Am I the only one who can’t stick with LCHF? – anyone else tried but couldn’t do it?
imtriagain
Posts: 104 Member
Everywhere I read, people seem to find LCHF so easy and have great success with it.
I’ve been LCHF for about 3 weeks and I’m very close to calling it quits. I’ve tried it a couple of times before, and can’t stick to it for very long.
Despite varying the food I eat, menus and recipes, I’m getting sick of the food. I miss the foods I used to eat, and I’m finding it hard socially and around family –choosing the options that are low carb, but not the ones that are really satisfying me.
Although wanting to lose some weight, the main reason I’m doing this is to get a handle on my tendency to binge on carbs/sugar. I’m not feeling full like everyone seems to experience and find myself overeating fatty foods. Or nuts.
I’m trying to keep a handle on my calories as well – I’m eating over what I should be eating, and not surprisingly have not lost weight.
I have been pretty strict low carb, and know there’s the adjustment period, but have really hit a ‘do I really want to do this’ moment today.
Would love to hear of anyone else who’s gone through a similar thing – did you push through and start enjoying it, or did you give up and feel better for it?
In the past I’ve mostly been a ‘everything in moderation’ and found calorie reduction works best for me – the problem is that I’ve started to find that hard to stick to without binging.
I’ve been LCHF for about 3 weeks and I’m very close to calling it quits. I’ve tried it a couple of times before, and can’t stick to it for very long.
Despite varying the food I eat, menus and recipes, I’m getting sick of the food. I miss the foods I used to eat, and I’m finding it hard socially and around family –choosing the options that are low carb, but not the ones that are really satisfying me.
Although wanting to lose some weight, the main reason I’m doing this is to get a handle on my tendency to binge on carbs/sugar. I’m not feeling full like everyone seems to experience and find myself overeating fatty foods. Or nuts.
I’m trying to keep a handle on my calories as well – I’m eating over what I should be eating, and not surprisingly have not lost weight.
I have been pretty strict low carb, and know there’s the adjustment period, but have really hit a ‘do I really want to do this’ moment today.
Would love to hear of anyone else who’s gone through a similar thing – did you push through and start enjoying it, or did you give up and feel better for it?
In the past I’ve mostly been a ‘everything in moderation’ and found calorie reduction works best for me – the problem is that I’ve started to find that hard to stick to without binging.
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Replies
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Everyone experiences different ways of eating in a different way. It seems that maybe LCHF just isn't for you, just like I wouldn't enjoy it (I have to have some sort of starch with my meals to feel satisfied, whether it's bread, pasta, or rice) and so it definitely isn't for me. Some people do enjoy it and find it easy and sustainable, and that's great for them--it doesn't mean it will feel the same for everyone. There's nothing wrong with that, just keep trying different things until you find something that works well for you personally!
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Do you think you could try a more moderate approach? I've never felt the need to go (extremely) low carb but I do prioritize protein and fat over carbs and end up with a pretty even 3 way split of percentages most of the time. This has worked for me mostly by limiting simple carbs because they tend to bring out my hunger monster. I've never been a "binger" per se but I do have a tendency to excessively overeat emotionally. You could try a more moderate approach and prioritize whole, complex (slow digesting) carbs and see if that is a more sustainable program for you. People don't fit in perfect little boxes. Experiment a little with what makes YOU feel your best. I will say that on my moderate carb diet I don't miss the simple stuff and when I eat it I get massive sugar highs and lows that make me feel ill. That doesn't mean I never eat it (I just usually regret it.) Good luck to you!2
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You are not the only one. People experience different diets differently. For me, a LCHF diet actually made me hungry, and I mean that ravenous kind of hunger where no matter how much you eat you aren't satisfied. Tried it a few times with the same results. And with other negative side effects, I just decided this diet was not for me. I remember the first time I had oatmeal after being on a low carb diet for a while, it was like a huge physical and mental burden was lifted and I felt satisfied for the first time in a long time after a month of thinking about nothing but oatmeal. It wasn't all a bad experience, though. I've learned a few things about myself and that I really do need starches to feel satiated.
