Does low carb make you lose faster?

AnswerzPwease

Newb question. If newb questions annoy you, you may want to leave now or risk being annoyed. Anyway, I can't do low carb because as soon as I go off of it I stuff my face with the carbs I've been missing for so long. But I did seem to lose faster on it for some reason. For 4 months of my weight loss journey I was strictly low carb (25g or less carbs per day). I lost about 73 pounds in 17 weeks. I didn't track any calories during those months so maybe I was just way under TDEE? Or is there something about low carb living that makes you lose weight faster?

charlieibeling

for most people yes. keeping insulin low(not eating carbs) as long as possible will speed up fat loss. when you eat carbs you secrete insulin. insulin is responsible for shuttling in nutrients to fat cells and limits fat oxidation when its elevated in the blood. a good compromise is dont eat any carbs until after your workout in the afternoon evening. its effective and you wont go totally nuts

AnswerzPwease

for most people yes. keeping insulin low(not eating carbs) as long as possible will speed up fat loss. when you eat carbs you secrete insulin. insulin is responsible for shuttling in nutrients to fat cells and limits fat oxidation when its elevated in the blood. a good compromise is dont eat any carbs until after your workout in the afternoon evening. its effective and you wont go totally nuts

Gotcha.

Yeah it's definitely slowed down, almost in half, since just counting calories and IIFYM.

I wonder if this is why IF helps?

fastfoodietofitcutie

I want to go low carb to help lose weight faster but I know it's not something I can stick to long term and would just gain the weight back. I'm trying to make this a long term lifestyle change so it's not realistic to eat such low carbs for the rest of my life.

Taiser

It did in my case. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and was a carb fiend!!! When I stopped and switched to "good carbs" whole wheat and what not I lost 65 lbs in 3 months (diet and a hard core workout routine) but the I'm sure the lower/good carb switch had a lot to with it. If you stick with it, the cravings go away. I was a pasta monster and now have it once in a while but use whole wheat now... it's an acquired taste but now when my Italian mother-in-law has pasta when we visit (white pasta) I barely eat it, it's too bland for me now... I've totally lost the taste for it!

paulawatkins1974

Ya it works temporarily, mainly because refined carbs can have a lot of calories. So not much bang for your buck. So you end up eating more. (especially me I tend to eat too much of it and go overboard) It's still ultimately eating less calories than your burning.

KM0692

My husband dropped 20 lbs. in 4 months just by cutting (way) down on carbs. He never counts calories. Me? There is no way I can live without my carbs, lol

ETA: Congratulations on your weight loss. That is a tremendous accomplishment!!!

AnswerzPwease

It did in my case. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and was a carb fiend!!! When I stopped and switched to "good carbs" whole wheat and what not I lost 65 lbs in 3 months (diet and a hard core workout routine) but the I'm sure the lower/good carb switch had a lot to with it. If you stick with it, the cravings go away. I was a pasta monster and now have it once in a while but use whole wheat now... it's an acquired taste but now when my Italian mother-in-law has pasta when we visit (white pasta) I barely eat it, it's too bland for me now... I've totally lost the taste for it!

I also have a little home gym. Would you mind sharing what your workout is?

kgeyser

I believe this question was already thoroughly answered in your previous post: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1347263-do-you-believe-in-strictly-calories-in-calories-out

AnswerzPwease

I believe this question was already thoroughly answered in your previous post: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1347263-do-you-believe-in-strictly-calories-in-calories-out

I don't recall ever asking this question in that thread. That thread did get very, very long and someone else may have brought it up.

Taiser

My diary should be open, my workout is in there, but I'm not sure if it comes up since it doesn't show any calories burned in the weight lifting part. My workout is pretty straight forward. It takes about 1.5 hours a day for my lifting and then I finish up with 30 minutes of cardio. During the heavy weight loss time I was doing an hour of cardio a day on an elliptical and/or treadmill 6 days a week, but that much cardio (after I lost the weight) was impeding my muscle mass building goals so I went down to 30 minutes. Lifting is pretty straight forward, I do a two day split, Day one is Chest and arms, day two is back, shoulders and legs. 6 days a week I try to do with Sundays off, but sometimes during the week I miss a day, just because of my work hours...

