Who has lost weight without cutting carbs?

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

I didn't cut carbs. I always lost right on schedule with MFP's predictions-- 1 lb per week until the last bit when I set it to half a pound per week.

eta: I've also been in maintenance for about 18 months

missnelso04

Early in the day, I try to have higher protein foods so that I can have the carby stuff I crave in the afternoon/evening.

May I just say that this is genius. I definitely crave starchier stuff later in the day!

Personally I have always done better losing weight and keeping it off when I restrict my carb intake, but obviously that doesn't work for everyone - kudos to all you people eating 40-50% carbs, and how lucky you are!

emmawatts22

Me! I eat practically anything I want to eat, I just try to make sure they are within my calorie limits.

johnwhitent

I lost 55 lbs eating a ton of carbs. As others have pointed out, it's just not necessary to eliminate or severely restrict any food group to lose weight, just maintain a caloric deficit. I am currently eating about 2,000 calories a day (TDEE method), averaging about 47% carbs, 26% protein, and 27% fat, and losing weight at a slow but steady 1/2 lb a week. When I lost the majority of my weight I lost at a much faster rate (1.5 lb per week), while eating a higher level of carbs, but backed off the carbs to make room for more protein when I began lifting more. Carbs supply energy for my cycling and running, and I can't imagine giving them up. I just don't get the low-carbers, I am one of the millions of people that have proven that it is not necessary to restrict carbs to lose weight in a healthy manner.

2dogzrule

I don't pay attention to carbs and typically lose 2 lbs a week unless I hit a plateau. I am down 15 lbs since January 2. I still eat bread, cheese and pasta, but I eat the serving size only and always read the packages to compare food so I am sure I am buying the healthiest things. Feel free to peek at my diary for ideas. (Just ignore yesterday, LOL, I had pizza! - I'm a firm believer in cheat days now and then). I also work out 6 days a week for 1/2 hour -1 hour each time, depending on what I'm doing. (elliptical, strength training/kettlebell and exercise ball).

kirstymarian

I refuse to cut carbs as I love them too much. I have lost 34 lbs since this time last year but most of it since Ocotber when I really started to track what I am eating. It is all about recording EVERYTHING you eat and of course exercising. I power walk for an hour each day and I am doing the 5:2 diet. Works a treat!

ISWThunder

I've lost 25 lbs by keeping track of calories and paying no mind to carbs. I've had 28g of carbs so far today (as I eat soup most mornings) and I almost always have rice or mashed potatoes with dinner.

sharinganxphunk

I've lost 18.1lbs in 49 days and I haven't cut out anything. In fact, I've just had some Japanese curry with a generous serving of white rice. If you keep your calories in check you will lose weight.

athensguy

I lost a few pounds and am maintaining now. I work out frequently, and I usually have 60+% of my calories in carbs.

mazdauk

I lost 42 lb in 10 months cutting out nothing (except second helpings ) The most important thing is to log all your calories - even if you just take a chocolate form a box offered round by colleagues! Even if you just pick off a few grapes from the bunch. Use a food scale, especially for hard to judge foods like pasta, granola etc (its so easy to have twice your "portion"!!)

Exercise helps - it helps me by giving me more calories - but the main thing is to keep within your calorie limit.

jlynnm70

So far I'm down 13# - I haven't really cut carbs per say.....however since my portions are less I just eat less of them (along with everything else). I use thin sliced bread or open face my sandwiches (only to stay within calorie goals not for the carbs) and I still eat rice, and put sugar in my coffee - everything I used to do - just smaller portions.

Me2FitMe

Me!! Have lost 50 lbs in the last year... eat everything sometimes within calorie limits set by MFP, sometimes not. Exercising 3-6 days a week-- without going over 3 consecutive days without exercise a week. Ok, that last one has failed several times throughout this last year but I get back to it as soon as I can. Calorie deficit and exercise works wonders when followed-- if I would do a better job at it, I would have reached goal weight by now. Adjusting to this new lifestyle is an ongoing process. Good luck!

Rocbola

Depends on what you call "carbs".

Whole natural foods are often high in carbohydrates, but no one with half a brain would ever tell you to cut vegetables and fruits out of your diet.

The best diets are high in carbs. I lost all the weight i lost by eating fruits and vegetables.

DancingJester

Me. Lost 33lb out of my 44 and never cut carbs. As long as I don't go over my calorie limit I'm fine (and eat pretty healthy of course) I still eat potato, pasta, bread ext. just as they are relatively high calorie I eat them in moderation. Cutting carbs never works as a diet (well I've never met someone where it has) if you're gonna cut anything cut fat.

denorios

I never cut carbs. I've lost 76 lbs over the past couple of years - and I don't eat any particular diet, I don't eat 'clean'. I probably don't even eat all that healthily. I eat what I want, stick to my calorie limits, exercise 3-4 times a week for 40 minutes minimum, I have a FitBit that logs my steps and gives me bonus exercise calories, and I always eat back all my exercise calories. I've had some wobbles here and there, gained a bit, lost a bit, plateaued - but basically it's exercise and calorie counting that I always come back to.

DancingJester

Me. Lost 33lb out of my 44 and never cut carbs. As long as I don't go over my calorie limit I'm fine (and eat pretty healthy of course) I still eat potato, pasta, bread ext. just as they are relatively high calorie I eat them in moderation. Cutting carbs never works as a diet (well I've never met someone where it has) if you're gonna cut anything cut fat.

jedikrissy

I lost 55lbs and over 24inches off my body in 9-10 months. I worked out 5 days a week all I did was run on my elliptical and do yoga for weight loss. I just logged my food and ate my 12000 calories a day. I always had a balanced diet of all food groups lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proper portions is key as well. I also just cut out all fast foods and I stopped eating so much processed foods and stopped drinking beer and pop.

