Has anyone lost weight without going low carb?

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Replies

  • Nmarine1996
    Nmarine1996 Posts: 166 Member
    ZoneFive wrote: »
    I do low carb. Actually, I keep an eye on my sugars and starches because I have a diagnosis of diabetes -- which I'm fighting with all my strength -- and I don't want to eat what I know will raise my blood sugar. The weight's coming off, I'm happy eating this way, I feel terrific, and I'm excited to see my new bloodwork for a change, rather than dreading it.

    It works for me. But there is no good reason why anyone should do low carb other than their own choice. If you're not happy with it, if it's not something that you feel like you can or even want to sustain, then by all means find a plan that does. If you can't live with it, what's the point?

    Yes! Low carb is definitely something you have to really want to do or else you'll be miserable like me lol. How low carb are you?
  • macchiatto
    macchiatto Posts: 2,890 Member
    50gm carbs can definitely be harder to maintain but anything under 150 gm carbs/day can be considered low carb. Your idea to try increasing your carbs somewhat and see how it goes makes sense but like the others said, just see what works best for you. I ate keto to lose weight and plan to eat LCHF long-term but that's because it's what works best for me; everyone's different and you just have to figure out what you're happiest with.
  • wizzybeth
    wizzybeth Posts: 3,578 Member
    I would die on low carb. I have lost weight even with going more than 2x over my mfp sugar limit for the day. Lol.
  • estherdragonbat
    estherdragonbat Posts: 5,283 Member
    65.8 gone to date. Haven't cut carbs appreciably, though I don't really pay much attention, so some days I might have more than others.
  • thomasegbert09
    thomasegbert09 Posts: 59 Member
    It all comes down to moderation personally. I watch my sugar and count my calories.
  • Nmarine1996
    Nmarine1996 Posts: 166 Member
    BabyBear76 wrote: »
    Yes. I just started eating properly and added weight lifting. Fat has been literally melting off. I started at 350+ (scale only went to 350). I am now at 188lbs with a 30.5" waist (in less than 2 years). I went from men's 2XL t-shirts to women's medium. I now only weigh myself once a month because I increased my weight lifting, muscle weighing more than fat for the same volume means the scale isn't very accurate. I just go by my measurements and how clothes fit. Message me and I'll give you my full breakdown of how I did this from help from and MD/nutritionist and now a personal trainer/nutritionist.

    Holy crap!!!! Congrats on everything! I don't even know you and I am proud of you!
  • kavahni
    kavahni Posts: 313 Member
    Ok. Here's the deal on low carb: it was invented for professional body builders to cut the last bits of fat off their bodies in the last few weeks before competition. It was not intended to be used more than a few weeks.
    For those going "keto," it works great to burn fat in the short term, but in the long run, keto has some poor effects on the body including nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and weakness.
    Studies show that low carb generally doesn't hold as a weight loss plan for more than 12 months, though some people get up to 24 out of it. Which means that as a long term strategy (rest of your life) it generally isn't a great plan.
    Now, all that said, a few years ago I lost about 25 pounds not restricting carbs. But I was very picky about them: whole grains, beans, and veg. I had little fruit besides apples and any berries. I had one entire 24 hour period each Friday night to Saturday night when I ate whatever I wanted. That's when the fruit came in with pie and ice cream! I used no artificial sweeteners, no bars or meal replacements. I ate all real food. And I hadn't taken up running yet. My exercise was chasing my young son around.
    Good for you for your great work!
  • bbell1985
    bbell1985 Posts: 4,571 Member
    I'm moderate. About 130 grams. I never saw a need to go as low as 50.
  • firef1y72
    firef1y72 Posts: 1,579 Member
    128lb lost and never really restricted my carbs, in fact I don't really bother with counting carbs at all, it's just protein I try and keep up at a certain level. I can't eat a lot of fat so if I don't eat carbs then I'd go hungry, looking back I average around 200g carbs a day, don't know if that's high, low, moderate or whatever.
  • rheddmobile
    rheddmobile Posts: 6,840 Member
    There's no earthly reason you would have to restrict carbs in order to lose weight. Unless you have a health issue like diabetes or you find it easier to eat within your calorie limit when cutting carbs, eat whatever makes you most satisfied.

