I'm aiming for 50-75 g. I seem to be staying below that. Without knowing exact carbs from my stir fry last night, I was at 8 g, then added a cream cheese cloud (1.5 servings approximately, based on side I had to make them), so I was around 1 net carb there (but the above number was carbs, not net carbs)... so we'll round and say 10. Then add the stir fry which had some from the sauce and some from the veggies, but I'd still ballpark that I was under 50 no matter what...

I don't know where I'll end up yet. Adjusting as I go...

I jumped right in aiming for 50g-ish. But I've been fat loading like crazy. Today is day 7 though, and other than some mild headaches, I've been fabulous. I just keep getting dehydrated, despite drinking 100-130 ounces of water a day. I know I'm missing some small detail there (yes I'm adding broth and lots of fat and supplements with magnesium and potassium)... Regardless, the mental clarity and energy is worth all the hassles!!!

I'm no where near maintain yet, so I'll have to get back to you!

baconslave wrote: »

Less than 20.
Maintenance will probably move me up to 50g net carbs. Until then I'll be staying at this level.

(*) Me, too. At least that's the goal every day, but occasionally erring on the side of a few more carbs from green leafies doesn't worry me. Listen to your body. Sometimes you need more veggies, sometimes you need very little if any for the day. For instance, yesterday I didn't really eat any measureable amounts of veggies. Today there's a big salad and probably some broccoli in my future...

fantasticelastic wrote: »

How low is your LC ? Im trying to stay below 50g at the moment.
How low did you go when you started ?
and How low are you for maintaining ?
thanks

I started at 20g net carbs or lower each day. I could maintain at that amount, probably.

Where am I now? Between 0g and 5g total carbs (usually <1g) a day.

20g net, I'm frequently lower than that, but its frequently because I don't eat as many vegetables as I'd like in an ideal world. :P

20g or less per day. Most of my carbs come from supper, my biggest meal of the day because I have to cook for our family. Heck I hit 5g first thing in the morning when I take my vitamins, usually at 10g by supper time and that meal usually makes up 10 or less for me. That number easily puts me in ketosis, I hope to be able to go to 40-50 for maintenance but not sure yet.

20g net carbs/day, but I'm specifically doing keto. Other folks are quite successful with less restrictive, but still quite low carb plans compared to the standard recommended low fat diets. If you are finding success at 50g/day and are happy and feel like its sustainable to eat that way long term then good for you, keep it up

I'm keeping mine at 40-50 i'm not trying to reach ketosis, and i'm at a steady loss of 3-4 lbs a week and i'm happy with that... Good Luck Everyone!!

crocky64 wrote: »

Omg how do you ppl do it

I second FIT_Goat about not stressing, but going as low as some of the people here does require a bit of a learning curve. Also, keep in mind that a lot of them do net carbs, which is total carbs minus fiber. That means they might actually be getting upwards of 50-70g of total carbs, depending on what they're eating.

I personally try to do about 50g. I aim for that to be the total carbs number, but I'm okay if it ends up being the net carb number, instead.

It's doable by basing meals around a meat+non-starchy vegetable combination. I found the easiest way to switch my mindset was to forego grains for at least a month. This forces you to find alternatives to things like sandwiches and whatnot, and forces you to not base your meals around the starch. Then, if you want, you can add them back in, and it's easier to start seeing them as a side.

Also, it helps to remind yourself that fat and meat aren't just empty sources of calories, but nutrient rich foods that can stand on their own. It's actually entirely possible to live (and even thrive) on meat alone! In other words, it's okay that your plate is more than a quarter full of a meat and fat source, and that it's not 3/4 full of vegetables. That idea does take some getting used to, though.

I am <20 . Weight loss is slow. I am experimenting with adding more fat which is a bit scary, Trying to eat light at night with a big salad.

I have done low carb off and on for over 15yrs.. it just seems what works for me.. right now I am doing the Atkins 40, which means you stay at 40g or below till you reach your goal and then increase until you find your maintenance number... I feel everyone has their own point view but for this is a lifestyle, this is just the way I eat, I don't think of it as a diet.. a diet has a end and lifestyle stays with you.. I done everything under the moon and I always come back cause this is what works....

I try to keep my total carbs at or below 30. I am feeling some of the benifits I hear of, like mental clarity . I have not purchased testing strips and wonder if there are other ways to tell if you might be in ketosis?

mebeep, I have noticed that when I am in ketosis (particularly at first) I can sort of smell it, particularly when I go to the bathroom (sorry if TMI, but you asked!) It's a distinct difference, sort of fruity or sweet if that makes sense. Again, sorry if this is TMI, I don't want to offend anyone...I also definitely notice a huge decrease in my appetite.

Damn, I've been trying to stay under 30 net, and have been a hungry MF'er all month ... maybe I'll try to stay under 20 during February, see if that helps.

WOW!! You all are really amazing! I just started and am trying to stay somewhere between 40-50. I'll keep experimenting until I find the right combination.

I average net 20, most often my carbs are from green leafy veggies and nuts.

fatchimom: You'll figure it out, and finding alternatives can be fun