Newbie to LCF...Kimkins Member but so worried...

admom7 · 08-26-2007, 09:05 AM

Hi to all of you,
I have been on Kimkins (with lots of cheats) June 3, 2007 and have lost 30 pounds.

Recently I realized I am only eating around 500 to 700 cals a day and really starting to wonder if this is a safe diet?

I am new to Low Carb, kimkins is my first diet on Low Carb, ...my question to you is Atkins the safer of the two plans.

I know this is a tough question but I am not comfortable asking anything too negative on KK as I have read some pretty negative stuff lately...

Thanks for your insights

walkingwoman · 08-26-2007, 09:28 AM

We all have to take responsibility for the plan we select and do what we feel is best for our individual situation. Have you discussed the plan with your doctor? that would be a great place to start

If you feel the calories are too low, why not increase them or go ahead and try another lc plan that suits your lifestyle and makes you feel comfortable as far as your desired calorie requirements.

to LCF

BellaHMB · 08-26-2007, 09:37 AM

Walkingwoman is right in that you do need to choose for yourself.

But as someone who has done both, I would vote enthusiastically for Atkins
as the safer of the two. More calories, you can do it longer term. The results
are not as quick, but it works.

Read the Atkins 72 thread and see what you think, the plan is listed
on the first thread. BTW, how old are you? I hope not a teenager!

Bella

admom7 · 08-26-2007, 09:39 AM

I haven't spoken specifically but I think my isntincts have been guiding me. I am strict about 4 to 5 days and then I ad in the things I seem to crave and I am working through stalls and still losing...I guess tweaking and adjusting is what seems to work for me

hippiegirl · 08-26-2007, 09:44 AM

Hi! I was on Kimkins for a little while myself, but have since decided that it is very dangerous. The low fat puts you in danger of gallstones, as well as other problems such as hair loss (which, to be fair, can also be a result of just about any rapid weight loss, from what I've read). The very low calories are not healthy for you - search online for calorie calculations for your height and weight. Also, I found that the mindset on the Kimkins site was dangerous for me. I found myself trying to go lower and lower and lower, and the little niggling voice deep inside of me (the one that's probably talking to you right now) kept saying that this was dangerous. That I was not treating my body right, not learning to eat so that I would be healthy forever, but learning how to NOT EAT so that I could lose quickly, but for how long, and at what price to my psyche and body? In my opinion, Atkins or one of the many other DOCTOR endorsed plans would be much better. I do believe "starvation mode" exists, despite what the Kimkins site claims. I do believe that a low calorie diet needs direct and constant doctor supervision, so the argument that "people who go through gastric bypass surgery do this diet so it must be safe" is invalid.

The best thing you could do is bop around this website or do further research throughout the web. Read all you want about Protein Power, Atkins, Eat Fat, Get Thin, and others. At the very least, please read some of the threads like the Healthy and Sane thread in this (Kimkins) area, or the "Calling All Kimkins Maintainers". The "Why is the Fascination with Kimmer" thread, while also about a lot of other more controversial subjects, and incredibly long, has a LOT of useful information about calorie ranges, fat needs, etc.

I hope this has helped, and I think that the fact that you posted this plea for help speaks volumes. Listen to your gut - it's trying to tell you something.

Good luck on your journey, I hope to see a lot of you around here - and WELCOME to Low Carb Friends!

Hippiegirl

admom7 · 08-26-2007, 10:11 AM

I am 5 foot 11 mom of 5 daughters age 47....

BellaHMB · 08-26-2007, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by admom7

I am 5 foot 11 mom of 5 daughters age 47....

Glad to hear it!

Bella

bailey42 · 08-26-2007, 02:42 PM

Admom- I have been on Kimkins about the same time as you. I started June 4and was addicted to the scale. I lost 26 pounds and no matter how bad I felt, I wanted to see the scale keep moving. I was exhausted, my hair fell out in clumps, my vision was blurry, I was dizzy, I couldn't sleep, I was soooo moody, headaches etc.. I even had chest pains and my gait was off. I could not balance properly. The 2 good things was the weight loss and my sugar levels. I started to weigh the 2 good things against all the bad and it didn't even out so I got the heck outa there. I still am dealing with a few of the repracusiions of starving my body of nutrients but some of the issues returned to normal as soon as I added more fat and calories. My vision is 100% back to normal and several of the other things have been back to normal. I do still lose hair but not like I did on the Kimkins diet. My doc says it will take a few months to get balanced again. He 100% supports Atkins but told me to hightail it from Kimkins.
I sure do miss the pound a day lose I was experiencing, but I was down to 300 calories a day on Kimkins because I did the shakes at the end and it took a while for my body to even want to eat once I went of the plan. I had to force myself to eat. Never again will I jeopordise my health like that. Good luck and PM me if you want to talk further. Deb

