Confused, Help - Moderation or low carb?
rabbyduby
Posts: 123 Member
Ok, so I am so confused as to what to do. I have been reading a lot on weightloss. Whiles I have found low carb gives you quicker weightloss and good for diabetics, I find it so hard to stick to a low carb diet such as atkins or say around 20grams of carbs a day as a lifestyle. so my question is can I eat regular things but try to watch my carbs and still loose weight or do I have to choose one low carb or calorie counting?
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You will lose weight if you stay in a calorie deficit. You can watch your carbs, too.0
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Well, as we all know nothing is considered good unless taken to the extreme.
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The important thing is picking a diet you can stick with in the long term. If not, you will just gain the same weight back when you quit.0
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Find out what your maintaining caloric intake is, and then eat 15% - 20% less calories from that. Carbs will only make you gain weight if carbs are what take you over your maintenance amount.0
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You need carbs to have strenght. You can't stop eating them.0
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Ok, so I am so confused as to what to do. I have been reading a lot on weightloss. Whiles I have found low carb gives you quicker weightloss and good for diabetics, I find it so hard to stick to a low carb diet such as atkins or say around 20grams of carbs a day as a lifestyle. so my question is can I eat regular things but try to watch my carbs and still loose weight or do I have to choose one low carb or calorie counting?
In general, low carb diets work by being low calorie diets in disguise, because my foods that are high in carbohydrates are also calorie-dense relative to their overall nutrition profile (pastries and desserts, for example), or are used as vehicles for calorie and fat-dense foods (like a loaded baked potato or buttered rolls). As a secondary effect, low carb diets tend to show rapid 'progress' that is, for most people, merely water weight, which gives a big immediate result and then tapers off after a couple of weeks of low carb.
None of the above is intended to indicate that a low carb diet won't work, just that it works by giving some folks an easy (for them) way of watching their calories by virtue of the food choices they make.0 -
Everything in moderation. Change your lifestyle. You will see results.0
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I find that eating lower carb (with the carbs coming primarily from whole foods like fruit) helps me stick within my calorie limits for the day. I would recommend the combined approach for that reason.0
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With about a 10% success rate.Mexicanbigfoot wrote: »Everything in moderation. Change your lifestyle. You will see results.
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OP, are you diabetic? If so, talk to your doctor about what is the best diet for you to manage that condition. The American Diabetes Assoc has some great info on their website too (diabetes.org)
If you want to try Atkins, South Beach or similar plans, please do your research, get the book and follow the plan as written. Some of these can actually be pretty good plans as they allow you to slowly increase your carb intake over time with a focus on healthier carbs (fresh fruits and veg, whole grains, etc). While they're not for everyone, it might be worth a try.
ETA: I'm not sure why people think Atkins makes you limit your carbs to 20g per day - that's only during the induction phase. You're allowed more as you go through the plan.0 -
"Whiles I have found low carb gives you quicker weightloss and good for diabetics"
Incorrect. Calorie deficit = weight loss. So low carb coupled with high fat is just asking for trouble.0 -
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So, I'm going to assume you're a diabetic because I'm not sure why you'd mention low carb for diabetics if you're not.
Caloric deficit = weight loss. You need carbs for energy. Not even diabetics need to limit their carb intake to the Atkins 20 g net carb per day rule. You can certainly limit your carbs if you want to, but it's the calories that will determine your weight loss. Calories in vs. calories out.0 -
I've been using moderation and watching carbs. Its slow results but it seems to be working.0
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Low carb can be a good way to keep a deficit and for some it can be the only WOE that helps them lose weight. I've been low-carbing for over a year now. I'm not dead and my energy is great, so those saying that you need carbs are not taking into consideration that when you eat low carb, you supplement fat for energy, rather than carbs. It's not for everyone, but you never know unless you give it the ole college try. Here's a link if you're interested in trying low carb. It will tell you all you need to know and help you with food lists and whatnot.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aiHSPoto_YqsNTDvL-g60nytMnyH-CJcCbiAx1IEUYM/mobilebasic?pli=10 -
I eat low carb, but like another person stated, its really low calorie in disguise. For those who do it for long term tend to focus on more than just their carb intake. I like that I can feel full longer eating high fat, moderate protein, low carb.
You stated something about it being good for diabetics? Are you diabetic? Because then your ratios DO matter for your health.
Also, to debunk some incorrect information from PP...when you're eating low carb your energy comes from the fat you eat. Also, Atkins is 20 net for only a short amount of time. That would be more like a keto way of eating. There are several low carb ways of eating with different names (which Atkins is just one of), but usually people end up finding what works best for them and it isn't a specific name.0 -
Overall losing weight is about calorie deficit, but more importantly it's about learning about portion control. While focusing on certain Macro percentages may help speed up the process, if you don't intend on eating like that for the rest of your life, it will be a short experiment. Better to eat the right quantities of foods you like.0
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herrspoons wrote: »Calorie counting. There's no need to exclude carbs, but, since carb heavy foods can be quite calorie dense, it makes sense to reduce them a bit.
Fat heavy foods can be quite calorie dense as well... oh, and protein heavy foods as well
peachyfuzzle wrote: »Find out what your maintaining caloric intake is, and then eat 15% - 20% less calories from that. Carbs will only make you gain weight if carbs are what take you over your maintenance amount.
