Has anyone lost weight WITHOUT reducing carbs?

volume77

I'm just wondering if it is possible to lose weight without giving up carbs or restricting them . Without exercising like a maniac or becoming a body builder is it really possible to lose weight without going low carb? I'm coming off a low carb diet it helped me lose most of my weight. Since adding carbs back I have not lost anything. I just want to know if it's possible or do I just need more patience ?

BackTatJIM

Eating to much of any thing will cause weight gain. protein, carbs, or fat. Carbs just have a bad rep for no reason in my eyes. Eat food you like and keep to your calories and macros.

shorty35565

65lbs without restricting carbs. Heck, I lost like 40lbs eating over 200g a day. Now I try to stay under 200 at least & try to keep my macros more balanced. It doesn't always happen though, the balancing part.

morticiamom

As long as you're burning more than you're taking in, you'll lose weight, even if what you're taking in is Twinkies. What most people find, however is that protein, and complex carbohydrates keep them feeling full longer, with fewer calories. So many people, myself included, find themselves edging toward fewer simple carbohydrates simply because it's more satisfying.

pg3ibew

The only thing I restricted was Calories. I have not once cared about carbs, fats proteins, micros, macros, minis, salt, sugar, gluten or anything else. JUST CALORIES.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

I don't restrict any food groups. So far so good.

funlilhun

I say yes! I still eat carbs and keep losing weight. All I'm doing is staying under my allotted calories each day. Obviously, some carbs have many calories, so find the carbs you like to eat and eat small portions or find carbs that have less calories.

onyxgirl17

yes today for example I've had : sugar in my coffee, spaghetti, and home fries (potatoes). I've lost 33 pounds so far

LorinaLynn

Ravioli and garlic bread today, pizza last night, mac & cheese and a baked potato the day before... I don't limit my carbs. I aim for at least 110g of protein a day, but I don't restrict carbs.

Some might consider my exercise routine to be "like a maniac," some might not. I lift weights 3x a week and run 3-6 miles 3x a week.

eliseofthejungle

The only thing I restricted was Calories. I have not once cared about carbs, fats proteins, micros, macros, minis, salt, sugar, gluten or anything else. JUST CALORIES.

Me too. That's how I lost my first 40lbs and how I'm planing to lose the rest. :-)

rodeothedog

I have always just reduced my daily calories. My fitness said I should eat 1420 calories daily. I eat 1680 daily and seem to lose weight. Also I noticed my fat and sugar is usually above what I should eat. I would like to change that but one step at a time. My goal is to start working out more.

volume77

Btw I'm sorry if the post was confusing I'm technically not trying to lose I'm trying to maintain.

Emtabo01

I haven't done anything but watch calories, don't pay attention to any specifics. I've lost 12 pounds and am now doing body recomp with nrol4w. I'm even beginning to see the smallest smidge of a six pack starting, very exciting since I've had two kids and have never been happy with my tum. I guess I do have a protein shake after lifting 3 days a week, that's the most I pay attention to macros.

volume77

bump

paul7799

I did not give them up and hit my goal.

rfsatar

The only thing I restricted was Calories. I have not once cared about carbs, fats proteins, micros, macros, minis, salt, sugar, gluten or anything else. JUST CALORIES.

Exactly this. I started measuring portions/ingredients and gradually brought the amounts down but I maintain a balance of everything.

symonspatrick

My wife has lost over 40 lbs in the last 5 months and has not restricted carbs at all. She just reduced her calorie intake.

rockerbabyy

i was told by a couple doctors that i have pcos (ive also been told by a couple others that i dont so who the hell knows..) but theyve all suggested low carb for me to lose weight. i refuse to do it because i dont believe in limiting myself that much... ive just reduced my overall calories and the 45 lbs i lost was pretty much from september til may (got pregnant in june so havent lost since then). i didnt kill myself in the gym.. i did about 30 minutes of weight lifting at home, three days a week and did about an hour of cardio two days a week. i do keep an eye on carbs as part of my overall intake, but i dont stress if i go over.

alexisu96

Carbs have a bad rap. For weight loss what really counts is cals. I could eat low carb but still stuff my face with nuts and cheese. I will still gain weight. Since starting MFP , my carbs have gone down. This comes without trying if you are cutting sugar loaded processed foods ( which happen to carb loaded). I have limited bread at times, mainly cause if I eat a 400 cal. Salad, also eating a 200 cal roll makes for 600 cal meal!! Plus for me bread temps me with butter or olive oil. Now we are talking 700 cal meal!!

