Thank you Mel... but why doesn't this happen to others on CD/ LL? Why didn't it happen to me last time? Trying to take this in, figure out if it seems likely for me... thank you, so much, for the input. Head struggling to make sense of it, don't want to make any hasty decisions. I do know this, but somehow CD seems to over-ride the usual advice... maybe the protein in the shakes? So trying to figure out why this would happen so soon. Possibly to do with BMI being lower than last time?
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Hi Katy,
I am having much slower losses this time than I did the first time 'round on LL (2008). And, I remember my LL counsellor talking about the "first time being the golden time" and it did not make much sense at the time. But, now I think I understand (having read up on it).
Your metabolism slows down on a VLCD -- it becomes very efficient. Which is part of the reason it is so easy to regain the weight and gain it fast, and even add back on more.
So, if you -- like me -- noticed the weight creeping back on and then "started, stopped, started, etc." every time you did this your body thought, "Aha, I know what this is... I'm starving again. There is a food shortage." And, it took the necessarily precautions to ensure your survival: it slowed your metabolic processes down as much as possible (hence, feeling cold while in ketosis, etc.) So, the yoyoing makes a body slow things down -- and when you do not stick the diet, you often gained even more and faster than before the first diet.
In otherwords, your body knows what you are up to and is trying to "save you" from starving to death. It has been here before and will start the metabolic slow-down more quickly (plus, if it has not been very long since the original loss -- or you have been yoyoing -- your metabolism has not recovered to its pre-VLCD rate).
How do fix this?
You "kick start" your losses by SSing (if possible) long enough to detox, get into ketosis, and (hopefully) lessen your cravings for food(s). You up your water and never reduce it by much. 2 liters a day is the minimum for anyone, not just someone on a diet.
Then, once you get that "ketosis energy kick" you start upping your exerise -- 30 minutes of aerobic activity will not only burn some calories whilst you are doing it, but it will boost your metabolism for hours afterwards.
You need to build up slowly to a sustainable level of exercise (one that you can make a permanent part of your life). If you do tons of exercise to lose the weight -- when you cut back on it -- you're likely to regain. It needs to be a permanent change.
As you rebuild your metabolism, you should be doing some strength training to rebuild (or build) your muscles. You should increase your muscle to fat ratio. Muscle burns more calories and building your muscles will not only boost your metabolism it will tone your body (inches lost and shape improved).
Studies have shown that peope will lose as much on an 880 calorie a day diet as on one of less than 500. Your body is that clever -- it makes the less go further. So, the idea is to bump up your calories as Surfhunny said for a week (or so) and that could "trick" your body into thinking the "famine" is over and then when you drop back down or boost your metabolism it will stop holding on for dear life!
MM