It's okay for different people to thrive on different diets. Just go back to what feels easier and more sustainable to you. If your old ways aren't working anymore, explore some other tricks and see how you react to them keeping what works and tossing what doesn't. For me, intermittent fasting did the trick. The reason you hear people talk about it is because it worked for them. People tend to get excited about what works for them, but rarely talk about what doesn't.4 -
This is why i absolutely, NEVER, recommend someone starts cutting out food groups. If you ENJOY and have always and will always eat in this manner, then go for it!
Otherwise, i've found that eating a diet you like, can maintain long-term, and one that makes you happy while maintaining an overall calorie balance is far more important.
I personally feel absolutely horrible anytime i cut ANY of the macros. I eat a balanced (40.30.30) ratio naturally.10 -
I didn't know Low Carb High Fat was a thing (had to look it up). I once successfully did a modified Atkins approach for about 8 months and lost weight but eventually had to give it up b/c back then I really craved pasta. That was back in 03/04 so a long time ago. Fast Forward to 2013 and I was told to sign up for MFP, record what I eat and I lost almost 20 lbs in 4 months, and have kept it off for another 3 years. I eat what I want, try to stop before I go off the rails (other than a few days per month on average) and exercise 5-6 times per week. I haven't eaten fast food in a long time, but otherwise eat what I want. Sometimes simpler is just a better way to go.
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I need a more a more balanced approach. I tried low carb 2-3 times but always had the same problems with it. I had very low energy for my workouts, I missed all my fruit and other carby goodness like pasta, chocolate, onion rye bread, etc., I always developed "bathroom" issues
and worse of all, I ended up nauseous over all the fat I over consumed.
Just not for me.0 -
I did keto for 6 months without cheating a single time, and then I ate a regular meal (Christmas dinner). I was never able to go back on it afterwards, and ended up binge eating my way to regain most of what I had lost.
LCHF is definitely not for me. I'm losing at the same rate by eating whatever I like and just staying under my calorie limit. I don't binge on sweets or carbs anymore because I fit them in my calories every day.
If you don't enjoy LCHF, try something else. It won't make you lose any faster than any other way of eating (barring a medical condition that requires low carb).2 -
I was so pleased to read these posts! I thought it was just me. I too ended up eating far too many nuts when i cut out most of my carbs because it was the only thing that seemed to help. I didn't gain or lose weight but I was always hungry or thinking about food. I need a new approach but whatever approach I take next I need to journal what I eat, otherwise I have very convenient memory lapses about what I've eaten! I'm a pretty honest person by nature but it doesn't stop me lying to myself it seems......0
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People who are successful with LC often think the diet sounds enjoyable and that's part of why they try it. I think it sounds unpleasant (just not how I like the eat -- the idea of worrying about whether fruits or veg are too carby so avoiding some drives me mad, and not being able to eat all the potatoes and root veg I got from my CSA, or corn in the summer, is depressing to me), so that's a sign it's not for me, and I haven't tried it. Not every diet is right for every person.4
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imtriagain wrote: »Everywhere I read, people seem to find LCHF so easy and have great success with it.
I’ve been LCHF for about 3 weeks and I’m very close to calling it quits. I’ve tried it a couple of times before, and can’t stick to it for very long.
Despite varying the food I eat, menus and recipes, I’m getting sick of the food. I miss the foods I used to eat, and I’m finding it hard socially and around family –choosing the options that are low carb, but not the ones that are really satisfying me.
Although wanting to lose some weight, the main reason I’m doing this is to get a handle on my tendency to binge on carbs/sugar. I’m not feeling full like everyone seems to experience and find myself overeating fatty foods. Or nuts.
I’m trying to keep a handle on my calories as well – I’m eating over what I should be eating, and not surprisingly have not lost weight.
I have been pretty strict low carb, and know there’s the adjustment period, but have really hit a ‘do I really want to do this’ moment today.
Would love to hear of anyone else who’s gone through a similar thing – did you push through and start enjoying it, or did you give up and feel better for it?
In the past I’ve mostly been a ‘everything in moderation’ and found calorie reduction works best for me – the problem is that I’ve started to find that hard to stick to without binging.
IF you don't want to do this..then don't do it. That is my advice. IF you make this something hard, and something unpleasant, you'll quit, or not stick with it.