Unknown

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protein321

dont listen to the first post its broscience unless you have health problems

cwrig

When I stopped and switched to "good carbs" whole wheat and what not I lost 65 lbs in 3 months (diet and a hard core workout routine) but the I'm sure the lower/good carb switch had a lot to with it.

Dont agree that whole wheat is a "good carb". White bread and wheat bread have the same amount of carbs. You might argue that wheat bread has more nutrients than white bread, but carb wise its just as bad.

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yarwell

Or is there something about low carb living that makes you lose weight faster?

There's a reduction in glycogen stores and associated water that gives an initial boost to weight loss. That bit would return on reverting to a high carb diet of course.

eric_sg61

for most people yes. keeping insulin low(not eating carbs) as long as possible will speed up fat loss. when you eat carbs you secrete insulin. insulin is responsible for shuttling in nutrients to fat cells and limits fat oxidation when its elevated in the blood. a good compromise is dont eat any carbs until after your workout in the afternoon evening. its effective and you wont go totally nuts

None of that is necessary. Carbs can be whenever, not just after the afternoon workout. Fast loss is not going to speed up to to timing carbs.

On the whole fat oxidizing, you can't just look at the process of when insulin secreted. There are peaks and valleys and the valleys have to outweigh the peaks.

Saying someone will not go crazy eating the way you suggest is your opinion not a fact. I know many people including myself That would find eating like that to be a pain and unnecessary.

Low carb is effective due to a reduction in calories. Not because it's low carb. If you replaced the calories with protein you somehow lose weight because carbs are low. It's about overall calories, not just carbs.

FYI- protein also creates an insulin response.

The anti-carb warriors seem to forget this

hookilau

I believe this question was already thoroughly answered in your previous post: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1347263-do-you-believe-in-strictly-calories-in-calories-out

3laine75

Its not a race. If you can't keep the weight off, its not working for you.

Eat in a way that suits you (but less obvs). Take your time. All diets basically work, its finding something that will work for you long-term.

cargotrailer

Low carb is effective due to a reduction in calories. Not because it's low carb. If you replaced the calories with protein you somehow lose weight because carbs are low. It's about overall calories, not just carbs.

I agree with the above statement....
I will comment on my personal experience, no scientist here...
I will go "lower" carb (30 - 50) when I feel like I am stuck or even unmotivated on my "diet" and it seems to help get me going again, but I am pretty sure it is just a mechanism that I use (to reduce my overall calorie intake), that works for me, to get me back on course.. And I only do it for 4 - 5 days...(I am a firm believer in CICO!)

Ninkyou

for most people yes. keeping insulin low(not eating carbs) as long as possible will speed up fat loss. when you eat carbs you secrete insulin. insulin is responsible for shuttling in nutrients to fat cells and limits fat oxidation when its elevated in the blood. a good compromise is dont eat any carbs until after your workout in the afternoon evening. its effective and you wont go totally nuts

None of that is necessary. Carbs can be whenever, not just after the afternoon workout. Fast loss is not going to speed up to to timing carbs.

On the whole fat oxidizing, you can't just look at the process of when insulin secreted. There are peaks and valleys and the valleys have to outweigh the peaks.

Saying someone will not go crazy eating the way you suggest is your opinion not a fact. I know many people including myself That would find eating like that to be a pain and unnecessary.

Low carb is effective due to a reduction in calories. Not because it's low carb. If you replaced the calories with protein you somehow lose weight because carbs are low. It's about overall calories, not just carbs.

FYI- protein also creates an insulin response.

This.

Also, you may see a temporary boost from your glycogen stores depleting, but once you begin eating more calories or carbs, the glycogen stores just fill back up.

AnswerzPwease

for most people yes. keeping insulin low(not eating carbs) as long as possible will speed up fat loss. when you eat carbs you secrete insulin. insulin is responsible for shuttling in nutrients to fat cells and limits fat oxidation when its elevated in the blood. a good compromise is dont eat any carbs until after your workout in the afternoon evening. its effective and you wont go totally nuts

None of that is necessary. Carbs can be whenever, not just after the afternoon workout. Fast loss is not going to speed up to to timing carbs.

