Success without counting anything.
ZeroTX
Posts: 179 Member
My wife and I embarked (again, for the umpteenth time in our overweight lives) on a new way of eating just about 2 months ago. We are doing low-carb. Before you freak out with the "Oh, I can't do that!" Well, I agree, it's tough to do a pure "Atkins" style low carb diet. What's not hard? Just stop eating SUGAR, BREAD, RICE, and PASTA. Limit (but do not eliminate) milk, beans, nuts. Eat a good quantity of FAT. Do not buy "low fat" products. Use real butter.
Results? My wife has lost 25lbs and I've lost over 20lbs. 2 months. No counting. The only thing I measure is the dropping weight. I eat TONS of vegetables every day. Yes, I also eat some pre-packaged protein bars (Quest or Atkins), which fends off any lingering need for sweets, and also serves as a good emergency meal. I'm never hungry.
I was inspired by "Fluffy," (Gabriel Iglesias) the comedian. He's low-carbing while on tour as a comedian. If he can do it, so can I. Thanks for reading.
-Z
Results? My wife has lost 25lbs and I've lost over 20lbs. 2 months. No counting. The only thing I measure is the dropping weight. I eat TONS of vegetables every day. Yes, I also eat some pre-packaged protein bars (Quest or Atkins), which fends off any lingering need for sweets, and also serves as a good emergency meal. I'm never hungry.
I was inspired by "Fluffy," (Gabriel Iglesias) the comedian. He's low-carbing while on tour as a comedian. If he can do it, so can I. Thanks for reading.
-Z
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Replies
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Yes I have started as well and it is the most control I have felt on any "diet" keep up the great work guys!0
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yep same! going by the rules of eating less, moving more and not drinking calories. those are the best 2 pieces of advice i can give someone not counting calories. ive lost 35 pounds in 6 months not counting calories.0
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Dropping slowly but steadily. Trying to figure out how to keep it up over the holidays.0
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Definitely have more success on the low carb. I am limiting my intake of carbs as well. I haven't lost anything on the scale yet, but I do feel better.0
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I've low carbed "successfully" 3 different times. It's not sustainable for me in the long run. I've lost 82 lbs by entering my food into MFP. I don't count anything because MFP does it for me. I just make more healthy choices than before and move my body more. I love losing weight without food restrictions.
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Sounds like it is working for you. Awesome.
Me, I'll take the carbs.0 -
I and most people I know who have done low carb have easily dropped 20 lbs (this was many years ago, not my current journey). It gets tougher from there, so be open to other methods, such as calorie counting, if needed.0
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What's the point of coming to a calorie counting site and proclaiming success without counting calories?
I happy for you success and I don't care whether or not you counted calories, but you seem to the need to throw it our faces--like we should care.
So, I'll flip your statement. I've lost over 50 lbs counting calories, while enjoying wine, beer, pretzels, popcorn and many other carbs, as well as butter and plenty of other fats and had no food that is on a "do not eat" list. Look at my diary if you want.
Again, congrats.-3 -
What's the point of coming to a calorie counting site and proclaiming success without counting calories?
I happy for you success and I don't care whether or not you counted calories, but you seem to the need to throw it our faces--like we should care.
So, I'll flip your statement. I've lost over 50 lbs counting calories, while enjoying wine, beer, pretzels, popcorn and many other carbs, as well as butter and plenty of other fats and had no food that is on a "do not eat" list. Look at my diary if you want.
Again, congrats.
The OP may be not counting calories... but may be using MFP to track MACROS... I do know a few people that do that.. ( not myself... I do the low carb (Paleo/primal) but also track calories)..-1 -
mousie1973 wrote: »What's the point of coming to a calorie counting site and proclaiming success without counting calories?
I happy for you success and I don't care whether or not you counted calories, but you seem to the need to throw it our faces--like we should care.
So, I'll flip your statement. I've lost over 50 lbs counting calories, while enjoying wine, beer, pretzels, popcorn and many other carbs, as well as butter and plenty of other fats and had no food that is on a "do not eat" list. Look at my diary if you want.
Again, congrats.
The OP may be not counting calories... but may be using MFP to track MACROS... I do know a few people that do that.. ( not myself... I do the low carb (Paleo/primal) but also track calories)..
OP said "no counting." Tracking macros would be considered counting.0 -
Well done!! I lost my weight not doing calorie counting too.
ps: there are several active low carb groups here. Many of their posters don't venture onto the main boards. Consider joining one of those.0 -
Hmm. Not how I read the OP AT ALL. He had success, he's excited. He shared. As many people do.What's the point of coming to a calorie counting site and proclaiming success without counting calories?
I happy for you success and I don't care whether or not you counted calories, but you seem to the need to throw it our faces--like we should care.
