Can I lose weight without going low carb?
didislim
Posts: 30
Hi everyone. Low carb seems to be everyone's go to diet plan for weight loss. I too have done Low carb, VLCD, HCg diet and atkins in the past. All which were successful but never long term. I would always go back to binging and cravings those bad foods once off the diet. I have battled with the same 50 pounds on and off for years. Now I am trying to find a means to lose weight without dropping the carbs significantly. I find that a low carb diet doesn't work long term. I end up craving those foods and binging out of deprivation. I guess I have issues to work on...sigh....
I just started 4 days ago reccording my stats and working out. So far I have lost 1 pound. I am not perfect but I am trying to log everything I eat. I still snack here and there. And its on my goal to stop snacking.
I just want to know is there anyway to lose possibly 10 pounds a month without going low carb?
How can I do this?
Please help, I want to be successful this time for the long term not just a quick fix.
Thanks guys!
I just started 4 days ago reccording my stats and working out. So far I have lost 1 pound. I am not perfect but I am trying to log everything I eat. I still snack here and there. And its on my goal to stop snacking.
I just want to know is there anyway to lose possibly 10 pounds a month without going low carb?
How can I do this?
Please help, I want to be successful this time for the long term not just a quick fix.
Thanks guys!
0
Replies
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Hi there! I definitely think you can lose weight without eating low carb. As long as you remain within your calorie limit, you will lose. I have also tried low carb diets -- and I too have gained it all back once I ate normal again. Low Carb is not for me either. I have cut back though but just for the sake of saving calories (for example, using lettuce instead of bread to save 200 calories that I can use elsewhere
).
So yes, eat your favorite foods but stay within your calorie limit. It has taken me a few weeks of calorie counting to figure out what works best for me - so I am sure you will get there too. 1lb in 4 days is good! Keep it up - good luck!0 -
Yes please do! Research good carbs eliminate bad carbs as much as possible.0
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Yes, of course you can. Many people do it every day.0
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Yes, calorie deficit. You need to lose 2.5 lbs/week which means a daily calorie deficit of 1250/day. If you are obese this is reasonable - especially in the first month because you will lose a few lbs of water weight. Find out your TDEE (google calculators) - this is your bmr plus what you burn in exercise/lifestyle weekly. Subtract 20-25% if you want to be aggressive. See how big of a deficit that number is. If you are quite obese, you can eat like 1000 calories a day and your body will still burn mostly fat (but if you are quite obese, good chances are your TDEE will be like 2500+). If you are just overweight or even in the healthy weight range you will feel like crap on 1000 calories a day and you will burn fat and lean body mass so.. really not recommended. You don't have a lot of info on our page other than your 31 so this is as personalized as I can make it. Totally depends on height and starting weight too. But in some... dropping carbs creates a deficit, you can do the same thing counting what you're eating on here and just eating less calories overall. Can you eat a giant bowl of pasta? Sure... but if it's 1500 calories and that's a good chunk of your daily calorie budget you're not gonna be a happy camper later when you're hungry because it won't keep you full for that long. So you will probably end up gravitating towards higher protein, lower carb (not super low, i mean lower than you may have normally eaten to gain weight if you're a carbaholic like I was), and moderate fat because it will keep you full all day0
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One diet that does promote eating everything is Weight Watches, i myself lost 50lbs about 25 years ago on WW. Since then i became very health conscious and became a vegetarian, but as age has set in so has some weight gain, I also found i am sugar addicted, I could not lose weight on WW now because i have eaten so healthy thru the years, WW allows unlimited fruit and this just didnt work for me.
At the same time i have a very over weight friend who has not made very healthy choices in her life and is doing amazing on WW. So it might be a route for some but not for all!
Good luck in finding your niche.0 -
Yes please do! Research good carbs eliminate bad carbs as much as possible.
I like em bad0 -
It is absolutely normal to lose weight without going low carb. You can also lose weight eating pizza and chocolate and beer, just everything in moderation - as long as you're within your macros for the day, and are eating enough nutrients, and are eating a deficit you will (healthily) lose weight. Exercise is the best way to gain back some calories if you want an extra snack - just earn it.
I may be wrong but I don't think its healthy to lose 10lb a month, consult a doctor for what is healthy rate for you to lose. Slow and steady wins the race (and keeps their skin and muscles looking awesome)0 -
Many people lose weight not going low carb.
Here is a great article to get going this time. It has some valuable keys to getting started on a more sustainable and balanced approach.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants0 -
Yes please do! Research good carbs eliminate bad carbs as much as possible.
I think you can - when I started my life change in September, I tried the Paleo diet, which is essentially low carb + a couple other things. After a week, I was weak, couldn't think straight, and couldn't walk across the room without feeling dizzy. I am certain my body went into ketosis, which is the state that many low carb dieters go into and it causes weight loss and can be dangerous if not managed properly. I realized later that I did need to have carbs through fruits and whatnot, but I decided that I'd rather just count my calories. I've definitely cut a lot of fat, carbs, and sugar out of my diet, but I can tell you that my quality of life is better when I can have the occasional fresh hot roll at a steakhouse or a little slice of cake.
