hard kick to the weight loss Low Carb Approach. Thoughts?

Romans624

I did it years ago and it backfired. I gained it back quickly when I started eating "normal" again and it made me feel lousy.

A friend of mine lost like 18 lbs in 2 weeks on Atkins, got a bladder infection and had to drink Cranberry juice. True story...she gained all 18 lbs back in 2 DAYS!

Cutting carbs in general isn't a bad idea, but strict carb cutting can be extreme. Its just not a realistic or sustainable change and can really mess up your body!

Was she really just having the recommended amount of cranberry juice? Because I don't see how 18 lbs of water or glycogen can come back on just from that. The other thing to note is that a lot of people never really stick to anything other than phase one. You are supposed to gradually add complex carbohydrates until you see weight gains, then add less. Not a snickers. Not a high sugar item. Something like brown rice or an apple. At phase 3 these low carb diets have you eating from all food groups but keeping the principle of Quality nutrients and lower carb.

Low carb is not a diet destined to fail. Any "diet" can fail, its about the person's attitude, and realistic plan about how they are going to live in the short term and long term to ensure that they meet their health and fitness goals.

escloflowneCHANGED

You might need to eat more. 1200 calories is really an arbitrary number and isn't suited for everyone. Also, like other's have pointed out, weight loss isn't linear. Plus it's very common to lose weight quickly at the beginning and the slow down a bit as the journey continues.

This!


Your first post said it all for me, 1200 calories and trying to eat your calories back means you are probably under 1000 net most days...you won't lose weight with those numbers, I say try 1400-1500 NET and actually eat back those exercise calories. You will see results.

fteale

since 6/06 I have lost like 1 1/2 lbs. How is it working?

I have never EVER lost more than 0.6 lbs a week, even with a 500 cal a day deficit. If the scale is going in the right direction, it's working. The smaller you start off the slower you will lose.

jofjltncb6

I have been 50 days on MFP, and my weight loss is barely 13 lbs. It seems once I dropped 10 lbs first month, my weight loss turned into a slow moving turtle. I do exercise 6 times a week, including TF prep and walk( walking fast and sometime run a little) at least 2 times a week from 20 to 45 min. I am set at 1200 and I try to eat most of my exercise calories. I eat every two hours, eat healthy with occasional “screw driver” splurges on Saturdays still staying within my calorie limit, always try to choose low carb solutions when I choose my food.
I want to give a hard kick to my weight loss, so was thinking tryning for a week to 20- 30 carb diet.
Thoughts? Experiences?

You're currently losing an average of 7 pounds per month? I would say, congratulations...and keep doing what you're doing. Unless you have an impending photo shoot or some other arbitrary deadline to meet, why jeopardize progress that most on MFP would love to have? Save the "hard kicks" for when you reach a plateau...(a *real* plateau)...before your goal weight.

lyttlewon

I don't disagree with anybody here, but sometimes it feels a little disappointing when you see people loosing 50lbs in 5 months

You have to remember though, those of us that are fairly obese can shed weight really quickly. I can drop 20 lbs in a short period, but the closer I get to my "normal" weight the harder it is for me to drop.

suelegal

Cutting carbs in general isn't a bad idea, but strict carb cutting can be extreme. Its just not a realistic or sustainable change and can really mess up your body!

That's so untrue. It's absolutely sustainable, realistic and can have incredible health benefits. Is it for everyone? Absolutely not, but you are making a judgment call not based on facts.

AwesomeAshley87

my doctor has me on a low carb diest and its working very well for me i lost 15 lbs so far! but ya know, everyone is different :] good luck!

Crochetluvr

Yes...its slow. But its forever.

Its taken me 5 weeks to lose 7 pounds. And its gonna STAY off, this time.

Hellbent_Heidi

I did it years ago and it backfired. I gained it back quickly when I started eating "normal" again and it made me feel lousy.

A friend of mine lost like 18 lbs in 2 weeks on Atkins, got a bladder infection and had to drink Cranberry juice. True story...she gained all 18 lbs back in 2 DAYS!