Tonite I made a thai curry and I will have a cup of rice. That is another thing. In the past i'd just fill my plate FULL of rice. Guessing 500 cals?? Now i measure a 200 calorie serving same thing with pasta.

Mock_Turtle

yes

chubbygirl253

I dont cut back carbs at all. I've lost over 60 lbs in 7 months. I lose about 10 inches a month cumulative. I'm happy with my progress so far and I have no intention of restricting carbs.

NightOwl1

The first time I was successful doing this, I lost 25 pounds without restricting carbs. As others have said, the magic word is calories. Restrict those, and you'll be successful.

In fact, I'd venture to say you'll be more successful if you still eat some of the foods you enjoy, as you'll be less likely to cheat. That means worrying less about macros, and more about just eating within your limits.

phoenixgirl81

Totally achievable. As of today, i have lost 45.3 kg (or 100 lbs for you non metric folk) in under 11 months without restricting anything but calories. Rice, bread, potatos, pasta, noodles, sugar, beer, etc are all in my food intake so long as they fit within my calorie limit. I don't believe that any one food group is responsible for my weight in the past. Simply that there was too much of it and i didn't move.

notworthstalking

I am loosing and still eating a fair amount of carbs. I really need them when I am working otherwise I can't do my job. I am trying to eat less refined sugar and increase my protien a little though.

Jen800

I've lost nearly 40 pounds eating at about 55% carbs for the first 20, and about 50% for the last 20ish (still going) I eat around 175 a day now, approximately. Hasn't hindered me. I don't exercise like a maniac, but I do make fitness a priority. I generally work out 4-5 days a week for an average of 30-40 minutes.

(please keep in mind my carbs are ALL whole grains or vegetables, fruits, etc. No white refined nastyness.)

JesterMFP

Btw I'm sorry if the post was confusing I'm technically not trying to lose I'm trying to maintain.

So, you've not lost anything, and you're trying to maintain? Sounds perfect! If you are still eating at a deficit - adding in carbs again should cause you to retain extra water which would mask any fat loss on the scale.

I've never done low-carb and lost all my weight just restricting calories.

ETA: Oh, and I eat plenty of white refined nastyness.

darrensurrey

Yes. I just counted calories.

The thing is, it's not so much about reducing carbs as reducing everything but trying to keep protein up to maintain LBM. And in order to do this, you'll find you have to reduce other things to meet your calorie goals. Since carbs are calorie dense and it is not necessary to eat the 300g+ of carbs you probably ate a day, reducing carbs will help. So rather than it being a low carb diet, it becomes a lower carb diet IYSWIM.

Now, my biggest mistake when dieting was to focus too much on calories and not enough on protein. Whilst I got leaner, I lost a fair bit of LBM. I'm not saying you have to focus on all the macros but just eat more meat (horse or otherwise :bigsmile: ) whilst keeping your total calorie intake lower than it used to be.

Christ, to think I only meant to reply with "Yes."

tl;dr: aim for your calorie goal by eating more protein but eat carbs if you want.

spamantha57

I'm losing weight & my carbs are at like 150 & I usually eat like 1,350 cals/ day.

rduhlir

I am eating carbs and am currently losing. I eat bread, pasta, fruits, -some- sugar (moderately of course), etc... I see myself 15 years from now still eating carbs, so why cut them out? Just learn what A serving is rather than going no or low carb. A lot of people who cut the carbs out have success...and good for them. But in order for something to work, it has to be something you can live with and sustain...and going no or low carb would have failed me with in a week (I know myself lol).

JessHealthKick

Hey,

Reading this thread sort of concerned me - people are saying they eat what they want and get weight loss. But what about being healthy? Eating pizza, potato chips and a hamburger may be in 1200 for the day, but is high in salt and is just not good for providing the minerals and so on that your body needs to function!!!

I just want to stress that... it's not just how many calories. What you take in is SO VITAL for your health. You will lose weight by cutting calories, but have fun with low energy, higher chances of heart disease and liver failure etc...

There are many healthy whole foods that are super yummy salmon fillet is my favourite! lots of carrots and broccoli too.

calisunrise

25 lbs off without reducing carbs.
but my carbs mostly come from whole grains, fruit and vegetables