Low carb

AEJhoi

Hey! I have been on MFP for some weeks and in the first weeks I lost weight, then I regained some and now I stay at the same weight (which basically is the weight I started at). A lot of people have been recommending a low carb diet, so I was wondering:

Did any of you do a low carb diet, what's your experience, and what happens when you start eating carbs again?

1DayMarathonRnner

There is a low carb group. You may want to check them out. They may be able to answer your questions better.

haldeman5

I do a low carb diet most of the time! I love the josephs low carb pits and tortillas, I use them instead of breads and rolls. I do eat carbs more on weekends and special occasions and don't have too much trouble maintaining but it is harder for me to lose when I eat too many carbs, it is just how my body works. When I do eat carbs I try to do it in morning or earlier in the day.

Dayna154

Yes join the low carb group(s) and see what all of us have to say.. Lots of positive things here..

Spanaval

There is not a lot of information in your diary, but if the two days are an indication, then you're not eating nearly enough protein, and aren't eating much by the way of fruits and vegetables. I'm a big advocate of not thinking of the way you eat as a "diet", but how you want to eat for the rest of your life. Make meaningful changes that will be sustainable, long term. Chances are that if you cleaned up your diet, the rest will follow.

Also, is calorie allocation correct? Do you know your BMR and TDEE?

steph2gb

I have found that for me low carb is all that works. If I eat "normal" I maintain. You could try eating only "good" carbs and keep them earlier in the day. It really is just finding what works for you. I find limiting carbs also helps cravings and I'm not hungry. Good luck!

AEJhoi

Thanks a lot! I will search for the groups!

And I am eating enough fruit and vegetables, the last days I haven't been registrating my intake very well but I do eat healthy. I love fruit and I normally eat pasta with vegetables for dinner, I think I do eat a lot of carbs that way so it would be good for me to try and eat less and see if it makes me lose weight, I just don't wanna stop eating carbs forever (I am half italian, can't live without my pasta's!!!!) that's why i wondered if i would regain when I started eating normal again.

And my BMR is 1400, which is my current calorie goal. I think it's good, I am not having any problems with it and I eat back calories from exercising, but since i think MFP is not always very accurate with them I think i eat around 1500 netto a day.

Chokis

If you exercise, eating only at your BMR is very very low for you, it might be one of the reasons you're in a stall.
Increase your calories, don't look at what MFP is calculating for you, you can put in your own calorie goal.
And yes, low-carb is a lifestyle, not a diet.

AEJhoi

But even now for 1400 calories I have to put effort eating them! I am not starving at all, I eat really well I think, and my mother said she was surprised I would be losing weight if I were eating this way (not that it's really bad, it's just that it's not hard, I have calories left at the end of the day, but I am not losing any weight)

And if it is such a lifestyle, should I even start with it when i know that I will probably fail to keep it? I did hear good things about South Beach diet, and the reason I gained weight before is not because I was eating so much carbs, but because I was not excercising and eating a lot of chocolate (very stressful and busy times)

sarahrbraun

I honestly don't know much about South Beach, but about 7/8 years ago my doctor told me to go on the maintenance phase of Atkins to treat my high insulin levels. In roughly 8 or 9 weeks, I dropped 20 pounds, reversed my high insulin levels, and got pregnant. My weight loss actually continued for part of my first trimester, despite starting to eat carbs again.

I have gained probably 50 pounds more than where I was when I cut carbs before...just 3 weeks ago I started cutting carbs again. I lost almost 5 pounds the first week. The second and third week my losses have been lower, but I have had challenges to deal with ( hot weather causing water retention, etc). I'm sticking with it though, I have lost the same amount in 3 weeks that I lost in 3 MONTHS just restricting calories, and I feel much better too.

AEJhoi

Oh that sounds great! i will try it, but I think cutting out fruit will be difficult!!

sarahrbraun

you don't have to cut out fruit entirely. Right now berries seem to be the most popular fruit--and they also tend to be lower in carbs, and have a higher amount of fiber in them. You can have quite a bit of berries vs apple or peach for the same amount of carbs.

cramernh

Hi!
Im one of the moderators of "Low Carber Daily Forum" - we welcome all members who are doing South Beach, Atkins, Low-Carb, Primal, Paleo and those who are hoping to be in a group that doesnt get attacked...

Do a search in the groups section for "Low Carber Daily Forum" and come on in!