No Carbs for a Week

SergeantSunshine_reused

You'll drop water weight, that will come back as soon as you reintroduce carbs

Exactly...the main thing you're doing is depleting glycogen stores.

Exactly. No need to make yourself suffer through that to see a number on the scale that is NOT fat loss

I'm quite happy with my loss of 33lbs of glycogen stores in the last 4 months, doing low carb That said, the loss in the first 2 weeks is primarily water loss, which would be put back on when you start eating carbs again - you won't lose a lot of fat unless you continue on it for longer than the 2 weeks.

Well she did say she was doing it for a week not 4 months like you

RachelsReboot

Ok since no one else is going to say it I will.

The statement that your brain relies SOLELY on carbohydrates to function couldn't be further from the truth. The brain does rely on carbohydrates or even better glucose to function but if it is not present then it turns to fat storage and then protein, a primary reason that low carbohydrate lifestyles(they aren't short term diets) do not generally restrict fats or proteins.

There are people out there who can NOT metabolize carbohydrates, I am one of them, that does not mean that my brain can not function. Quite the contrary according to every test I've ever taken and my 4.0 GPA

But unless you have a medical reason to restrict them, living a no or even extremely low carb lifestyle isn't for everyone, it's hard to stick to in the world we live in today. If you really think you have a problem with carbs, do away with the unhealthy ones that offer your body nothing else in the way of nutrition and you will be surprised with how well your body responds.

agentscully514

For all you folks who say low carb is not a sustainable life change, there are plenty of us who have done exactly that for medical reasons. Of course, maybe my brain just isn't functioning right without carbs.

suziecue66

you can still function, but your brain takes its energy soley from carbs in the glycogen that is stored in your liver. You body uses carbohydrates as the primary form of energy and stores some as glycogen in your muscles for use during 'fight or flight' or exercise. So by reducing your carbohydrates you are also going to deplete the stores of energy your body uses for exercise. yes you will lose weight, but no carbs is not a sustainable lifestyle change and will most likely result in over eating and weight gain long term.

glycogen would be depleted within 24hrs so the primary energy source for the brain would be from ketones.

CallieM15

I do a lower carb lifestyle.. Not NO CARB. I like it and Im not "backed up". Meats, veggies, under 50 grams of carbs... Whatever works for you I say! No carb for long periods of time is unsustainable. But as a plateu breaker or a jump start to weight loss I see it as helpful....

BigDaddyBRC

No carbs? Carbs feed the body....you may as well choose...

MamiV5

I am actually doing this for the first time this week simply because I am trying to detox (10 day program) It's HARDDDDD but, since I've started I've only lost 2 lbs so Its a little disappointing... but a loss is a loss and I'll take it! Good Luck and let me know how it goes!

suziecue66

I don't think zero carbs good idea but as long as OP is eating sufficient protein and fat she should survive the week without carbs, relying on ketones for most of her energy.
But not necessary to zero carb just to see scale go down which may just be water weight. It could be some fat loss but there is a risk you may binge after and negate any fat loss you may have had.

momof8munchkins

No carbs completely? that would mean no vegetables or fruits. You would eat nothing but protein for a week? I'm guessing you'd lose weight...but...I can't imagine eating nothing but meat/eggs/protein powder for a week. Just my personal bias...I like my veggies and fruits

I was thinking the same thing only meat and fat b/l/d for 7 days would get pretty old

NoAdditives

nope, never tried it. don't envision trying it either... i would miss my fruits and veggies.

Same here!

grinch031

If you eat zero carbs, up to 75% of your brain's fuel can come from ketones after a period of adaptation, and the other 25% must come from protein converted into glucose through the process of gluconeogenesis.

But as far as the no carbs for a week strategy, fat loss won't be as impressive as you think. You will deplete glycogen stores and shed a crapload of water (like 5-15 lbs depending on how big you are), and maybe you'll shed 1-2 lbs of fat, depending on your calorie intake really. Oh and you'll probably feel like garbage for a couple days.

But as soon as you reintroduce carbs your weight (water) will skyrocket so the scale won't do you any justice.

solpwr

www.dietaryguidelines.gov
Click on "Poilicy Document". Everything you need to know about a sensible and practical diet is right there.

momof8munchkins

If you eat zero carbs, up to 75% of your brain's fuel can come from ketones after a period of adaptation, and the other 25% must come from protein converted into glucose through the process of gluconeogenesis.

But as far as the no carbs for a week strategy, fat loss won't be as impressive as you think. You will deplete glycogen stores and shed a crapload of water (like 5-15 lbs depending on how big you are), and maybe you'll shed 1-2 lbs of fat, depending on your calorie intake really. Oh and you'll probably feel like garbage for a couple days.

But as soon as you reintroduce carbs your weight (water) will skyrocket so the scale won't do you any justice.

Agreed.. if you are currently eating the SAD which is around 300 grams a day and suddenly go to none you will feel horrible starting on about day 3.. carb flu anyone???

suziecue66

www.dietaryguidelines.gov
Click on "Poilicy Document". Everything you need to know about a sensible and practical diet is right there.

