Is being in ketosis nessesary for low carb weight loss

albertabeefy

If you're having only one cheat meal per week you're certainly NOT going out of ketosis ever, let alone on a regular basis.

A couple times a week I will eat 100 - 120g of carbohydrate in a day (this typically represents 12-13% of calories from carbohydrate) and never leave ketosis - but I'm very metabolically active.

The folks saying a caloric deficit causes weight-loss are absolutely correct. For many people there's no real reason to be low-carb. Low-carb ketogenic diets are great for losing fat while retaining lean-mass, and they're superior to any other diet for glycemic control.

So if you are insulin-resistant (for any reason), it's the diet of choice. Even if you're not diagnosed insulin-resistant BUT you're morbidly obese, it's also considered by many bariatric physicians the diet of choice.

Many epileptics also choose a low-carb diet as certain types of seizures are associated with glucose-transporter protein deficiency syndrome (ie, DeVivo disease) or pyruvate-dehydrogenase-complex-deficiency - in those two epileptic circumstances it's not just the diet of choice, but the TREATMENT of choice.

_benjammin

Your profile says you lost 48 pounds between December 2012 and April 2013. You logged for a significant portion of that time period, and you seem to average well over 100, with occasional forays above 200. I don't see a single day you approached carbs representing single-digit percentages of total caloric intake. Maybe I'm missing something?

I didn't join here and start logging until I was transitioning to a "regular" diet.

suziecue66

You don't have to worry about your cheat meal - I have done low carb before and always had a cheat meal a week and successfully lost weight.

My problem is that after about 3 months - I would be craving sugars and junk food so badly that I would go off of it and just go completely overboard on eating the junk food again and gain it all back. That is why I am now trying to do calorie counting and included junk foods that I like, so that maybe I can maintain it for a lifetime.

Good luck on low carb! I know I felt so much better on it!

This is a common experience with low carb diets. Eventually, willpower gives out and you start to eat the foods you haven't "allowed" yourself for so long. You quickly fall back into old eating patterns and gain the weight back. I prefer plans and methods that don't needlessly restrict very specific foods, or categories of foods, entirely. This helps one learn moderation with all foods and not feel unnecessarily restricted in food choices. IMO low carb is not a way to set yourself up for life.

Im asking people who know about low carb. You are here just being negative giving your unwanted opinion.

They do know about low carb. I didn't see it as being negative just giving their opinion and experience on it. All can comment, just ignore what you don't like.

MyiahRose

You don't have to worry about your cheat meal - I have done low carb before and always had a cheat meal a week and successfully lost weight.

My problem is that after about 3 months - I would be craving sugars and junk food so badly that I would go off of it and just go completely overboard on eating the junk food again and gain it all back. That is why I am now trying to do calorie counting and included junk foods that I like, so that maybe I can maintain it for a lifetime.

Good luck on low carb! I know I felt so much better on it!

This is a common experience with low carb diets. Eventually, willpower gives out and you start to eat the foods you haven't "allowed" yourself for so long. You quickly fall back into old eating patterns and gain the weight back. I prefer plans and methods that don't needlessly restrict very specific foods, or categories of foods, entirely. This helps one learn moderation with all foods and not feel unnecessarily restricted in food choices. IMO low carb is not a way to set yourself up for life.

Im asking people who know about low carb. You are here just being negative giving your unwanted opinion.

They do know about low carb. I didn't see it as being negative just giving their opinion and experience on it. All can comment, just ignore what you don't like.

I was referring to Jonnythan who clearly doesnt know anything and is here being negative.

Miamiuu

I usually try to have a little bit of a calorie deficit while I low carb because I have never read anything that specifically stated how much fat the body burns in a period of time while in ketosis.

millsrobm

You don't have to worry about your cheat meal - I have done low carb before and always had a cheat meal a week and successfully lost weight.

My problem is that after about 3 months - I would be craving sugars and junk food so badly that I would go off of it and just go completely overboard on eating the junk food again and gain it all back. That is why I am now trying to do calorie counting and included junk foods that I like, so that maybe I can maintain it for a lifetime.

