Anyone Else Experiencing Plenty of Energy on Low Carb?

Iwishyouwell

I keep reading post after post, and not just here, pushing people to eat more "complex" carbohydrates in the form of whole grains, rice, starchy fruits, granola, oatmeal, etc because you'll apparently be devoid of energy and vitality without consuming this group.

Anybody else functioning extremely well on a very low carbohydrate/high fat diet? I don't doubt that plenty of people need higher carbohydrate intake to feel energized and alert, but I also know from experience, my own and others, that some of us are flying perfectly high on very little carbohydrate, most of which comes from veg.

Just looking to hear like experiences!

CassarahW

You can take out all processed foods (so almost all "whole grain" products) and do amazingly well. I don't consider that low carb though because anything that isn't a protein or a fat is a carb. If you are eating lots of veggies you are eating a lot of carbs, but the good kind. The less processed foods you can eat the better. Your body will love you for it!

mike37130

I was worried at first because I was only hitting half my goal for carbs and calorie intake. But I was hitting my goal for protein and fat intake. I never went over on protein and fat. I am feeling excellent and full of energy. Most of the carbs I was getting was from veggies, fruit as well as some from the whole wheat bread I was using for breakfast and lunch.

I have only been on this diet for a few days and I do worry if this feeling will be short lived.

JaceyMarieS

I get my 20-45 g of carbs from vegetables, nuts and the pesky fractions that show up in dairy/condiments, etc. with no grains and very restricted fruits and legumes. I have no trouble with energy following LCHF - Zumba 4-5 days per week, strength training 3 days per week, 1-2 miles on the elliptical most days, walking/jogging with the dog most days, swimming whenever the weather permits and frequent spins of the stationary bike. In fact, I have much more energy than I've had for a long, long time.

ngyoung

I get plenty of energy eating fat and protein. Yeah many people that were eating primarily carbage SAD diet do get a period of low energy while their body is learning to adapt to a new diet. Once they make it out of that period energy levels stay more stable. There's no ups and downs from blood sugar spikes and crashes.

KANGOOJUMPS

I am a carb girl, you need your fuel,, I do high cardio.

Binkie1955

I've been lo-carb since 2011 and have no problems. when I eat carbs I get drowsy now. I think the insulin rush isn't good for me. no problems here. I track grams of carbs on MFP and am probably averaging fewer than 50 net grams per day of carbs. it's all fat and protein for me.
have you seen http://www.perfecthumandiet.us/ ? great film.

MyChocolateDiet

Yes, in the past when I did a low carb high protein and fats diet I had good energy and felt great.
I was also on caffeine and vicodin though so who knows?

wswilliams67

*ugh* Your macro intake will vary based on your sport/exercise.

Runner? higher carb intake
HIIT/Cardio fanatic? higher carb intake
Bodybuilder? lower carb, higher protein.
CrossFitter? usually 40C/30F/30P

It really depends on your goals.

Me personally, as a Diabetic CrossFitter, I get by just fine on no more than 80-100g of carbs/day. I also do Intermittent Fasting and workout at 5am and have had no issues with energy as long as I get enough sleep. I do have a much higher protein intake on days when we Strength Train or the WOD has lifting exercises. You have to find what works for YOU.

debb1010

I've been lo-carb since 2011 and have no problems. when I eat carbs I get drowsy now. I think the insulin rush isn't good for me. no problems here. I track grams of carbs on MFP and am probably averaging fewer than 50 net grams per day of carbs. it's all fat and protein for me.
have you seen http://www.perfecthumandiet.us/ ? great film.

I have been eating low carb. Basically doing away with as much of the bad stuff as possible and eating more of the good stuff like vegetables. If I were to go overboard on carbs right now...I too would feel very lethargic afterwards plus I'd feel very weak and physically sick. Its just best I stay away from them as much as possible.

Iwishyouwell

I am a carb girl, you need your fuel,, I do high cardio.

Except no, I was a 188 lbs, muscular young man doing high intensity cardio on low carb.

ngyoung

*ugh* Your macro intake will vary based on your sport/exercise.

Runner? higher carb intake
HIIT/Cardio fanatic? higher carb intake
Bodybuilder? lower carb, higher protein.
CrossFitter? usually 40C/30F/30P

It really depends on your goals.