On the whole fat oxidizing, you can't just look at the process of when insulin secreted. There are peaks and valleys and the valleys have to outweigh the peaks.

Saying someone will not go crazy eating the way you suggest is your opinion not a fact. I know many people including myself That would find eating like that to be a pain and unnecessary.

Low carb is effective due to a reduction in calories. Not because it's low carb. If you replaced the calories with protein you somehow lose weight because carbs are low. It's about overall calories, not just carbs.

FYI- protein also creates an insulin response.

I've always been a little confused by the peaks and valleys.

If I eat 10 small meals a day, even though in a calorie defecit, won't I consistently be in a peak because I'm eating very often and the body doesn't have much time to go into a valley?

eric_sg61

for most people yes. keeping insulin low(not eating carbs) as long as possible will speed up fat loss. when you eat carbs you secrete insulin. insulin is responsible for shuttling in nutrients to fat cells and limits fat oxidation when its elevated in the blood. a good compromise is dont eat any carbs until after your workout in the afternoon evening. its effective and you wont go totally nuts

None of that is necessary. Carbs can be whenever, not just after the afternoon workout. Fast loss is not going to speed up to to timing carbs.

On the whole fat oxidizing, you can't just look at the process of when insulin secreted. There are peaks and valleys and the valleys have to outweigh the peaks.

Saying someone will not go crazy eating the way you suggest is your opinion not a fact. I know many people including myself That would find eating like that to be a pain and unnecessary.

Low carb is effective due to a reduction in calories. Not because it's low carb. If you replaced the calories with protein you somehow lose weight because carbs are low. It's about overall calories, not just carbs.

FYI- protein also creates an insulin response.

I've always been a little confused by the peaks and valleys.

If I eat 10 small meals a day, even though in a calorie defecit, won't I consistently be in a peak because I'm eating very often and the body doesn't have much time to go into a valley?

The body is constantly storing and burning at the same time. The metabolism is like a set of dimmer switches, not a set of on/off switches. in an overall deficit, burning will outpace the storing. The opposite is true for a surplus.

dieselbyte

for most people yes. keeping insulin low(not eating carbs) as long as possible will speed up fat loss. when you eat carbs you secrete insulin. insulin is responsible for shuttling in nutrients to fat cells and limits fat oxidation when its elevated in the blood. a good compromise is dont eat any carbs until after your workout in the afternoon evening. its effective and you wont go totally nuts

None of that is necessary. Carbs can be whenever, not just after the afternoon workout. Fast loss is not going to speed up to to timing carbs.

On the whole fat oxidizing, you can't just look at the process of when insulin secreted. There are peaks and valleys and the valleys have to outweigh the peaks.

Saying someone will not go crazy eating the way you suggest is your opinion not a fact. I know many people including myself That would find eating like that to be a pain and unnecessary.

Low carb is effective due to a reduction in calories. Not because it's low carb. If you replaced the calories with protein you somehow lose weight because carbs are low. It's about overall calories, not just carbs.

FYI- protein also creates an insulin response.

I've always been a little confused by the peaks and valleys.

If I eat 10 small meals a day, even though in a calorie defecit, won't I consistently be in a peak because I'm eating very often and the body doesn't have much time to go into a valley?

The body is constantly storing and burning at the same time. The metabolism is like a set of dimmer switches, not a set of on/off switches. in an overall deficit, burning will outpace the storing. The opposite is true for a surplus.

^All of this. Anyone that tells you low carb makes you lose weight faster because of insulin response doesn't understand how the body works. As @MrM27 stated, insulin has a basal level and is always present. Protein also stimulates an insulin response. Low carb will lead to faster initial weight loss due to muslce glycogen depletion (water weight), but fat loss is dependent on calories in vs out. Low carb followers lose weight due to caloric deficit, not the fact that they consume less carbs.

