Low Carb vs. Low Cal vs. MFP

ExplorinLauren

I've ALWAYS done low carb. But I never followed it through to the end.
I would always do the 1st phase of Atkins, for 2-3 weeks.... 20-25 carbs a day... I'd lose 10-15 lbs and stop, and go back to my reg life.
I've done low cal several times also... affective... but very slow compared to low carb.
Mfp seems to follow the typical low cal, but you can change your macros to fit any diet really.
I guess my question is what do you do? How does it work for you?
I miss low carb. But I don't believe sticking to 20 carbs a day is sustainable...
I'm looking for a happy medium. Something I can stick to forever... and gives me the nutritional goals I'm looking for..
Any ideas?

Lina4Lina

It was my belief that 20 carbs/day was often an induction phase of diets like Atkins.

There is no 'magic' to low carb other than it restricts your calories in a certain way. You could certainly look at tweaking your diet so that you are eating more carbs in a sustainable way and adjust as you feel is right. Counting calories is really the important part.

Katahna

Ideas?

How about conviction, or dedication? try those.

emtron500

I put my calories up to 1400 and bumped carbs down to 88g per day. That's low carb, but not crazy low. And I try to get them mostly from fruits and vegetables.

jesusHchris

I don't see any benefit to low carb. Take a look through the profiles of the people advocating it and see if they have accomplished what you are attempting to do.

From my experience, the people I use as role models tend to eat a lot of carbs. I personally set my macros to 50% carbohydrates and try to get them from fruits, veggies, and whole grains (ignoring this weekend, though, apparently). This is both during bulking and cutting.

Good luck to you.

ExplorinLauren

Ideas?

How about conviction, or dedication? try those.

You're so full of fascinating ... original advice... thanks :noway:

ExplorinLauren

I put my calories up to 1400 and bumped carbs down to 88g per day. That's low carb, but not crazy low. And I try to get them mostly from fruits and vegetables.

Thanks! I agree.. that is kind of the approach I'm trying now... I try to stay around 100g per day or less... while watching my cals too... and I try to get my carbs from fruits and veggies instead of ribeyes and bacon lol

samhigh

I've ALWAYS done low carb. But I never followed it through to the end.

I'm looking for a happy medium. Something I can stick to forever... and gives me the nutritional goals I'm looking for..
Any ideas?

Eat a balanced diet (whatever works for you 40/40/20, etc.) comprised of whole foods.
Exercise

ExplorinLauren

I don't see any benefit to low carb. Take a look through the profiles of the people advocating it and see if they have accomplished what you are attempting to do.

From my experience, the people I use as role models tend to eat a lot of carbs. I personally set my macros to 50% carbohydrates and try to get them from fruits, veggies, and whole grains (ignoring this weekend, though, apparently). This is both during bulking and cutting.

Good luck to you.

Thank you I will def start looking at more peoples diary's for this reason... thanks tho for the reply I feel you... my last week was horrible! lol

vsetter

I believe in a good mix across the macros. My macros are set to 45% carbs, 30% fat, 25% protein. That is based on a 2,000 calorie diet (although I vary daily from 1700-2000). I am strength training and am making sure to eat enough to maintain my energy -- and gain muscle strength.

I try to make sure my carbs are from fruit (2-3 servings per day) and whole grains (also 2-3 servings per day).

starkid120

nevermind

jesusHchris

Eat a balanced diet (whatever works for you 40/40/20, etc.) comprised of whole foods.
Exercise

Yeah, but really just this. People make things way too complicated when they are losing weight. Worry more about hitting your calorie goals for now. Concentrate more on the macros when you are developing visible ab muscles and the like.

But I really would stay away from extreme fads like Atkins. Your body uses carbs to burn fat.

postrockandcats

Ideas?

How about conviction, or dedication? try those.

Right, because every diet works for every person and her not succeeding at Atkins and wants a something more reasonable for HER means she lacks conviction and dedication. She clearly has both things, but just needs a starting point that's better for her body.

OP- I'm not a low carber. I don't want to be a low carber. There are many ways to do this, you just need to figure out the best way for you. Others have said to change your macros, and I think that's a great idea. 40/30/30 is pretty popular, but see what works for you. I usually end up with about 50% carbs. So long as you feel good and are healthy and properly nourished, then who gives a flying leap how you did it?

ExplorinLauren

Eat a balanced diet (whatever works for you 40/40/20, etc.) comprised of whole foods.
Exercise

Yeah, but really just this. People make things way too complicated when they are losing weight. Worry more about hitting your calorie goals for now. Concentrate more on the macros when you are developing visible ab muscles and the like.

But I really would stay away from extreme fads like Atkins. Your body uses carbs to burn fat.

I agree. But I feel Atkins is a good diet to follow too... IF you stick to the wholeeee program.
The induction phase I followed was meant to be an induction phase... I took it further ... No one should stick to that low of carbs forever... I get that.
I wouldn't say tho, that the whole diet itself is an extreme fad diet.

shorty35565

40/30/30 is my opinion, it's pretty balanced. Your body needs some carbs. Just make sure they're good ones.
Make this journey a lifestyle change not a diet. Make it something you can do for the rest of forever.

waldo56

Ideas?

How about conviction, or dedication? try those.

Right, because every diet works for every person and her not succeeding at Atkins and wants a something more reasonable for HER means she lacks conviction and dedication. She clearly has both things, but just needs a starting point that's better for her body.

Well if you are thinking about it from the diet POV and not lifestyle change POV, you really are better off not even bothering in the first place. Its all coming back anyway.

When your motivation is right, the entire idea of giving up is an impossibility.