Gluten. Dairy. Sugar.

If you deprive yourself of foods that you normally and regularly eat, chances are you will have a calorie deficit and lose.
I'm not going to try this. I like to make pure gluten loaf on the weekends and if I cut out dairy I'll be cutting out my greek yogurt / oatmeal/ honey snack that helps me to meet my protein macro.

**Meanwhile, in my fortress of evil**

I'm glad you've had success but the weight loss isn't purely because you cut those three things. It's because by eliminating those things from your diet, you created a calorie deficit.

How do you know she isn't eating the same amount of calories, just from different foods?

because OP claimed to lose weight..the only way to lose weight is to create a calorie deficit….its called math ...

^^^ Hmmm . . . not necessarily. When I was in my 20s and 30s, all I had to do was watch my calories. I could eat what I wanted to and still lose weight as long as I stayed within my daily calorie allotment. Not anymore! For most 40+ year old women, it DOES matter where the calories come from. I stick to roughly 1400 to 1800 calories a day (depending on how much exercise I get) and I can tell you without a doubt that if I eat processed/prepackaged/fast foods and stick to within my calorie limit, I will not lose a thing. However, if I eat whole foods (vegetables, lean proteins, good fats like avocados, raw nut butters, etc.) I will lose the weight eating the same amount of calories. How do I know this? Three years ago, I spent 7 months gaining and losing the same 4 pounds although I was exercising and keeping within my calorie limit. It wasn't until I kicked the processed carbs and sugars to the curb that I began to lose weight. I am now 60+ pounds down and have kept it off for almost two years. I went on a cruise in March of 2012 and was very strict about portion control. I didn't go hog-wild not one meal the entire 7 days, drank LOTS of water, and did LOTS of walking, swimming, etc. When I got home, I was 9.5 pounds up on the scale. I can tell you emphatically that it MATTERS where my calories come from. 1400 calories of processed food will NOT allow me to lose weight, period!

I am on a detox right now which eliminates gluten (I was already not eating gluten), sugar, dairy, alcohol, caffeine, soy. All of these foods cause inflammation and don't allow the body to heal from the inside. I have lost 8 lbs already. They say it helps prevent the accumulation of cholesterol in arteries as well. I am vegetarian (mostly vegan, still eat cage free, organic eggs from a local farm in my state) and honestly believe that a plant based diet is the healthiest and most humane way to live.

so you eat zero sugar…no carbs, fruit, etc, right?

The only fruit I am allowed to have on this diet are minimal berries, green apples and citrus fruits. So it's more about processed sugars and eliminating high sugar content fruits. Besides those allowed items, I do not eat any sugar.

Kinda skipped the carbs question there.

I never said I eliminated carbs which is why I skipped it. I eat brown rice, quinoa and gluten free pasta minimally.

Because you said yoy eliminated sugars. Carbs are converted into sugar in the body.

I specified in my last response, processed sugars.

I find that not eating processed foods isn't really the trick... it's what happens as a result of that decision.
1) You cook more
2) You make healthier choices because you HAVE to
3) You don't overindulge in sweets/foods without nutritional value.

Restrictive food lifestyles make you re-evaluate how you eat and WHY you eat.... there is NOTHING inherently evil about gluten, dairy or sugar.

I find that not eating processed foods isn't really the trick... it's what happens as a result of that decision.
1) You cook more
2) You make healthier choices because you HAVE to
3) You don't overindulge in sweets/foods without nutritional value.

Restrictive food lifestyles make you re-evaluate how you eat and WHY you eat.... there is NOTHING inherently evil about gluten, dairy or sugar.

+10

Calorie deficit = Weight loss....this is true, but it is not that simple, some foods react within the body differently. Some foods are conducive to maintaining said deficit.
If you eat dense calories or high sugars you will have an insulin spike and then feel sluggish and likely hungry very quickly. Some foods while high in calories are effective because small amounts burn for a long time. (peanut butter) people here like to tout simple concepts like eat less lose more. But if we are all here to help each other then we should entertain that there are pitfalls to weight control and healthy eating and that telling someone that they can technically eat half a chocolate cake for breakfast and nothing else all day and still lose weight, but no experienced mfp'er would likely do that, because it is not sustainable.