LouieLouie2007 · 08-26-2007, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by admom7

Hi to all of you,
I have been on Kimkins (with lots of cheats) June 3, 2007 and have lost 30 pounds.

Recently I realized I am only eating around 500 to 700 cals a day and really starting to wonder if this is a safe diet?

I am new to Low Carb, kimkins is my first diet on Low Carb, ...my question to you is Atkins the safer of the two plans.

I know this is a tough question but I am not comfortable asking anything too negative on KK as I have read some pretty negative stuff lately...

Thanks for your insights

You are such a pretty lady. You look just like my cousin Anne.

Under no circumstances is 500-700 calories safe. Too nutritionally inadequate. Especially at 5'11".

If you are going to do Kimkins, at least make sure your have at least 1200 calories minimum in your diet. A wrecked metabolism is a terribly difficult thing to have to repair. That is, unless you would prefer to maintain on 1000 or less forever of course.

I agree with ladies who recommend looking at what your BMR requirements are first and then structure your diet around that.

Good luck to you sweetie!

admom7 · 08-26-2007, 05:41 PM

I would love to chat with you via PM but I don't seem to be able to send a message yet?

I am abit overwhelmed about switching and just had a big cheat day

But I can relate to not feeling well...I went to the ER with dizziness and missed 4 days of work

LouieLouie2007 · 08-26-2007, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by admom7

I would love to chat with you via PM but I don't seem to be able to send a message yet?

I am abit overwhelmed about switching and just had a big cheat day

But I can relate to not feeling well...I went to the ER with dizziness and missed 4 days of work

PM's aren't activated until you've had at least 25 posts and have been a member For some amount of time. I can't remember how long.

juniper01 · 08-26-2007, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by admom7

I would love to chat with you via PM but I don't seem to be able to send a message yet?

I am abit overwhelmed about switching and just had a big cheat day

But I can relate to not feeling well...I went to the ER with dizziness and missed 4 days of work

Thank goodness you found your way here......you are correct that living on such low calories will cause you trouble now and certainly down the road. Please spend some time reading "why the fascination with Kimmer" thread, and it may give you some insight as to why it is so unhealthy. (Yes, it will take a while, but there is tons of good information there). You will find your way to a good journey with low carb on LCF, there are many knowledgeable people on these forums. You were so correct in sensing that there is "something wrong with Kimkins".

bailey42 · 08-26-2007, 07:08 PM

Best of luck admom and if you ever want to chat you can find me over at the eat fat and get thin boards. Deb

kar_kar · 08-26-2007, 07:26 PM

This is a good thread to start with if you don't feel like tackling the "fascination" thread...unfortunately it gets a little sidetracked for a couple of pages but for the most part it's a positive thread with good nutrition info.

Building a healthy WOE (if possible) based on Kimkins

Just4Me · 08-26-2007, 09:47 PM

I would also give a vote to Atkins----it is easily modifiable to taste (so don't worry, you won't eat bacon and cheese all day unless you REALLY want to, and even with Atkins 72 you eat some veggies).

There's a lot of LC ways of eating described on this awesome site. Perhaps until you decide what to do, you could set some guidelines (to avoid the major cheats, to minimize setbacks) such as (mere suggestions):

No "white stuff" (sugar, white flour, potatoes, white rice, pasta, etc.)
Chef salad every day (with some ham and/or turkey, a little cheese, etc. ---yummy, can't go wrong!)
Lower sugar fruits----berries, kiwi, etc.
Pair fruit with a little protein and fat (1/2 apple plus some PB or cheese; 1/2 pear with a small piece of brie or goat cheese; etc.)
No "industrial foods" (artificial sweeteners, corn/vegetable oil, soybean oil, etc.)

You get the idea.

