What's reality here?

caseyjmc
caseyjmc Posts: 37 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Well, so far, I really love eating low-carb. But I haven't lost 1 pound. In fact, I've gained 2 pounds. This is in three weeks of doing low-carb according to the experts. I'm struggling with what reality is in all of this.

I started by reading up on dietdoctor.com, doing what he suggested, and finding myself gaining weight. I spent the next week attempting to do Atkins. But the carb restriction is just too much for me, and the best I could do has been 30 g per day. According to other experts, 30 g per day is pretty low carb. So, what's the problem here?

Some say to not restrict calories. Others say don't eat so much heavy cream, nuts and cheeses. OK, done. One week later another lb. gained.

I lost nearly 60 lbs. doing whole grains, fresh fruits and veggies, and keeping down saturated fats. My HDL levels have come up to 65, my LDL levels are down to 130. My doctor is happy with me. However, I hit a standstill, because my calories were now down to 1380, and I was hungry all the time. I started low-carb because I thought I might not be so hungry, and, truth be told, I'm not! And not only that, but my blood pressure has gone down as well. And, I don't crave fruit or carbs anymore. But, I'm also not losing any weight.

I have been an avid exerciser for the last, 2 years, but recently have had to cut back duet to work. Still, according to the Gary Taubes of the world, I should be losing weight regardless of exercise.

Again I ask, what's the reality?

Replies

  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,422 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/3817-eat-more-to-weigh-less

    You still have to calorie count until you get good at it, but you don't have to eat as little as 1300 calories.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,422 Member
    ......and, this site works a bit differently in regards to Exercise.


    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/186814-some-mfp-basics
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61706-guide-to-calorie-deficits

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10589-for-those-confused-or-questioning-eating-your-exercise-calories
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    Read the links above and stop listening to gary taubes.. carbs don't make you fat, calories do.. unless you have a medical condition which requires you to restrict carbs, it's just going to help you reduce some water weight. Also, if you are a avid exerciser, you need more calories than 1400.. probably more like 1800. Also, what type of exercise are you doing?
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    Read the links above and stop listening to gary taubes.. carbs don't make you fat, calories do.. unless you have a medical condition which requires you to restrict carbs, it's just going to help you reduce some water weight. Also, if you are a avid exerciser, you need more calories than 1400.. probably more like 1800. Also, what type of exercise are you doing?

    This pretty much nails it! No matter what macronutrients you ingest, energy in > energy out = weight gain. Calories matter.
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    Read the links above and stop listening to gary taubes.. carbs don't make you fat, calories do.. unless you have a medical condition which requires you to restrict carbs, it's just going to help you reduce some water weight. Also, if you are a avid exerciser, you need more calories than 1400.. probably more like 1800. Also, what type of exercise are you doing?

    Agreed with the replies, especially the bold.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    Suggestion:

    1) work out what your TDEE should be - this is one site you can use to estimate it http://www.iifym.com/tdee-calculator

    2) take a diet break for 7 - 10 days. See this link for a good explanation as to why - http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/the-full-diet-break.html

    3) after this, take a reasonable cut from your TDEE (500 calories) and eat to that level - eat the foods you were eating when you had success before

    4) stop listening to Gary Taubes
  • Cranktastic
    Cranktastic Posts: 1,517 Member
    what the people above said.

    may the force be with you
  • caseyjmc
    caseyjmc Posts: 37 Member
    Dragonboat racing, racquetball, sqauash, weight training. Not obsessively, but I'll be back to 3 times or more weekly starting next week.
  • caseyjmc
    caseyjmc Posts: 37 Member
    Thanks everyone. Will get started on the TDEE and get back to calories. I do like the low carb, and don't miss sugar or fruit in the least ( I do blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries on occasion).
  • issyfit
    issyfit Posts: 1,077 Member
    Thanks everyone. Will get started on the TDEE and get back to calories. I do like the low carb, and don't miss sugar or fruit in the least ( I do blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries on occasion).
    I don't really do low carb but I do follow South Beach guidelines as a tool to help me keep my cravings and calories in check. Calories do count even when reducing carbs.
  • iqnas
    iqnas Posts: 445 Member
    bump
  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    Suggestion:

    1) work out what your TDEE should be - this is one site you can use to estimate it http://www.iifym.com/tdee-calculator

    2) take a diet break for 7 - 10 days. See this link for a good explanation as to why - http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/the-full-diet-break.html

    3) after this, take a reasonable cut from your TDEE (500 calories) and eat to that level - eat the foods you were eating when you had success before

    4) stop listening to Gary Taubes

    Bears repeating for anyone who didn't catch it the first time.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    Thanks everyone. Will get started on the TDEE and get back to calories. I do like the low carb, and don't miss sugar or fruit in the least ( I do blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries on occasion).

    Since low carb is failing.. why dont you add a bit more calories from fruit. Fruit is very good for you and loaded with vitamins and antioxidants. When i take rest weeks i generally carb load. I have yet to stall in the past two yeara between my cut and bulk phases.
  • caseyjmc
    caseyjmc Posts: 37 Member
    Yesterday felt like a sane day of eating. I calculated my TDEE, Which came out to 2530, So, I subtracted 500 from that and set my calories at 1830. My carbs/protein/fat equals 10%/15%/75%. I walked for 40 minutes today, and my calories and percentages are adding up together. I don't like getting on the scale every day, but with what's happening, I want to keep a reality check going. This morning I was more than a pound and a half less than yesterday. 187.2. I'm even managing to get enough fiber, so that I'm getting 21 Grams each day. Thanks to flaxseed meal!

    I can't tell you all how much I appreciate the time you've taken to help me walk through this dilemma. I commit to keeping my food within the boundaries of caloric intake, while still maintaining the low carb diet that is making me feel pretty good. In about three months, I'll have my blood cholesterol, even insulin levels, rechecked, and see how this is working for me.

    Happy holidays everyone!

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