Weight-Loss Calorie Counting vs. Low Carb

Weight-Loss
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MsRobb88

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I was just trying to get some feedback from you guys as to what works best for you.
I am starting a journal and exercise regimen and trying to stick to a healthy calorie range, however all of my friends are counting carbs and they are dropping weight like crazy - but I've heard that their weight loss will come back quickly once they start eating "regular"
Any feedback?
 
I have worked with a number of people who have tried low carb diets and they wind up right back where they started or worse. Limiting a particular food group will cause weight loss because you are eliminating calories. When you add those foods back in you add the calories. Your body needs carbs - though try to stay away from refined process carbs as they can create a cycle of cravings.
 
You can't compared calorie counting to carb counting. They are not equal metrics.

Case in point: You will lose weight with high carbs assuming calories are accounted for and in check. You will NOT lose weight with low/no carbs assuming calories are not accounted for and not in check.

Calories, regardless of nutrient 'quality' of the foods you eat, are and always will be the underlying, foundational constant.

Once calories are in check, you can start toying around with the nutrients.

Some people will do better implementing a lower carb approach. Others not so much.
 
So very true!

At one point a while ago I went on a low carb diet. Was mostly in support of someone else who wanted to try it as I really did not have that much extra weight at the time.

So we limited our carb intake to a pretty low amount but never really cared about the amount of calories. The end result was that there was some wight loss...but!

It was a pretty huge pita to do. I mean I have not liked drinking HFCS soft-drinks for a long time but even without such things in the mix carbs are everywhere. And even with cooking at home the majority of the time it took some doing not to mention the expense.

Now the theory, as I understand it, was that on the low carb/high protean diet that we were on the protean will saturate you desire faster. And from my memory that was indeed the case. However I'm not sure if such a perception would be the same for everyone.

And finally again going back to the restriction of the diet itself I personally really prefer focusing on calories rather than any given food type. It frees me to eat what I want, eat anywhere without fear of not having something to eat, and is much easier to deal with overall for planning, shopping, and cooking.

People have asked me about my weight loss and I tell them it's just all about the calories. I joke that I'd eat pizza all day if it added up to my target. (I would too heh, love pizza.) The reality is of course I have a decently balanced diet but if I feel like eating pizza, or whatever, one day for all my meals I don't sweat it. :D
 
My friend did it in high school and lost the weight and kept it off (though he did so before 17, which is apparently the magic number that increases likely hood of not putting the pounds back on by a lot.) He is 26 now.

I did it after never being able to stick to any other diet. I lost an amazing amount of weight fast. I did not count calories, however I was in a caloric deficit. By eliminating one group of food I could only eat so much. looking back I ate sensibly. However, my cravings for carbs eventually turned into obsession. I would look at things other people were eating and just hate it, hate it, hate it. I broke and never could go back (coincidentally the object that made me break my diet was horrible and I didn't even like it.)

I was also working at a miniture golf course concession stand. All the ice cream I could eat. You could imagine where I went from there.

If low carb works for you go for it, you still need to count calories. You don't need to do an atkins approach. You can just do what works for you.

Honestly, except for a minor fraction of people who research things and stick to strick diets for a specific purpose (other than the generic losing weight), its all gimmicks. Diets come down to just eating less than you need to maintain your current weight.

Losing weight is simple in theory. Only in practice is it difficult -- for some of us. Others seem to be able to make the decision and never falter. I envy you.

Uh, back on track. There are different kinds of carbs. I recommend you read into them and restricting the "bad" carbs. There are a number of things you can do to increase your likely hood of success. Having a complete understanding of nutrion would help majorly.

Good luck with your choice. As long as you do something thats in the right direction you are making a good choice.
 
Here's a few things to consider:

If one is a T2 diabetic (like my body), then going "lower carbs" then average North Amercian diet is a good thing. No, not the "low carb" extreme like Dr. Bernstein likes to advertise. Simple middle ground between extreme LOW and NORMAL carb diet. "Lower" carb intake evenly distributed across all meals and snacks is a good for many T2s. Thus, keeping one's BG numbers more manageable without dropping daily energy levels. If wondering, there's more then enough natural carbs in low GI release fruits, small amount of WW items, many veggies to keep the body within a "comfortable" daily "lower" carb diet.

If normal body, then I would too recommend one avoids "refined" (sometimes call "bad") carbs. Focus more on better whole wheat carbs, less amount of fruit drinks and lower intake of "sugar loaded" foods as well. Simply eat a normal balance diet without allowing too much white grains / starch foods. If wondering, there's more then enough natural carbs in low GI release fruits, veggies to keep the body within one's National Food Guide limits.

Many say the "low carb" (under 75 carbs per day) dramatically slows down the digestive system within a body. The body functions ok on lower carb intake but when one's body goes back onto normal "ever day" high level of carbs (re: average North Amercian diet), their body immediately over compensates. Thus, it adds the extra weight back on. And, even adds more extra lbs compared to their original "low carb" start date. Thus, why it's very dangerious to use Atkins "no carb" diet and sudden come off it 3+ months later. If coming off an "extreme low" carb diet, do it slowly - over 6 month time period.

If one is a Diabetec and likes to keep their daily BG numbers within "normal body range" (like my body), then LOWER carb diet of say 80 to 110 carbs per day is ok. Especially if "lower carbs" and exercise after each meal benefits their hbA1C, daily BG average and Cholestoral numbers.

Note: Lower carbs (approx 120 carbs per day) isn't for everyone either. If I had a normal body, I'd like to focus more between Lower carb diet and `average` dialy North Amercian diet. After total carb measurements (130-140 for my adult size), many would call this "a proper balanced diet" - based on one's National food guide. re: Food guide pyramid - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Hope this helps as well...

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I dont think I could live on a low carb diet since Carbs are probably my favourite kinds of foods! If i didnt have them i would most definately fail because It would be just to restricting for me and I couldnt stick with it... And why would I want to? I too Eat ANYTHING I want as long as it fits within my caloric plan. no maybe its not the MOST effective or effecient way but it's something that works for me and I can easily stick to. I'm slowly making healthier choices all the time and so far it's been pretty effortless and therefor couldnt imagine NOT doing this for the rest of my life which is what really counts right?
 
Carbs around found in anything from starches, to grains, to veggies to even protien foods. A simple small RAW apple with skin is 15 carbs / 55 calories (on average). Carrots contain carbs and so does cheese. Even a tea spoon of peanut butter has 2 carbs. 1 x slice of Whole Wheat break has 9-15 carbs (depending on the brand).

"Low carb" diet means that a person purposely picks foods that contain "less" carbs inside them. One can never eliminate carbs from their dialy diet. Its impossible - unless they only drink clear water all day long.

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If trying to "lower" extra body fat, reduce "carolies" intake. If trying to lower one's Blood Glucose numbers (if a Diabetec person - like myself), then go with lower carb foods. If normal body, my body `should have` between 120-150 carbs `per day` - for a proper balanced diet. Based on charts, a normal body of my physical size, age and activity level is 130 carbs per day. Currently, my body is on 80-110 carbs per day - which is my body's "sweet spot" - for best BG number control. From "body weight" control, focus carlories intake between 1,800 - 2,800 per day (depending on one's physical shape and their working job). By default, a nurse in ER room needs much more calories that a "sit on tail" truck driver. Each body is different. Thus, different "ranges" are used as a guide.

Hope this helps as well...

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Lyle McDonald has a good article comparing diets, including low carb ones that might help. Some people do better on low carb diets, some people do better on high carb - the trick is to figure out which is right for you :D
 
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