Hope this helps, Cheers :drinker:

12,000 ???!!!!! I'm switching to YOUR diet ;-)

Oops!!!! lol one too many zeros in there :laugh:

megsmom2

I eat what I want to...in lesser amounts. I'm not deliberately cutting Carbs...the proportion of macros is probably close to the same as ever....but I'm eating less of everything except fruits and veggies.

EDollah

I'm coming up on a 1-year anniversary where I've lost whatever the ticker says without deliberately cutting carbs. That said, I do target a minimum intake for protein and fat which can leave not a lot of room for carbs, at least when I pursued a more aggressive calorie deficit.

stellcorb

I lost a total of 65lbs without cutting carbs between August 1, 2010 and March 2011. I started at 200 lbs when my oldest was 9mos down to 135 and I'm 5'5". I followed the MFP calories for 2lbs a week and worked my way up from walking 4 times a week for 45 minutes to running and/ or doing the elliptical 30-40 minutes 5-7 days a week. Since then, I have had my daughter (now 21 months) and had a hip arthroscopy just over a year ago (crutches for 6 weeks) and am at 132 lbs. I'm still logging my calories but I'm at maintenance now.

glowgirl14

Early in the day, I try to have higher protein foods so that I can have the carby stuff I crave in the afternoon/evening.

May I just say that this is genius. I definitely crave starchier stuff later in the day!

Personally I have always done better losing weight and keeping it off when I restrict my carb intake, but obviously that doesn't work for everyone - kudos to all you people eating 40-50% carbs, and how lucky you are!

I fought with my body for years, trying to make my diet fit what everyone said it should...but that is just silly. Because everyone is different. Some people need a big breakfast or they're hungry all day. Even when I was fat, I was a big snacker. I rarely ate big lunches and breakfasts...I like a big, yummy, dinner. If I am eating lettuce and meat and everyone else has pasta covered in sauce, I feel self-pity. It never lasts. I have kept my weight off for three years by learning to manipulate my calories into something that worked for my cravings/lifestyle.

And...I think "restricting carbs" means different things to different people. I have a high protein diet, and don't eat as many carbs as I used to. But I don't feel like I'm restricted. I still have pizza and pasta and cake and the occasional donut. I have whatever I want, but I don't have it every day, and not for every meal. Everything in moderation.

glowgirl14

Me. Lost 33lb out of my 44 and never cut carbs. As long as I don't go over my calorie limit I'm fine (and eat pretty healthy of course) I still eat potato, pasta, bread ext. just as they are relatively high calorie I eat them in moderation. Cutting carbs never works as a diet (well I've never met someone where it has) if you're gonna cut anything cut fat.

Actually, fat is a really good energy source, and we need it for digestion. : ) I eat 1440 cals/day, and when I was filling my macros with protein and carbs and not getting my fat in, I was hungry a lot of the time. Since I have been actively trying to hit my fat macro too, I have had a LOT more energy, and felt better all around. Obviously, the fats I eat are different - I don't get my fat allotment from a whole cake...but a good mix of fats in nuts and fatty meats and pasta sauces. Fat isn't the enemy. Excess of anything is the enemy. : )

sally884

I always eat carbs,just the right kind! Cutting carbs will only make you depressed and more hungry. Carbs are what our body needs. I feel losing weight should be long-term changes and I would never limit carbs for my whole life.

leggup

I haven't cut carbs. In fact, I have added more fruit carbohydrates. If there's anything I've cut, it's cheese. I'm down a few lbs already with big goals.

Sparlingo

I never intentionally cut carbs, but I must say that I did notice how terrible my protein intake was when I started to pay attention to my macros. I was trying to retain muscle while losing fat, so I started to lift, and to up my protein.

Through upping my protein, my carb intake lowered as a result - but I've never been anything close to what anyone would call "low carb". And I've never specifically restricted carbohydrates.

So, that's my convoluted answer ... I probably went from over-consuming carbs to consuming a normal amount of carbs while losing my almost-60 lbs.

QuietBloom

No carb cutting. As long as you maintain the deficit you decide on, you will lose weight just as fast as if you maintain the same deficit with lower carbs, as long as your protein amounts stay the same.

Kimsoontobe

Bump

MelisaBegins

No carb cutting. As long as you maintain the deficit you decide on, you will lose weight just as fast as if you maintain the same deficit with lower carbs, as long as your protein amounts stay the same.

^This right here. I have lost 16 pounds since Jan. 6th by eating everything I love, just in moderation and minding my macros. I want this to be a forever plan, so I will not deprive myself of what I love. No sirry-bob. Life = too short.

sbrownallison

I don't restrict carbs, but I don't eat refined carbs (no cakes, cookies, etc.), mainly because they trigger my over-eating. Same with bread, so I stay away from that for the most part. My weight loss has taken a year and a half and I've been maintaining since Sept. '13. I go to the gym four days a week, plus as much walking as I can do outside, weather permitting. I agree with those who've mentioned that setting a time period in which to have lost weight is not a recipe for success. Your weight loss will take as much time as it takes and setting a time limit (which in all likelihood you will not meet) sets you up for thinking you have failed...Good luck!

Tanya949

I'm eating less carbs than I was before because I'm increasing my protein, but i'm not low carb. I'm just cutting out refined (white) carbs, but eat lots of whole grains, beans, veggies, fruit.