slow carb diet?

pinktoesjb

I'm struggling recently keeping below my calories without being hungry/grouchy especially on work out days. A stressful period including family upset and a bereavement have put me over the edge and I am really unhappy with how I am sliding back the wrong way on the scale.

Looking at the slow carb diet I think I could work with this long term apart from sulking because I love tomatoes! It looks to be modified atkins to me which is why I'm concerned that it isn't going to help with my work outs. It's basically no sugar or processed grains, no potatoes, plenty of veg other than corn, tomatoes or avocados. Meat, eggs, beans, legumes and cottage cheese all fine, some nuts and dry wine are ok too Bread and chocolate are my failing points recently and I have cut out bread without too much trouble. I'm just impatient I suppose I struggle to stick with a restrictive plan past the first three weeks if I don't see results. By which I mean realistic results, I don't expect to drop five kilos in a week I know that's not real fat loss and not sustainable.

Has anyone tried this plan and found it effective, especially if working out consistently?

I currently work to 1800 cals a day plus eat back at least 1/2 exercise calories. TDEE stopped being effective for me some time ago. Average week will be 2 cardio and 2 lifting sessions plus one long yoga class, sometimes more walking and cycling at the weekend.

JenniDaisy

Why is dry wine ok, but no other wines? Why no avocados, they're low carb?
Just curious as this diet doesn't seem to make sense.

pinktoesjb

I'm guessing as there's less sugar in red wine and dry white vs a sweet white or dessert wine. I've not bought the book yet as I'm not sure this is going to be effective for someone active, so I don't have all the theory behind it.

nuvimi

I don't think the diet, as you've laid it out, makes any sense either.

JenniDaisy

pinktoesjb wrote: »

I'm guessing as there's less sugar in red wine and dry white vs a sweet white or dessert wine. I've not bought the book yet as I'm not sure this is going to be effective for someone active, so I don't have all the theory behind it.

Yeah, that's really not the case.
Between you and me, I'd save your money.

Dave198lbs

no avocado but cottage cheese is ok on a modified atkins? I would say it sounds like someone just made some unwarranted changes so they could claim they made up a new diet. If you are worried about energy for workouts, I would give a "normal" atkins or low carb and higher fat diet a shot before spending money on a book. There is so much free info on atkins and low carb that spending money isn't required. I am not pushing a low carb or atkins, but just saying save your money and spend it on food instead.

pinktoesjb

Dave198lbs wrote: »

no avocado but cottage cheese is ok on a modified atkins? I would say it sounds like someone just made some unwarranted changes so they could claim they made up a new diet. If you are worried about energy for workouts, I would give a "normal" atkins or low carb and higher fat diet a shot before spending money on a book. There is so much free info on atkins and low carb that spending money isn't required. I am not pushing a low carb or atkins, but just saying save your money and spend it on food instead.

That's what it says in the summary info I have been able to find. Thinking about it there is a dairy ban other than cottage cheese so it sounds like it's lower carb and low fat too which might be a recipe for disaster it's just going to make me want to break stuff!

Never thought about fat increase for workout energy so thanks for that I will look into it.

psuLemon

Honestly, I would skip the diet and just work on eating foods high in fat, protein and fiber. Personally, when I restrict foods, especially if I like them, it makes it harder to stick with the diet. Having said that, you can modify your diary to include more protein and less carbs. Many of us alter our macros to help enable our tracking to incorporate those items. Also, prelogging to helps so you can balance the macros. But if you are eating 1800 calories daily, you could change your macros to 30% carbs, 30% protein and 40% fats and aim for 30g+ of fiber. This should help with the fullness. MFP also has low carb groups that you can join to get more information and you can look in the recipe section if you need some ideas.

BTW, what do you mean TDEE stopped work for you?

pinktoesjb

psulemon wrote: »

Honestly, I would skip the diet and just work on eating foods high in fat, protein and fiber. Personally, when I restrict foods, especially if I like them, it makes it harder to stick with the diet. Having said that, you can modify your diary to include more protein and less carbs. Many of us alter our macros to help enable our tracking to incorporate those items. Also, prelogging to helps so you can balance the macros. But if you are eating 1800 calories daily, you could change your macros to 30% carbs, 30% protein and 40% fats and aim for 30g+ of fiber. This should help with the fullness. MFP also has low carb groups that you can join to get more information and you can look in the recipe section if you need some ideas.