Me personally, as a Diabetic CrossFitter, I get by just fine on no more than 80-100g of carbs/day. I also do Intermittent Fasting and workout at 5am and have had no issues with energy as long as I get enough sleep. I do have a much higher protein intake on days when we Strength Train or the WOD has lifting exercises. You have to find what works for YOU.

There are plenty of runners doing low carb. More and more are finding that carbo loading for competition isn't necessary.

Cutemisscoco

I eat somewhat low carb (usually between 40-55 carbs daily), lower fat, high protein and I think the high protein is what keeps me feeling like I have plenty of energy for my daily activities and workouts.

turboturtlepower

It won't last long.

turboturtlepower

*ugh* Your macro intake will vary based on your sport/exercise.

Runner? higher carb intake
HIIT/Cardio fanatic? higher carb intake
Bodybuilder? lower carb, higher protein.
CrossFitter? usually 40C/30F/30P

It really depends on your goals.

Me personally, as a Diabetic CrossFitter, I get by just fine on no more than 80-100g of carbs/day. I also do Intermittent Fasting and workout at 5am and have had no issues with energy as long as I get enough sleep. I do have a much higher protein intake on days when we Strength Train or the WOD has lifting exercises. You have to find what works for YOU.

There are plenty of runners doing low carb. More and more are finding that carbo loading for competition isn't necessary.

While true...how far are they actually running? They need an equal balance. You can't be eating under 50 a day and expect to run marathons...been there done that. I don't see it as possible.

Lupercalia

I do fine with lower carbs. I've been eating this way for a year now due to heath issues. I used to stay below 50g/day, but more recently I've found I need a bit more in order to get through my workouts and not feel miserable. My insulin sensitivity has improved a great deal over the past year, so I'm able to do that. I eat around 100-150g of carbs on most days now. I lift heavy 4x per week and train kettlebells on the other days. I walk everywhere. Works great for me.

ctaylor311

I've been LCHF for about 2 months now. More energy than ever, and better appetite control, too. I'm not waking up starving or scavenging at 11:30pm. I can easily keep up with my three-year-old and still get housework done, and I'm not dead tired at the end of the day like I was on the low-cal diet. I've even taken up jogging (first time running since '96!).
Check out http://www.marksdailyapple.com/ for info on why you don't need as many carbs to get the energy back in your life.

To your health!

littlelaura

I am diabetic so low carb high fat works for me on several levels wonderfully, I have tons of energy that I do not have at higher levels. I am currently at 10% or 30 grams of carbs a day. I know my maintenance level is 25% or 75 grams, I happily don't gain but I also do not lose either. Anything over that I do gain and feel sluggish complete with noticeable brain fog. I still need to lose so I had to readjust my carbs, it also keeps my glucose numbers near perfect with as little insuln as possible, and less shots definitely makes me happy!

pen2u

I'm with you! My head is clearer, I'm way less spacey, have tons more energy, less belly fat, my peeps at boot camp are amazed at how my body has become leaner and meaner. I've been gluten free for years but didn't feel this good until I started eating a primal diet. Love it!!

Iwishyouwell

*ugh* Your macro intake will vary based on your sport/exercise.

Runner? higher carb intake
HIIT/Cardio fanatic? higher carb intake
Bodybuilder? lower carb, higher protein.
CrossFitter? usually 40C/30F/30P

It really depends on your goals.

Me personally, as a Diabetic CrossFitter, I get by just fine on no more than 80-100g of carbs/day. I also do Intermittent Fasting and workout at 5am and have had no issues with energy as long as I get enough sleep. I do have a much higher protein intake on days when we Strength Train or the WOD has lifting exercises. You have to find what works for YOU.

There are plenty of runners doing low carb. More and more are finding that carbo loading for competition isn't necessary.

While true...how far are they actually running? They need an equal balance. You can't be eating under 50 a day and expect to run marathons...been there done that. I don't see it as possible.

Low Carb Runner Wins Marathon:
http://www.meandmydiabetes.com/2012/08/11/western-states-100-low-carber-wins-ultramarathon-steve-phinney-and-jeff-volek-study/

I did it!! My first carb free marathon!
http://www.livinlowcarbdiscussion.com/showthread.php?tid=4427

Running a Marathon? Load Up on Fat: New research suggests carb-loading before a race isn’t the best way to energize.
http://www.washingtonian.com/blogs/wellbeing/healthy-eating/running-a-marathon-load-up-on-fat.php

This took a minute to find. And it's only skimming the surface.

ldrosophila

I've got a giant brain I need my brain food.

atlchc8

I keep reading post after post, and not just here, pushing people to eat more "complex" carbohydrates in the form of whole grains, rice, starchy fruits, granola, oatmeal, etc because you'll apparently be devoid of energy and vitality without consuming this group.