Keep it simple. Until you make up your MIND, and take control, whatever you try, will not stick.
If calorie reduction works best for you..then get mentally tough and do it.
Everything is "hard"..I haven't got any better advice than it all starts upstairs with your mind. There is no magic "this will work." I wish you success.
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No reason you can't choose carb cycling. Low carb days alternating with moderate or high carb days.1
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I got nice results from LCHF but love root veggies like potatoes and starches like lentils, peas, and lima beans (etc). I tried keto for about a month but it was too strict.
The good thing is that going temporarily super low carb healed my carb "addiction/cravings" so that I can now enjoy a serving at dinner without the horrible fake hunger feeling that I had to have more soon after even though I had just eaten. I used to white knuckle the sensation until I got through it. Often the craving would last up to an hour. Now I don't get that anymore, and I credit keto for resetting something internally. Plus I lost the puffiness in my face and belly and have lost inches. I can wear body concious clothing instead of over sized tunics to cover belly bulge and muffin top that I used to have. Yaay they are gone.
I currently eat very low carb for lunch and a 30/40/30 dinner. I don't have cravings with this balance like I did when i was eating 50/30/20. So I did learn some things through the process. I will never go high carb again and stay away from sugar and flour products except for now and then. I don't seem to have the reaction that I used to but just don't feel "well" after I eat them.
I am Intermittant Fasting from 7pm to 11 am, having a low carb lunch, and then I balance macros at dinner with starches that are low glycemic. I feel the best that I have in years!2 -
Imho, life without bread, pasta, and potatoes is not worth living. The good thing that came out of trying though, is that I am now satisfied with far less of these things. They're no longer the base of my meal, but a small side. 1
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When you say low carb, how much are you doing a day? 5 grams? 100 grams?1
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Unless there is a health condition calling for this, don't do it if it doesn't work for you. Not only do you need to find a way to eat that is sustainable to lose, but maintain as well. I keep my portions and calories in check. It's naturally low-carb and low sugar just because everything is in check, anyway. Find what works for you.0
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As others said, unless you have a health need for LCHF, you don't need to do it. Not everyone sees health benefits from it. For those, it's just another diet.
For me? I need to eat LCHF. My health depends upon it. There is no question for me about quitting. Because I feel better eating LCHF, I continue to do so. I do slip on occassion but it's small, or I feel ill and need to stop anyways. LOL
It works with my personality well too. When I was trying to moderate, and have just a bit of my treat foods, I failed. It led to eating more and more. I'm not sure if it was binges but it was way too much. I do better avoiding those treat high carb/high added sugar foods (like jujubes, jelly bellies, pop and desserts). None is better than some for me.
I don't find it taxing or socially awkward though. I'm not sure how it could be. I eat meat and veggies - that's what most people serve for dinners. Appetizers like nuts, meats, cheeses, and veggie platters work well for me. I skip bags of chips and limit myself at the fruit platter. It seems easy to me.4 -
The glorious thing about LCHF when I did it was the absence of hunger. If that does not happen for you and you are overeating and miserable, I can't see why you would continue.
It might be time to look at other possible reasons for your binging.
--Are you trying to maintain a very low weight? This can cause a host of hormonal pressures to regain.
--Are you trying to cut back on calories too much (how much is your daily deficit)?
--Are your macros AND micros in check? Enough protein, fat, and fiber, enough bulky vegetable carbs vs. all grain, and balanced micros. MFP has very poor tracking for micros and I just "assumed" that if I was eating healthy micros would be covered, it wasn't really true when I found a way to better track nutrition and I had to add some additional foods into my rotation.
--Is the binging related to other issues (stress, lack of sleep, trauma of some kind)? Some people find counseling helpful in dealing with emotional issues and/or develop better coping strategies.
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I have been doing low carb since March. I haven't seen the reduced appetite that some others have. But after tracking CICO since Jan. 2014 and failing to lose as expected and struggling for results, I found that a low carb WOE FINALLY matches CICO expectations to actual weight loss results.