Don't be afraid to try low calorie - it comes off slower than low carb, but it stays off!0 -
calorie deficit = weight loss
you don't have to cut anything from your diet.0 -
Just keep overall calories lower than what you need daily.
low carb, high carb...whatever....
You will lose the weight....takes time though.
Some days I will do like 400+ grams of carbs.0 -
Hi there,
Thanks so much. Its a constant struggle for me. I guess I have always done diets where the first thing I have to do is cut out carbs. works like a charm but its a viscious cycle. and after several eaysr of yo-yoing. I just want to get healthy and stay healthy. Ok. I will also start cutting back on certain things. more vegies, I currently eat 2-3 servings of veges its the snacking that is the issue. LOL. MFP seems to be helping, as long as I can log in everything I eat.0 -
I would suggest a balanced diet. Get enough protein and healthy fat and fill the rest with carbs. This is what I do and it has worked great for me. I set my macros at 40% carbs, 30% protein, and 30% fat as a general goal. I try to hit the fat goal as calculated, 80-100g protein, more if I can, and then fill the rest with carbs.
You may also want to rethink your 10 pound a month goal and just try for 1-1.5 a week (and adjust to a even slower rate when you get closer to goal weight)0 -
No. A healthy weight loss is .5–2 lb. per week, or 2–8 lb. per month. You need to have reasonable expectations.Is there anyway to lose possibly 10 pounds a month without going low carb?
You lose weight by eating at a deficit. Period. Log everything you eat accurately & honestly. Read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
I use MFP's protein goal as a minimum (fiber, too), and ignore carbs & fat. It will take trial & error to find what works for you.0 -
I have lost 60 lbs with carbs..more healthy ones but my motto..bad in moderation and working out - movement!0
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Yes please do! Research good carbs eliminate bad carbs as much as possible.
I think you can - when I started my life change in September, I tried the Paleo diet, which is essentially low carb + a couple other things. After a week, I was weak, couldn't think straight, and couldn't walk across the room without feeling dizzy. I am certain my body went into ketosis, which is the state that many low carb dieters go into and it causes weight loss and can be dangerous if not managed properly. I realized later that I did need to have carbs through fruits and whatnot, but I decided that I'd rather just count my calories. I've definitely cut a lot of fat, carbs, and sugar out of my diet, but I can tell you that my quality of life is better when I can have the occasional fresh hot roll at a steakhouse or a little slice of cake.
Don't be afraid to try low calorie - it comes off slower than low carb, but it stays off!
Thaks so much! I guess with my one pound weight loss I was wondering whether I was doing things wrong. When I tried the low carb diets, I would lose as much as 5 pounds the first 2-3 days. Crazy but true. I will be patient. I don't eat cake everyday but I would probab;y feel deprived if I couldn't enjoy a slice at a birthday party or out to dinner.
But how do you log in those calories?
I haven;t goine out to eat yet on MFP. Is there a way to log in restaurant calories?
Thanks everyone for all the wonderful answers!0 -
No. A healthy weight loss is .5–2 lb. per week, or 2–8 lb. per month. You need to have reasonable expectations.Is there anyway to lose possibly 10 pounds a month without going low carb?
You lose weight by eating at a deficit. Period. Log everything you eat accurately & honestly. Read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
I use MFP's protein goal as a minimum (fiber, too), and ignore carbs & fat. It will take trial & error to find what works for you.
Ok thanks so much. I skimmed through the link you sent. Seems like some wonderful info in there. I will go back and read it more thouroughly now. Just wanted to say thank you.0 -
Agreed, everything in moderation including carbs. Eliminating carbs eliminates water weight which makes one see more drastic weight loss in the beginning.0
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Yes please do! Research good carbs eliminate bad carbs as much as possible.
I think you can - when I started my life change in September, I tried the Paleo diet, which is essentially low carb + a couple other things. After a week, I was weak, couldn't think straight, and couldn't walk across the room without feeling dizzy. I am certain my body went into ketosis, which is the state that many low carb dieters go into and it causes weight loss and can be dangerous if not managed properly. I realized later that I did need to have carbs through fruits and whatnot, but I decided that I'd rather just count my calories. I've definitely cut a lot of fat, carbs, and sugar out of my diet, but I can tell you that my quality of life is better when I can have the occasional fresh hot roll at a steakhouse or a little slice of cake.
Don't be afraid to try low calorie - it comes off slower than low carb, but it stays off!
Thaks so much! I guess with my one pound weight loss I was wondering whether I was doing things wrong. When I tried the low carb diets, I would lose as much as 5 pounds the first 2-3 days. Crazy but true. I will be patient. I don't eat cake everyday but I would probab;y feel deprived if I couldn't enjoy a slice at a birthday party or out to dinner.