Don't get your dietary guidelines from government policy!

Acg67

suziecue66

There was an special on Dr. Oz the other day that said that a good way to lose weight is a high carb day and a low carb day varieting every other day, and one day of the week you can eat whatever you want. I haven't tried it so I don't know if it works. Just an Idea if you want to try it.

Don't like Dr Oz but I do like the idea of some higher and some lower carbs days, especially if you also incorporate cheat days.

suziecue66

Acg67, looking at your impressive pics took a peek in your diary - do you alternate higher carb days with lower carb as that seems to be the pattern?

grinch031

Acg67, looking at your impressive pics took a peek in your diary - do you alternate higher carb days with lower carb as that seems to be the pattern?

If you look at his photos, there is one in particular that reflects what he looks like on his 'high carb' day.

mdj1501

There was an special on Dr. Oz the other day that said that a good way to lose weight is a high carb day and a low carb day varieting every other day, and one day of the week you can eat whatever you want. I haven't tried it so I don't know if it works. Just an Idea if you want to try it.

Does anyone know if this is what they call the Every-Other-Day diet? I have seen that on the internet, but of course you have to buy it to see what the actual plan is. Just curious.

mdj1501

If you eat zero carbs, up to 75% of your brain's fuel can come from ketones after a period of adaptation, and the other 25% must come from protein converted into glucose through the process of gluconeogenesis.

But as far as the no carbs for a week strategy, fat loss won't be as impressive as you think. You will deplete glycogen stores and shed a crapload of water (like 5-15 lbs depending on how big you are), and maybe you'll shed 1-2 lbs of fat, depending on your calorie intake really. Oh and you'll probably feel like garbage for a couple days.

But as soon as you reintroduce carbs your weight (water) will skyrocket so the scale won't do you any justice.

I have tried this a couple times, and day 3 is the worst! Grouchy, irritable and sluggish

hersheyskiss

You'll drop water weight, that will come back as soon as you reintroduce carbs

I totally agree stick with something you can do for life it will come off slower but it will stay off.

olong

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/510583-losing-weight-too-easy-try-these-handicaps

You beat me to this.... OP must have missed this.... maybe OP should just eat yellow food!

jenny66

really bad idea...would not recommend it unless you like to *kitten* boulders.

HeatherLynnO

ha,ha....my brain is still working, week 4 of "low carbs"....look at me type!!

Natelywills

You'll drop water weight, that will come back as soon as you reintroduce carbs

Exactly...the main thing you're doing is depleting glycogen stores.

Exactly. No need to make yourself suffer through that to see a number on the scale that is NOT fat loss

Never thought of it that way, thanks!!

suziecue66

Acg67, looking at your impressive pics took a peek in your diary - do you alternate higher carb days with lower carb as that seems to be the pattern?

If you look at his photos, there is one in particular that reflects what he looks like on his 'high carb' day.

Was that really from a high carb day as photos are not marked?

challengeaccepted

I do keto (ketogenic diet) which means I aim for 20 g net carbs a day. Zero carbs, for me, is insane. Educate yourself well about ketogenic diets and you'll do fine.

I've been doing it for a couple of months and I do fine. If you don't already consume enough water then you will probably lose a significant amount of weight during the first two weeks. Which will come back because it's water weight. The first 3 days or maybe longer you will might feel bad because of "keto flu" drink more water and up your sodium. Drink some chicken broth, it helps. You'll feel better once your body gets used to less carbs. I don't believe the "one week low carb" thing is going to have much effect in the long run.

I would really advise you to do something you can stick to long term. Maybe do low carb and count caloires 3 days of the week. Like, Monday, Wendesday and Friday. And just count calories the other days. I'm sure you'd get way better results that way instead of doing low carb (zero carb, in your case) for one week.

There is a keto group here on MFP, look for it and ask more questions there.

Check this out before you go on a low/zero carb diet. http://josepharcita.blogspot.com/2011/03/guide-to-ketosis.html#33MM

NAKE....NOT A KETO EXPERT.

prestonmay

Before a Body Building comp(7 days)...... Mon -50 carbs tues 200(alternating) -- This shocks the body enough to lose some fat within 7 days---- The weight you lose will be temp at best with no carbs at all.

Living4Liz2012

I'm not going to lie it was hard especially when i hit day three but it was sooooo worth it...I lost more weight that way and was thinking fo doing it again...

FEEL FREE TO ADD ME...IF YOU TRY ...I WILL TOO:)

kiku76

very interesting thread.
I was doing my best to eat paleo, bascically limiting carbs and sugar to those found in fruit. I lost weight FAST. but it was not sustainable for me.
I was constantly hungry and tired.
Then I just needed to eat carbs and crap again and totally binged. I'm now 3 lbs more than I was at my lowest when eating no carbs and struggling to get my good carb eating back in control. I'm also doing Insanity now so I'm always hungry.
I also had no idea how much I missed oatmeal until I couldnt eat it.