Yes, I miss the delicious carb-heavy foods ranging from donuts to pizza to melons. I have occasional cheat days where I enjoy eating those foods, though I don't feel as great afterwards because I'm fat adapted and my body is no longer ready to handle heavy carbs. But yes, I miss those foods and I will allow myself to eat them on occasion because they are delicious. In fact, I'm thinking about another cheat day a month or so from now... maybe do it on Thanksgiving, perhaps.1 -
If LCHF does not work for you for weight loss there are thousands/millions of other options.
I lost my weight via 40c/30/30
I maintained for a couple of years via 40c/30/30 and
I continue to maintain now (6 months) via a ketogenic diet (5c/20p/75f) for a neurological movement disorder. It is working to minimize the involuntary movements of my Spasmodic Torticollis aka Cervical Dystonia.
I have experienced the side benefit of satiation so weight maintenance is easier for me on keto. Keto has helped me identify the bad habit I had of eating for the sake of eating versus eating to satisfy hunger.
As @nvmomketo mentioned, I too find social functions easy. Meat/cheese/vegetables are staples on most menus/appetizer spreads.
Find a way of eating that works for you for weight loss and one that you are able to maintain throughout your life. It's OK that LCHF does not work for you. We're all individuals.3 -
OP, what does "low carb" mean to you?
My macros are set to 30% carb, 50% fat and 20% protein. It's not very low carb but that ends up being about 100-120 grams daily. It's pretty moderate and I enjoy it. I couldn't cut carbs lower than 25% because, quite frankly, I enjoy them and won't go lower than that unless I need to medically.0 -
I low carbed for a long time, but I missed certain foods like oats and potatoes and popcorn too much. I didn't find it sustainable. I also was growing less happy eating meat, I have texture issues with it and don't really like it all that much. Additionally, I never experienced that satiety effects of eating low carb that many people report.
Also, for me personally, I was using the diet as a scapegoat. At the time, I still hadn't fully accepted responsibility for my weight issues and was blaming carbohydrates for all of my problems with food. If only I could avoid them, I'd be fixed. That's a problem waiting to happen, sort of like putting a band aid on a gaping wound.
It took a few more years and a few more pounds for me to come around. I find it better for me personally to eat foods I like that keep my feeling full within my calorie allowance.
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If LCHF does not work for you for weight loss there are thousands/millions of other options.
I lost my weight via 40c/30/30
I maintained for a couple of years via 40c/30/30 and
I continue to maintain now (6 months) via a ketogenic diet (5c/20p/75f) for a neurological movement disorder. It is working to minimize the involuntary movements of my Spasmodic Torticollis aka Cervical Dystonia.
I have experienced the side benefit of satiation so weight maintenance is easier for me on keto. Keto has helped me identify the bad habit I had of eating for the sake of eating versus eating to satisfy hunger.
As @nvmomketo mentioned, I too find social functions easy. Meat/cheese/vegetables are staples on most menus/appetizer spreads.
Find a way of eating that works for you for weight loss and one that you are able to maintain throughout your life. It's OK that LCHF does not work for you. We're all individuals.
Might be cultural, but when starch is the base of most social dishes it really is hard. It would be impractical trying to pick crabs out of pasta, a casserole, a soup or a sauce. It's also feels uncomfortable when most low carb things are basically things that go on top of rice, so you shy away from taking a larger portion than you would to top your rice so there would be enough for everyone. Even when there are perfectly appropriate low carb options, it's just awkward to watch others down all the delicious stuff while you gnaw on that single note so-so food. It doesn't feel any better than sitting in a corner chewing on dressing-less salad on a low fat diet.
That's why personal preferences and circumstances are very important to the choice of a successful diet. Social situations might be easy for some on any given diet, but hard for others.1 -
Tried Atkins back in the day, counting only carbs and not calories. I found it easy to still overeat (I'm in Wisconsin, I can pack away sausage and cheese like nobody's business) and I found myself greatly missing the variety of my previous diet. Not surprisingly it was very unsuccessful.
Calorie counting has let me lose about 140 lb so far. I no longer care about carbs either way.1 -
I've had great success with it midterm 6 months to a year. I have never had success long term. I ended up having to ditch it because it just wasn't sustainable forever for me. The key is not following a specific diet but rather finding for yourself a way of eating that allows to eat a diet you enjoy and can live with long term but also allows you to meet your health and fitness goals.0
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If you cannot stick to it for the long run, find something that you can stick to. LCHF isn't necessary for weight loss.