I cut gluten out and lost like 30 lbs in like a month as well. Maybe I am celiac, don't know. Without gluten I feel great, no bloating, no headaches. I seriously doubt that the weight was fat loss. But now Gluten makes me ill. Will this happen for everyone, I don't know. Is it a fact, nope, just my experience. Part of being on this sight is to encourage and share with one another. To many people here choose their sides on this website and forget the simple concept of different strokes for different folks.

I haven't completely eliminated all of these things from my diet - I don't feel it is sustainable in the long run for my lifestyle (I'm a professional student) but by significantly limiting my intake, I've seen great progress as well!

It's pretty clear to me from my own research that our diet should be plant-based - that doesn't mean I won't indulge in a cheeseburger every now and then but I'm trying to incorporate way more fruits, veggies, and unprocessed grains, seeds, and legumes into my diet as possible. It took me a while to get here but I have the most energy I've had in a while, all things considered.

Good luck to you! It's a hard transition - these items truly do have addictive effects in the body so it's natural that anyone would hate the suggestion to eliminate them. Do what you can and do what makes your body feel good.

I totally agree with this. Whenever I try to completely eliminate things it doesn't work for me. I don't eat meat but pretty much everything else is a bit picture type of thing so long as it's sustainably/organically produced.

I'm glad you found something that works for you, and that you have been successful. :flowerforyou:

However, this type of eating would never work for me. I have tried it in the past and always ended up up on a massive binge. It wasn't until I learned moderation that I truly lost weight.

Food is not evil. It doesn't sit around in its little package dreaming up ways to make us fat. That is really my only problem with threads like this. Food is food. I am thrilled this works for you, but please don't villianize food.

Agree with first & 3rd... (I haven't tried this diet stuff)

"Evil"... Muahahaha!

Great job OP! Do what works for you.

Depends on each person. Those foods are fine for person who is fit/healthy. For someone who is extremely overweight or even overweight, they will have better success avoiding those types of food.

I would respectfully disagree. For long-term success, someone who is overweight, a person will have greater long-term success learning how to have a healthy relationship with all foods, eating in moderation. Being afraid of eating any kind of food (unless there is an allergy) is not healthy mentally. A lot of people fail when they try to eat a restrictive diet because they don't want to live the rest of their lives without eating food they enjoy. Learning to eat foods we like in moderation and still maintain healthy calorie counts leads to lifelong success.

**Meanwhile, in my fortress of evil**

I'm glad you've had success but the weight loss isn't purely because you cut those three things. It's because by eliminating those things from your diet, you created a calorie deficit.

How do you know she isn't eating the same amount of calories, just from different foods?

because OP claimed to lose weight..the only way to lose weight is to create a calorie deficit….its called math ...

^^^ Hmmm . . . not necessarily. When I was in my 20s and 30s, all I had to do was watch my calories. I could eat what I wanted to and still lose weight as long as I stayed within my daily calorie allotment. Not anymore! For most 40+ year old women, it DOES matter where the calories come from. I stick to roughly 1400 to 1800 calories a day (depending on how much exercise I get) and I can tell you without a doubt that if I eat processed/prepackaged/fast foods and stick to within my calorie limit, I will not lose a thing. However, if I eat whole foods (vegetables, lean proteins, good fats like avocados, raw nut butters, etc.) I will lose the weight eating the same amount of calories. How do I know this? Three years ago, I spent 7 months gaining and losing the same 4 pounds although I was exercising and keeping within my calorie limit. It wasn't until I kicked the processed carbs and sugars to the curb that I began to lose weight. I am now 60+ pounds down and have kept it off for almost two years. I went on a cruise in March of 2012 and was very strict about portion control. I didn't go hog-wild not one meal the entire 7 days, drank LOTS of water, and did LOTS of walking, swimming, etc. When I got home, I was 9.5 pounds up on the scale. I can tell you emphatically that it MATTERS where my calories come from. 1400 calories of processed food will NOT allow me to lose weight, period!