Good luck on low carb! I know I felt so much better on it!

This is a common experience with low carb diets. Eventually, willpower gives out and you start to eat the foods you haven't "allowed" yourself for so long. You quickly fall back into old eating patterns and gain the weight back. I prefer plans and methods that don't needlessly restrict very specific foods, or categories of foods, entirely. This helps one learn moderation with all foods and not feel unnecessarily restricted in food choices. IMO low carb is not a way to set yourself up for life.

Im asking people who know about low carb. You are here just being negative giving your unwanted opinion.

They do know about low carb. I didn't see it as being negative just giving their opinion and experience on it. All can comment, just ignore what you don't like.

I was referring to Jonnythan who clearly doesnt know anything and is here being negative.

Wha? He has lost 60 pounds and clearly knows nothing? Why do people insist on making things harder than they have to be? You don't have to go to extremes to lose weight.

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jonnythan

Your profile says you lost 48 pounds between December 2012 and April 2013. You logged for a significant portion of that time period, and you seem to average well over 100, with occasional forays above 200. I don't see a single day you approached carbs representing single-digit percentages of total caloric intake. Maybe I'm missing something?

I didn't join here and start logging until I was transitioning to a "regular" diet.

So you did low carb between Thanksgiving 2012 and December 3, 2012?

"After Thanksgiving 2012 I weighed more than ever and was determined to lose weight and get in shape before my 40th birthday (March 30, 2013). I started Medifast December 3, 2012 and 4 months later I was below my goal weight with a total loss of 48 pounds."

Medifast isn't low carb. You started logging February 15, 2013 and you didn't log a single day of single-digit-percentage of calories from carbs. So when was the low carb that made you a "low carb loser and calorie/macro tracking maintainer"?

corgarian

didnt read everyones comments so it may have been said already.

I do low carb so this is from experience.

You can still lose weight, but when you do your cheat meal your body will react to those carbs. Like last saturday I had a which wich sandwich (delicious, no regrets), but I was bloated and gassy for the next 4 days, and my weight went up 5 pounds for a few days. My body has regulated now and I'm down those 5 pounds plus another pound and a half!

So what I guess I'm saying, is you an absolutly have that delicious cheat meal, but I'd recommend locking up the scale for the next 3-5 days so the number of your body reacting doesnt freak you out.

GinaRicky

Have you review The 100 by Jorge Cruise? It is low carb but with low cravings and no Ketosis.

ALNoog

I love that people are arguing whether their brains are full of urine or not.

I'm more impressed that a 46 year old woman ACTUALLY thinks that your brain can fill with urine...

missdibs1

No

Iknowsaur

Stahp.

MyiahRose

You don't have to worry about your cheat meal - I have done low carb before and always had a cheat meal a week and successfully lost weight.

My problem is that after about 3 months - I would be craving sugars and junk food so badly that I would go off of it and just go completely overboard on eating the junk food again and gain it all back. That is why I am now trying to do calorie counting and included junk foods that I like, so that maybe I can maintain it for a lifetime.

Good luck on low carb! I know I felt so much better on it!

This is a common experience with low carb diets. Eventually, willpower gives out and you start to eat the foods you haven't "allowed" yourself for so long. You quickly fall back into old eating patterns and gain the weight back. I prefer plans and methods that don't needlessly restrict very specific foods, or categories of foods, entirely. This helps one learn moderation with all foods and not feel unnecessarily restricted in food choices. IMO low carb is not a way to set yourself up for life.

Im asking people who know about low carb. You are here just being negative giving your unwanted opinion.

They do know about low carb. I didn't see it as being negative just giving their opinion and experience on it. All can comment, just ignore what you don't like.

I was referring to Jonnythan who clearly doesnt know anything and is here being negative.

Wha? He has lost 60 pounds and clearly knows nothing? Why do people insist on making things harder than they have to be? You don't have to go to extremes to lose weight.

Im talking about LOW CARB, He knows nothing about it. Stop sucking him.

MyiahRose

You don't have to worry about your cheat meal - I have done low carb before and always had a cheat meal a week and successfully lost weight.

