Reducing carbs

KarenLouise1981
KarenLouise1981 Posts: 144
edited September 28 in Food and Nutrition
Hi guys,

Just after some advice really. I have a pretty high carb diet as I work out so much (2 hrs a day normally) and the fact that I just love carbs but after shrinking everywhere my tummy just isn't budging as quick and I figure it can only be because I eat so many carbs. I am trying to hit around the 100gm mark to keep energy up and just find it impossible because everything I am used to eating is so high. Can you give me some ideas of ingredients that you on reduced (not non-existent) carb plans use that I could incorporate into my menu? I don't know how to do this so could really use your advice.

Thanks guys!

Replies

  • billmac
    billmac Posts: 51 Member
    Karen
    A doctor recommended to a friend of mine to eat some almonds. They help reduce stomach fat. I don't know his theory but he is a pretty smart bloke and for her it certainly helped. Still stick to your calories however. Almonds have fairly high calorific value. Also eat them a minimum of 30 mins before a meal.
    One other thing about measuring waist lines - my daughter is a dietician. She reckoned that when you think your waist line is not shrinking it probably really is as gravity plays a part. Initially your measurement stays the same because your tummy is coming up to meet your real waist line.
    I noticed initially my waist line measurement wasn't moving much. However it seemed to me my appearance was improving so it bears out what she says. Then quite suddenly my waist line went down a couple of cms very quickly.
  • registers
    registers Posts: 782 Member
    Hi guys,

    Just after some advice really. I have a pretty high carb diet as I work out so much (2 hrs a day normally) and the fact that I just love carbs but after shrinking everywhere my tummy just isn't budging as quick and I figure it can only be because I eat so many carbs. I am trying to hit around the 100gm mark to keep energy up and just find it impossible because everything I am used to eating is so high. Can you give me some ideas of ingredients that you on reduced (not non-existent) carb plans use that I could incorporate into my menu? I don't know how to do this so could really use your advice.

    Thanks guys!

    to "keep your energy up" you don't need carbs. If you're a performance athlete, then yes you do for performance reasons. I cycled my carbs 2 days low carbs, try to eat around 50, then on day 3 i spike them up high to like 200 if not more.
  • taso42_DELETED
    taso42_DELETED Posts: 3,394 Member
    after shrinking everywhere my tummy just isn't budging as quick and I figure it can only be because I eat so many carbs.

    Nope. If you're burning fat then you're on the right track. We all have our spot that is the last to give up the fat and the first to show the fat again. For you (and me too) it's the belly. With patience and diligence, the belly will give up its fat too; it will have no choice eventually. I don't think carbs are your problem per se.
  • lizzil0
    lizzil0 Posts: 181 Member
    I eat low carb- you can check out my diary if you'd like. It's amazing how many carbs are in the standard American diet when you start paying attention to it.
  • KarenLouise1981
    KarenLouise1981 Posts: 144
    Hi Bill,

    Almonds could be a great addition to my diet anyway as thy are rich in essential fats think which I often strugge to hit so your right - it could well help shift this stubborn tummy! I know i'm shrinking as I have lost about 5 inches but rather than it being big and round, its now just fatty looking and looks even worse than before! I have muscle definition coming everywhere except there and I do a fair amount of core work lol! Thanks for your input and i'll see if there is a yummy almond recipe I could whip up!
  • stevemcknight
    stevemcknight Posts: 647 Member
    All meat/fish/eggs/poultry are carb free. Eat a lot of it. The only carbs I get are from veggies, and a few sweet potatoes post workout for the glucose.
  • KarenLouise1981
    KarenLouise1981 Posts: 144
    to "keep your energy up" you don't need carbs. If you're a performance athlete, then yes you do for performance reasons. I cycled my carbs 2 days low carbs, try to eat around 50, then on day 3 i spike them up high to like 200 if not more.

    Thanks for this - I could probably do this a lot easier than trying to stick to a steady low figure (low for me!). I'm just worried about turning into a rabbit and having really boring meals I think ha! (i'm English - my staple diet consists of potatoes and rice!). I think the change is due as I have had a real carb frenzie this week and feel rotten now!

    Thank you all so much for your advice, and the opportunity to sneek a peek at others food diaries for inspiration!
  • billmac
    billmac Posts: 51 Member
    Hi again Karen
    You sound like you are doing very well anyway.
    A bit like the others I stay away from the carbs pretty much altogether except for the Suede potato. Just the same you are doing plenty of exercise so i wouldn't have thought it was much of a problem.