Not so much, my dear. It's because your metabolism decreases as you age and your muscle mass decreases, so you need fewer calories. You must lower your calorie intake to maintain your weight because your caloric needs decrease. Your BMR at 20 is a lot higher than your BMR at 40.

Also if you gained 9.5 pounds in one week, much of it was water weight. Not likely that you ate 33,250 extra calories in that one week.

The point I am trying to make is that one viewpoint--if you eat at a calorie deficit, you will lose weight--does NOT work for everyone. I KNOW what works for my body and what doesn't. I'm sure if the OP said she had to cut out processed carbs, sugars, gluten, etc. and that was what it took to lose the weight, then I believe her because that is EXACTLY what it took for me. BTW, yes the 9.5 pounds was water weight and it was gone by the next week. However, it was gone ONLY because I got back to my strict eating regimen the very next day after returning home. Had I begun eating the processed foods (even staying within my allotted calories), I never would have gotten it off. I MIGHT would have lost a couple pounds, but definitely would not have lost all of it. I know my body well and have learned to pay close attention to what works and what doesn't.

Things to consider for those "only a calorie deficit cause weight loss" people....

1. A pound of fat isn't made up of 3500 calories exactly, it varies a hundred or so up or down. 3500 is an average.

2. If a person sees a lower number on the scale, that doesn't mean they have lost body fat. Other things that effect your actual weight are water retention, inflamation, muscle loss or gain....the contents of your bowles. Fat loss and weight loss are different things.

3. I believe the body craves nutrients, so a junk diet will cause more hunger. Just my opinion.

4. The TDEE of anyone varies day to day, it isn't a static number and most people have over or underestimated theirs.

Rarely is there singular causation to anything.

Thank you for this. I have had the same problem. In high school/ college and up into my 30s I was thin 5'9 lowest weight 120-highest 140. I had a child at 34 and things changed. I gained about 70 pounds and could not get it off! Still struggling! I had always been athletic and played many sports and was always very fit. I was even an aerobic instructor and had always included strength training etc in my workouts. A few years ago I really got serious about getting the weight off. I joined on here, started Hal Higmon's 1/2 marathon training...was really watching my intake and exercising my self to death...I even did P90X...my results after month's of this...about 10 pds...I was so frustrated and knew something had to be going on so I did a lot of research and found a harmone specialist, OB/GYN, Surgeon...he had lots of credentials and I spent over $600 for all of the test and blood work. I even printed off my daily log from here for him to review and tell me what I possibly was doing wrong because the weight was not coming off! After several visits and lots of blood work. He found nothing! I am very healthy! I eat very healthy...he suggested South Beach and said that some women at certain ages do not burn off the carbs that they eat...I tried it and lost 10 pds in 2 weeks....so I would love some suggestions as to what you eat for each meal, etc.. I can relate to what you are saying and I am listening. Unless you have experienced this frustration...and you are doing the right things but aren't getting the results...then you just can't understand!

**Meanwhile, in my fortress of evil**

I'm glad you've had success but the weight loss isn't purely because you cut those three things. It's because by eliminating those things from your diet, you created a calorie deficit.

How do you know she isn't eating the same amount of calories, just from different foods?

because OP claimed to lose weight..the only way to lose weight is to create a calorie deficit….its called math ...