You don't have to make this harder than it has to be for you.1 -
I was mostly interested to see whether others have found it hard to stick to as well - because its seems that people seem to find it so easy do. So reassuring to hear other stories too.
Around 30g / day give or take a bit - which I consider very low (although I know some go lower).When you say low carb, how much are you doing a day? 5 grams? 100 grams?
Agree it's a matter of trying to find something that I can stick to though - Although I've done it easily enough in the past, now I struggle to stick with just a lower calorie diet so was looking at this to get a better handle on some of the cravings I have when I reduce calories. I think I'll modify things a bit more and will add in more carbs - I was getting caught up with 'must get fat adapted' mentality, but the reality is it's a middle ground I need to find, and eating some of hte foods I love needs to be included in that middle ground - just need a more moderated approach about it.
This is a great suggestion.I got nice results from LCHF but love root veggies like potatoes and starches like lentils, peas, and lima beans (etc). I tried keto for about a month but it was too strict.
I currently eat very low carb for lunch and a 30/40/30 dinner. I don't have cravings with this balance like I did when i was eating 50/30/20. So I did learn some things through the process.
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I definitely can not hack it. Restricting carbs for that long leads me straight to binge town.0
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imtriagain wrote: »Everywhere I read, people seem to find LCHF so easy and have great success with it.
I’ve been LCHF for about 3 weeks and I’m very close to calling it quits. I’ve tried it a couple of times before, and can’t stick to it for very long.
Despite varying the food I eat, menus and recipes, I’m getting sick of the food. I miss the foods I used to eat, and I’m finding it hard socially and around family –choosing the options that are low carb, but not the ones that are really satisfying me.
Although wanting to lose some weight, the main reason I’m doing this is to get a handle on my tendency to binge on carbs/sugar. I’m not feeling full like everyone seems to experience and find myself overeating fatty foods. Or nuts.
I’m trying to keep a handle on my calories as well – I’m eating over what I should be eating, and not surprisingly have not lost weight.
I have been pretty strict low carb, and know there’s the adjustment period, but have really hit a ‘do I really want to do this’ moment today.
Would love to hear of anyone else who’s gone through a similar thing – did you push through and start enjoying it, or did you give up and feel better for it?
In the past I’ve mostly been a ‘everything in moderation’ and found calorie reduction works best for me – the problem is that I’ve started to find that hard to stick to without binging.
You weren't reading a scientific sampling of everyone who has tried LCHF - you're just getting those for whom it works and not those who have tried and discovered it wasn't for them
Re your binging, what was your daily calorie deficit or weekly weight loss goal and how many pounds did you want to lose at that time? An overly aggressive calorie deficit often leads to binging.
When I do the following, I don't have cravings:
1. Get sufficient sleep
2. Exercise regularly - when I get the happy hormones from exercise, I'm not prone to seeking them from food.
3. Get sufficient protein in relationship to carbs. I'm not low carb, but reducing carbs and upping protein worked for cravings for me. See also http://www.nutrition.org.uk/healthyliving/fuller/understanding-satiety-feeling-full-after-a-meal.html
4. Eat moderate amounts of fruit. This makes me less interested in higher calorie sweets.
5. Take a magnesium supplement. This can be especially helpful for women premenstrually.
6. Save foods like chocolate for after dinner, in small amounts
7. Stay hydrated
8. Have a calorie deficit that is appropriate for the amount of weight I need to lose. An overly aggressive goal can definitely lead to cravings.
9. Eat at maintenance when my appetite goes up premenstrually.
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Sorry to hear you are struggling with LCHF. I started in January and have lost 100 pounds. I also have been watching cals. I eat 1500 per day and try to stay under 20gr of carbs. I have done no exercise. I always stay under my cals, i dont always stay under carb goal but i am never over 50 or so. I am never hungry and never have cravings. I dont know what you are eating for cals. I will be honest sometimes I have a cheat meal or a cheat snack but never a cheat day. Dont know what you are reading or using to help you. Check out dietdoctor.com
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