Advice Needed

[Viv0147]

When I started a LCHF lifestyle I weighed 16 stone 3 Lbs. and my blood sugar was consistently in the high teens that was 14 months ago and I was targeting 30 to 50 carbs a day well my hba1c on 14/7/16 = 45 and my weight is 12 Stone 7 Lbs. Recently I have been feeling tired and it’s been suggested because of my weight loss up to now! I should increase my carb target to 50 to 100g because I don’t have so much fat to feed off if I do this will I still lose weight? And will it increase my energy? I want to lose another stone please advise. Thanks

 

[Brunneria]

This is just speculation, but with the hot weather upon us, I predict that we will see a lot of low carbers asking about feeling tired and floppy and even developing cramps and muscle weakness in the next few days and weeks. This time last year we had several threads a day on it, in the hottest weather.

The answer is to up the minerals - table salt, potassium and magnesium. And to keep hydrated.
Basically, if a drink of bovril or broth makes you feel better, then adding extra minerals to your diet is a good idea. Unless, of course you have medical issues with salt intake.

Don't know if that suggestion will help, but worth a try?

Re your raising carbs suggestion, all I can suggest is that you try it. If the additional carbs bring you above your personal carb tolerance, then the weight loss will stall, but you may find you can tolerate more carbs than you are eating at the moment, which would give you more variety and enjoyment in your diet - which is always a good thing.

Voleck and Phinney have a slide that they show in one of the online lectures (you tube) which shows how weight loss during low carbing is achieved by the body fuelling itself with body fat. Once that fat is gone, the body needs the same amount of fuel, but now it needs it from food, but you get to choose what proportion is fat, protein and carbs. Again, this is a very personal thing.

 

[LittleGreyCat]

Your body may also be adapting to a reduced calorie intake.

Totally unsupported theory: we evolved for a boom/bust feast/famine environment where there were periods of plenty (mainly summer and autumn) and periods of scarce food (winter and early spring). So our bodies lay down fat when there is surplus food and we are motivated to over eat. When food runs low our bodies switch over to burning fat reserves (ketosis) but still keep energy levels up to allow hunter/gathering and provide warmth in the winter.

At any time of the year, if the fat reserves fall below a certain level the body starts to panic and shuts down any unnecessary energy expenditure. This can be indicated by reducing the amount you eat but not losing weight. This can make you feel tired - although if you start to expend energy then often your body kicks up the supply of energy. You just aren't encouraged to do anything rash.

At least, that is my excuse for eating not very much and not losing weight. I could, of course, just be delusional.

 

[Kristin251]

PERSOANLLY, I never up my carbs, but I do up my fat when low on energy. I can get a little low in hot humid weather so I eat a few extra nuts or more avocado.

As @Brunneria said, minerals are being lost in hot weather. Some people add a tsp of sea salt to their water and sip throughout the day.

I tend to smash an avocado with sea salt and top with roasted pumpkin seeds and eat with celery. Pumpkin seeds are high in magnesium, celery and avocado in potassium and of course sea salt is sodium. Refreshing and energizing.