But how do you log in those calories?
I haven;t goine out to eat yet on MFP. Is there a way to log in restaurant calories?
Thanks everyone for all the wonderful answers!
Most major restaurants are listed in the food data base. All you have to do is type the name of the restaurant first and a list of their menu items will come up. The calorie and nutrition is there for you.0 -
Yup. Looks like you've tried a lot of fads, though. And there are no good or bad carbs, just moderation.
Figure out your TDEE and eat a little less than that. Here's a good place to start: http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/ (Using this method, you wouldn't eat back your exercise calories, it's included in your daily average.)
I set my macros to 35P/30F/35C while I was losing. Are you incorporating resistance training? Building lean muscle mass while reducing body fat really is the long term solution. I'm maintaining now at 2500 cals/day, 25P/30F/45C. Treat your fat and protein goals an minimums, get the right amount of fruit, veg and grains, and you can eat whatever you want as long as you're within your calorie goal. I have wine, chocolate and chips almost everyday.
Best of luck.0 -
Re: I like them bad.
As do I. Unfortunately they don't agree with the flat belly look I'm striving for at the moment...0 -
Re: I like them bad.
As do I. Unfortunately they don't agree with the flat belly look I'm striving for at the moment...
please explain?0 -
I love carbs! I lose with carbs!
I will say though, that if I'm trying to eat things that are filling and will last me until my next meal/snack I try to have protein.
BUT I do still eat pasta, bagels, and white potatoes. 0 -
I don't do low carb, never have and never will!0
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Yes you can! I have lost 15 pounds the last 30 days by simply watching what i eat (this includes carbs!!!), not going over my daily calorie goal, and working out 5 days a week!0
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If you want the results to last, then you can't go back to eating how you were before the diet. You can lose weight on low carb...but that doesn't mean you can go back to eating 4000 calories daily and not gain the weight back. It seems you take a diet to the extreme, you go off and go right back to how you were eating before the diet and gain the weight back.
Find something you can stick with and maintain for life. I eat low carb and loosely follow Atkins. Atkins has 4 phases...the last is LIFETIME maintanance and you have strachy veggies, more fruits and whole grains. You eat 75+ net grams of carbs a day. If you can't imagine a day without something like bread, then going low carb again won't be the answer. Low carb is simply a means to a calorie deficit. Eating higher amounts of fat along with protein makes you less hungry than eating more carbs along with protein and lower amounts of fat, so you eat less calories. As far as 10 pounds a month it all depends on how much you weigh. If you're 200 pounds overweight then it would probably be fine, if you have 20 pounds to lose then not a good idea.
Also, Ketosis isn't bad...KETOACIDOSIS IS BAD. People like to confuse the two and they are not the same.0 -
+1 on the post on the TDEE. Finding out your TDEE is a great place to start and then augment that approach with playing with your macro nutrient breakdown (percent carbs, fats, proteins). Proteins are not only thermogenic (meaning you burn a few calories to process the proteins taken in), but they release hormones which create a satiating feeling- you feel fuller on less food. Unsaturated fats (MUFAs- nuts, olive oil) are also very good for weight loss. Carbs are not all bad- depends on the type of carb. Complex carbs like veggies, whole grains, and steel cut oats are fantastic; they are lower in calorie/glycemic index and really fill you up. Simple carbs like sucrose (table sugar), fruits high in fructose, and high fructose corn syrup are very bad- many of them do not spike your insulin levels to a point where proceses them appropriately. So, you get all the calories w/o the feeling of having had food- hence, the crashes, you feel hungry again after having sugar packed junk food, cravings, etc. Check out the site IIFYM.com and play around with your TDEE and macro breakdown. A good place to start for weight loss is either a 35(protein),35 (fats-mono, dairy is okay),30 (carbs-complex, not simple). Some research suggests that a higher fat percentage (40 percent) is ideal for wieght loss. Testosterone is dependedent on fat intake. Testosterone is a key hormone in both men and women and is one of your best assests in weight loss. Good luck!0
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As everyone has said, yes. Eat what you want and stay under your calorie goals and you will lose weight. There is no need to eliminate items from your life.0
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I lost my weight on about 200g of carbs per day.0
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yes!! dont eliminate any food group! just eat balanced WHOLE foods. i eat 12-1500 calories/day and i lose every week 1-3 lbs.
i eat 80% whole foods and 20% for small treats and occasional eating out.
you need to eat for LIFE. not eat for a diet. LIFE is having occasional treats and eating out so learn how to incorporate those now. you are binging because your are depriving yourself. let yourself HAVE what it is you want and then you wont binge.
another key for me is getting in my head, mind and body are connected. you need to understand what the weight is about in the first place....this is a HUGE component for keeping the weight off. good luck!0
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