So, I'll flip your statement. I've lost over 50 lbs counting calories, while enjoying wine, beer, pretzels, popcorn and many other carbs, as well as butter and plenty of other fats and had no food that is on a "do not eat" list. Look at my diary if you want.
Again, congrats.
You're having success too. Yay.
That said: your post seems more "throw it in your face", since you're obviously criticizing his decision to do low carb.
Congrats on your success.0 -
I have tried doing the low carb several times and its really hard because I was restricted from eating foods that I loved like rice, potatoes or pasta and some vegetables like corn, I would lose alot of weight fast but my cravings got to me and eventually I couldnt resist not eating what I liked. I would start eating carbs again and couldnt stop because I hadnt had it in a while. Also I was always constipated. I have started counting calories I am losing weight slowly but I feel much better because I am not limited from foods I enjoy everything is good in moderation.0
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you lose weight not because you count/don't count or you eat less carbs, but because your intake is less then what you burn
will never understand the point of demonizing a particular macro or coming here on MFP and say "I'm not counting wow it works", because it sends a wrong message in my opinion
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patrikc333 wrote: »you lose weight not because you count/don't count or you eat less carbs, but because your intake is less then what you burn
will never understand the point of demonizing a particular macro or coming here on MFP and say "I'm not counting wow it works", because it sends a wrong message in my opinion
There was absolutely NO "demonizing of a macro" in the OP lol.
Don't be silly.
As for sending the wrong message, what message is that? That the OP is having success?
What's wrong with having success by another HEALTHY means?
I find this all very odd.0 -
patrikc333 wrote: »
will never understand the point of demonizing a particular macro or coming here on MFP and say "I'm not counting wow it works", because it sends a wrong message in my opinion
+1 That was the point I was trying to make.
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Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »patrikc333 wrote: »you lose weight not because you count/don't count or you eat less carbs, but because your intake is less then what you burn
will never understand the point of demonizing a particular macro or coming here on MFP and say "I'm not counting wow it works", because it sends a wrong message in my opinion
There was absolutely NO "demonizing of a macro" in the OP lol.
Don't be silly.
As for sending the wrong message, what message is that? That the OP is having success?
What's wrong with having success by another HEALTHY means?
I find this all very odd.Just stop eating SUGAR, BREAD, RICE, and PASTA. Limit (but do not eliminate) milk, beans, nuts. Eat a good quantity of FAT. Do not buy "low fat" products. Use real butter.
I guess that the above is a very good message to use to educate people to have a healthy balanced diet, isn't it?
to limit nuts - normally composed of 75-80% of fat - but to eat a good quantity of FAT. SUPERB.
the point of coming to a counting site to celebrate the success of not counting - what is it? especially considering the fact that counting does not make you lose weight, but CI<CO does.0 -
patrikc333 wrote: »Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »patrikc333 wrote: »you lose weight not because you count/don't count or you eat less carbs, but because your intake is less then what you burn
will never understand the point of demonizing a particular macro or coming here on MFP and say "I'm not counting wow it works", because it sends a wrong message in my opinion
There was absolutely NO "demonizing of a macro" in the OP lol.
Don't be silly.
As for sending the wrong message, what message is that? That the OP is having success?
What's wrong with having success by another HEALTHY means?
I find this all very odd.Just stop eating SUGAR, BREAD, RICE, and PASTA. Limit (but do not eliminate) milk, beans, nuts. Eat a good quantity of FAT. Do not buy "low fat" products. Use real butter.
I guess that the above is a very good message to use to educate people to have a healthy balanced diet, isn't it?
to limit nuts - normally composed of 75-80% of fat - but to eat a good quantity of FAT. SUPERB.
the point of coming to a counting site to celebrate the success of not counting - what is it? especially considering the fact that counting does not make you lose weight, but CI<CO does.
What's not healthy about it? He eats "tons" of vegetables every day. Do most folks?
He eats nuts, legumes.
He eats dairy. I'm guessing he eats adequate protein (not often an issue on low carb diets).
He doesn't seem to eat a lot of junk, based on what he posted.
Seriously, other than possibly the bars, what's not healthy about what he posted?
As for limiting nuts, they're considered rather high in calories, aren't they? Seems a logical thing to "limit" when one is on a diet.
Are refined grains "necessary" for a healthy diet? I've not seen reputable evidence for that.
No demonizing lol.
AGAIN: OP, congrats on your success, and that of your wife. Cheers0 -
Dropping slowly but steadily. Trying to figure out how to keep it up over the holidays.
Congrats on finding your sweet spot. There are about a million low-carb recipes that mimic those old faves that don't fit your new lifestyle. Try a few of those. This is my second holiday season low-carbing. No gains during the last one.
