Are carbs the problem?

JAT74

I might revisit cutting out carbs/processed carbs at least 80% of the time. I did switch to rivita instead of bread, wheat flour instead of white, wholegrain pasta etc. for a while but I switched back when I thought it wasn't making much difference. I usually stick to 100g carbs most days or less anyway and it doesn't do a lot so maybe I'll go lower and aim for 80g then 70g, 60g and continue until I see a change.

I won't eat 200g protein as I'm a little worried about kidney issues. I have a history of kidney disease in my family although I've never had symptoms. I have been aiming for 100-120g per day since January and plenty of water but don't want to go above this level, plus I can't afford to do it either.

JessHealthKick

Don't want to be rude, but do you know what the symptoms are?

Very difficult weight loss, some levels of fatigue - that could be hypothyroid. I had no symptoms at all when I was diagnosed, my ear-nose-throat doctor managed to notice my thyroid was enlarged and referred me.

It's worth just getting a thorough blood test of everything.

If you are going to reject all my suggestions (processed foods, gluten etc) then there isn't that much point being too upset over things then... it's annoying it doesn't work as easily for us than it does for others, but that is life. It isn't fair :drinker: *f*** you life*

If you are willing to restrict carbs, I highly suggest trying gluten-free. I am sure I will be attacked for saying this, but I felt so much better without it. There are simple replacements - brown rice, beans - which taste great. For starters, cereals are full of sugar and minimal protein, you're much better off with some brown rice and egg for breakfast or something!

Jess

edit: yay, we are almost bf% twins! I am 32.5% to be exact.. I almost had a heart attack when I read that hahaha

JAT74

Sorry yes! About my training, I started off doing Jillian Michaels body revolution which was basically 4 days resistence training with light weights/high reps plus 2 days cardio and I did a walk on my 'OFF' day.

After 7-8 weeks and little results I decided to start Insanity and was going to do that daily plus double up on 2-3 days a week with weights in the gym but it became too much so I cut out the double workout days. I soon realised that a lot of Insanity was resistence and I wanted to give my body a rest so have now switched to 3 days weight training (for 60-90 minutes at a time) and I work all body parts on each of the days although I switch the exercises I do each day. I am now using heavier weights (like 10kg biceps, 15 kg chest etc.) and plan on increasing my weights whenever I can. I usually do 3 sets of each exercise and do firstly 8-10 reps and then 6-8 reps for the last 2 sets. I have a home gym so I work out there.

Jessica I don't really have fatigue as I normally only sleep 6 hours per night so feel tired some mornings but other days when I sleep 8 hours I'm fine. Plus I never get cold (usually the opposite) and my hair is also very thick and strong. I never get constipated either. I am on a very low income with no health cover right now so can't get a test very easily as I can't afford to do it unfortunately.

I only ever eat white rice once every fortnight at the moment anyway and bread probably once a week. I try and eat brown rice if I want rice at all too and my carbs are now normally 100g or less. When I did cut out more carbs and go lower I didn't see a big change in the 2-3 weeks I tried it whereas I know some people have a dramatic weight loss from it.

I know cereals are bad but I go for wholegrain (with sugar!) and at least 9g of protein per serving with skimmed milk! I could cut it out completely I know though.

I think part of my problem is my diet wasn't really that bad in the first place so it's harder to see results when I change further.

stumblinthrulife

I suggest reading this -

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/910257-the-new-and-improved-asking-questions-about-your-intake

then making a post here -

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/10067-eat-train-progress-

I've seen Sarauk2sf and SideSteel help many people. Nothing's guaranteed, of course, but you've nothing to lose but weight, right?

JAT74

Hi, I'm already a member of that group but it doesn't work for me! I continue to be amazed at how it's possible to eat ice-cream daily and wish I could do that and still get to where I want to be!!

