Cutting out Carbs

Jayme2787

I've known a few people who have cut carbs out of their diet for a few weeks and have lost a bunch of weight, and I'm really interested in trying it for a few weeks as a bit of a kick-start to get myself back into my diet. My biggest problem with this, though, is my job. I work 4 nights a week at a pizza place, and eat dinner there each of those nights (I work 10+ hour shifts each night). Our menu is almost all pizza or fried food or sandwiches, which isn't going to help me with not eating carbs.

The only option I can come up with is to just eat salads when I'm working, but I worry that I'm going to get sick of them really fast and won't be able to keep up with it. The other option I've considered is, because we also deliver for a Mexican restaurant, I have ordered a shredded chicken/Spanish rice dish before that would work, but it's not very filling and I wouldn't know what to get with it. Can anyone give me some suggestions for how I can eat without carbs while working at this restaurant? Or at least how I can cut way, way, way down on the carbs I do eat at work?

Samby_v1

You need carbs. These people you know may have lost a bunch of weight, but they are going to gain a bunch of weight once they go back to their old eating habits.

Perhaps think about limiting your carb intake rather than elimination. How's about combining that salad with half the amount of pizza you'd normally have?

What's the rush anyway?

Jayme2787

You need carbs. These people you know may have lost a bunch of weight, but they are going to gain a bunch of weight once they go back to their old eating habits.

Perhaps think about limiting your carb intake rather than elimination. How's about combining that salad with half the amount of pizza you'd normally have?

What's the rush anyway?

I've always had trouble losing weight, and I think a little bit of a kick-start when getting back on track would just help motivate me, show me that I really can lose and then I will have an easier time motivating myself to keep going.

serindipte

Before you consider cutting an entire food group (an important one, even), why not give this a try. Read/view the following links, open your diary, weigh your food (on a scale) and you will lose weight.

1. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

2. If you aren't already using one, get and use a food scale. Weigh all solids. Measuring cups/spoons are not accurate:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVjWPclrWVY

3. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

4. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/872212-you-re-probably-eating-more-than-you-think

mrphil86

You need carbs. These people you know may have lost a bunch of weight, but they are going to gain a bunch of weight once they go back to their old eating habits.

Perhaps think about limiting your carb intake rather than elimination. How's about combining that salad with half the amount of pizza you'd normally have?

What's the rush anyway?

That's not necessarily true. That's not a carbs problem, that's just an eating problem. Obviously going back to old eating habits is going to make you fat, it's how people get fat in the first place.

As far as carbs go, yes, you do need them. It has also been shown that cutting out a good portion of carbs can help. I would go Paleo diet or something like that. Perhaps the zone diet.

If you do cut out carbs completely, you will no doubt loose weight fast. However, you are loosing more muscle than anything else. Your body does need that quick burning energy and if it can't get it from glycogen stores, then it will get it from your muscles. And trust me, you don't want that. It's not worth it in the long run.

It probably took years for you to put on that weight. It will take time for you to take it back off.

SonicDeathMonkey80

Two words:

Lunch+Box

bentrydr

If you really follow the Akins Diet (meaning actually read the book) you will lose weight AND keep it off!! Its low carbs not no carbs. And there is lots to eat at your Pizza Work Place you just have to creative!

970Mikaela1

Two words:

Lunch+Box

everyday

fitavalder

Two words:

Lunch+Box

Yeap ! Better for your body, better for your money.

Can you ask the cook to cook you different things that are not from the menu but with the ingredient in the restaurant ?

Steffani911

I don't know how strict you are going to be with your carb intake. For me, I can eat the same daily calories but lose more weight with less carbs. Not no carb!

You could do things like eating pizza topping, but no crust. Can you pan fry? I would throw some veggies (green pepper, onion, mushrooms, spinach, artichoke hearts depending as long as they aren't packed in oil) in pan with a lean meat, chicken breast or Canadian bacon. Saute and voila, dinner. Even if you don't have access to a pan, throw the same thing in a bowel and it's a salad with the spinach maybe adding other greens if available. .

jameswalker121

I've been on a ketogenic diet for a little over a year now,. Lost over 130 lbs in that timeframe strictly less than 25g of carbs a day. You don't "need" carbs at all to survive. Have to look at it as a lifestyle change, and not a "diet."

