low carb or low calorie?

Eat what you want in moderation. If you go into a diet knowing you won't do it long term, it's just setting you up for failure.

I lost 30 lbs last year without giving up a single thing except butter and cheese. I gained it all back when I got lazy, but it was definite loss.. I suggest, if you want a permanent result, never give up something you love to get it and just work it into your life. Because as soon as you start eating it again you're going to gain weight back and that's never good for self-esteem or motivation.

I find just finding a way to keep all my numbers on here in the green whilst still eating what I love works best for me, personally .

I agree with all the previous posters. What a wise bunch on MFP.

Switch..
One day do low carbs, the next do high carbs.

Why are you doing a low carb diet?

You don't honestly believe that will cause weight loss do you? All that will do is drop water weight.

To lose FAT you need to eat at a maintenance calories deficit. for 1lb. a week, take away 500 calories off of your MAINTENANCE.


Unless you do shows, you don't need to go low carb, ever. But, don't be surprised if you start eating carbs again and your weight goes up a few lbs. from glycogen refilling your muscles (it's only water, don't worry... it will go back to normal).

I even say do IIFYM.

Mix it up. I found my body gets comfortable if I do the same thing everyday and then don't loose anything. I do low carb and high carb days with the calorie intake staying relatively the same unless I need the extra energy. Food=energy. High carb days help me stay on track with those cravings.

So an example of my macros and micros on a Low carb day would be 1450 cal, 75 carbs, 39g fat, 200g protein.
On High Carb it will be 1450 cal, 180 carbs, 24g fat,130 protein.
This helps my body not get used to what I am doing and keeps things interesting.

I tend towards low carb because as someone else mentioned earlier, it is so much easier to keep my calories is check when I am eating more protein and fat. I definitely watch calories but I don't have cravings and feel the deprivation much at all compared to when I am eating more carbs and less fat. Bottom line calories count but so does satiety.

Some of this is what others have already said, but here's my opinion.

Figure out a reasonable calorie goal for your current weight and your weight and fitness goals. Then, figure out how much protein and fat you need every day at a minimum. Here is an excellent guide to get you started: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

Once you have done that, do whatever you like with the "rest" of your calories after protein and fat goals have been met. If eating low carb is a sustainable, enjoyable way of eating that you can do long term and you feel best helps you achieve your weight and training goals, then do that. If eating ALL TEH CARBS with your calories over and above protein and fat minimums is what works best for you, then do that. Ultimately, beyond meeting some basic minimums in protein, fat, and micro-nutrients for maintaining health and muscle mass, the best way to eat while you're doing this is the way that get YOU to stick to the program. Period.

I wouldn't go on a low carb diet. The brain needs a certain amount of carbohydrate to function and that's minimally 130 grams. And I guess you could consider "low carb" as 130 grams or a little more a day, but that's a minimum. And I wouldn't keep to the minimum even when you want to lose weight.

I think the more you are on a low carb diet, the more you will crave "heavier" carbs, like bread, pasta, etc etc.

You're better off counting your calories, but it's also a good idea to keep your distribution fat, protein and carbohydrate at reasonable levels. Most people should have 45 to 65 % of their calories coming from carbohydrate and no more than 30% from fat. Usually 10-20% can be from protein. A lot of diabetics are put on carbohydrate controlled diets, which are usually not considered low carb. Usually they might be put on a diet that is 50-55% carb and eat maybe a set amount of carbs each meal.

If you're concerned about carbs, then you can log your calories into here and see what the distribution is. Maybe you don't want to go over 55% or something?

See what your calorie needs are and then subtract 250-500 depending on how much you want to lose. Your best bet is just making sure you are in your calorie range and being consistent with recording meals and exercises.

MFP will allow you to calculate your calories whether you want to maintain or lose.

bump

Lower carb diets are not 0 carb diets and can be very useful. I have been following a lower carb diet since Nov, it is the only way I can reduce calories without serious cravings like bread and sweets. Don't just dismiss it, look into it. Really good honest logging, seeing what is truly going into your body, is a huge help. Little calories that sneak in can end up sabotaging weight loss.
Interesting article:
http://authoritynutrition.com/10-things-dietitians-say-about-low-carb-diets/

:bigsmile: Balance! Eat normal but tracking and staying in calorie limits. For me it's about awareness of what I am eating. I try to avoid white carbs to get more value out of them. Whole grains etc. I love my pasta btu when I do eat it it's whole grain and I am tending to put more sauce on it, healthy sauce, fresh ingredients. Not fatty creamy sauces.