What is with the low carb fad?
aproc
Posts: 1,033 Member
I'm just wondering what people's reasons are for doing low carb on here? Carbs are the body's preferred source of energy.. I understand it in prepping for competitions and the carb cycling with leaning out after building muscle but I can't understand why the average person would. Everybody I have known who did the whole 'low carb' diet for a while lost weight but it was just put back on later because it isn't a lifestyle you can stick to.. Just seems like a quick fix for some that is hard to maintain in the long run. Not trying to be rude or insult any who are doing it. I'm just curious about your reason's behind choosing it.
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I don't know many people who can stick to execising or lifting for the rest of their lives either but I sure don't knock anyone for giving it a go while trying to find what works for them. Some people have more will power than others in certain areas, some actually see an improvement in health. If you don't know people who can stick with something then seems like that might be a problem with the people you know. Guess it's kind of like the fad of worrying about what everybody else is doing.
BTW if you do some real research into low carb it's been around for centuries, that's a heck of a long fad.0 -
Like I said, I didn't mean it condencendingly. I was just curious about other reasons or research I haven't seen. Guess that was something I should have just kept quiet about. I am sorry.0
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I dont expect to do low-carb for a long period of time, but it did help jump-start my dieting. It helped to lower my calories by loosing breads and starches that I was more willing to give up than meats. Replacing those calories with veggies, and you really dont have too bad of a diet at all and you continue to feel full even though your calorie intake is dropping. NO hunger pains at all!
A few weeks into it, started adding a few carbs back in, especially around workouts and I think it's worked OK. I had a 'treat' last night and had a piece of garlic toast and felt bloated afterwards.. I really dont have a craving to start adding back in a ton of bread and potatos, which I think (hope) will stick..
No one should be doing a 'no carb' diet long term. Atkins or similar diets only have that phase for a short period of time. They all expect you to add carbs back into your normal diet, but in a controlled and healthy way.
I know others that have done low-carb and felt sick and constipated etc... All I can say to that is everyone's different. If you find something that works for you, do it! If low-carb isn't appealing, pass....0 -
Sounds pretty good! Glad it's working for you. I was doing low carb for a few days once since I stayed with my mom who was on the diet and I had a hard time finding any healthy carbs in her house. I did have an easier time keeping the hunger at bay but after a couple days I just couldn't deal with the headaches. Different effects on everyone I suppose.I dont expect to do low-carb for a long period of time, but it did help jump-start my dieting. It helped to lower my calories by loosing breads and starches that I was more willing to give up than meats. Replacing those calories with veggies, and you really dont have too bad of a diet at all and you continue to feel full even though your calorie intake is dropping. NO hunger pains at all!
A few weeks into it, started adding a few carbs back in, especially around workouts and I think it's worked OK. I had a 'treat' last night and had a piece of garlic toast and felt bloated afterwards.. I really dont have a craving to start adding back in a ton of bread and potatos, which I think (hope) will stick..
No one should be doing a 'no carb' diet long term. Atkins or similar diets only have that phase for a short period of time. They all expect you to add carbs back into your normal diet, but in a controlled and healthy way.
I know others that have done low-carb and felt sick and constipated etc... All I can say to that is everyone's different. If you find something that works for you, do it! If low-carb isn't appealing, pass....0 -
For myself eating low carb (not no carb) is the only way for my body to lose weight. I have PCOS and it's really hard for me to lose weight even though I work out really good. I have never been able to do the points program on weight watchers, basically eating like the "South Beach Diet" is typically the only thing for me that moves the scale. I stick to carbs in veggies most days and may have carbs in the form of breads/pasta/potatoes once or twice a week. If I eat it more than that, I get very bloated and the scale moves in the wrong direction.0
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I dont think there is anything wrong with carbs. I mean as long as you dont overdue it. I just never have a carb after 6, they will stick with you all night and the next morning. So a big thing of pasta is not good for you right before bed for example.0
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I don't know many people who can stick to execising or lifting for the rest of their lives either but I sure don't knock anyone for giving it a go while trying to find what works for them. Some people have more will power than others in certain areas, some actually see an improvement in health. If you don't know people who can stick with something then seems like that might be a problem with the people you know. Guess it's kind of like the fad of worrying about what everybody else is doing.
BTW if you do some real research into low carb it's been around for centuries, that's a heck of a long fad.
MOST of the people I know have been exercising and lifting weights for their entire adult lives, and often since childhood.
EDIT: I guess not most of the people I know, just most of the people I surround myself with.0 -
I dont think there is anything wrong with carbs. I mean as long as you dont overdue it. I just never have a carb after 6, they will stick with you all night and the next morning. So a big thing of pasta is not good for you right before bed for example.