I didn't do Kimkins per se, but did a liquid protein sparing modified fast which COULD have been called KK last year (was taking in 650 cal/day, 2 shakes). I lost 65 lbs over 3 months, which I thought was great. Until it ground to a screeching halt, then I followed another group's advice to dump the fat, and I felt awful. After cheating and trying the shakes over and over, a year later (this past Jan) I ended up with, among other things, transitory hypothyroidism and severe adrenal fatigue, had regained all those pounds PLUS 5. Now, 8 months after trying to heal, I'm finally starting to feel better but have to watch everything. One wrong week, and the adrenal fatigue symptoms are back in a flash.

I think it's smart for you to find a healthier WOE, or at least healthier way to follow your WOE. I can sympathize with feeling "planless"----it's tough!

That's why I suggest setting up some livable guidelines for eating until you figure out what you're going to do.

mermaid · 08-26-2007, 10:37 PM

Good for you for being here and asking questions. You're definitely too low in calories. I second the opinion to stay 1200+ calories. Give Atkins a try and see if that will work for you. If it does, then BINGO you're all set. Atkins is a very lush and satisfying way of eating, especially with all of the recipes and advice you'll find here on LCF. If you stall on Atkins, then you can do Kimkins in short spurts then alternate back to Atkins. That way you'll also learn how to maintain for life. I'd hate to see you lose your obvious vitality through malnutritionon on such low calories. Good luck!!

jpatti · 08-27-2007, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by admom7

I am 5 foot 11 mom of 5 daughters age 47....

FIVE?!?!?!

I have one daughter. If I had five, I think I'd be posting from a looney bin. Indeed, with just the one... it was a close call.

I posted about how to move to a "more sustainable" diet here:
transitioning from a VLCD (very low calorie diet) to a more sustainable low-carb diet

Locarb4me · 08-28-2007, 10:42 AM

Hi Admom! I recognize you from KK. I'm still a member there, but rarely posting. I stopped doing The Plan as written mid July. I thought I had gallbladder problems. Still finding out what exactly is going on, actually! Seeing 2 different docs this week. Joy joy, fun fun

This is a pretty awesome forum. You'll get lots of info hanging out here. Just wanted to say hey and wish you well.

08-26-2007, 09:05 AM	#1
admom7 Junior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 24 Gallery: admom7 Stats: 228/199/165 WOE: kk/Atkins 72 newbie Start Date: kk June 3/07 Atkins August 27/07	Newbie to LCF...Kimkins Member but so worried... Hi to all of you, I have been on Kimkins (with lots of cheats) June 3, 2007 and have lost 30 pounds. Recently I realized I am only eating around 500 to 700 cals a day and really starting to wonder if this is a safe diet? I am new to Low Carb, kimkins is my first diet on Low Carb, ...my question to you is Atkins the safer of the two plans. I know this is a tough question but I am not comfortable asking anything too negative on KK as I have read some pretty negative stuff lately... Thanks for your insights

08-26-2007, 09:44 AM	#5
hippiegirl Mrs. Robbie Williams Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Idaho (but originally from Northern California) Posts: 3,997 Gallery: hippiegirl Stats: 325/267/175, 5'11" WOE: Atkins, unlimited lc veggies - yum!	Hi! I was on Kimkins for a little while myself, but have since decided that it is very dangerous. The low fat puts you in danger of gallstones, as well as other problems such as hair loss (which, to be fair, can also be a result of just about any rapid weight loss, from what I've read). The very low calories are not healthy for you - search online for calorie calculations for your height and weight. Also, I found that the mindset on the Kimkins site was dangerous for me. I found myself trying to go lower and lower and lower, and the little niggling voice deep inside of me (the one that's probably talking to you right now) kept saying that this was dangerous. That I was not treating my body right, not learning to eat so that I would be healthy forever, but learning how to NOT EAT so that I could lose quickly, but for how long, and at what price to my psyche and body? In my opinion, Atkins or one of the many other DOCTOR endorsed plans would be much better. I do believe "starvation mode" exists, despite what the Kimkins site claims. I do believe that a low calorie diet needs direct and constant doctor supervision, so the argument that "people who go through gastric bypass surgery do this diet so it must be safe" is invalid. The best thing you could do is bop around this website or do further research throughout the web. Read all you want about Protein Power, Atkins, Eat Fat, Get Thin, and others. At the very least, please read some of the threads like the Healthy and Sane thread in this (Kimkins) area, or the "Calling All Kimkins Maintainers". The "Why is the Fascination with Kimmer" thread, while also about a lot of other more controversial subjects, and incredibly long, has a LOT of useful information about calorie ranges, fat needs, etc. I hope this has helped, and I think that the fact that you posted this plea for help speaks volumes. Listen to your gut - it's trying to tell you something. Good luck on your journey, I hope to see a lot of you around here - and WELCOME to Low Carb Friends! Hippiegirl __________________ *Kim* Part of the Support Unlimited You Are Who You Think You Are Challenge... And I'm a Goddess, too! "If you believe in yourself, and with a tiny pinch of magic, all your dreams can come true" Spongebob Squarepants

