Low Carb Discussion

Komixe

So , I've been debating on whether or not I should do a low carb diet because I want to eat normal foods with my friends when we go out, so I was wondering if it would be okay to do it sometimes , I mean eat more carbs then you would normally, or would that mess up the keotosis?

Honestly I only want to do it until I reach my target goal, and I know I have to be careful and do some strength excersizes so I don't just lose my muscle( honestly Im not sure if that's a thing but I guess some ppl do lose muscle mass if they aren't careful enough on this kind of diet.)

I'm just also kind of confused because don't meats have lots of carbs in them too? Or is that just processed meat?

I was wondering if anyone would talk to me about it. Thank you for reading.

Ah I forgot to mention I can't eat much diary because I'm lac-tos n tolerant.

pinggolfer96

Meat has zero carbs. Ketogenic diet will not aid towards any more fat loss than a balanced diet would in a caloric deficit. The carbs will also support energy in the gym and are a protein sparing macronutrient. If you prefer Keto, then that's fine, but it's not a magic diet. 1200 cals on Keto will result in the same weight (fat,protein,or water weight) loss eating 1200 cals on a balanced diet.

rontafoya

Assuming weight loss is your goal, the caloric deficit is most important, not which macronutrients you eat. That said, it's easier to maintain your caloric deficit if you are eating foods that satisfy you, at a schedule that works best for you. I found myself eating only 20% carbs or less when I was losing weight because fats and proteins satisfied me. However now that I am leaner, I do tend to want more carbs (30%-35%) because my workout volume is heavier and more intense and I need the energy. So, I think it is more important to look at overall calories, and staying on track, and eating however many carbs work best within that. Go by how you feel. If you feel good on a low carb diet, and it helps you keep calories low, do it. But if you try it and you crave carbs day and night, and are also having trouble keeping your calories low, the low carb diet is not going to work for you. Listen to your body.

TeaBea

Lifestyle changes. You hear those 2 words a lot when people are trying to lose weight.

Is low carb going to be a temporary change to lose weight, or is low carb going to be a lifestyle change?

I can definitely see the benefit of low carb if you have medical issues. That should be a lifestyle change. But as a temporary change it's problematic. A temporary change helps you get to goal weight. But after you get to goal, then what?

Low carb (as in temporary change) doesn't tell you what permanent changes you need to maintain the weight you lost. It's kind of like starting over.

Lean muscle loss is definitely a "thing." 3 things to combat that (as much as possible): strength train, eat enough protein, and eat enough calories overall.

Carbs are in fruit, veggies, grains, dairy....not meats. Meats typically contain protein and fats, but hot dogs (?) ....who knows what they put in those things.

tincanonastring

It will be hard to stay in ketosis if you are often going over the carb level. From what I understand, getting back into it is not the easiest thing to do.

Losing muscle mass in a calorie deficit is not just a thing, but a common thing at that. Hitting your protein goals and incorporating strength training can help minimize that loss.

As the above poster pointed out, meat has zero carbs (unless you add something like breading).

Your lactose intolerance wouldn't really come into play here, unless I'm missing something.

AJ_G

Komixe wrote: »

Honestly I only want to do it until I reach my target goal

This part of your post is a huge red flag. The main reason people lose weight and then gain it back is because they used some diet or method of weight loss as a tool to lose weight, and then went back to eating normally once they hit their goal weight. If you want to lose weight and only do it once, teach yourself how to eat properly with a balanced diet while your losing weight, otherwise you'll just gain it all back, often times you'll end up heavier than your starting weight was...

soechsner09

Maybe looking at carb cycling is a better option than straight up low carb or keto? That would allow some low carb days and some high carb days. If you're looking to stay in ketosis then high carb days will most likely kick you out. That being said, there's nothing wrong with being a bit more restrictive during the week and allowing yourself some slack on weekends. I say it's more important to find something sustainable that you can live with long term.

Komixe

Ah. I am losing weight with what I'm doing now. In fact my sizes are going down I work out 3-5 days a week doing cardio for 60m-120m in fact I'm happy with my results. I'm aware that this diet isn't magic. I've been eating healthier too , but I came to the point that my lower abdominal isn't losing inches as fast as my hips and bust and I don't want to be like all weight there, while I was researching I read that lowering your carbs could help. Ofc when I'm done with that inch goal I'm going to keep eating healthy and excersizing. I'm also aware of how spot reduction doesn't exist. Which is why I wanted to talk about this diet. And I've learned a lot so far from everyone here. I was really worried about the meat having carbs. That was in my head .

TeaBea

Komixe wrote: »

Ah. I am losing weight with what I'm doing now. In fact my sizes are going down I work out 3-5 days a week doing cardio for 60m-120m in fact I'm happy with my results. I'm aware that this diet isn't magic. I've been eating healthier too , but I came to the point that my lower abdominal isn't losing inches as fast as my hips and bust and I don't want to be like all weight there, while I was researching I read that lowering your carbs could help. Ofc when I'm done with that inch goal I'm going to keep eating healthy and excersizing. I'm also aware of how spot reduction doesn't exist. Which is why I wanted to talk about this diet. And I've learned a lot so far from everyone here. I was really worried about the meat having carbs. That was in my head .

No - diets won't help you spot reduce, unfortunately. Low carb diets don't help you reduce belly fat.....lies. The only spot reduction that works is surgery. Where you lose weight from is largely genetic. The last place I lose is in the hips & thighs. It sucks, but it's just the way it is.

Komixe

I am aware.

rontafoya

If your diet is working, don't change it. Sounds like you may want to change your exercise. As mentioned here, you cannot spot reduce. This is true. If you do not already lift heavy weights, you should move toward weight training, and go heavy and hard. Doing so will improve your metabolism and torch fat. And don't worry about "bulking up" because you do not eat enough or produce enough testosterone to get huge. Just adding about 5-7lbs of lean body mass evenly spread around your body will improve your body shape, strengthen your bones, increase your metabolism, and if you keep your calories at or below maintenance you will burn fat.

Komixe

So it is my work out. I considered that too, but I can't afford going to the gym so everything I do is at home. So would something liket his help? https://youtu.be/yLN-NAazKeg?list=FLMb05FqDXWJFzOufa8Oo-RA

rontafoya

Oh--In my opinion? Not really. If you cannot go to the gym, you can still increase your overall muscle mass through body weight exercises (push ups, body weight squats, etc.). Fitness blender does have "strength" workouts--it's a pretty good site. I say, go through Fitness Blender and find strength work outs, body weight workouts, etc. The temptation is to flatten one's stomach with ab work. That doesn't work. You have to get stronger head to toe and build muscle throughout your body, and keep your calories low. I also had lower ab fat and this is how I am melting if off. It is stubborn fat, and all the ab work in the world won't get rid of it. Get stronger head to toe and keep the calories low enough and eventually you will metabolize that lower ab fat.