Cutting carbs in general isn't a bad idea, but strict carb cutting can be extreme. Its just not a realistic or sustainable change and can really mess up your body!

Was she really just having the recommended amount of cranberry juice? Because I don't see how 18 lbs of water or glycogen can come back on just from that. The other thing to note is that a lot of people never really stick to anything other than phase one. You are supposed to gradually add complex carbohydrates until you see weight gains, then add less. Not a snickers. Not a high sugar item. Something like brown rice or an apple. At phase 3 these low carb diets have you eating from all food groups but keeping the principle of Quality nutrients and lower carb.

Low carb is not a diet destined to fail. Any "diet" can fail, its about the person's attitude, and realistic plan about how they are going to live in the short term and long term to ensure that they meet their health and fitness goals.

I think so...but honestly, I don't remember the details, except her having a fit over gaining it ALL back in one weekend.

For myself, I didn't stick with it because I felt horrible on it.....so yes, I didn't follow the phases of reintroducing carbs back into my diet. I just found it way too restrictive and not a sustainable lifestyle personally.. I guess it can work for some people, but depends on what your plans are for a long-term lifestyle as far as food is concerned.

AliciaStinger

I have been 50 days on MFP, and my weight loss is barely 13 lbs. It seems once I dropped 10 lbs first month, my weight loss turned into a slow moving turtle. I do exercise 6 times a week, including TF prep and walk( walking fast and sometime run a little) at least 2 times a week from 20 to 45 min. I am set at 1200 and I try to eat most of my exercise calories. I eat every two hours, eat healthy with occasional “screw driver” splurges on Saturdays still staying within my calorie limit, always try to choose low carb solutions when I choose my food.
I want to give a hard kick to my weight loss, so was thinking tryning for a week to 20- 30 carb diet.
Thoughts? Experiences?

Like you, I lost the first 10-15 pounds quite rapidly, and then things slowed down. It took me a year, but I lost over 30 pounds. Here are a few things you may want to think about:

1. The average body is only supposed to lose 1-2 pounds a week for "healthy" weight loss. I've heard that the faster you lose it, the more likely it is that you'll gain it back. If you've been on MFP for 50 days, that's about seven weeks; in that amount of time, 10.5 pounds is the average amount for healthy weight loss, but anything between seven and 14 pounds should be alright.

2. I've heard that after the first 10 pounds, your body realizes you're losing a lot of weight and tries to maintain your weight -- just in case you're starving or something. Even people who consistently lose weight over time will plateau at points in their weight-loss program. The reason I've read from health and diet websites is that the body adapts to taking in fewer calories and doing the same workout routine. A couple of tips I've heard to basically "trick" your body back into losing are: (a) eat a couple hundred calories more than you usually do for a few days, and then drop your calories back down. As long as you remain under the basic number of calories you need to maintain your weight, you shouldn't gain. (b) If your body is no longer challenged by the level of work you're doing, try interval training or more intense workouts.

3. I tried low-carb dieting. I was eating fruits and veggies, but skipping bread, pasta, and starchy foods. I was averaging about 60 grams a day when I was doing my best, which is 2-3 times as much as you're suggesting. I lost six pounds the first week -- but after three weeks of this diet, I was exhausted ALL THE TIME. I felt weak and sick. Everyone is different, and your body may be able to handle it - and if so, go ahead and make the best of it! Just don't sacrifice your health for looks, especially if you're not going to have the energy to go out and show it off!

4. You may not want to hear this (or most of the other stuff I've said), but your goals may just exceed your physical capability. My new weight loss goal would requre me to lose another 30 pounds and get toned. I can't do all that in only 50 days. I don't know what your goals are, but it sounds like you want major results in an impossible amount of time. Good things come to those who weight -- I mean, wait!

I'm not a doctor, nutritionist, or anything of the sort, so don't take my advice too seriously. However, anything that wasn't based on personal experience came from health articles online, so hopefully they're effective/helpful! :-)

AliciaStinger

"My new weight loss goal would requre me to lose another 30 pounds and get toned."