    Personally I find that refined sugars cause cravings, and as a diabetic I need to restrict carbs to the level my body can handle - max about 50g a meal. So I avoid carb-heavy foods. But I do eat enough carbs to fuel my workouts and replenish myself after workouts.
  • displaced1
    displaced1 Posts: 73 Member
    There are reasons to decrease carbs but it's very individual m. You should start to figure out for yourself what's best for you.

    Low carb is great for people with diabetes or pre-diabetes. Some people feel "bad" with too many carbs, maybe tired. Some people feel other foods, like high fiber, proteins, fats, are more satisfying. Some people enjoy the variety of carbs in their diets.

    For every person who succeeds in losing weight there is an individual story. I use tips from everything to experiment on myself. How do I feel doing X? Does it work for me? Do I like it? Is it sustainable?
  • glassyo
    glassyo Posts: 7,759 Member
    Congrats on your weight loss!

    But, I gotta say, I lost 125ish lbs and was soooooooo the opposite of low carb. Unless you have a medical reason for needing to be low carb, don't torture yourself.
  • faji2015
    faji2015 Posts: 93 Member
    I lost 30lbs just by eating junk or whatever I liked. Staying under calorie level is all that matters.
  • Meelisv
    Meelisv Posts: 235 Member
    I lost 74kg (or about 160 lbs, that's half my starting weight) on what i would call a relatively "hi carb" set meal plan, while doing exactly zero exercise for most part of that time. So around 50% carbs, 30% fat and 20% protein.

    Now, that i'm doing quite a bit of both strength training and cardio, i'm trying to keep my macros around 40/20/40 or 30/30/40 just to get enough protein within my calorie goal. And often i can't keep my carbs that low.

    It is for sure individual, but i can't even imagine doing low carb, since when my carb % drops to anything below 30 i get all kinds of issues from killer headaches to crazy cravings, which usually end with binging :smile:

    Bottom line- i am living example that it is very possible to lose quite a lot of weight without cutting carbs.
  • Nmarine1996
    Nmarine1996 Posts: 166 Member
    glassyo wrote: »
    Congrats on your weight loss!

    But, I gotta say, I lost 125ish lbs and was soooooooo the opposite of low carb. Unless you have a medical reason for needing to be low carb, don't torture yourself.

    Thank you for your kindness!! Congrats on your loss as well.
  • CiaIgle
    CiaIgle Posts: 72 Member
    27 kilos lost, no special care with carbs.

    To lose weight you need to go low in carbs, fat and protein. In summary, low in calories :smile:

    So, at least at the beginning, just focus in eating less, it will be easier than if you have to add the "of something" (so "eat less" is easier than "eat less of something").

    Also declare an intermediate goal (like when you reached 50% of your Target weight) and start to care about the characteristics of what you eat.

    It worked for me, that did not mean that it works for everybody, but at least it worked once :)
  • Nmarine1996
    Nmarine1996 Posts: 166 Member
    Mr_Healthy_Habits wrote: »
    Low carb diets where created by competition bodybuilders trying to get down to unhealthy body fat levels for a short period of time for competition. It was never meant to be sustainable.

    Don't forget, Atkins also died young of a heart attack...

    I lost 180lbs eating whole grain bread and fruit every day
    50c/30p/20f....

    How I did it... I changed what I was eating, didn't snack between meals, or eat after 6p, walked every evening after dinner, lifted weights and eventually started running in the morning....

    Your success will develop your madness

    Wow that heart attack thing was just what I needed to hear! I am definitely going to go up in carbs!!!!!!!
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    Nmarine1996 wrote: »
    Earlnababy, thank you for the reply. I don't think low carb is the only way to go. I just tend to go by what my fitness instructor says because hes the expert. However, I am slowly starting to realize that I am the only person that can truly determine whats right for my body.

    This may have said already, but it bears repeating that, when it comes to giving diet advice, a fitness instructor is almost certainly NOT an "expert".


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