I would like to know what kind of results any of you have had with low carb diets. I have been doing a good job of exercising regularly for the past 2 months but have not been on any specific diet - just trying to eat healthy. I have a couple of friends that have lost quite a bit of weight with a low carb diet. They don't exercise at all and one of them only follows the diet during the week. He eats anything he wants on the weekends and he has still lost quite a bit of weight. I am thinking that, with my exercising, following a low carb diet might really help with fat loss. Any feedback would be great.
low carb diet
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NolaRob
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I lost the bulk of my weight doing low carb. Personally, I think it's the way to go to stay motivated and lose it quickly. I know that many people differ on this, but I'm going on what worked for me. I'll agree that eating right and exercising is the "best" way to lose weight. But if you're impatient and lose focus easily because it's moving "too slow", I think it's a set up for failure. Bottom line, low carb works (and rather quickly), but at some point you have to switch to healthy eating because if you go back to your old ways of eating, that too is a set up for failure.
Thanks for the feedback. I think I will cut down on carbs and try and eliminate the bad ones. That has to be a good thing. I have been reading up on the Adkins diet and it seems so complicated and I don't think I could maintain it for long. I will try this and see what happens.
I don't have much a problem with low carb approaches at all. I've had a lot of success with them in the past. It's important though, to keep in mind that what matters more is calories. Simply going low carb without accounting for calories won't make a lick of difference on the scale.
In addition, there's no real metabolic advantage to going low carb. It's just one way to ultimately control calories and for some, hunger.
The neat thing is those who reduce carbs typically bump up protein and protein tends to control calories automatically for many as they're more satiating and filling.
My advice would be to try it out and if you like it, keep it. If not, don't get stuck in the rut of thinking it's The One True Way to lose weight. The possibilities are endless.
And don't forget to keep the good carbs in there that tend to be calorically sparse and nutrient dense (fruits and veggies).
Best to you.
In addition, there's no real metabolic advantage to going low carb. It's just one way to ultimately control calories and for some, hunger.
The neat thing is those who reduce carbs typically bump up protein and protein tends to control calories automatically for many as they're more satiating and filling.
My advice would be to try it out and if you like it, keep it. If not, don't get stuck in the rut of thinking it's The One True Way to lose weight. The possibilities are endless.
And don't forget to keep the good carbs in there that tend to be calorically sparse and nutrient dense (fruits and veggies).
Best to you.
Jeanette401
New member
I did Atkins for 5 years and lost 70 lbs - although towards the end 10 of them came back.
The thing that 'inspired' me to try it was a study that showed a low carb diet allowed you to eat more calories than a low fat plan for the same weight loss. However, as I understand it, the real advantage wasn't in cutting out the carbs as much as the high protein. The diet in the study was high in protein and the carbs came primarily from fruit & vegetables.
Now I'm off of low carb, but still going for high protein and watching my calories. And I definitely agree that maintaining Atkins forever is difficult (although the grams of carbs wasn't all that hard to track). But then again, weighing your food to calculate calories takes time & effort too
Technically I might still be low carb some days - but that's more of a practical matter. Two tortillas might be over 400 calories. I could probably easily eat 4 tortillas fairly easily and not even feel that full. That's 800 calories... that's a lot. Limiting yourself on calorically dense foods can help in being 'sensible' if you're not counting.
So - yes, low carb can work. Yes, it can be hard to maintain. No, it's not the only answer. So from my personal experience I'd recommend focusing on lean protein and veggies and go from there.
The thing that 'inspired' me to try it was a study that showed a low carb diet allowed you to eat more calories than a low fat plan for the same weight loss. However, as I understand it, the real advantage wasn't in cutting out the carbs as much as the high protein. The diet in the study was high in protein and the carbs came primarily from fruit & vegetables.
Now I'm off of low carb, but still going for high protein and watching my calories. And I definitely agree that maintaining Atkins forever is difficult (although the grams of carbs wasn't all that hard to track). But then again, weighing your food to calculate calories takes time & effort too
Technically I might still be low carb some days - but that's more of a practical matter. Two tortillas might be over 400 calories. I could probably easily eat 4 tortillas fairly easily and not even feel that full. That's 800 calories... that's a lot. Limiting yourself on calorically dense foods can help in being 'sensible' if you're not counting.So - yes, low carb can work. Yes, it can be hard to maintain. No, it's not the only answer. So from my personal experience I'd recommend focusing on lean protein and veggies and go from there.
And that's a great point J...
With most any nutritional plan of attack, once you assure you're getting adequate protein, essential fats, and a nice dose of fruits and veggies (which should be foundational components of all diets), the rest will fall into place much easier.
That's why I always build diets by first setting calories, then protein, then fats, than insert the fruits and veggies.
What room is left, calorically speaking, I'll play with carbs and fats depending on the individual. If they're an athlete or respond well to carbs... most of the remaining calorie allotment will most likely be filled by carbs. If not, it will be filled with less carbs and more fat.
With most any nutritional plan of attack, once you assure you're getting adequate protein, essential fats, and a nice dose of fruits and veggies (which should be foundational components of all diets), the rest will fall into place much easier.
That's why I always build diets by first setting calories, then protein, then fats, than insert the fruits and veggies.
What room is left, calorically speaking, I'll play with carbs and fats depending on the individual. If they're an athlete or respond well to carbs... most of the remaining calorie allotment will most likely be filled by carbs. If not, it will be filled with less carbs and more fat.