Arranna1212

Just try eating good carbs instead of bad ones. Buy groceries, plan your meals, make them ahead of time and take them to work with you.

Mr_Knight

You need carbs. These people you know may have lost a bunch of weight, but they are going to gain a bunch of weight once they go What's the rush anyway?

I've always had trouble losing weight, and I think a little bit of a kick-start when getting back on track would just help motivate me, show me that I really can lose and then I will have an easier time motivating myself to keep going.

It won't. Study after study has shown that "fast start" diets aren't anymore successful than anything else.

fittestpal

Yeah if you eat carbs after fasting them your body will suck them up and store them as fat. Just eat normal, minimize carbs, and exercise. You can buy into all the supplements and diet plans you want but in the end it comes down to whether you have a healthy lifestyle or not.

Jayme2787

Two words:

Lunch+Box

Bringing my own food would work, but I still feel at a bit of a loss as to what to eat. When I think of cutting down on carbs all I usually can think of is salad, and I've been making some really good salads lately at home, but I know I get bored of them really easily.

Two words:

Lunch+Box

Yeap ! Better for your body, better for your money.

Can you ask the cook to cook you different things that are not from the menu but with the ingredient in the restaurant ?

The chicken/rice bowl I mentioned in my first post is something like that. My problems are that (1) I'm not very inventive at coming up with things to eat, and (2) the cook and I don't get along too well, so I don't like imposing on him in the worry that he very well could do something to my food.

wheird

The benefit to cutting carbs is very minimal and is really limited to adherence and personal preference. There is little difference between a Low Carb/Keto diet compared to a more traditional 40-30-30 macro spread over long periods.

You stated that you know people who lost a bunch of weight in a short time period. Well, the reason is because when you reduce your carbohydrate intake, your body needs to store less water, so you are just losing water weight, which is temporary because if you start eating your normal level of carbs again, the water weight returns. It isn't actual fat loss (outside of the deficit).

So if you're looking to lose 5-10lbs for a vacation or to fit in a smaller item of clothing, then this could help. But long term, just find something that you can stick to and you'll be fine.

Jayme2787

The benefit to cutting carbs is very minimal and is really limited to adherence and personal preference. There is little difference between a Low Carb/Keto diet compared to a more traditional 40-30-30 macro spread over long periods.

You stated that you know people who lost a bunch of weight in a short time period. Well, the reason is because when you reduce your carbohydrate intake, your body needs to store less water, so you are just losing water weight, which is temporary because if you start eating your normal level of carbs again, the water weight returns. It isn't actual fat loss (outside of the deficit).

So if you're looking to lose 5-10lbs for a vacation or to fit in a smaller item of clothing, then this could help. But long term, just find something that you can stick to and you'll be fine.

Thanks for the info. The people I know have only done this for one or two weeks at a time, I don't think I've known anyone to try it for a longer term.

mustgetmuscles1

The benefit to cutting carbs is very minimal and is really limited to adherence and personal preference. There is little difference between a Low Carb/Keto diet compared to a more traditional 40-30-30 macro spread over long periods.

You stated that you know people who lost a bunch of weight in a short time period. Well, the reason is because when you reduce your carbohydrate intake, your body needs to store less water, so you are just losing water weight, which is temporary because if you start eating your normal level of carbs again, the water weight returns. It isn't actual fat loss (outside of the deficit).

So if you're looking to lose 5-10lbs for a vacation or to fit in a smaller item of clothing, then this could help. But long term, just find something that you can stick to and you'll be fine.

Yep its mostly water weight they lose initially. There is nothing magical about going low carb. Nothing really wrong with it either if that is something you want to do. Just dont be surprised when you lose weight fast for it to come back fast when you introduce carbs back into your diet.

JoJo__Fit

Yeah if you eat carbs after fasting them your body will suck them up and store them as fat. Just eat normal, minimize carbs, and exercise. You can buy into all the supplements and diet plans you want but in the end it comes down to whether you have a healthy lifestyle or not.

YUP exactly what he said ^^^^^^

ALNoog

Unless you eat only pretty much meat and nothing else there are always carbs.....

SonicDeathMonkey80

Two words:

Lunch+Box

Bringing my own food would work, but I still feel at a bit of a loss as to what to eat. When I think of cutting down on carbs all I usually can think of is salad, and I've been making some really good salads lately at home, but I know I get bored of them really easily.

