I've started a low carb diet

You've started it, and it's time to end it, imo. Eat balanced. There's no reason for low-carb, low-fat, high-fat, no-fat, high-carb, or whatever else. You'll just end up hurting your body in the long run.

Not true!! A low carb diet still contains some carbs from fruits and veggies. This is the only thing that has allowed me to successfully lose weight.

To be honest, I don't miss bread, pasta, or rice! I feel energized and I'm losing weight.

Congrats OP!!! I think you'll find that not only is it easy to sustain, but it always works very well! And I track my carbs, and pay more attention to them than anything (altho obviously calories count too!).

To the poster who said it's "proven" as unsustainable - I can tell you for a FACT that eating low carbs (not NO carbs) is COMPLETELY sustainable. The majority of my friends here are people that practice some type of low carb lifestyle, and have for a long time.

I myself, have gotten to where I am now by doing it, and not only do I find it very easy to do, I PREFER eating this way, b/c I find that as soon as I add those grains/processed junk into my diet (like yesterday, trying to clean out the fridge), I feel hungrier, I want to eat more NOW, I get shaky, cranky, bloated.....not worth that slice of bread, imho.

I eat a variety of protein (meats/eggs/fish/dairy) and fruits/veggies/nuts, and I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. This isn't a diet. It's a lifestyle. So go you, OP! You're proof that it's working for you too!

Yes you can set your carbs here to whatever you want. And don't listen to the,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, (be nice) people,, that espouse everything in moderation, let them continue eating their twinkies in moderation and when they are old and senile and you are old and vibrant, you will know you made the right choice.

Just because someone eats carbs does not mean they are eating Twinkies. I eat carbs and I don't eat Twinkies or any other junk food. You are very negative. Why do you care how other people go about losing weight. You do what works for you and let others do what works for them. That's why they make Vanilla and Chocolate.

Low carb diets have been PROVEN to not be sustainable. I've seen many friends go on, and lose it only to gain it back in the upcoming weeks/months etc. If it's not sustainable, why do it?

So what do you say to the people that have been on Atkins, or South Beach or something similar for years and are maintaining? Actually all “diets” are proven to not be sustainable in some cases, the only thing that is sustainable is a lifestyle. If you make your eating habits part of your lifestyle it will be sustainable, period end of story. NOW we can debate which life style is more healthy, but as long as it keeps you in a good weight range it will be more healthy than being obese.

I, personally, don't like Twinkies. :laugh:

To the OP~ Good for you! I'm so happy you've found something that works and that you can stick with! I look forward to reading more of your progress as time goes on!

To everyone else~ Really, this thread is starting to feel a little grade school.... everyone picking on everyone else and insisting their opinion is the right one (no offense to those of you who are just stating good job and being supportive... that's what this site is SUPPOSED to be about). Different people need different things to function correctly and there are more ways to lose AND maintain weight than I could probably count. I've known many people who have lost AND MAINTAINED a low carb diet and I applaud them for that. However, when I tried it I got many of the side effects that people complain of from EATING carbs (cranky, mood swings, cravings, lack of energy, etc...). I bumped my carbs and protein and dropped the fats down and count my calories and I've been losing weight great and have more energy than I've had in years... I'm loving the plan I'm on, but I will NOT shove it down somebody else's throat just because it worked for me because I understand that it might not work for everyone else. As for which is healthier, again, I'm quite sure it all depends on the person. We are all unique, our bodies are all unique and as long as we are doing what is right for our own individual self, nobody else should matter. If you want to read the forums, that's great, but please try to be kind and think of other people's feelings... even if you don't AGREE with them, there is ALWAYS a nice way to voice your opinion and getting snarky about it is NEVER the only possible response.