who is doing low carb

bayoubeauty2be

I just joined and I am doing a low carb diet because carbs are my weakness. I would love to have some friends who are doing low carb also. anybody want to post some before and after/during pics from doing low carb. also if anybody has any tips they would be greatly appreciated.

parkscs

You're welcome to add me, as I keep carbs low most days - at least for right now.

That said, I'll just throw out there that you should really assess why carbs are your weakness and how eliminating/greatly reducing those foods is going to affect you. If they're your weakness because you really enjoy them, you may want to consider finding a way to incorporate at least some of those foods into your diet, as completely depriving yourself of foods you really enjoy makes many people miserable and eventually they give in to temptation (and usually in an unplanned and unreasonable fashion). On the other hand, some people can reduce their carb intake and do just fine, so it comes down to personal preference.

Just keep in mind you don't have to do low carb to lose weight and that it's simply one tool you can use. If it's helpful, use it, and if it's not helpful or even harmful, don't use it.

bayoubeauty2be

thanks for replying. I do love my carbs because they taste good but I do have to limit them because I tend to go overboard. I plan to enjoy them 1 day a week though. you do have a good point though. I will see how it goes.

A_Dabauer

Low carb here (90/10 Rule)

I don't think Carbs are bad...or Sugar is evil. But if carbs make you binge, then you're right to avoid them. There are some medical reasons why some people must stay low carb, I'm in that group.

Friend me if you would like, I've been doing low carb for years, have lots of tips and advice

Rainboots80

I started low carb 8 months ago and down 76 pounds. At first I did 20g carbs daily. Now I keep it around 100g.

mistyb1972

I do low carb most of the time because of being diabetic and to help with bloating and weight. I have been trying a lot of new things like cauliflower mash, roasted cauliflower, cauliflower rice, roasted Brussels sprouts, kale chips, pineapple chicken, broccoli beef, curry chicken/beef, jambalaya, zucchini lasagna, zucchini spaghetti. sub in soy or spelt flower for breading for pork chops, binders for salmon and crab patties and gravies. The hardest thing is eating out! We rarely eat out but if I eat something I shouldn't I feel horrible. Last night case in point we had Japanese. I really wanted sushi but I passed and had salad , soup, hibachi chicken zucchini and onions and then I ate 5 bites of rice and immediately felt sick! I love to cook and try new recipes and this time my family has been so much more supportive this go round which has made it much easier!

girlyfootballfan

Doing low carb because mom is diabetic and I'm not far away. I don't believe you should get rid of them all together so I'm limiting them. Doing very little after lunch.

A_Dabauer

I do low carb most of the time because of being diabetic and to help with bloating and weight. I have been trying a lot of new things like cauliflower mash, roasted cauliflower, cauliflower rice, roasted Brussels sprouts, kale chips, pineapple chicken, broccoli beef, curry chicken/beef, jambalaya, zucchini lasagna, zucchini spaghetti. sub in soy or spelt flower for breading for pork chops, binders for salmon and crab patties and gravies. The hardest thing is eating out! We rarely eat out but if I eat something I shouldn't I feel horrible. Last night case in point we had Japanese. I really wanted sushi but I passed and had salad , soup, hibachi chicken zucchini and onions and then I ate 5 bites of rice and immediately felt sick! I love to cook and try new recipes and this time my family has been so much more supportive this go round which has made it much easier!

Wanna come cook at my place? :flowerforyou:

bradsbaby1996

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Me! For a year.. I posted a topic in success stories on the 29th, my one year anniversary. . Feel free to look at my pics.. you can add me!!

BettJo64

I am on a doctor ordered and supervised 20carbs a day lifestyle since mid July. So far, I'm having great results and I've had very little problems adjusting to a life of very little carbs. Mine is of necessity for a possible gastric surgery coming up by the end of the year. This is to keep me in ketosis for the actual surgery date. While that is how this all started for me, I'm very much involved and enjoying the clean eating now. I will definitely choose to keep living a low carb lifestyle...although probably raising it a little after surgery or if in the end I elect not to have the surgery at all!!! I gather recipes and experiment daily with low carb foods. There are so many websites available and facebook pages to join that keep you very educated and updated on this lifestyle. Many new ideas and kitchen gadgets to help, too. It's very interesting and exciting and I wish you much happiness and success as you start this lifestyle :flowerforyou:

lmkelly679

I did 20g of carbs a day after having my daughter and dropped a ton of weight. I took a break from it and since then everytime I try to start up again to lose the last 20lbs I start getting the worst leg cramps. I want to do low carb again so if anyone has tips on how to stop the cramps let me know.

denisegresham1

You need to take a potassium supplement before bed.

RoninsMom5

Ive cut startches completely and lost 5 pounds already in 2 weeks

myheartsabattleground

You need to take a potassium supplement before bed.

Proof ?

maggiegbrown

I would love to know all your tips and advice! please share!

ghosthackexe

You're welcome to add me, as I keep carbs low most days - at least for right now.

