Changing from low carb to counting calories

Juliet592
Juliet592 Posts: 3 Member
in Introduce Yourself
Hi, I'm new here, first post!! I have been eating low carb for 6 months and I am happy with the results. However, not with the "diet" itself. I know I cannot continue for ever. My cholesterol has gone over 300 and I have never had that problem before! My doctor freaked out!! And every day is a STRUGGLE against eating anything with higher carbs.So my question is, has anyone changed from low carb to tracking calories on MFP with any success? If I stick to the the recommended calories/fat/protein/carbs suggested by MFP can I maintain the weight loss I achieved with low carb? I don't want to be on a "diet", I want to eat anything, just in moderation, is that possible? I am now diligent in tracking everything I eat, so I am cautiously optimistic! I would appreciate any feedback.

Replies

  • mkmitch3
    mkmitch3 Posts: 19 Member
    Eventually I think you will find a balanced diet based on counting calories will be easier to stay on and healthier. I have been off and on diets since the 70's. I was on a low carb diet before anyone hardly knew about them thanks to a friend who was a scientist at Miles Labs. I have found counting calories gives me the discipline to lose weight and control my type 2 better. I find myself eating good carbs instead of pizza ones LOL. Along with daily exercise I have been shedding 1.6 lbs a week for the past 6 weeks.

    It takes a little discipline and using healthy recipes.
  • ehorn625
    ehorn625 Posts: 144
    Eating low carb and using MFP doesn't have to be mutually exclusive. I do both. I keep my carbs on the low side and log my calories on MFP. So far it has worked. I have highish cholesterol and am on a low dose statin. Just had my numbers done recently and my doc is very happy with them.
  • Juliet592
    Juliet592 Posts: 3 Member
    Thanks so much for the responses!! Yes, I am not knocking low carb at all and I did loose weight!! I just felt I was missing so much food as the only time I really lost was staying at about 20 net carbs, every time I added more carb I would stall or gain. I was not eating ANY fruit and not many higher carb veg. No corn on cob all summer was hard!!!! And of course my cholesterol skyrocketed from last years numbers which is scary!! I still plan on avoiding processed food, sugar and white flour. I'm hoping by tracking everything diligently (as I had to do low carbing) I can add in a few of the things that I was missing and still lower my cholesterol without a statin. Fingers crossed!! Yesterday was first day going by MFB recommended calorie intake and I'm down 1/2 lb.!!!
  • QuilterInVA
    QuilterInVA Posts: 672 Member
    And you will gain when you add carbs and count calories. If you body is carb sensitive, you just can't handle them. You will also gain because for every gram of carb stored by your body, it stores an additional 4 grams of water. If you stayed on 20 net carbs the whole time you did low carb, you didn't do it correctly. There are 4 stages, not just induction and if you do it right you lose.
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    I don't want to be on a "diet", I want to eat anything, just in moderation, is that possible?

    It's possible, but it's still a "diet", because you will have to look at food and say "no thanks".

    I made the same transition a few months ago, and it's been awesome. Way more energy since moving away from low carb, and the weight is melting off while my fitness level is improving at an amazing rate.

    If you are coming from low carb, you will most likely gain some weight immediately. This will, for vast majority of people, have nothing at all to do with "carb sensitivity", it will be water weight gain as your new food plan fixes some artificial imbalances induced by your previous long term low carb state. Don't panic, it will (for almost everybody) pass.
  • Juliet592
    Juliet592 Posts: 3 Member
    Thanks to everyone who replied!!! I think I'm just going to try for good, healthy, real food and stay with the MFP guidelines. I'll give it a few months and see how I feel. I'm excited to start this journey with everyone!!!
  • shapefitter
    shapefitter Posts: 900 Member
    :drinker:
  • issyfit
    issyfit Posts: 1,077 Member
    ... I still plan on avoiding processed food, sugar and white flour...
    It sounds like South Beach phase two might be a good fit for you, or a way to transition to higher but healthy carbs like whole grains, low sugar fruits, beans. legumes and more veggies.
  • Binkie1955
    Binkie1955 Posts: 329 Member
    I'm more concerned with the cholesterol. if you were truly low carbing it, the cholesterol should have balanced and your cholesterol ratio would have fallen to about 3.5. your diary is not open so it's hard to tell what you may have been doing that would account for the cholesterol. If it's not being too inquisitive, might you open your diary so those of us in the low carb forum can figure out what aggravated your cholesterol issues?

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