Low Carbers Only

We are Paleo. I have lost 52lbs and continue to lose consistently, Fiance has gained 25lbs of muscle. I would highly recommend "low" carb to anyone and everyone. I have never felt better in my life, but you have to be prepared to make a full lifestyle change, but trust me that it is most definitely for the better, and will give you the best life and health you can imagine! Cut out the grains and watch your health improve! Keep eating healthy fruits and veggies in moderation, (I eat about 20-30g of carbs on the average day, never more than 50, often much much less) Stock up on healthy fats, good quality protein, cut out the processed crap and you cannot go wrong.

Here's a fail story. I did Atkins back in 2003 to lose weight for my wedding. I lost about 50 pounds and I felt great. After the wedding I went back to eating like I used to and not only gained it all back but added a ton more on top of it. In fact, I ended up weighing 73 pounds heavier than my starting weight (so gained 123 pounds). I gained back the 58 lbs within about a year and half. And then it just kept coming.

I didn't exercise though when I was losing and I was in complete denial when the weight started to return.

That's not a story of low carb failing though. Just as any change, if you don't keep up with it, you will go back.

Definition of Insanity.....Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

Check out the Low Carb Group. You'll find great information, lots of support for low carbers, and some fantastic dinner ideas too !

Here's a fail story. I did Atkins back in 2003 to lose weight for my wedding. I lost about 50 pounds and I felt great. After the wedding I went back to eating like I used to and not only gained it all back but added a ton more on top of it. In fact, I ended up weighing 73 pounds heavier than my starting weight (so gained 123 pounds). I gained back the 58 lbs within about a year and half. And then it just kept coming.

I didn't exercise though when I was losing and I was in complete denial when the weight started to return.

That's not a story of low carb failing though. Just as any change, if you don't keep up with it, you will go back.

Definition of Insanity.....Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

Check out the Low Carb Group. You'll find great information, lots of support for low carbers, and some fantastic dinner ideas too !

Agreed...there's many variables in this story that resulted in the "fail"...not the atkins diet alone....It's not for everyone this is for sure...the individual has to make the right decisions that will help him/her reach the goal

It's definitely of a low-carb failure story. I couldn't keep to a low-carb deprivation for the rest of my life. It resulted in me gaining back all my weight plus some. I suspect many people are unable to stick to a low carb diet for life. Are there people successful doing it? Sure. But I would never do it again. Especially when there is really no reason (for me) to. I'd be insane to do it again.

To each their own... just thought I'd share my experience.

I'm a low carber! I eat low carb for health reasons and the weight loss is a side benefit. It's cleared up yeast issues and hypoglycemia. I was on a bad path. Diabetes runs in my family and I knew I needed to fix my eating habits. I will eat low carb for life. I used to eat around Atkins induction levels but now I eat around 60-75 grams a day. Weight loss is slower but I'm cool with that.

I wish it wasn't such a heated topic around here. It's not for everyone but it's certainly for me.


Good luck to your husband!

bump

There are some health risks associated with a no carb diet, such as potassium issues. Apparently the heart needs potassium to function correctly. I can't remember the details, so perhaps Google it.

I tried Atkins, but why go no carb, when you can go low carb. I cut out sugar, pasta, white rice, potatoes, but I still eat lots of vegetables and occasional fruit, which I believe, for Vitamins and minerals, are vitally important. That's low carb enough for me to be losing weight, not feeling bloated, not having any more sugar cravings, and eliminating a yeast problem I had for many years. And I still eat bread, yeast free and wholemeal, a couple of slices a day.

So my opinion is low carb is GREAT, its working for me and for the first time I don't have uncontrollable food cravings. But I don't believe no carb is healthy, or necessary. The actual bottom line is more about overall calorie consumption and expenditure.

ETA: I also don't like the "you can eat as much lard and protein as you like" approach. It still promotes gorging and lack of control if you really think about it. If you want fats, why not Flaxseed oil (omega 3), olive oil, avocados, coconut oil (good vitamins, minerals, and anti-inflammatories) etc. (not margarine though - a processed, trans fats filled fake food)

One of the other things you have to watch when you do low carb is fiber intake! I find that when I cut out whole grain breads, etc. I have trouble meeting my daily fiber intake from just veggies. This is why I am only doing LC for 3 months to kick start my plan, and then I will slowly incorporate complex carbs back in to the picture. For now, breakfast is 2 hard boiled eggs & plain nonfat greek yougurt with a tsp of honey. (I also still drink my nonfat lattes from Starbucks!). For lunch and dinner I do a lean protein and a veggie. No potatoes, rice, etc. I do also try to eat 1 piece of fruit per day (love mangos, pears, but no bananas!) and usually I will have a 100 calorie pack of almonds. I am trying to keep my caloies around 1300/day to start, then will slowly increase that as I increase my activity levels. I am working out 4 X week: 2 of those with personal trainer doing 1 hr weight / circuit training and the other 2 where I do an hour of cardio on the elliptical. I just started back on this recently, and have lost 4 pounds, with 80 to go!!!

There are some health risks associated with a no carb diet, such as potassium issues. Apparently the heart needs potassium to function correctly. I can't remember the details, so perhaps Google it.

I tried Atkins, but why go no carb, when you can go low carb. I cut out sugar, pasta, white rice, potatoes, but I still eat lots of vegetables and occasional fruit, which I believe, for Vitamins and minerals, are vitally important. That's low carb enough for me to be losing weight, not feeling bloated, not having any more sugar cravings, and eliminating a yeast problem I had for many years. And I still eat bread, yeast free and wholemeal, a couple of slices a day.

So my opinion is low carb is GREAT, its working for me and for the first time I don't have uncontrollable food cravings. But I don't believe no carb is healthy, or necessary. The actual bottom line is more about overall calorie consumption and expenditure.

ETA: I also don't like the "you can eat as much lard and protein as you like" approach. It still promotes gorging and lack of control if you really think about it. If you want fats, why not Flaxseed oil (omega 3), olive oil, avocados, coconut oil (good vitamins, minerals, and anti-inflammatories) etc. (not margarine though - a processed, trans fats filled fake food)

Not to pick at you but based on your reply you have never been on an Atkins diet. At no point would Atkins suggest zero carb, unlimited protein and lard. There are also lots of sources for potassium that do not require you to eat a "balanced" diet. Atkins done properly is nutrient rich diet that should include large amounts of vegetables.

I think this board is a living testimony of dieting "Fails" not limited to Atkins but several planned and failed experiences. Find a plan that fits your lifestyle that you can live with long term and do that. No way would I suggest that Atkins worked for me so that is what everyone should do.

ETA: Atkins does not encourage eating as much as you want of anything. If you have read the book it is made very clear that you should "eat until you are satiated". This does not mean to stop when you are full or stuffed but to stop when you are no longer hungry.

Low-carb should not be called a "diet" its misleading. It implies you can lose the weight then go back to eating carbs (even healthy) and keep the weight off

Low-carb is a lifestyle change. If you dont stick to the low carb thing for the rest of your life the weight will come back with a vengeance. There may be corner cases here and there that dont, but thats with any change there will be some.

I lost 52 lbs a couple of years back doing adkins. Kept it off to.. However addding in carbs (just wheat breat, some potatoes, ect) nothing overboard and I gained the 52 back plus another 24).

I am now doing the eat more to lose weight change, because after adkins, i started trying to eat low cal (1200 calories a day), lost some then just plateaued.

Now I eat 3100 calories a day (all healthy), about 150g carbs, and 300g of protein and now the inches are starting to come off.

i have had low carb success -- been doing it since Nov 1 and have lost 77 pounds in six months

You look fabulous!!!