Sorry..."ONLY" 26 pounds. If my body will cooperate (and if I'll stick to my diet) I can probably lose 26 pounds in 13 weeks...so I may be where I want to be in September. This is how I plan my weight loss, too; I set a weight-loss calendar (like "I should be 12 pounds lighter by the end of July") and if I do better, that's great. If I'm spot-on, or only a few pounds away, also good. Anything less means I was a total slacker!! :laugh:

linochka1969

I have been 50 days on MFP, and my weight loss is barely 13 lbs. It seems once I dropped 10 lbs first month, my weight loss turned into a slow moving turtle. I do exercise 6 times a week, including TF prep and walk( walking fast and sometime run a little) at least 2 times a week from 20 to 45 min. I am set at 1200 and I try to eat most of my exercise calories. I eat every two hours, eat healthy with occasional “screw driver” splurges on Saturdays still staying within my calorie limit, always try to choose low carb solutions when I choose my food.
I want to give a hard kick to my weight loss, so was thinking tryning for a week to 20- 30 carb diet.
Thoughts? Experiences?

I really appreciate your comments and sharing your experiences. Very helpful.

Like you, I lost the first 10-15 pounds quite rapidly, and then things slowed down. It took me a year, but I lost over 30 pounds. Here are a few things you may want to think about:

1. The average body is only supposed to lose 1-2 pounds a week for "healthy" weight loss. I've heard that the faster you lose it, the more likely it is that you'll gain it back. If you've been on MFP for 50 days, that's about seven weeks; in that amount of time, 10.5 pounds is the average amount for healthy weight loss, but anything between seven and 14 pounds should be alright.

2. I've heard that after the first 10 pounds, your body realizes you're losing a lot of weight and tries to maintain your weight -- just in case you're starving or something. Even people who consistently lose weight over time will plateau at points in their weight-loss program. The reason I've read from health and diet websites is that the body adapts to taking in fewer calories and doing the same workout routine. A couple of tips I've heard to basically "trick" your body back into losing are: (a) eat a couple hundred calories more than you usually do for a few days, and then drop your calories back down. As long as you remain under the basic number of calories you need to maintain your weight, you shouldn't gain. (b) If your body is no longer challenged by the level of work you're doing, try interval training or more intense workouts.

3. I tried low-carb dieting. I was eating fruits and veggies, but skipping bread, pasta, and starchy foods. I was averaging about 60 grams a day when I was doing my best, which is 2-3 times as much as you're suggesting. I lost six pounds the first week -- but after three weeks of this diet, I was exhausted ALL THE TIME. I felt weak and sick. Everyone is different, and your body may be able to handle it - and if so, go ahead and make the best of it! Just don't sacrifice your health for looks, especially if you're not going to have the energy to go out and show it off!

4. You may not want to hear this (or most of the other stuff I've said), but your goals may just exceed your physical capability. My new weight loss goal would requre me to lose another 30 pounds and get toned. I can't do all that in only 50 days. I don't know what your goals are, but it sounds like you want major results in an impossible amount of time. Good things come to those who weight -- I mean, wait!

I'm not a doctor, nutritionist, or anything of the sort, so don't take my advice too seriously. However, anything that wasn't based on personal experience came from health articles online, so hopefully they're effective/helpful! :-)

grinch031

Since low carb dieting does not alter the body's energy expenditure, if calories remain constant it will make absolutely no difference as far as fat loss goes. What people need to realize is that the reason low carb works is because it often leads to decreased eating because the low carb foods tends to be more satiating. The problem with low fat dieting is people end up eating a lot of unhealthy *empty* carb foods with very little micro nutrients.

When people see dramatic weight loss / gain associated with removing / adding carbs, it is almost exclusively water weight.

SuperVegan8

reducing or eliminating all possible carbs like some 'fitness/diet plans' will likely 'kickstart' weight loss. Its not a particually healthy way of doing it (you need carbs to operate) and as soon as you recommence carb intake you put the weight back on.

My advice is choose quality carbs (eg swap white rice for brown rice) and you're more likely to maintain longterm weight loss and will continue to fuel your body instead of starving it of carbs (which are essential).