?? where are you sticking your carbs? tee hee0 -
I'm just wondering what people's reasons are for doing low carb on here? Carbs are the body's preferred source of energy.. I understand it in prepping for competitions and the carb cycling with leaning out after building muscle but I can't understand why the average person would. Everybody I have known who did the whole 'low carb' diet for a while lost weight but it was just put back on later because it isn't a lifestyle you can stick to.. Just seems like a quick fix for some that is hard to maintain in the long run. Not trying to be rude or insult any who are doing it. I'm just curious about your reason's behind choosing it.
My guess is some people feel like crap when they eat carbs, other have medical reasons and a bunch of people think that it accelerates fat loss or it's the only way to lose weight. Some of that you can prob chalk up to the current insulin and carbophobia0 -
I don't know many people who can stick to execising or lifting for the rest of their lives either but I sure don't knock anyone for giving it a go while trying to find what works for them. Some people have more will power than others in certain areas, some actually see an improvement in health. If you don't know people who can stick with something then seems like that might be a problem with the people you know. Guess it's kind of like the fad of worrying about what everybody else is doing.
BTW if you do some real research into low carb it's been around for centuries, that's a heck of a long fad.
MOST of the people I know have been exercising and lifting weights for their entire adult lives, and often since childhood.
EDIT: I guess not most of the people I know, just most of the people I surround myself with.
I was going to say something along those lines but thought about that line you added in. I've been a gym rat for years so the people around me are typically people who have been at it for years. I don't know many people who gave up after putting in a good amount of time in first but thats just the kind of people I surround myself with as well.0 -
I have a good friend who has had a lot of success with low carb over the long haul. I'm not talking about the extremes of the induction week of Atkins forever (I thought she was nuts at first) but she's kept off over 85 pounds for 6+ years.
It works for her--your own mileage may vary. She does "go off plan" occasionally.0 -
Well darn...Thats when I crave my carbs the most. :PI dont think there is anything wrong with carbs. I mean as long as you dont overdue it. I just never have a carb after 6, they will stick with you all night and the next morning. So a big thing of pasta is not good for you right before bed for example.0 -
I dont think there is anything wrong with carbs. I mean as long as you dont overdue it. I just never have a carb after 6, they will stick with you all night and the next morning. So a big thing of pasta is not good for you right before bed for example.
Abject silliness. What difference would see in weight loss or body comp if you ate the majority of your carbs after 6pm vs if you did not?0 -
Some people gain it back I suppose because once they ''go off plan'' then it's all downhill in their mind I guess. Thats pretty awesome that she's kept it off and can keep that balance and go off plan but not let it derail her.I have a good friend who has had a lot of success with low carb over the long haul. I'm not talking about the extremes of the induction week of Atkins forever (I thought she was nuts at first) but she's kept off over 85 pounds for 6+ years.
It works for her--your own mileage may vary. She does "go off plan" occasionally.0 -
Well darn...Thats when I crave my carbs the most. :P Haha. I'm kind of the same. I don't really intentionally cut carbs at night but typically my only carbs at dinner are from veggies.I dont think there is anything wrong with carbs. I mean as long as you dont overdue it. I just never have a carb after 6, they will stick with you all night and the next morning. So a big thing of pasta is not good for you right before bed for example.
I have had around 160g of carbs since 6. Doesn't stick to me :P0 -
I have a strong family history of Diabetes. My gramma and her mom both ended up having their legs amputated because of Diabetes. My uncle who is barely older than me was recently diagnosed. My sister was diagnosed. During a couple of pregnancies I was diagnosed with gestational Diabetes.
I don't want to lose my legs.
Low carb and the treadmill are tools I use to keep them.0 -
Someone made a comment on her about making sure you get your fat and protein, and fill out your calories with carbs from there.
Carbs are an easy food to point to when you want to say bad.
List of carbs I enjoy eating:
chips, crackers, donuts, ice cream shakes, cake, cake, and more cake, cheesecake, etc.
List of carbs that are good for you that I now eat:
berries, Ezekiel bread (which is ick), lettuce, tomatoes, random vegetables.
So going low carb is just a way to dump processed junk with an easy wipe of the hand. I'm a lot lower carb than I was. So, you can imagine how bad it was when I still ate them willy nilly.0 -
Well it doesn't matter in the end. :P I just don't like the really full feeling too close to bed.
Well darn...Thats when I crave my carbs the most. :P Haha. I'm kind of the same. I don't really intentionally cut carbs at night but typically my only carbs at dinner are from veggies.I dont think there is anything wrong with carbs. I mean as long as you dont overdue it. I just never have a carb after 6, they will stick with you all night and the next morning. So a big thing of pasta is not good for you right before bed for example.