My problem is that after about 3 months - I would be craving sugars and junk food so badly that I would go off of it and just go completely overboard on eating the junk food again and gain it all back. That is why I am now trying to do calorie counting and included junk foods that I like, so that maybe I can maintain it for a lifetime.

Good luck on low carb! I know I felt so much better on it!

This is a common experience with low carb diets. Eventually, willpower gives out and you start to eat the foods you haven't "allowed" yourself for so long. You quickly fall back into old eating patterns and gain the weight back. I prefer plans and methods that don't needlessly restrict very specific foods, or categories of foods, entirely. This helps one learn moderation with all foods and not feel unnecessarily restricted in food choices. IMO low carb is not a way to set yourself up for life.

Im asking people who know about low carb. You are here just being negative giving your unwanted opinion.

They do know about low carb. I didn't see it as being negative just giving their opinion and experience on it. All can comment, just ignore what you don't like.

I was referring to Jonnythan who clearly doesnt know anything and is here being negative.

Actually, Jonnythan is pretty knowledgeable. Just because you don't like his opinion doesn't mean he doesn't know what he is talking about.

He can be knowledgeable but he obviously is just a hater to low carb. He knows nothing about it thats why i dont know why hes in this thread.

rlengland2014

OP, I would agree with what someone said earlier about waiting until you're keto adapted before cheat meals because you'll get back to fat burning sooner. I had a cheat meal 3 weeks in, on my annual personal holiday, and I gained 2 pounds and stalled for 3 weeks. All without going over my modest calorie deficit. The cravings for carbs go away faster if you avoid carbs like the plague for a while. Plus you feel fantastic! GL!

macchiatto

You should be fine, but you can always track what happens over 3-4 weeks and see if it's affecting your weight loss. I've done low-carb before (which reversed my prediabetes and significantly lowered my triglycerides ... and I was not overweight to begin with, already worked out several times a week and already ate a reasonably healthy diet) and after the first 2ish weeks, I had some cheat meals for my birthday, DH's birthday and a few other special occasions so it probably averaged out to about once a week. I lost 11 lbs in 5 weeks to get to my goal weight. (Before that I had done WW for 4 months, the insulin resistance diet for a couple of months and MFP for 4 months without losing weight.)

_benjammin

Your profile says you lost 48 pounds between December 2012 and April 2013. You logged for a significant portion of that time period, and you seem to average well over 100, with occasional forays above 200. I don't see a single day you approached carbs representing single-digit percentages of total caloric intake. Maybe I'm missing something?

I didn't join here and start logging until I was transitioning to a "regular" diet.

So you did low carb between Thanksgiving 2012 and December 3, 2012?

"After Thanksgiving 2012 I weighed more than ever and was determined to lose weight and get in shape before my 40th birthday (March 30, 2013). I started Medifast December 3, 2012 and 4 months later I was below my goal weight with a total loss of 48 pounds."

Medifast isn't low carb. You started logging February 15, 2013 and you didn't log a single day of single-digit-percentage of calories from carbs. So when was the low carb that made you a "low carb loser and calorie/macro tracking maintainer"?

Medifast is advertised as a "mild" ketosis diet, less than 100 carbs. I found if I ate the lowest carb meals and stayed around 80 carbs I lost more. I did the 5+1 plan from Dec 1 through mid Feb and then 6 weeks of Transition, that's when I joined.

edisonsbulb

I never track ketosis.. I don't know if I'm in it or not .

You'll know you're in ketosis if your breath smells like a rotting a cat corpse on a tin roof in the summer in Bangladesh.

Rainboots80

But i still will be ok even on the one weekend cheat meal once a week?

I started low carb on January 31st. I eat more like 50 carbs a day and I am already down 30 pounds since then in less then two months. I have a friend who lost 80 pounds in 9 months on low carb and she had one cheat meal a week and she still does and has maintained it for a year.

albertabeefy

I never track ketosis.. I don't know if I'm in it or not .

You'll know you're in ketosis if your breath smells like a rotting a cat corpse on a tin roof in the summer in Bangladesh.

