh. Single Dad with 3 girls, here we come! ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2018, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/316 "2018-06-16T19:53:10Z")
Wow, that’s tough, **China Guy,** I’m sorry that’s happening to you. My son is going through something similar and I’m really trying to get it across to him that untreated depression kills more than just your mood. Hope it all turns out well for you, sounds like the gym is taking up a substantial percentage of your emotional turmoil. Well, lemonade from lemons, right? ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2018, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/317 "2018-06-16T20:39:13Z")
Gosh **China Guy** , I can woefully relate. After 23 soulless years, I divorced. At the time I took out my sadness and mourning on an ancient Nordic Trak® machine. Told people I was The Divorce Diet. 'Twas about the healthiest method of releasing the stress and to be honest toxins. You know what I’m talking about. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2018, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/318 "2018-06-16T21:04:39Z")
Good news on the weight loss **China Guy**. You are all keeping me going. I managed to hang tough at brunch today in the face of waffles, french toast and pancakes. I’m sorry to hear about the divorce. It sounds rough, especially with the kids involved. If I remember correctly, one of your daughters is ASD like my son. How is she handling things? ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2018, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/319 "2018-06-17T00:57:32Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > Good news on the weight loss **China Guy**. You are all keeping me going. I managed to hang tough at brunch today in the face of waffles, french toast and pancakes. > > I’m sorry to hear about the divorce. It sounds rough, especially with the kids involved. If I remember correctly, one of your daughters is ASD like my son. How is she handling things? Hang tough! Appreciate the well wishes. Yes, my youngest twin is on the autism spectrum. Kinda in the middle of the spectrum. She doesn’t know yet about the divorce, but she’s not able to articulate deep feelings. She can say she’s “sad” but how sad, why, what’s she’s feeling is tough and more like a game of 20 questions where we might be able to piece it all together. I am not looking forward to the days when she will ask about 100 times in a row “where’s Mommy” or “when is Mommy coming back?” That said, my wife “disappeared” more than 2 years ago into depression and med side effects. She doesn’t want to come back, I know she’s “gone”, it’s toxic, and frankly her judgement at times puts my youngest into really questionable and potentially unsafe situations such as leaving her at the local mall play area while she shops for an hour. So, hopefully we can divide our assets reasonably equitably, and she will move back to China and likely completely out of our lives. Anyhoo, don’t want to hijack this thread but it is helping to take the pounds off (not that I would recommend this method). ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2018, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/320 "2018-06-17T01:39:38Z")
So sorry about your situation, **China Guy**. I did pretty well at the two grad parties I attended. The first one had a Mexican buffet, so ground beef, shredded chicken, lettuce, cheese, onions, jalapenos and salsa did the trick. On the way to the second party, our car died. After much waiting and towing, we arrived to the second party as it was winding down. I did not eat at that one. Now tomorrow I get to figure out a way to get the car fixed in a way that won’t require me to miss work on Monday. mmm [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913.md?page=17)