[/quote]

Why the carb hate? Do you have a medical condition that prohibits them?

BoxerBrawler

Don't be afraid of carbs, embrace them, you need them to be healthy AND to lose weight.

You just have limit the carbs and eat the right ones... Also, I'd suggest bringing your lunch and/or dinner to work with you. Shop ahead of time and plan accordingly. I tried the no carb route and it didn't work at all. For a couple of weeks it was ok but it didn't result in any weight loss... just massive sugar cravings! I stick to a reduced carb diet and try to get most of my carbs from vegetables and limited whole grains. Good luck!

KNarrainen

As others have said, take your own food in, it's cheap and you will get plenty of variety.

I'm not sure why you think you would get bored of eating salads though, but didn't mention getting bored of pizza. As with most changes, it's largely psychological.

So you may struggle to start with, but keep remembering why you are doing it.

aquiva33

Two words:

Lunch+Box

I agree, bringing your food from home is the best route to go.

KNarrainen

And I second the need to have carbs in your diet, but most fruits and vegetables are part carb. I did Atkins for while, it's effective but not sustainable in my opinion, I wouldn't do it again, but I do watch my carbs in general.

scubasuenc

There are also plenty of frozen meals that are relatively low carb with reasonable protein content. Yes, they have more sodium than foods you prep yourself, but they are an option. I look for meals that are < 300 calories, < 35g carbs and > 15g protein. Since my daily macros are for more protein I have protein shakes or bars for snacks. They are also things that are very 'portable' for work.

You don't have to eliminate food groups or eat clean or even follow a specific plan like Atkins or paleo to lose weight. Ultimately it is all about the calories. Calories in must be less than calories out. For me, high protein and reduced carb works better, but if it fits in my macros and calorie goals for the day it is OK to eat it.

PaulJRaymond

By the way, the Mexican rice dish wont work because rice is a carb. Rather than cut them out, try increasing sweet potato and brown rice - natural carbs with less refinement. It is the refinement process of things like flour and therefore pasta and brown rice into white rice that is a problem.

Amanda_Gx6

I eat low carb but without carbs I get really silly, I don't function properly and I cannot think right. You could make yourself a sandwich and use lettuce to hold it together. Or have an open faced sandwich, one piece of bread, lower carbs there. Or you could buy some special wraps/bread or something to suit your needs. However if you are going to give up carbs completely, know that carbs are found in fruits and veggies too so you will never truly be eating "no carbs".

ladeeeg

I cut out carbs completely - went to work out and almost passed out. Besides being embarrasing it is actually unhealthy. First thing is - bring your lunch. Fast food is the problem. What I did was cut out fast food altogether. I use Sundays as my meal prep days. That way during the week I am just grabbing my lunch out of the fridge and out the door I go. Fortino's/Metro have pre-made salads that are very good and will give you variety. Another thing is pay attention to you sugar intake. It is not just carbs - sugar is another culprit. I used to eat loads of fruits every day thinking this was great. But they too are loaded with sugar. So use fitness pal to guage your sugar, carb and sodium intake. It will help you to have a balanced meal and you will know exactly what you are eating when you do it yourself. Get a food scale! Best investment EVER!! I know exactly what is going in! Minimize carbs do not cut them out completely - you will be more successful at maintaining your weight loss. Google recipes and go to the grocery store. The occassional day that you do not have a meal with you - have a salad from your pizza joint with 2/3 boneless wings - it is fried but it is prob the best alternative than the other stuff. Ohhhhh a GREAT site for recipes is the "Biggest Loser" website.... Visit it.... Cheap and easy meals can be found!
Best of Luck - You CAN do this!!!

SugaryLynx

Carbs are my fwiend. They're tasty and delicious, fill me with energy.

saraovoxo

Before you consider cutting an entire food group (an important one, even), why not give this a try. Read/view the following links, open your diary, weigh your food (on a scale) and you will lose weight.

1. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

2. If you aren't already using one, get and use a food scale. Weigh all solids. Measuring cups/spoons are not accurate:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVjWPclrWVY

3. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

4. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/872212-you-re-probably-eating-more-than-you-think

thank yooou, i think this is a really good way to gauge how much you're eating in the beginning. also helps me to make single serving meals so that i dont go back for seconds hehe