BTW, what do you mean TDEE stopped work for you?

Thank you. I was doing tdee less 15% with macros at 40 carb 30p 30f and I just wasn't hitting the macro targets without being very hungry on work out days, and I wasn't losing anything this way. Maybe I adjusted down too much, but I have changed my workout regime since then too.

I just don't want to be back in my usual winter slump where it all goes to crap again and I'm back on damage control in the new year and that's how I feel it is going at the moment.

Phrick

so, all diet advice aside... if you're really interested in finding out about this particular diet but don't want to put out the money to buy the book, it sounds like a trip to the local library is in order.

psuLemon

pinktoesjb wrote: »

psulemon wrote: »

Honestly, I would skip the diet and just work on eating foods high in fat, protein and fiber. Personally, when I restrict foods, especially if I like them, it makes it harder to stick with the diet. Having said that, you can modify your diary to include more protein and less carbs. Many of us alter our macros to help enable our tracking to incorporate those items. Also, prelogging to helps so you can balance the macros. But if you are eating 1800 calories daily, you could change your macros to 30% carbs, 30% protein and 40% fats and aim for 30g+ of fiber. This should help with the fullness. MFP also has low carb groups that you can join to get more information and you can look in the recipe section if you need some ideas.

BTW, what do you mean TDEE stopped work for you?

Thank you. I was doing tdee less 15% with macros at 40 carb 30p 30f and I just wasn't hitting the macro targets without being very hungry on work out days, and I wasn't losing anything this way. Maybe I adjusted down too much, but I have changed my workout regime since then too.

I just don't want to be back in my usual winter slump where it all goes to crap again and I'm back on damage control in the new year and that's how I feel it is going at the moment.

Even if you follow the TDEE method, you might have to adjust lower or higher based on results. It's going to give you about the same results as MFP's method but I suspect the real reason you didn't lose if your don't log the weekends (at least the last several) and you are eating more than you think. Either way, drop carbs, increase fat, add more fiber and log every day and use a food scale.

Sued0nim

Can't you just go back to weighing and logging everything

Eat back your exercise calories - or 50-75% of them if using MFP estimates

If you're accurately tracking and doing a cut on TDEE and still don't lose weight, take it down another few percentages until you start too (or reevaluate your TDEE .. get a fitbit / HRM so you're more accurate on what you're spending)

I couldn't cut carbs cos I know that it wouldn't be lifelong for me and as soon as I start eating them again I'd put on lbs of water weight in a second

999tigger

Whats wrong with doing the bog standard fruit and veg lean protein diet at a deficit? How hard and consistent will you be working out?
Slow carbs as in complex carbs are excellent, but is the slow carb diet this book the 4 Hour body by Tim Feriss?

Heres a review to give you an idea of the logic behind it. I pasted the whole article so people can read what its about.



Lose 20 pounds of fat in 30 days (without exercise)? Achieve a 15-minute orgasm?

All this and more is not just possible, it’s probable, says Tim Ferriss, author of the best-selling book, 4-Hour Body: An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex, and Becoming Superhuman.

cottage cheese

In his book, Ferriss covers diet, sleep (suggesting six 20-minute naps a day as opposed to 8 straight hours of sleep), exercise, sex, and the perks of medical tourism or undergoing tests or treatment outside the U.S.

Is there any scientific evidence to support some of the outlandish, outrageous claims in Ferriss’s 500-plus page book?

Tim Ferriss is not a doctor, nutritionist, or scientist. He is a 33-year-old author and blogger. He has served as his own guinea pig since high school to develop the program he details in his new book. He did run many of his ideas by a panel of experts, including athletes and scientists, and urges people to see their doctor before following any of his advice.

The book's premise is simple: Less is more, and small, simple changes produce long-lasting effects. “There is zero room for misunderstanding and visible results compel you to continue,” Ferriss writes in his book. “If results are fast and measurable, self-discipline isn't needed.”

Ferriss's Slow-Carb Diet

How fast and measurable? How about 20 pounds in 30 days without exercise? Ferriss’s "slow-carb" diet promises just that.

The rules are simple (and likely familiar to anyone who has tried a low-carb diet): Avoid white bread, white rice, potatoes, and other white carbs.

Ferriss also says no to whole grains and steel-cut oats, which are often touted as healthy carbs due to their high fiber content. His rapid weight loss plan outlaws all fruit and dairy (except cottage cheese) and involves one “all-you-can-eat day” each week. Cottage cheese speeds fat loss, unlike other dairy products, which slow it, Ferriss writes.

