Switching from lo carb to counting calories?

lovediets

What do you think? I have been doing lo carb but the pounds are going off slowly. Do you think I should switch to counting calories? I think I will add the carbs slowly.

skittybang

Definitely add the carbs slowly. Most people going from low-carb to low-cal will add back weight pretty quick because a low-carb diet is just not realistic and conducive to a healthy lifestyle. You need the carbs for energy to get in a good workout. But low-cal is a great way to eat. You can still enjoy the foods you love but in moderation. :):) hope this helps! I was a low-carb freak for so long and all the weight I lost just bounced (literally) back on!

bmontgomery87

I like the idea.
Just add the carbs back slowly.

I'm not a fan of low carb, I love my breads/pastas.

CommittohealthCHANGED

I am currently on low carb-low cal but only but only because I lift heavy weights and need more protein. My carbs intake is around 100-150 a day. I only eat healthy carbs food that will fill my tummy.

littttlelaurra

I had done a low carb diet before and it worked wonderful lost 30 lbs steadily but not at any amazing pace. I couldnt maintain it so even though I've kept 20 of that original 30 off I feel the same as you , I have to add carbs back a bit, maybe some long cook oatmeal, brown/wild rices, some lower carb wraps or light/low calorie breads, I am a carb addict so have to be super careful if I let a trigger carb slip into my diet I know I wont have control over just yet, I couldnt touch mac n cheese yet and not go back for seconds so then calorie counting would be a mute point as I have no will power to stick to portion control with certain select trigger foods (2 oz of mac n cheese is a serving, no way that would work for me better off skipping it all together) trigger foods for now will have to remain off my menu planning until I see alot more of the scale tilt in a favorable direction. good luck.

BernieMBurke

I am a big proponent of counting calories as opposed to low carb. I did the low carb for 6-7 months (8 years ago) and lost about 45 lbs and then hit the dreaded plateau. It didn't budge for 8 weeks. I lost access to the gym and finally gave up.

Fast forward to March, 2010. I had gained all the weight back plus 5 more. Then I found this site. I got serious about it and started tracking what I ate and exercising. I've reached my goal weight at the end of November 2010 of 170 (5'10").

I've added weightlifting to my cardio exercises and upped my calories to 1970 + exercise calories and have lost an additional 14 lbs. Part of this is because I'm not completely successful at eating all my exercise calories yet, but I'm getting there. On Februrary 5th, I weighed 162.8 and on April 30th I was 157.0. WHEN you get to maintenance mode, you'll find it is different but difficult as well. That's mainly because you have adjusted your lifestyle by then and won't be eating empty calories anymore.

BTW, I really love this site and recommend you add friends. That really helps to keep you motivated.

so I'm not trying to lose anymore, but I lost the desired 80 lbs in 9 months. I've since lost an additional 14 lbs.

lovediets

Wow, you have really done well! Congrats! Thanks for sharing. It really helps.