Not losing weight on Atkins Diet. Any suggestions please?

[Jim987]

I am a 76 year old man. My BMI is healthy at 22 though I’m not sure the calculations for BMI at my age are valid.

I have very evident muscle wasting compared to my younger more active days which is normal and to be expected. I have also developed an early pot belly which is not good for my male ego.

My reason for wanting to lose weight is that I get moderately short of breath due to mild heart failure, in turn due to moderate tricuspid regurgitation and permanent atrial fibrillation.

May rationale for this is that even though I have a healthy weight, if I could get my BMI down to 17/18 I will see an improvement in my breathlessness, simple mechanics.

It’s important because I may have tricuspid valve surgery soon and it may influence the decision on surgery.

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This is my current food plan

7 am Filter coffee with 15 ml of single cream

Midday as above

7 pm 2 eggs, 30 gms of cheddar cheese, rocket salad, 2 medium tomatoes. Choice of salami or similar, tuna with light mayonnaise or tinned sardines. Dressed with olive oil the amount of which to date not measured.

Fresh meat twice a week, either fat streaked fillet or sirloin, or two salmon fillets.

Brazil nuts, walnuts and peanuts. Apples, blueberries and strawberries.

Occasional full fat unflavoured full fat Greek yogurt.

Half a standard glass of wine daily, no beers or spirits.

Total fluid intake 1.8 - 2.2 litres daily

2 to 3 miles walking daily at moderate pace

Weight at day 1- 68 kgs which is my usual

day 14 - 69 kgs

I feel fine and don’t have much appetite on this once daily meal regime.

Can rise in weight in early stages of zero carb diet be unremarkable? Are there other things I could usefully do?

What level of fat intake is appropriate for a low carb diet? Should I be weighing my food and keep a diary?

[j-o-h-n]

Cut out anything that tastes good.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

[amykp]

So you don't sound like you need to lose weight, you sound like you need to gain muscle. I would think the reason you have a belly is because you have lost strength in your core.

And no muscle wasting is not "to be expected." You should not just throw up your hands and accept it--you should strength train (join a gym?) and probably eat MORE, especially protein--2g/kilo every day. I doubt any surgeon in the world would prefer his or her elderly patient to come in with sarcopenia. I doubt any doctor would give you better chances if you come in already underweight and frail, with no reserve.

A BMI of 17 for a 76 yo man would be scary, says my daughter (who is a post cardiac surgery ICU nurse) and would reduce your chances of making it out alive. For pity's sake don't try for it.

[Jim987 in reply to amykp]

Thank you . I disagree with you. Sarcopaenia IS the natural state in the elderly. Weight training is impractical for 99% of the over 80s. I eat at least 3 gms per kilo already. I walk 3 miles a day.

A cardiologist will have no concerns when doing a relatively short transcatheter repair of a heart valve, in a low BMI attributable to sarcopaenia but will want confirmation of vitamin levels.

[amykp in reply to Jim987]

Of course muscle loss is the normal state of affairs. Just don't work to lose more, weight or muscle or anything--keep as much as you can.