That said, I'll just throw out there that you should really assess why carbs are your weakness and how eliminating/greatly reducing those foods is going to affect you. If they're your weakness because you really enjoy them, you may want to consider finding a way to incorporate at least some of those foods into your diet, as completely depriving yourself of foods you really enjoy makes many people miserable and eventually they give in to temptation (and usually in an unplanned and unreasonable fashion). On the other hand, some people can reduce their carb intake and do just fine, so it comes down to personal preference.

Just keep in mind you don't have to do low carb to lose weight and that it's simply one tool you can use. If it's helpful, use it, and if it's not helpful or even harmful, don't use it.

Beautifully stated. As above mentioned its good that you realize what your weaknesses are but make sure your happy being miserable on a diet usually doesn't stick too well that being said I lost my first 50 on a pretty low carb diet its an easy way to cut out a lot of excess calories

hookilau

I did 20g of carbs a day after having my daughter and dropped a ton of weight. I took a break from it and since then everytime I try to start up again to lose the last 20lbs I start getting the worst leg cramps. I want to do low carb again so if anyone has tips on how to stop the cramps let me know.

You can try magnesium malate supplements & getting more salt in your diet as well. That's why bone broth is often recommended. I've read electrolyte imbalances can happen due to your kidneys dumping a ton of water as you become keto-adapted.

cirellim

Other than for medical reasons I really don't advocate low carb diets at all. Carbs help the brain function more efficiently and are the bodies main source of energy. Not saying you shouldn't just think there are better alternatives.

In case you or anyone else isn't aware there are
~4 calories in each gram of carbohydrate and protein
and
~9 calories in each gram of dietary fat

Just something to keep in mind when considering what to restrict, speaking solely in terms of weight loss / calorie consumption

Just my two cents though

Welcome to myfitnesspal, you've come to the right place (:

TheSatinPumpkin

I did 20g of carbs a day after having my daughter and dropped a ton of weight. I took a break from it and since then everytime I try to start up again to lose the last 20lbs I start getting the worst leg cramps. I want to do low carb again so if anyone has tips on how to stop the cramps let me know.

had severe lower leg cramps 2 months into my WOE (DANDR 2002). My wife recommended a glass of Ecodrink and i know she was having success with it for a few years. I started taking a glass every day and have been cramp free since (11 months)

shai74

Other than for medical reasons I really don't advocate low carb diets at all. Carbs help the brain function more efficiently and are the bodies main source of energy. Not saying you shouldn't just think there are better alternatives.

In case you or anyone else isn't aware there are
~4 calories in each gram of carbohydrate and protein
and
~9 calories in each gram of dietary fat

Just something to keep in mind when considering what to restrict, speaking solely in terms of weight loss / calorie consumption

Just my two cents though

Welcome to myfitnesspal, you've come to the right place (:

Unless you are a scientist/doctor expert in this field, you shouldn't write things like "Other than for medical reasons I really don't advocate low carb diets at all. Carbs help the brain function more efficiently and are the bodies main source of energy." You want to eat carbs, go for it, but don't post opinion and pretend it's fact.

We actually don't need carbs. I have eaten under 20g of carbs a day for months at a time and I have a fairly intellectually demanding job. I am never more alert than when I'm NOT eating carbs. My body's main source of energy is fat/protein.

Anyway ... to the OP. I'm pretty strict low carb for several reasons. I am a food addict. Carbs for me is like "just one beer" for an alcoholic. I can not eat bread/potatos/pasta/sugar in any form and keep my eating under control. Diabetes runs in my family. I've "been on a diet" for 20 years, but only by cutting my carbs have I managed to lose 46lbs and stick to it day in and day out without falling off the wagon. Gone are the days where I would lose 5kg and gain 10kg back. Now I control food, it doesn't control me. I don't find it restrictive at all, and in fact can and do go out often to eat. Not hard to order a steak with a salad and a glass of red wine. Or a grilled chicken salad. I even often have a caesar salad minus the croutons. Missing out? I don't think so.

If you want to add me, go for it, I can always use new friends/ideas. And I might be able to offer you some guidance in return.

RoninsMom5

Its helped me to eat a lot of fruit, I don't count calories. I only make healthy choices as much as possible. The fruit will keep your body from craving the sugar.

atpoem2003

Hi! I'm on a low-carb diet due to being Type II Diabetic. My last doctor's visit was not pretty and he told me if I wanted to get off insulin, that I'd better be watching my diet. I have to avoid sugar, baked goods, and other carbs that turn into sugar. Anyway, I need to lose 120 lbs. I will turn a very young 62 years of age on October 23rd, 2014. My goal is to have all this weight off before I turn 65. Of course, I want to get it off sooner, but that is just looking at the larger picture. Good Luck to you! Hope we can encourage one another...:)

_Terrapin_

From Iowa State. . . .human sciences. . . .

