Sugar or Carbs? – Body transformation question

LaTee21
LaTee21 Posts: 37 Member
edited January 15 in Health and Weight Loss
So I’ve lost 30 pounds so far and I’m happy. (I know my tag says 24 but I forgot to reset my weight when I started using MFP again) This is the most I’ve lost so far and I pumped. I’m seeing results and I want to do more.

Here is the thing…I see the weight loss in my face and somewhat in my shoulders and arms and my pants are not tight around my waist but they are not exactly loose. I’ve only lost 2 ½ inches off my belly and my belly is my focus now because I carry a lot of weight there. Now I’m under my calorie count and my carb count (usually I’ll have 50-60 carbs left in a day) but I routinely go over my sugar. I’m usually around a negative 20-30. That’s my issue I’m sure but my question is:

Do I have to cut both or is sugar the biggest belly fat offender? MFP says I can have around 200 carbs a day.

Any feedback or personal experiences are welcomed. Thanks!

Replies

  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    Congrats on your loss so far!

    Sugar is a carbohydrate. You don't have to cut either of them out to lose belly fat (I'm assuming you haven't been diagnosed with a specific medical disorder that means you react to carbs differently). Losing fat, on the belly or elsewhere, is about creating a calorie deficit. Some people are allergic or intolerant to carbs, or to things like gluten, and they may find that eating those foods will cause them to bloat. That's not fat though.

    It's quite common for the belly to be the place people carry fat, and it can be the last place to slim down. Given that you have some more weight to lose (per your ticker) some of that is bound to come off from your belly. You just have to be patient and lose fat from all over, hoping that it eventually comes off from your belly.

    If you don't already, you might want to consider adding strength training to your routine. A lot of people have had a lot of success with that for losing fat. It will also help you to maintain lean mass as you lose weight.
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,349 Member
    Doesn't matter. Just continue and I would suggest to lift weights along with some cardio if you don't.
  • Taraanne76
    Taraanne76 Posts: 111 Member
    For me, I do best keeping sugar less than 30g and keeping carbs 100-150g.
  • cals83
    cals83 Posts: 131
    I think it also depends on what you are eating with the sugar. Like if you are getting your sugars from fruits that also have fiber in them to slow the absorption it is a lot better than if you are getting a lot of sugar from processed juices or something like that.
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    Congrats on your loss so far!

    Sugar is a carbohydrate. You don't have to cut either of them out to lose belly fat (I'm assuming you haven't been diagnosed with a specific medical disorder that means you react to carbs differently). Losing fat, on the belly or elsewhere, is about creating a calorie deficit. Some people are allergic or intolerant to carbs, or to things like gluten, and they may find that eating those foods will cause them to bloat. That's not fat though.

    It's quite common for the belly to be the place people carry fat, and it can be the last place to slim down. Given that you have some more weight to lose (per your ticker) some of that is bound to come off from your belly. You just have to be patient and lose fat from all over, hoping that it eventually comes off from your belly.

    If you don't already, you might want to consider adding strength training to your routine. A lot of people have had a lot of success with that for losing fat. It will also help you to maintain lean mass as you lose weight.

    This pretty much nails it. Strength training is key to reshaping your body. I also think, contrary to much of the current thinking, that carbs are the last place to focus. First: adequate protein. Second: adequate fats (critical for brain function and hormonal health). Last, what ever is left to carbs. That why protein and fats are essential nutrients and carbs are not. The current trends in some circles to focus on carbs first seems totally misplaced to me. More good info here:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets
  • LaTee21
    LaTee21 Posts: 37 Member
    Thank you everyone for the replies. I truly appreciate the folks here and MFP in general. I’m going to do some suggested reading and take a serious look at my diet. I’m probably not getting enough protein and my strength has been minimal.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    Sugar is a carb.
  • rjmudlax13
    rjmudlax13 Posts: 900 Member
    Seems like you consume a lot of sugar via sugary drinks. I know the organic green peach tea sounds healthy, but it has more sugar than a Coke. Try just drinking water instead of sugary drinks. Make some "real" (non-sweetend) green tea and add a little bit of sugar if you really need to. Having something very high in sugar will make you crash later followed by intense cravings, therefore, you may overeat. The bulk of your sugar intake should come from whole fruits (not juice). Fruit tends to give you less of a blood sugar spike.

    Carbs in general are not bad. Focus on incorporating healthy complex carbs like brown rice, quinoa, couscous and even some minimally processed whole wheat breads, crackers and pastas.

    Ultimately, it all comes down to maintaining a calorie deficit if you just want to lose weight.

    Good luck!
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