low-carb diet

Question
About 9 days ago I started the "Kimkins" diet which is a modified Atkins.  It is low carb, usually very low calorie diet.  I only average 600 calories per day.  The first few days were tough but now I feel great!  I have lost 12.5 lbs in 9 days.  I am a bit worried, though, because I don't want to do damage to my body with this diet.  I really would like to lose a total of 65 lbs and this seems the easiest and fastest way to do it (I usually give up on diets after a few days - have no willpower).  I am going to start an exercise regimen next week so that once I lose the weight I can eat more but still maintain a healthy weight.  I eat a lot of lean protein and about 3 cups of various veggies (most days) and carb control yogurt.  Am I at risk for damaging my self staying on this diet?  There are tens of thousands of women out there doing this diet at the present time.  I want to make sure it is safe.  Please help!

Answer
Hello Pam!

   Thank you for your nutrition question. Eating only 600 calories per day is not safe because it can lead your body into starvation mode. This means instead of burning calories your body will eventually learn to hold on to them.  Most of the weight the people on this diet are losing comes from water and not fat. This means it is not true weight loss and will likely come back.  
  I would recommend that you check out my book "Ask the Nutritionists" Answers to Your Nutrition Questions" available at www.authorhouse.com, online or at your favorite bookstore. It can lead you in the right direction with regards to weight loss. It contains healthy recipes and helpful nutrition tips. Remember that weight loss is really about making healthy "lifestyle changes" that you can live with and not quick fixes.  Hope this helps!

-George Rapitis, Nutritionist
www.juiceblend.com

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