Ferriss suggests eating the same small meals over and over and over again.

He cautions against drinking your calories but allows two glasses of red wine each night (preferably a dry Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Merlot). “Red wine is by no means required for this diet to work, but it’s 100% allowed (unlike white wines and beer, both which should be avoided),” he writes.
Pros and Cons of Ferriss's Slow-Carb Diet

Does this diet make sense?

“The whole notion of avoiding white carbs that turn quickly into sugar is a good thing to do,” says James P. Nicolai, MD, medical director of the Andrew Weil, M.D. Integrative Wellness Program at Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa in Tucson, Ariz.

Also, “it can be helpful to eat the same meals each day because you don’t think about food, as opposed to ‘I am really hungry and don’t have food to eat,” Nicolai says. The latter can set you up for making unhealthy food choices.

But "rapid fat loss is not possible,” says Barry Sears, PhD, president of Zone Labs Inc. and the Inflammation Research Foundation in Marblehead, Mass. “You can lose a lot of water weight or muscle mass quickly, but fat loss is a slow process and hard work.”

Sears, who developed the Zone diet, says there is no such thing as a 4-hour body. “Skip the 4-hour body and opt for a 24-hour-365-day-a-year body, because you need a plan that makes sense that you can live with,” Sears says.

“It’s a spinoff of a low-carb diet with alcohol,” says Michael Aziz, MD, of New York's Lenox Hill Hospital and author of The Perfect 10 Diet.

The amount of vegetables is limited in Ferriss’s slow-carb diet. Ferriss offers a list of approved veggies -- including spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, peas, and green beans. But “we need all kinds of vegetables in all kinds of colors and sizes,” Aziz says. "If you restrict vegetables, there can be long-term vitamin and mineral deficiencies."

Aziz also takes issue with weekly binge days. “This is not responsible and can be very dangerous,” he says.

Ferriss' fondness for cottage cheese for weight loss and ban on other dairy products is one of the many contradictions in his book. It has zero scientific proof, but he claims it worked for him.

Ferriss is a big fan of ice baths or very cold showers. He writes that cold triggers hormones that aid and speed fat loss. “Cooling can burn calories,” Aziz says. “A glass of cold water before a meal can do the same thing.”

As for the book's claims of a 15-minute orgasm, Pepper Schwartz, PhD, a sociologist at the University of Washington in Seattle, says that's mainly hype.

“[Ferriss] defines orgasm in such a way that he can make the claim,” she says. “Orgasm is a very specific biological reaction that cannot possibly last for 15 minutes,” she says. “He was trying to be outrageous and he covers his tracks in defining orgasm in a way that suits his claim.”

The review says enough assuming its fair to make me laugh as well as stay well clear. If you wnat to try it then please do so and report back after a few months.

Ps sorry for your loss, beravement sucks.

JenniDaisy

Uh Ok, My new advice is to run away, far far away, from this diet.

A calorie deficit will work, it's just a matter of eating a healthy, sustainable deficit in a manner that works for you and your lifestyle. Whether that's low carb, TDEE, Vegetarian, Paleo etc, It's up to you to make the choice, crazy diets can't help you.

pinktoesjb

Ok I think I'm on board with not trying all of this, I certainly hadn't read all the extra info on it about mini naps and frankly I'm far too busy to set aside that kind of time for orgasms

I have adjusted macros and will now track fibre to try and aid feeling full. I may have a bit of a pain barrier to go through to get back on form from slacking off for a while.

Liftng4Lis

Have you tried eating in a deficit?

pinktoesjb

Yes my usual plan involves eating at defecit, as I said I was struggling with being very hungry when in defecit, especially on work out days so was often going over and thus not losing as I would like to.

FunkyTobias

Ferris is a snake-oil salesman. You can safely ignore anything he has to say.

BoxerBrawler

JenniDaisy wrote: »

Uh Ok, My new advice is to run away, far far away, from this diet.

A calorie deficit will work, it's just a matter of eating a healthy, sustainable deficit in a manner that works for you and your lifestyle. Whether that's low carb, TDEE, Vegetarian, Paleo etc, It's up to you to make the choice, crazy diets can't help you.