08-26-2007, 09:47 PM	#15
Just4Me MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: May 2006 Location: State of Grace Posts: 1,205 Gallery: Just4Me Stats: Despairing/ Trusting/Content WOE: knife+fork (and/or spoon)	I would also give a vote to Atkins----it is easily modifiable to taste (so don't worry, you won't eat bacon and cheese all day unless you REALLY want to, and even with Atkins 72 you eat some veggies). There's a lot of LC ways of eating described on this awesome site. Perhaps until you decide what to do, you could set some guidelines (to avoid the major cheats, to minimize setbacks) such as (mere suggestions): No "white stuff" (sugar, white flour, potatoes, white rice, pasta, etc.) Chef salad every day (with some ham and/or turkey, a little cheese, etc. ---yummy, can't go wrong!) Lower sugar fruits----berries, kiwi, etc. Pair fruit with a little protein and fat (1/2 apple plus some PB or cheese; 1/2 pear with a small piece of brie or goat cheese; etc.) No "industrial foods" (artificial sweeteners, corn/vegetable oil, soybean oil, etc.) You get the idea. I didn't do Kimkins per se, but did a liquid protein sparing modified fast which COULD have been called KK last year (was taking in 650 cal/day, 2 shakes). I lost 65 lbs over 3 months, which I thought was great. Until it ground to a screeching halt, then I followed another group's advice to dump the fat, and I felt awful. After cheating and trying the shakes over and over, a year later (this past Jan) I ended up with, among other things, transitory hypothyroidism and severe adrenal fatigue, had regained all those pounds PLUS 5. Now, 8 months after trying to heal, I'm finally starting to feel better but have to watch everything. One wrong week, and the adrenal fatigue symptoms are back in a flash. I think it's smart for you to find a healthier WOE, or at least healthier way to follow your WOE. I can sympathize with feeling "planless"----it's tough! That's why I suggest setting up some livable guidelines for eating until you figure out what you're going to do. __________________ *~Sarah~* Nutritive Value (updates soon!) My blogs Gal with an Anvil (updates soon!)

08-26-2007, 10:37 PM	#16
mermaid MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,036 Gallery: mermaid WOE: Clown Diet Start Date: re-start March 2006	Good for you for being here and asking questions. You're definitely too low in calories. I second the opinion to stay 1200+ calories. Give Atkins a try and see if that will work for you. If it does, then BINGO you're all set. Atkins is a very lush and satisfying way of eating, especially with all of the recipes and advice you'll find here on LCF. If you stall on Atkins, then you can do Kimkins in short spurts then alternate back to Atkins. That way you'll also learn how to maintain for life. I'd hate to see you lose your obvious vitality through malnutritionon on such low calories. Good luck!! Last edited by mermaid : 08-26-2007 at 10:38 PM.

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08-26-2007, 09:28 AM	#2
walkingwoman Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: On the Fatties Thread Posts: 6,779 Gallery: walkingwoman Stats: 12/4/2-4 WOE: Another day, another diet Start Date: 01/02/08	We all have to take responsibility for the plan we select and do what we feel is best for our individual situation. Have you discussed the plan with your doctor? that would be a great place to start If you feel the calories are too low, why not increase them or go ahead and try another lc plan that suits your lifestyle and makes you feel comfortable as far as your desired calorie requirements. to LCF