Meal timing/frequency doesn't inhibit weight loss, calories in vs out determines weight loss. So even if you at 20 small meals, your net caloric deficit is all that matters. As @eric_sg61 stated, your metabolism doesn't turn on or off.

kgeyser

I believe this question was already thoroughly answered in your previous post: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1347263-do-you-believe-in-strictly-calories-in-calories-out

I don't recall ever asking this question in that thread. That thread did get very, very long and someone else may have brought it up.

I never said you asked this specific question, I said the question was thoroughly answered in your post.

You did ask about insulin response as one of your questions, there was a very long conversation about the body's response to carbs and the role of carbs in weight loss. A lot of people took the time to respond to your topic thoroughly and include studies, you might want to take the time to read their responses.

hookilau

I believe this question was already thoroughly answered in your previous post: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1347263-do-you-believe-in-strictly-calories-in-calories-out

I don't recall ever asking this question in that thread. That thread did get very, very long and someone else may have brought it up.

I never said you asked this specific question, I said the question was thoroughly answered in your post.

You did ask about insulin response as one of your questions, there was a very long conversation about the body's response to carbs and the role of carbs in weight loss. A lot of people took the time to respond to your topic thoroughly and include studies, you might want to take the time to read their responses.

Agreed.
As a diabetic, I found the link to the thread very interesting.
People really took the time to write out full paragraphs & scenarios to answer your question.

Though I admit I stopped reading when you said you were on meds to lose weight, & that you were on a lower than most calorie diet (for a man). I was interested specifically in the insulin response answers.

edited to add: wanted to add that I stopped reading after the above was disclosed because in that context, we differ

yarwell

If I eat 10 small meals a day, even though in a calorie defecit, won't I consistently be in a peak because I'm eating very often and the body doesn't have much time to go into a valley?

You need to find studies that record the 24h insulin area under the curve, with small meals the peaks will be less but it's possible you'll have an elevated insulin level for a bigger part of the 24h.

The difference between the insulin response to carbs and protein is that glucagon goes in opposite directions - with protein glucagon has to kick up the release of glucose in order to stop the insulin response dropping the blood sugar. With carbs the insulin is to pull down the blood sugar :-

AnswerzPwease

I believe this question was already thoroughly answered in your previous post: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1347263-do-you-believe-in-strictly-calories-in-calories-out

I don't recall ever asking this question in that thread. That thread did get very, very long and someone else may have brought it up.

I never said you asked this specific question, I said the question was thoroughly answered in your post.

You did ask about insulin response as one of your questions, there was a very long conversation about the body's response to carbs and the role of carbs in weight loss. A lot of people took the time to respond to your topic thoroughly and include studies, you might want to take the time to read their responses.

I gotta be honest, all I hear is "Blah, blah, blah".

If you don't like that I asked a question that relates in some way to something I asked in the past, then I really don't care. I find it ridiculous that people take the time to moderate the forum. There are moderators for this reason. Feel free to ignore my threads. Or feel free to take the time out of your day to come in them, and reply with this nonse. Either way, I don't care.

There are plenty of people who have given some awesome answers in this thread that have helped a ton and I thank them greatly.

z
z
z

AnswerzPwease

If I eat 10 small meals a day, even though in a calorie defecit, won't I consistently be in a peak because I'm eating very often and the body doesn't have much time to go into a valley?

You need to find studies that record the 24h insulin area under the curve, with small meals the peaks will be less but it's possible you'll have an elevated insulin level for a bigger part of the 24h.

The difference between the insulin response to carbs and protein is that glucagon goes in opposite directions - with protein glucagon has to kick up the release of glucose in order to stop the insulin response dropping the blood sugar. With carbs the insulin is to pull down the blood sugar :-

Yeah thats what I was thinking.

Even though they're smaller peaks, they're so often it may not leave the body much time to get into a dip before its fed more and peaks again.

Unknown

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Meerataila

I lost a lot of weight on low carb a couple of years ago. But as far as I can tell, the only reason it worked is because it made me less hungry. I still tracked calories, and aside from the initial water weight lost, I didn't notice any magical, seemingly physics defying drop in pounds. I just wasn't as hungry and cravy. The few times I gorged myself on meat and cheese, I gained weight, just as though I'd gorged on cookies and ice cream.