Maybe the fact I've been restricting carbs for years and eating less than I should have been has meant I'm now struggling so much. When I ate tons fo junk food, alcohol and did no exercise I only had to be vaguely healthier to see the weight drop off. Now I'm moderately healthy and have been working out for years at least 3 days a week I struggle a lot more if I eat only a little more 'normally'.

JessHealthKick

Ah that is such a pity you don't have free health care there Aussies are lucky in regards to that!

I know where you're coming from - I have always eaten lots of vegetables growing up and just can't function without them anyway and always had good home cooked food.

I think I personally am going to start eating a bit more, really staying AWAY from the chocolate (allow one dessert on a weekend ONLY) and stick to 45mins of cardio 6 days a week. I was sick last week which was a set-back, but this is a new week Maybe you should try increase your intake (as suggested by other posters) rather than something too dramatic in your diet.

Jess

JAT74

I wish I could increase my intake but I've been there, done that! I spent at least 8-10 weeks of the last 14-15 weeks I've been on here eating a lot more. At one point I was eating back all my exercise calories so was probably netting around 1500. All that happened is that weight loss stalled and inch loss also stalled so there was no benefit (except if I'd wanted to maintain). When I dropped a bit lower I started losing some inches but weight loss wasn't happening.

Now I've dropped calories to 1350 on average gross/1000 net I'm finally seeing a small change in the scale but nowhere near as much as I'd hoped. Maybe my body is holding onto water weight or the fact I'm on the pill could be preventing things from moving faster.

prattiger65

I am sorry that you aren't hearing what you want to hear. but if what you are saying is true, you are not eating enough. you said your tdee is 2100 and bmr is 1400, yet you net 1000 and don't think that is a problem. It is a problem. If you have been eating that little for all this time its no wonder you aren't losing weight. There were things I didn't want to believe were true, but science trumps bro-science every time. To lose weight it takes a calorie deficit, but it ALSO takes proper nourishment. Ill leave this for others now, Good Luck!

JAT74

You obviously haven't read this thread or any of what I've been saying! I have tried eating a total of 2100 per day (maintenance) for several weeks as a reset followed by 1500 net which meant i was eating around 1900 and then around 1700 per day (which is still 1350 net) and each time I did it for 4-5 weeks before realisinh it wasn't working.

I've now been netting 1000 cals for just over 1 WEEK ONLY. Before that I was netting 1200-1300. I only ever dropped lower after trying/testing other numbers.

Based on my results over a almost 4 month period I don't think that 2100 is my true TDEE and I think it's really a lot lower along with my BMR. I can't get tested for financial reasons so that leaves trial and error.

savithny

You might be intereste din this:

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/can-too-much-cardio-exercise-decrease-my-metabolism

From the article:

There was one interesting research paper that confirmed this. Scientists from the University of Vermont published their findings in the Journal Sports Medicine:

“A plethora of studies have examined the combined effects of diet and exercise on body composition and resting metabolic rate. The hypothesis is that combining diet and exercise will accelerate fat loss, preserve fat-free weight and prevent or decelerate the decline in resting metabolic rate more effectively than with diet restriction alone. The optimal combination of diet and exercise, however, remains elusive….

It appears that the combination of a large quantity of aerobic exercise with a very low calorie diet resulting in substantial loss of body weight may actually accelerate the decline in resting metabolic rate. These findings may cause us to re-examine the quantity of exercise and diet needed to achieve optimal fat loss and preservation of resting metabolic rate.”

These findings seem counter-intuitive, but experience seems to confirm it. Occasionally we see case studies of people doing huge amount of cardio or endurance training, yet they’re not losing weight at the rate you would expect based on the calorie math, even if they’re tracking everything carefully.

DCpaleochick

Look into the primal/paleo gluten free lifestyle. You may have to get really strict with your food intake to crank things up again. Also scale back your workout. Try doing only 3 days of very intense working out for 30-45 mins. 30 days of this and I am certain you will be back on track. Drink a ton of water and get at least 8 hours of sleep if you can. Also if you can throw a day or two of IF say like 16-20 hour of fasting.

hope this helps goodluck!