Yes

Sabine_Stroehm

I dislike Ferriss. I ate Slow carb long before Ferriss. Slow carb is a GREAT way to eat. It's still how I eat. There are many ways to eat slow carb that are less complicated than Ferriss's approach. South Beach is a slow carb formal diet (and quite simple). Or you can just read up on glycemic index, glycemic load, blunting glycemic response, and even things like PCOS diets, all of which will give you great info on choosing foods to keep you and your blood sugars happy, and your appetite under control.


Feel free to PM me, or send me a friend request. Good luck!

Lala478910

Just have to clarify something... You CAN eat tomatoes and avocados in moderation...

Azuriaz

pinktoesjb wrote: »

Ok I think I'm on board with not trying all of this, I certainly hadn't read all the extra info on it about mini naps and frankly I'm far too busy to set aside that kind of time for orgasms

I have adjusted macros and will now track fibre to try and aid feeling full. I may have a bit of a pain barrier to go through to get back on form from slacking off for a while.

LOL! I hate cottage cheese, but I admit, if it had that side effect, I'd give it a go and make some time in my life for it!

cafeaulait7

I agree with @Sabine_Stroehm .

The type of carbs I eat has a definite effect on my hunger, with glycemic load being a quite reasonable explanation for that (and I do have glucose issues). I lost weight nicely ages ago with a (now old) diet called The Good Carb diet that was based on GL. I didn't have to watch my calories, but then I love to eat sweets or bread and crackers, and that diet didn't let you do that wantonly!

You don't need a formal diet to do it, either. Read up on glycemic load and choose foods that are low. It gets rid of a lot of our junk food right off the bat, because they shoot blood sugar up quickly. Treat other foods like a treat and you'll do great unless you get too many calories from fat (or even protein, less realistically). Still watch the butter, in other words But eat the avocados, fat or no! They are so good for you.

rankinsect

I don't really like fad diets that tell you what you can and can't eat. My goal is to hit calorie count and come somewhat in the ballpark on macronutrients.

I do vigorous exercise three days a week, and on those days, I try to eat a lot of lean protein - both as it's very, very filling for the calorie amount, and because protein is going to encourage muscle growth. On rest days, I tend to eat more carbs, but I try to make them slower-acting, starchy foods instead of sugary foods. I want the carbs there to replenish muscle glycogen stores, and the starchy foods release their carbohydrates in a more controlled fashion that I find reduces hunger.

I really just take note of foods I find particularly filling for their calorie amount, and foods that I don't, and just repeat meals I found successful. Sugary foods (high GI) tend to be less satisfying for the calorie amounts.

sinbadfxdl

Along with a calorie deficit, I keep my carbs around a 45 to 60 gr per day. When it's cardio day I will shoot it way up for the energy. Usually every four days or so. Then its back to protein and veggies. It gives me the energy.

vspangie

Calorie deficits are the answer and there are good carbs and "bad" carbs. A white baked potato is not evil. It's nutrient value in potassium and B's is incredible. None of us need refined carbs (sugars breads etc) so there is the problem. I love tomatoes, potatoes, and carrots and easily maintain my 30 lb weight loss. I eat one or two tomatos and carrots most daysand I work out in high intensity group training 4-5 days a week with average calorie burn over 500 calories per workout based on heartrate monitor.

I think that looking at one diet plan for an easy fix is way too easy. The answer is calorie control and exercise.

Yi5hedr3

Don't eat back your exercise calories. That's like working out for nothing.

kshama2001

Azuriaz wrote: »

pinktoesjb wrote: »

Ok I think I'm on board with not trying all of this, I certainly hadn't read all the extra info on it about mini naps and frankly I'm far too busy to set aside that kind of time for orgasms

I have adjusted macros and will now track fibre to try and aid feeling full. I may have a bit of a pain barrier to go through to get back on form from slacking off for a while.

LOL! I hate cottage cheese, but I admit, if it had that side effect, I'd give it a go and make some time in my life for it!

I just bought two pounds of cottage cheese. Bring on the 15 minute orgasms!

Jruzer

Yi5hedr3 wrote: »

Don't eat back your exercise calories. That's like working out for nothing.

Au contraire. That's working out to get more food. Food =/= nothing.

MFP already has a calorie deficit built in, so eating your exercise calories still gives you a calorie deficit to lose weight.

juggernaut1974

Zombie thread folks, zombie thread.

OP is long gone.

Sabine_Stroehm

ceoverturf wrote: »

Zombie thread folks, zombie thread.

OP is long gone.

And it was bumped to "clarify" even.