Need Help with Low Carb Diet!

ALS9861

I am looking to change things up a bit and lower my carb intake. I do a lot of prepared meals like lean cuisines, but would really like to start cutting them out of my diet. I am currently 5'7 and weigh 150 lbs. I only want to lose about 5-10 more lbs. I hold most of my extra weight in my mid-section, which I've been told comes from too many carbs (I'm definitely a salty food snacker). I normally run 3 miles 3-4x/week and elliptical 2x/week for 40 mins, but the belly isn't disappearing.

What's the best way to go about starting a lower carb lifestyle?
If I track carbs, what amount should I stay between for a day?
What should I cut out of my diet?
What type of alcoholic drinks can I have?
What exercises should I be doing?

Any other tips/advice would be greatly appreciated.

thisismeraw

I personally wouldn't lower carbs or eliminate anything for anything other than a medical condition.

You can lose weight with carbs provided you do not have a medical reason to limit or remove them. Have the right carbs. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains.

To lose those last few pounds, have your deficit small (0.5lbs per week as a goal) and eat good, fresh foods. Cut out processed foods and fill up on fruits, vegetables, lean meats and whole grains.

SandraNancy

You actually sound similar to me. I'm 5'7, started off at 160, and am maintaining around 135-140 (started weight lifting about 4 weeks ago, so trying to build muscle currently).

I am the salty snacker, and the lover of dips with breads and all things carb-y, so I hear you. I tried lowering my carb intake as an experiment once, and actually saw great results. Not so much for weight loss, but for loss of inches. Over a 4 week span I ate about 60g of carbs 5 days a week, and then about 100g of carbs two days (usually the weekend, so I didn't feel completely restricted). The carbs I was eating were more from fruits and veggies than grains or starches. I was eating a lot of protein and a good amount of fat instead, wasn't restricting calories.

By the 4th week I was down 4 lbs, and two inches on my waist, which is my main trouble spot. Also 1 inch smaller on my hips. This was in addition to my regular level of working out, which is usually cycling most days, yoga a few times a week, and running a few times a week.

So, to answer your questions-- I think the best way to start is just to start. And pick a number that you'd like to stay below each day, and then stick to that. If you want a piece of bread, that's fine, but know that that means more lean protein and fats later.

I found 60-100g of carbs to be a great range for me.

I'd be leery of cutting anything out completely, because then that just becomes the thing you're dying to have. If you want chips, have a few, but keep track of those carbs. For me, after a few weeks, I didn't want the "bad" foods so much, because it meant less carbs available for later.

I drink whiskey most often, and many spirits are not as bad as something like beer if you're watching carbs. Also, stay away from the sugary stuff as mixers.

I think the exercises you're doing now are likely fine. If you want to add something, why not try a bit of weight training? You've got a lot of cardio there, which is fine, but cardio won't sculpt the fabulous muscles underneath the carb bloat. Also, I'm sure you've heard that more muscle means more calorie burn. True story!

Hope this helps, and good luck!