Anybody else functioning extremely well on a very low carbohydrate/high fat diet? I don't doubt that plenty of people need higher carbohydrate intake to feel energized and alert, but I also know from experience, my own and others, that some of us are flying perfectly high on very little carbohydrate, most of which comes from veg.

Just looking to hear like experiences!

Yes! I felt very tired and cranky when I first started off eating a low carb diet but then I started eating a lot more protein and it keeps me satiated and happy!

jaxxie

I made the fatal mistake of lowering my cals and carbs as a result of medical treatments for my hip. HUGE mistake. I ended up having to take a reset week off, due to lack of energy and motivation....all because of this stupid lowering cals and as a result lowering carbs. NEVER AGAIN! All I wanted to do is sleep as soon as I got home. I am not sure how it works for you, but I need fuel and energy....although I do realize we all weight/require/aspire different things...this is just what I have found this last week.

AnneSoCal

I do a pretty hard core boot camp every morning, before breakfast, and I eat less than 50g of carbs a day. I have tons of energy during class and throughout the day, so for me, eating refined foods with carbs is not necessary. You can get plenty of the nutrients and fibers (and carbs) you need from "real" food (nothing that comes in a bag, a box or a can for the most part.) When I start eating grains or starchy foods (carbs), I get lazy and feel bloated most of the time.

Tubbytucka

I'm running on 20-30g carbs a day, I recently did a 3.5hr/42 mile mountain bike ride and felt fine the whole time. I didn't even eat much after it, maybe a couple of drumsticks and a small salad. Your body evolved to run on fats and proteins, not potatoes, pasta and grass (in the form of grains). As I have written on here a few times, a high fat diet keeps me feeling full longer than carb-heavy meals. Low carb works for me.

Iwishyouwell

I made the fatal mistake of lowering my cals and carbs as a result of medical treatments for my hip. HUGE mistake. I ended up having to take a reset week off, due to lack of energy and motivation....all because of this stupid lowering cals and as a result lowering carbs. NEVER AGAIN! All I wanted to do is sleep as soon as I got home. I am not sure how it works for you, but I need fuel and energy....although I do realize we all weight/require/aspire different things...this is just what I have found this last week.

Lowering carbs AND cals? Why? That sounds horrendous. One of the added benefits of those who do well on low carb is that we're actually able to eat more and still lose/maintain.

BuzzardMarinePumper

I welcome the assistanc of a pro due to my desire to get my siz pac that has been my goal since a year ago .. I how ever as an older man on TRT and weight training very hard and MTB rider do not agree with your avg 1900 calories a day diet goal I am now eating 3000 primary protein with 75% pROTEIN 15% Carbs and 10% Sats and have lost 60 lbs of fat in a year and gained about 20 lbs of muscle at 54 years old and IMO require these Proein Calories to matain my muscle size which is not huge just above average and lost 6 inches in my waist and had gains were I desire just can't get rid of that last 1/4 inch of fat around my flexors ?

Seeking advice and I do run a little low on energy . I am 100% disabled and taking opiates as scrited so I fight a double edged sword ! I welcome educated comments

Danicacub

Definitely, and no more feeling bloated or sluggish. I love it but crave bread a lot!

Mr_Knight

...and gained about 20 lbs of muscle at 54 years old...

No, you haven't. A 20 year old kid with perfect genetics, perfect nutrition and fully devoted to training would have trouble hitting that kind of gain.

BuzzardMarinePumper

I eat about every 3 hours and drink a gal + of water a day . Live on a farm and get plenty of Egg Whites with my Protein shakes that fill any hungar pains I get I have been very pleased with slow fat loose as weight loose is not my primary goal but seem to have hit a wall and far as fet cells in the mid section . small maybe 1/4 barely pinchable side handels and almost flat belly to top portions of awist possible 1/2 in still over but looking for lean flat belly with in 12 mths 8 pac ? I mean lean flexors and would be a dream to be single digit BF%

gk03ub

I did it and I was miserable. Results vary from person to person. Find what works for you and stick to it. For me, its carbs for life