    I find my measurements do not act together. This goes down a bit, then that! So sometimes when we don't seem to be getting anywhere much we just have to know we are on right track and keep on getting healthier and feeling better.
    All the best
    Bill
  • funfitfoodie
    funfitfoodie Posts: 630 Member
    My personal experience is that cutting down on carbs like rice, pasta and bread helped me lose weight. Carbs such as those also make me feel really bloated so I try to avoid them. That's just me it's different for everyone... try it for a week maybe?
  • funfitfoodie
    funfitfoodie Posts: 630 Member

    A doctor recommended to a friend of mine to eat some almonds. They help reduce stomach fat. I don't know his theory but he is a pretty smart bloke and for her it certainly helped.

    Buying almonds asap
  • registers
    registers Posts: 782 Member

    A doctor recommended to a friend of mine to eat some almonds. They help reduce stomach fat. I don't know his theory but he is a pretty smart bloke and for her it certainly helped.

    Buying almonds asap

    I perfer high fat type of nuts, such as peanuts. they're 87% fat. Macadamia nuts are supposed to be good too. Fats help your body release fat from the body.
  • registers
    registers Posts: 782 Member
    to "keep your energy up" you don't need carbs. If you're a performance athlete, then yes you do for performance reasons. I cycled my carbs 2 days low carbs, try to eat around 50, then on day 3 i spike them up high to like 200 if not more.

    Thanks for this - I could probably do this a lot easier than trying to stick to a steady low figure (low for me!). I'm just worried about turning into a rabbit and having really boring meals I think ha! (i'm English - my staple diet consists of potatoes and rice!). I think the change is due as I have had a real carb frenzie this week and feel rotten now!

    Thank you all so much for your advice, and the opportunity to sneek a peek at others food diaries for inspiration!

    I eat one big meal a day, usually in the evening. This is a lot easier than making/cooking meals throughout the day. There is scientific evidence it has no effect on your metabolism if you eat once a day or 7 times a day. There are also many health benefits. I won't discuss them here, they're in my blogs.
  • xraychick77
    xraychick77 Posts: 1,775 Member
    i've been trying to do this lately..but as a vegetarian its impossible to avoid carbs.

    i try to eat a lot of egg whites, cheeses, peanut butter, no sugar added bread. tofu meat subs.
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    As a general guide - eggs for breakfast, soup for lunch, meat and veg for dinner.

    And protein for snacks - cheese, nuts, humous, crab sticks.
  • registers
    registers Posts: 782 Member
    i've been trying to do this lately..but as a vegetarian its impossible to avoid carbs.

    i try to eat a lot of egg whites, cheeses, peanut butter, no sugar added bread. tofu meat subs.

    Veggies and Fruits have incomplete proteins. You ever consider adding an amino acid supplement to your diet?
    There is this one algae that you can mix with water, that has complete amino acids. I forgot the name of it. it starts with an s like "spirtuuala" or something like that.
  • KarenLouise1981
    KarenLouise1981 Posts: 144
    i've been trying to do this lately..but as a vegetarian its impossible to avoid carbs.

    i try to eat a lot of egg whites, cheeses, peanut butter, no sugar added bread. tofu meat subs.

    Veggies and Fruits have incomplete proteins. You ever consider adding an amino acid supplement to your diet?
    There is this one algae that you can mix with water, that has complete amino acids. I forgot the name of it. it starts with an s like "spirtuuala" or something like that.

    Spirulina (check spelling!) I have friends who rave about it but can't bring myself to drink it and don't know a whole load about it. The only green thing I used to drink was chlorophyll and that is great for cleaning the blood and acts as natural breath freshener and deodorant...and the spearmint taste is just beautiful!
  • KarenLouise1981
    KarenLouise1981 Posts: 144
    Thank you again for all your help guys - it is reassuring to know that I can have a half decent meal without eating just lettuce! Honestly I would never have thought about the likes of cheese and high fat nuts - I thought they were the sin in the weight loss journey! I have managed to cut bread out for a while now as I found out I was gluten intollerant but since beginning to read food labels properly some of the ingredients just make me cringe!! It is so disheartening to find that even the most innocent things are loaded with sugar, carbs or sodium! I like the idea of carb cycling though as then I can have the best of both worlds an will make dinner timesa little more exciting.

    I wish you all luck on your journey and I'm sure i'l be back looking for your help again soon :-)
  • registers
    registers Posts: 782 Member
    Thank you again for all your help guys - it is reassuring to know that I can have a half decent meal without eating just lettuce! Honestly I would never have thought about the likes of cheese and high fat nuts - I thought they were the sin in the weight loss journey! I have managed to cut bread out for a while now as I found out I was gluten intollerant but since beginning to read food labels properly some of the ingredients just make me cringe!! It is so disheartening to find that even the most innocent things are loaded with sugar, carbs or sodium! I like the idea of carb cycling though as then I can have the best of both worlds an will make dinner timesa little more exciting.

    I wish you all luck on your journey and I'm sure i'l be back looking for your help again soon :-)

    with cheese be careful with the saturated fats, good luck.
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