I've lost 97lb over the past year and 4mo. I do count calories as I found after a few months I stopped losing on just counting carbs. YMMV.
I'm currently drinking a low-carb Pumpkin Spice Latte. Yummy.
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4c half & half
1/2 tbsp Coconut oil
a few drops liquid sucralose
I'm about to have another. Without the coconut oil this time. I'm finishing this one up pretty quick.
Here is my list of low-carb recipe sites. Some in the list are paleo or gluten-free, which means they may not be specifically low-carb, but some are or are easily converted. You might check those out. I know some do indeed have holiday recipes.
http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/recipes.html
http://cavemanketo.com/category/food/
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/primal-paleo-recipes/
http://satisfyingeats.com/recipes/
http://everydaypaleo.com/food/
http://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/
http://mariamindbodyhealth.com/
http://www.ruled.me/keto-recipes/
http://www.butterisnotacarb.com/recipe-index/
http://www.lowcarbdietsandrecipes.blogspot.com.au/
https://iquitsugar.com/recipe/
http://eatfatlosefatblog.com/category/recipes/
http://www.lowcarbist.com/recipes/
http://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/recipe-index
http://www.cutthewheat.com/p/recipes.html
http://247lowcarbdiner.blogspot.com/
http://www.kalynskitchen.com/p/low-carb.html
http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/collections/low+carb
http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Everyday-Cooking/Special-Diets/Low-Carb/Main.aspx?prop24=hn_browsedeeper&evt19=1
http://www.lowcarblayla.blogspot.com/
http://www.nobunplease.com
http://ketodietapp.com/Blog/category/Recipes
http://www.healthfulpursuit.com/recipe-search/
http://www.fatcatcuisine.com/
http://low-carb-support.com/category/low-carb-recipe/
http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/recipes/
http://nomnompaleo.com/recipeindex
http://thenourishedcaveman.com/
http://thecoconutmama.com/
http://www.ditchthecarbs.com/
http://civilizedcavemancooking.com/
http://againstallgrain.com/
https://www.stevespaleogoods.com/
http://lowcarbcrock.com/
http://lowcarbfamily.com/
And Mr. Google is helpful as well.0 -
Congratulations on finding an approach which works for you.
Q. What is the best diet in the world?
A. The one you can stick to...0 -
Op well done on your success. i wouldnt want to eliminate rice and bread from my diet.
Will you be reintroducing them at some stage.
P.s i dont think its a big deal you not counting. i dont particular think counting calories is normal and as soon as i have faith in myself to stop i will stop.0 -
Wonderful that you're both finding success in what works for you!0
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Hi5! I've also lost 82 lbs! I think logging calories and staying with MFP teaches you (over a long time esp if there's a lot to lose) choices that are lifelong sustainable. There is no food that is "off limits" but I've learned how to limit myself.serenitymcc wrote: »I've low carbed "successfully" 3 different times. It's not sustainable for me in the long run. I've lost 82 lbs by entering my food into MFP. I don't count anything because MFP does it for me. I just make more healthy choices than before and move my body more. I love losing weight without food restrictions.0 -
So, you've dropped a bunch of calorie-dense foods and subbed in a ton of volume with veggies to never get hungry, but it's the low-carbing that's done it for you? I'm truly happy you've found success with this way of eating, but I'm afraid you're mistaking the low-carb method for the reason you're losing weight. As others have pointed out, by dropping those foods, you've lowered your calorie below the level required to maintain your weight (CI<CO).
Are you planning on eating this way for the rest of your life? If not, what lessons have you learned for when you transition back to eating those foods?0 -
For breakfast today I had 4.5 slices of applewood bacon and 3 fried eggs cooked in bacon grease. What's the calorie count on that for a breakfast meal? I totally get the calories in/calories out thing, because it definitely works. I've lost a lot of weight doing it. But, low-carb, high-protein doesn't work that way. The only ones who say it does are skeptics who think that there's somehow no way that could work, but they are wrong... Anyone who has ever gone hard-core Atkins and gone into "ketosis" knows exactly what I mean. You practically sense the fat burning off of your own body. It forces your body to eat fat stores for energy in place of carbohydrates for energy.
That being said, I'm not doing hard-core Atkins. As others have emphasized, I'm doing heavy amounts of vegetables. This isn't a chore for me, because I love vegetables and always have. I would steal veggies off the cutting board while my mom was preparing meals as a kid. I also love meat.... So yeah, I eat a large helping of meat at 2/3 or 3/3 of meals a day. I often eat Atkins or Quest protein (low-carb) bars for breakfast, because I eat it on the go with a fresh brewed coffee from home.