^^^ Hmmm . . . not necessarily. When I was in my 20s and 30s, all I had to do was watch my calories. I could eat what I wanted to and still lose weight as long as I stayed within my daily calorie allotment. Not anymore! For most 40+ year old women, it DOES matter where the calories come from. I stick to roughly 1400 to 1800 calories a day (depending on how much exercise I get) and I can tell you without a doubt that if I eat processed/prepackaged/fast foods and stick to within my calorie limit, I will not lose a thing. However, if I eat whole foods (vegetables, lean proteins, good fats like avocados, raw nut butters, etc.) I will lose the weight eating the same amount of calories. How do I know this? Three years ago, I spent 7 months gaining and losing the same 4 pounds although I was exercising and keeping within my calorie limit. It wasn't until I kicked the processed carbs and sugars to the curb that I began to lose weight. I am now 60+ pounds down and have kept it off for almost two years. I went on a cruise in March of 2012 and was very strict about portion control. I didn't go hog-wild not one meal the entire 7 days, drank LOTS of water, and did LOTS of walking, swimming, etc. When I got home, I was 9.5 pounds up on the scale. I can tell you emphatically that it MATTERS where my calories come from. 1400 calories of processed food will NOT allow me to lose weight, period!

Not so much, my dear. It's because your metabolism decreases as you age and your muscle mass decreases, so you need fewer calories. You must lower your calorie intake to maintain your weight because your caloric needs decrease. Your BMR at 20 is a lot higher than your BMR at 40.

Also if you gained 9.5 pounds in one week, much of it was water weight. Not likely that you ate 33,250 extra calories in that one week.

The point I am trying to make is that one viewpoint--if you eat at a calorie deficit, you will lose weight--does NOT work for everyone. I KNOW what works for my body and what doesn't. I'm sure if the OP said she had to cut out processed carbs, sugars, gluten, etc. and that was what it took to lose the weight, then I believe her because that is EXACTLY what it took for me. BTW, yes the 9.5 pounds was water weight and it was gone by the next week. However, it was gone ONLY because I got back to my strict eating regimen the very next day after returning home. Had I begun eating the processed foods (even staying within my allotted calories), I never would have gotten it off. I MIGHT would have lost a couple pounds, but definitely would not have lost all of it. I know my body well and have learned to pay close attention to what works and what doesn't.

Exactly, I ate a raw vegan diet two yrs ago (I came off of it because it was so expensive) thand did not monitor calories at all and lost 34 lbs. I honestly believe the types of foods you choose make a huge difference. Processed foods make me feel sick. I feel so much better eating fresh local organic produce (belong to CSA) and making everything from scratch using whole food ingredients.

**Meanwhile, in my fortress of evil**

I'm glad you've had success but the weight loss isn't purely because you cut those three things. It's because by eliminating those things from your diet, you created a calorie deficit. I wish you the best but have no intention of ever giving up these things. Especially the dairy...ice cream.... Also, 30 lbs in 2 months seems ridiculous and not healthy for most people, so...

Not always true. I cut those same things, and replaced it with other whole food calories. I did NOT create a larger calorie deficit. And I'm losing weight...

These threads boil my blood b/c there are so few people out there who give inflammation reduction any credit for weight loss. I had one HELL of a deficit going - eating 1500 calories a day, watching macros, working out a minimum of an hour a day, strength training.. I can count on ONE HAND the number of pounds I lost in TWO YEARS doing that. I cut gluten, I cut sugar and I cut dairy and 55 lbs fell off in a matter of 8 months. Fast forward to the holidays, reintroduce dairy, sugar and gluten, 26 lbs climb onto my frame in only 2 months, counting out the same number of calories and working out just as much as I did when the 55 lbs fell off. Fast forward again to January 6, when I again cut gluten, dairy and sugar... 9 lbs gone in a month. Same 2000 calorie diet. Same run schedule. Nothing changed but the food...

If all else stays the same, calorie deficit, workouts, sleep, etc, with only changing the types of food I put in my body, and the weight falls off, I'm inclined to believe it's the type of food that matters.

Something did change besides the food. You say here that you went from 1500 to 2000 calories. That's a 500 calorie surplus a day, thus a pound gain a week. If you add to that any inaccuracies or missing logs in your diary (I had trouble during the holidays) and any missed runs because of the holiday schedule and no wonder you gained 26 lbs. You were no longer eating in a deficit. Don't blame the food when the behavior change is really the root of the problem.