"The roles of carbohydrate in the body includes providing energy for working muscles, providing fuel for the central nervous system, enabling fat metabolism, and preventing protein from being used as energy. Carbohydrate is the preferred source of energy or fuel for muscle contraction and biologic work."

http://www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/content/carbohydrate

angelexperiment

Hi! I'm on a low-carb diet due to being Type II Diabetic. My last doctor's visit was not pretty and he told me if I wanted to get off insulin, that I'd better be watching my diet. I have to avoid sugar, baked goods, and other carbs that turn into sugar. Anyway, I need to lose 120 lbs. I will turn a very young 62 years of age on October 23rd, 2014. My goal is to have all this weight off before I turn 65. Of course, I want to get it off sooner, but that is just looking at the larger picture. Good Luck to you! Hope we can encourage one another...:)

aww good luck and happy birthday! I have seen some people look younger and younger as they lose. But you already look very young:)

_Thriving_

From Iowa State. . . .human sciences. . . .

"The roles of carbohydrate in the body includes providing energy for working muscles, providing fuel for the central nervous system, enabling fat metabolism, and preventing protein from being used as energy. Carbohydrate is the preferred source of energy or fuel for muscle contraction and biologic work."

http://www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/content/carbohydrate

Good luck with your weight loss OP. Pretty solid info in this link. You should take a look OP. Thanks for posting this _Terrapin_

shai74

From Iowa State. . . .human sciences. . . .

"The roles of carbohydrate in the body includes providing energy for working muscles, providing fuel for the central nervous system, enabling fat metabolism, and preventing protein from being used as energy. Carbohydrate is the preferred source of energy or fuel for muscle contraction and biologic work."

http://www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/content/carbohydrate

Right you are, carbs are the first choice for fuel if available. Carbs are quickly and easily broken down into simple sugars, making them readily available for energy.

A carb fueled athlete can run out of fuel and require additional glucose when their body fat could provide endless fuel. Even an elite athlete with 8 percent body fat has enough fat on their body to power them through an endurance event. The problem is, if you are a “sugar burner” you cannot access the stored body fat. Regardless of whether you are exercising or not. People who regularly consume carbohydrate rich foods have trained their bodies (and enzyme systems) to primarily run on glucose. Whereas people who have been on a low carbohydrate eating plan for some time switch over into fat burning and become “fat burners”. I'd rather be a fat burner than a sugar burner, I'm sure my pancreas would agree.

I could google and post links to support any theory I like too, but that'd be pointless. I can only offer what I know from personal experience.

_Terrapin_

From Iowa State. . . .human sciences. . . .

"The roles of carbohydrate in the body includes providing energy for working muscles, providing fuel for the central nervous system, enabling fat metabolism, and preventing protein from being used as energy. Carbohydrate is the preferred source of energy or fuel for muscle contraction and biologic work."

http://www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/content/carbohydrate

Right you are, carbs are the first choice for fuel if available. Carbs are quickly and easily broken down into simple sugars, making them readily available for energy.

A carb fueled athlete can run out of fuel and require additional glucose when their body fat could provide endless fuel. Even an elite athlete with 8 percent body fat has enough fat on their body to power them through an endurance event. The problem is, if you are a “sugar burner” you cannot access the stored body fat. Regardless of whether you are exercising or not. People who regularly consume carbohydrate rich foods have trained their bodies (and enzyme systems) to primarily run on glucose. Whereas people who have been on a low carbohydrate eating plan for some time switch over into fat burning and become “fat burners”. I'd rather be a fat burner than a sugar burner, I'm sure my pancreas would agree.

I could google and post links to support any theory I like too, but that'd be pointless. I can only offer what I know from personal experience.

I'm curious, what sort of fitness do you do? Simply put, what do you need energy for? Do you do anything in particular? Run? Walk? HIIT? Lift? Swim?

CherryChan81

my second week of paleo... carb withdrawals... :explode:

Luv2eatSweets

I'm really not sure if you would consider my diet as low carb. But I do try to watch I'm staying in the 75-100g area.

_Terrapin_

my second week of paleo... carb withdrawals... :explode:

I'm sure there is a Paleo group around for support. You go through the same thing with Atkins, P90X, the difference is they re-introduce the carbs sooner.

zcb94

I do low carb most of the time because of being diabetic and to help with bloating and weight. I have been trying a lot of new things like cauliflower mash, roasted cauliflower, cauliflower rice, roasted Brussels sprouts, kale chips, pineapple chicken, broccoli beef, curry chicken/beef, jambalaya, zucchini lasagna, zucchini spaghetti. sub in soy or spelt flower for breading for pork chops, binders for salmon and crab patties and gravies. The hardest thing is eating out! We rarely eat out but if I eat something I shouldn't I feel horrible. Last night case in point we had Japanese. I really wanted sushi but I passed and had salad , soup, hibachi chicken zucchini and onions and then I ate 5 bites of rice and immediately felt sick! I love to cook and try new recipes and this time my family has been so much more supportive this go round which has made it much easier!