Anyway, I didn't come here to poo-poo a diet of counting calories. That worked great for me and I will return to it when I get closer to goal weight. I do miss things, like for instance beer, which I have greatly limited on this low-carbing thing. I dislike low-carb beer (Michelob Ultra? Just water with a slight coloring!). When I was calorie-counting, I would just save 150 calories for a beer with dinner. I find that easy to do during the work day, when I can easily forget to eat.
Speaking of forgetting to eat, on the low-carb plan, I never feel hungry. I eat because it's meal time, and when I'm done with my meal I feel completely satisfied and full for several hours. This morning's breakfast of bacon and fried eggs is still sitting strong with me and I don't feel like I'll need to eat again until late afternoon. I was lacking in veggies on this breakfast. I usually scramble the eggs with onions and bell peppers, top it with cheese, and eat it with sliced tomatoes.
I'm down to 287.0 today after a high of 345 a few years ago and a high of 320 just 6 months ago. I had originally set my "goal" to like 225, but I feel like now that I can realistically look to 195-200 as my permanent weight and to get there within 1 to 2 years.0 -
For breakfast today I had 4.5 slices of applewood bacon and 3 fried eggs cooked in bacon grease. What's the calorie count on that for a breakfast meal? I totally get the calories in/calories out thing, because it definitely works. I've lost a lot of weight doing it. But, low-carb, high-protein doesn't work that way. The only ones who say it does are skeptics who think that there's somehow no way that could work, but they are wrong... Anyone who has ever gone hard-core Atkins and gone into "ketosis" knows exactly what I mean. You practically sense the fat burning off of your own body. It forces your body to eat fat stores for energy in place of carbohydrates for energy.
That being said, I'm not doing hard-core Atkins. As others have emphasized, I'm doing heavy amounts of vegetables. This isn't a chore for me, because I love vegetables and always have. I would steal veggies off the cutting board while my mom was preparing meals as a kid. I also love meat.... So yeah, I eat a large helping of meat at 2/3 or 3/3 of meals a day. I often eat Atkins or Quest protein (low-carb) bars for breakfast, because I eat it on the go with a fresh brewed coffee from home.
Anyway, I didn't come here to poo-poo a diet of counting calories. That worked great for me and I will return to it when I get closer to goal weight. I do miss things, like for instance beer, which I have greatly limited on this low-carbing thing. I dislike low-carb beer (Michelob Ultra? Just water with a slight coloring!). When I was calorie-counting, I would just save 150 calories for a beer with dinner. I find that easy to do during the work day, when I can easily forget to eat.
Speaking of forgetting to eat, on the low-carb plan, I never feel hungry. I eat because it's meal time, and when I'm done with my meal I feel completely satisfied and full for several hours. This morning's breakfast of bacon and fried eggs is still sitting strong with me and I don't feel like I'll need to eat again until late afternoon. I was lacking in veggies on this breakfast. I usually scramble the eggs with onions and bell peppers, top it with cheese, and eat it with sliced tomatoes.
I'm down to 287.0 today after a high of 345 a few years ago and a high of 320 just 6 months ago. I had originally set my "goal" to like 225, but I feel like now that I can realistically look to 195-200 as my permanent weight and to get there within 1 to 2 years.
I'm glad you found a way of eating that works for you. Great job on the weight loss so far. The part I bolded is really impressive. Kudos for recognizing the time commitment necessary to reaching your goals. You don't see that a lot around these parts!0 -
High or low carb has nothing to do with weight loss.
If you want to eat low carb or have to ( medical reasons) good no problem with it. If you do it for weight loss...well it is not needed for weight loss. You only make it harder on your self.
I do high carb ( hit around or above 300mg a day) and lost weight just fine in the last year
I say:
Eat now how you want to eat when you want to maintain later your weight. When you want or have to eat low carb for life. Than you eat low carb.
The only difference now is for losing weight you eat smaller portions ( create a deficit) that's all.
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BurnWithBarn2015 wrote: »
I say:
Eat now how you want to eat when you want to maintain later your weight. When you want or have to eat low carb for life. Than you eat low carb.
The only difference now is for losing weight you eat smaller portions ( create a deficit) that's all.
This...0 -
Congrats on the loss!0
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BurnWithBarn2015 wrote: »High or low carb has nothing to do with weight loss.
If you want to eat low carb or have to ( medical reasons) good no problem with it. If you do it for weight loss...well it is not needed for weight loss. You only make it harder on your self.
I do high carb ( hit around or above 300mg a day) and lost weight just fine in the last year
I say:
Eat now how you want to eat when you want to maintain later your weight. When you want or have to eat low carb for life. Than you eat low carb.
The only difference now is for losing weight you eat smaller portions ( create a deficit) that's all.
Out of curiosity does that include counting, weighing, measuring everything you eat and factoring in our workout calories?0
This discussion has been closed.
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