Carbs is not what makes you gain weight if over maintenance. Excess calories will.0 -
neanderthin wrote: »
Low carb diets are unsustainable. They are a quick fix... not recommended by any medical expert. So if you are just eating fat and not reducing your calorie intake, then what is the point of a low carb diet?0 -
Whether you cut carbs or not, you still must be in a calorie deficit to lose weight. If you ate an excess of calories, even if they're all protein, you'll gain weight. So, since the best way to know if you're in a calorie deficit is to accurately count calories, why complicate it by also cutting carbs?
Some people do find that it's easier to stay within their calorie goal if they reduce starchy or sweet carbs, or plan them carefully, and that's fine, but there's no need to deprive yourself of carbs.0 -
LeslieB042812 wrote: »I find that eating lower carb (with the carbs coming primarily from whole foods like fruit) helps me stick within my calorie limits for the day. I would recommend the combined approach for that reason.
Agreed. This is what I do.0 -
herrspoons wrote: »dieselbyte wrote: »herrspoons wrote: »Calorie counting. There's no need to exclude carbs, but, since carb heavy foods can be quite calorie dense, it makes sense to reduce them a bit.
Fat heavy foods can be quite calorie dense as well... oh, and protein heavy foods as well
Fair point. Most people are going to get more bang for their buck cutting down on cookies than on the steak though given the availability of both. No-one comes in to work for a steak sale, more's the pity.
Totally understood your point, just playing around.0 -
Every person I know in real life who did the whole low carb thing ended up gaining all the weight back because they hated life and were generally sanctimonious, crabby people while eating that way. The people I know, like me, who just ate a lot less and worked out more saw results. Anecdotal? Sure. Sometimes an anecdote suffices to get a point across.
The key is sticking to it. Nothing works if you don't stick to it. Because low carb sucks and is sucky, it sucks to stick to it. Moderation doesn't suck and isn't sucky, so it's easier to stick to.
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I tried a low carb approach for a while and didn't feel well the entire time. I also know a person who's doctor told her to eat low carb -- she is having a lot of health and energy issues but because a "doctor" told her to do it, she won't change. You need carbs for energy, especially if you are doing any type of endurance exercises.0
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It depends on your goals. If you are lifting and are looking at getting a chisled lean body then you want to lower your carbs so you are burning your body fat instead of the carbs for energy. If you you are just looking to lose the weight and don't care about losing the body fat then just go with moderation. My trainer advocates low carb. I try to eat fewer carbs but I am by no means "low-carb". My daily average is probably about 100. So many people poo-poo when someone says low-carb but you don't have to go to the extreme of 20-50g/day. Eating fewer breads, rices and pastas gives you more calories to eat other things and allows you to be much more lax on county your calories. For me, by lowering my carbs I can eat more because I don't have to be concerned about how many calories that side of rice is costing me and I can just load up on protein and veggies and know that my calories aren't an issue.0
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I am careful with the type and amount of carbs I eat regularly. I find that vegetables and fruits suit me quite well, as do some whole grains. Others, such as heavily refined grains and added sugars lead me to over eat, to be hungry, to have cravings and to feel bloated and constipated. So I limit those.
I don't count calories, and didn't when I lost, but I did limited the heavily refined grains and added sugars, while trying to eat lots of nutrient dense vegetables and what not. It worked for me and has continued to work for me.
You need to figure out what works for you. A calorie deficit, yes. How you approach it is up to you.0 -
They gained weight because they were sanctimonious? That's a new one.AmandaHugginkiss wrote: »Every person I know in real life who did the whole low carb thing ended up gaining all the weight back because they hated life and were generally sanctimonious, crabby people while eating that way. The people I know, like me, who just ate a lot less and worked out more saw results. Anecdotal? Sure. Sometimes an anecdote suffices to get a point across.
The key is sticking to it. Nothing works if you don't stick to it. Because low carb sucks and is sucky, it sucks to stick to it. Moderation doesn't suck and isn't sucky, so it's easier to stick to.
I know people who lost weight counting calories and gained it all back.
I know people who lost weight eating low fat and gained it all back.
More anecdotes.
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Thank you all. I guess I will be taking the moderation approach and be more mindful of the carbs I choose. More whole grains than processed. I appreciate your help.0
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neanderthin wrote: »
Low carb diets are unsustainable. They are a quick fix... not recommended by any medical expert. So if you are just eating fat and not reducing your calorie intake, then what is the point of a low carb diet?
Hmmmm...seems to me you don't really know what you are talking about. I think it's best to stop with the blanket statements on low carb diets.
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neanderthin wrote: »
Low carb diets are unsustainable. They are a quick fix... not recommended by any medical expert. So if you are just eating fat and not reducing your calorie intake, then what is the point of a low carb diet?
Hmmmm...seems to me you don't really know what you are talking about. I think it's best to stop with the blanket statements on low carb diets.
You beat me to it, MeIRC.- If no medical experts recommend them then why do doctors prescribe them for multiple conditions?
- I know people who have sustained low-carb diets for over 10 years. They're as sustainable as any other diet, for some people.
- LC dieters don't just eat fats, they eat moderate protein and a little carbs.
- Nobody loses weight without reducing calorie intake.
Google is very helpful for educating yourself.0
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