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I'm female & 5'6

I've been doing paleo (I've been very strict, no wheat, zero dairy) for 3 weeks then I decided to try low carb for faster weight loss results... I've been doing low carb for about 2 weeks now.. Cut nuts & fruits, sweet potatoes, carrots.. now I eat lots of fats, protein and green veggies (broccoli, brussel sprouts, kale, etc).. My ND also recommended I cut out fruit because of Candida (I have to be very careful with what I eat because I have a very sensitive digestive track)

I saw lots of weight loss from LC in a short period, I went from 142 to 138.. Thing is, I'm scared this weight loss is only water weight.. I'm so confused with this way of weight loss and I'm not sure if I'm actually losing..

I tested with ketosticks and at first it says I was in ketosis, but now the amount of ketones are slowly dropping off? :S I don't think I've added anymore carbs...

Also I'm interested in joining a gym but my ND told me I have adrenal fatigue.. does this mean I should stay away from cardio? I really want to start weight training/ 'lifting heavy things'...

So I would really appreciate any help... change my diet? more or less carbs? exercise? supplements (like CLA)? ... I'm 100% committed

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5 Answers

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Ketostix are a pretty unreliable measure of ketosis (I know, I measure blood ketones every day). If you're eating much less than a 100g of carbs a day (and you aren't eating massive amounts of protein), you're almost guarenteed to be in some level of ketosis. If you want to change the colour of ketostix more consistently, then make sure that you are eating 0.6 to 1g of protein per lb of lean body mass.

But why worry? Showing ketones in your urine is a fun game, but it isn't a necessary prrequisite for weight loss.

You need to give the low-carb diet a chance. 3 weeks isn't enough to discern real fat loss from daily fluctuations of the scale (which in itself is a pretty unreliable measure). If you feel better and look better, then stick with it.

(I've lost 55lbs on low-carb, but I'll be damned if I can see the weight dropping day-by-day).

Good luck!

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Once in ketosis your body is just pumping out ketones, and at first your system really can't use them all as fuel. But, once you become "fat-adapted" your body uses all that it needs. Therefore, the keto strips might show less and less even though you are fully in ketosis. Just realize that what's in the urine is excess, not used by the body. Good luck with continued health on the low carb paleo diet!

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First, that weight loss is likely all from an initial reduction in water retention. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but don't count on similar continued results.

In response to the adrenal fatigue diagnosis, I would suggest reading this for an alternative viewpoint to the common paleo position. Low-carbism will generally exacerbate any symptoms related to adrenal fatigue.

I wouldn't recommend any sort of exercise if you truly feel you have adrenal fatigue or hypothyroid (which I think is the more likely explanation.) This will simply further your symptoms due to increased stress. Endurance training (such as prolonged cardio) is the worst in this regard.

My overall recommendation is to eat sugar to satiation and lift weights as desired.

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 You should note that this is a somewhat unique recommendation around these parts. I insist you follow your own intuition above all else. – Kasra May 20 2012 at 1:54
I agree that low carb can worsen adrenal fatigue. I would however eat fruit and sweet potato (I don't know if that is the sugar Kasra means?) I'd stay away from the processed stuff. – Rebecca May 20 2012 at 2:15
^ A perfectly reasonable recommendation. However, I personally consider fruit juices, milk, and even white sugar to be perfectly benign. – Kasra May 20 2012 at 2:32
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 thanks so much for the link about adrenal fatigue... it makes a lot of sense.. I dont even really think I have it... My ND just thinks I do because I struggle with eczema & allergies.. I don't even crave sweets or need caffeine like most people with 'adrenal fatigue' – Sloan May 20 2012 at 3:25
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Perhaps at 5'6" your body us ok at that weight. Also if you're only in for 3 weeks then your body is adjusting to new eating....going from SAD to Paleo, especially low carb can really put you through the ringer. How many calories are you eating? If you dont eat enough that is harsh as well.

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Actually I wasn't eating SAD... I was a whole foods vegan LOL... I didn't eat any grains because I was sensitive to them, but I did eat beans and fruit... I've pretty much exchanged the beans and fruit for meat and my digestive track is responding far more kindly... SO thats a different kind of 180 I guess... Thats why I introduced meat slowly and only eat hormone and antibiotic free, with digestive enzymes (recommendation from my ND)... I don't really count calories but I usually eat two meals a day now with loads of veggies with coconut oil, and lots of meat.. – Sloan May 20 2012 at 13:10
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Here is my recommendatio for all paleo lovers. http://paleorecipebook.com/?hop=saifi420

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