08-26-2007, 09:37 AM	#3
BellaHMB Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Northern California Coast Posts: 3,078 Gallery: BellaHMB Stats: 210/136/150 goal met 5.27.07 WOE: Maintenance Atkins Start Date: 1-16-07	Walkingwoman is right in that you do need to choose for yourself. But as someone who has done both, I would vote enthusiastically for Atkins as the safer of the two. More calories, you can do it longer term. The results are not as quick, but it works. Read the Atkins 72 thread and see what you think, the plan is listed on the first thread. BTW, how old are you? I hope not a teenager! Bella

08-26-2007, 09:39 AM	#4
admom7 Junior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 24 Gallery: admom7 Stats: 228/199/165 WOE: kk/Atkins 72 newbie Start Date: kk June 3/07 Atkins August 27/07	I haven't spoken specifically but I think my isntincts have been guiding me. I am strict about 4 to 5 days and then I ad in the things I seem to crave and I am working through stalls and still losing...I guess tweaking and adjusting is what seems to work for me

08-26-2007, 10:11 AM	#6
admom7 Junior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 24 Gallery: admom7 Stats: 228/199/165 WOE: kk/Atkins 72 newbie Start Date: kk June 3/07 Atkins August 27/07	I am 5 foot 11 mom of 5 daughters age 47....

08-26-2007, 02:42 PM	#8
bailey42 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 612 Blog Entries: 1 Gallery: bailey42 Stats: 238/223.8/lean muscle & low fat(160ish) WOE: Crack the fat loss code Start Date: 7-7-08	Admom- I have been on Kimkins about the same time as you. I started June 4and was addicted to the scale. I lost 26 pounds and no matter how bad I felt, I wanted to see the scale keep moving. I was exhausted, my hair fell out in clumps, my vision was blurry, I was dizzy, I couldn't sleep, I was soooo moody, headaches etc.. I even had chest pains and my gait was off. I could not balance properly. The 2 good things was the weight loss and my sugar levels. I started to weigh the 2 good things against all the bad and it didn't even out so I got the heck outa there. I still am dealing with a few of the repracusiions of starving my body of nutrients but some of the issues returned to normal as soon as I added more fat and calories. My vision is 100% back to normal and several of the other things have been back to normal. I do still lose hair but not like I did on the Kimkins diet. My doc says it will take a few months to get balanced again. He 100% supports Atkins but told me to hightail it from Kimkins. I sure do miss the pound a day lose I was experiencing, but I was down to 300 calories a day on Kimkins because I did the shakes at the end and it took a while for my body to even want to eat once I went of the plan. I had to force myself to eat. Never again will I jeopordise my health like that. Good luck and PM me if you want to talk further. Deb

08-26-2007, 05:41 PM	#10
admom7 Junior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 24 Gallery: admom7 Stats: 228/199/165 WOE: kk/Atkins 72 newbie Start Date: kk June 3/07 Atkins August 27/07	I would love to chat with you via PM but I don't seem to be able to send a message yet? I am abit overwhelmed about switching and just had a big cheat day But I can relate to not feeling well...I went to the ER with dizziness and missed 4 days of work

08-26-2007, 07:08 PM	#13
bailey42 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 612 Blog Entries: 1 Gallery: bailey42 Stats: 238/223.8/lean muscle & low fat(160ish) WOE: Crack the fat loss code Start Date: 7-7-08	Best of luck admom and if you ever want to chat you can find me over at the eat fat and get thin boards. Deb

08-26-2007, 07:26 PM	#14
kar_kar Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 348 Gallery: kar_kar WOE: F-5/LC/whole foods Start Date: 7/23/2007	This is a good thread to start with if you don't feel like tackling the "fascination" thread...unfortunately it gets a little sidetracked for a couple of pages but for the most part it's a positive thread with good nutrition info. Building a healthy WOE (if possible) based on Kimkins

08-28-2007, 10:42 AM	#18
Locarb4me MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ohio, temporarily Posts: 1,779 Gallery: Locarb4me Stats: 200/188/145 WOE: Ex KK, now Atkins Start Date: 6/12/07	Hi Admom! I recognize you from KK. I'm still a member there, but rarely posting. I stopped doing The Plan as written mid July. I thought I had gallbladder problems. Still finding out what exactly is going on, actually! Seeing 2 different docs this week. Joy joy, fun fun This is a pretty awesome forum. You'll get lots of info hanging out here. Just wanted to say hey and wish you well.