Dozens of people I know, including myself, have NEVER experienced the "keto-breath" which some people experience. And those that do usually experience it very short term.

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tennisdude2004

That sounds miserable. Do you actually enjoy eating that way?

And yeah, you'll lose weight as long as you're in a calorie deficit. Low carb or not.

You can make amazing meals if you know how to cook. There is no need to be miserable on low carb. In fact, eating this way has made me experiment with things I would never have thought to do, like add cream cheese to a turkey meatloaf, or make an epic tuna and spinach casserole with all of the cheeses!

Oh sure you can have a lot of delicious food, no question. It's more about the stuff that you *can't* fit into 5% of calories from carbs.

Like what?

tennisdude2004

You don't have to worry about your cheat meal - I have done low carb before and always had a cheat meal a week and successfully lost weight.

My problem is that after about 3 months - I would be craving sugars and junk food so badly that I would go off of it and just go completely overboard on eating the junk food again and gain it all back. That is why I am now trying to do calorie counting and included junk foods that I like, so that maybe I can maintain it for a lifetime.

Good luck on low carb! I know I felt so much better on it!

This is a common experience with low carb diets. Eventually, willpower gives out and you start to eat the foods you haven't "allowed" yourself for so long. You quickly fall back into old eating patterns and gain the weight back. I prefer plans and methods that don't needlessly restrict very specific foods, or categories of foods, entirely. This helps one learn moderation with all foods and not feel unnecessarily restricted in food choices. IMO low carb is not a way to set yourself up for life.

Im asking people who know about low carb. You are here just being negative giving your unwanted opinion.

They do know about low carb. I didn't see it as being negative just giving their opinion and experience on it. All can comment, just ignore what you don't like.

I was referring to Jonnythan who clearly doesnt know anything and is here being negative.

I wouldn't worry about other peoples comments, sometimes people confuse what doesn't work for them as something that will not work for the other 7 billion people in the world.

I never found calorie counting as sustainable but have not been A & I enough to think that it will not be ideal for others.

It's sometimes a hard concept for some to comprehend that we are not all the same.

Good luck on your low carb (IMHO anything 150g or less is low carb).

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tennisdude2004

That sounds miserable. Do you actually enjoy eating that way?

And yeah, you'll lose weight as long as you're in a calorie deficit. Low carb or not.

You can make amazing meals if you know how to cook. There is no need to be miserable on low carb. In fact, eating this way has made me experiment with things I would never have thought to do, like add cream cheese to a turkey meatloaf, or make an epic tuna and spinach casserole with all of the cheeses!

Oh sure you can have a lot of delicious food, no question. It's more about the stuff that you *can't* fit into 5% of calories from carbs.

Like what?

A bagel?

I'm not a big bagel fan, anything else.

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tennisdude2004

That sounds miserable. Do you actually enjoy eating that way?

And yeah, you'll lose weight as long as you're in a calorie deficit. Low carb or not.

You can make amazing meals if you know how to cook. There is no need to be miserable on low carb. In fact, eating this way has made me experiment with things I would never have thought to do, like add cream cheese to a turkey meatloaf, or make an epic tuna and spinach casserole with all of the cheeses!

Oh sure you can have a lot of delicious food, no question. It's more about the stuff that you *can't* fit into 5% of calories from carbs.

Like what?

A bagel?

I'm not a big bagel fan, anything else.

I am, it might be because I'm from NYC and bagels here aren't on the same playing field as anywhere else . The difference is, I enjoy them.
It was stated that it's more about the stuff that can't be fit into the 5%. No what you (Tennisdude) personally likes.

How would I fit pancakes, ice cream or steak and rice tacos in with only 5%?

No it was stated about the 5% YOU (I.e. The person reading the post) could not fit. I was just wondering what food the person posting the comment was talking about that I or even the OP for that matter, would be missing?

If YOU cannot fit your food choices into a low carb diet, I would recommend you personally do not do one. After all the diets we all choose should be enjoyable to each of us.

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tennisdude2004

So you're not doing low carb, fair enough.

Not sure what your point is?

Has this thread turned into a - you must do low carb?