I have had around 160g of carbs since 6. Doesn't stick to me :P0 -
i just do it for fun
one day, see how few carbs i can eat..........
another, how little fat.........
its a game to me
only 19 carbs today, from lettuce and greens................tomorrow maybe 250..............
nice to experiment with how things make you feel0 -
Low Carb can mean many a thing. Its doesn't necessarily mean cutting out all things starchy. I have done Atkins and lost over 30lbs with it. Many people don't do right by it and that is why they gain the weight back. They don't take the time to "learn" themselves and how carbs affect their body.0
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I have seen a few people say that cutting carbs helps them prevent binges. Since they are more likely to binge on pasta, bread, cake and not omelets xD0
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I could not stick to that ezekiel bread stuff. I only eat the good carbs like oats, sweet potatoes, etc but still come out to my goal carbs. But I also lack in veggies sometimes too so if I replaced more with them, I'd be a lot lower.Someone made a comment on her about making sure you get your fat and protein, and fill out your calories with carbs from there.
Carbs are an easy food to point to when you want to say bad.
List of carbs I enjoy eating:
chips, crackers, donuts, ice cream shakes, cake, cake, and more cake, cheesecake, etc.
List of carbs that are good for you that I now eat:
berries, Ezekiel bread (which is ick), lettuce, tomatoes, random vegetables.
So going low carb is just a way to dump processed junk with an easy wipe of the hand. I'm a lot lower carb than I was. So, you can imagine how bad it was when I still ate them willy nilly.0 -
What is considered low carb? cause I love carbs (healthy ones) and I feel drained without them. I have my carbs set at 40%, but it seems really easy to go over it.0
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I'm just wondering what people's reasons are for doing low carb on here? Carbs are the body's preferred source of energy.. I understand it in prepping for competitions and the carb cycling with leaning out after building muscle but I can't understand why the average person would. Everybody I have known who did the whole 'low carb' diet for a while lost weight but it was just put back on later because it isn't a lifestyle you can stick to.. Just seems like a quick fix for some that is hard to maintain in the long run. Not trying to be rude or insult any who are doing it. I'm just curious about your reason's behind choosing it.
I agree with you... But i would rather do low fat, and tons of fruit and veggies and lean meat and pasta!!! lol I lost 70 pounds doing this when i was younger and i did keep it off this way for years. It wasnt until recently that i was taking care of mymom that i put on the weight well half of it back because i couldnt exercise and i went back to eating foods that were high in fat because it was available. I was so busy with her i really had to put aside those things for a while.. now im hoping to get back into it..0 -
I had a 'treat' last night and had a piece of garlic toast and felt bloated afterwards..
Just a thought, if it was like "garlic bread" The bloating would probably be from the oil/butter or amounts of sodium in that kind of thing.
I pick up the most random things from long paragraphs haha0 -
I think low carb is somewhere below 100 or 50g of carbs a day. Varies.0
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....I never thought of it that way. Kind of wish you didn't tell me that because I am a very competitive person and love games... Very interesting. :Pi just do it for fun
one day, see how few carbs i can eat..........
another, how little fat.........
its a game to me
only 19 carbs today, from lettuce and greens................tomorrow maybe 250..............
nice to experiment with how things make you feel0 -
I don't know many people who can stick to execising or lifting for the rest of their lives either but I sure don't knock anyone for giving it a go while trying to find what works for them. Some people have more will power than others in certain areas, some actually see an improvement in health. If you don't know people who can stick with something then seems like that might be a problem with the people you know. Guess it's kind of like the fad of worrying about what everybody else is doing.
BTW if you do some real research into low carb it's been around for centuries, that's a heck of a long fad.
MOST of the people I know have been exercising and lifting weights for their entire adult lives, and often since childhood.
EDIT: I guess not most of the people I know, just most of the people I surround myself with.
I agree with SleepyTexan completely. The implication that people can't stick to exercise or giving up carbs for life is a strange comparison. I have always exercised. But I also eat a lot of carbs. I have done both my entire life.0 -
Honestly, I started doing it because my sister did it and lost 8 lbs really fast. Since I have at least 75 lbs to lose, I thought I'd lose it really fast that way.
But once I was off the carbs, I realized how much they controlled my life, and now much better my body AND MY MIND felt without being laden down with all that junk (cutting out carbs meant cutting out all fast foods, and most of my go-to binge foods - being a pescetarian, there's no bacon in my future!).
I've also learned a lot more about my body since I started (rather hastily), so now I know more about BMR and TDEE and all those fun numbers...
So I'm sticking to a keto style diet for now, and eventually I will work a healthy but small number of carbs into my diet.0 -
For me personally, when I "low carb" I cut out all the yucky sugary food that makes me achy and tired. However, my low carb is like 80-100 a day and not like 40. I still eat high fiber/protein tortillas that are made from whole wheat, and I eat some fruit every day.0
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