Carbs/Weightloss??
Prettygirl150
Posts: 31 Member
Does eating carbs effect your weightloss or is all calories in and calories out? I used to be one of those people who feel like they couldn't eat carbs if they wanted to lose weight, but so many people are eating carbs so i know that isn't true ... I just ate spaghetti after my workout and I feel like I've cheated myself although at the end of the day, after exercise I have calories left over. I'm having a problem wrapping my head around this ...
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Replies
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Does eating carbs effect your weightloss or is all calories in and calories out? I used to be one of those people who feel like they couldn't eat carbs if they wanted to lose weight, but so many people are eating carbs so i know that isn't true ... I just ate spaghetti after my workout and I feel like I've cheated myself although at the end of the day, after exercise I have calories left over. I'm having a problem wrapping my head around this ...
You will get a million different answers on this.
I am in the camp that barring and metabolic/diabetes issues, carbs are carbs
I personally eat ~300g of carbs a day, close to 3k calories a day and have lost 25lbs so far0 -
Cals in/cals out is what matters. If you cut carbs you'll drop water weight really fast so it'll seem like the weight loss is faster at first.0
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Does eating carbs effect your weightloss or is all calories in and calories out? I used to be one of those people who feel like they couldn't eat carbs if they wanted to lose weight, but so many people are eating carbs so i know that isn't true ... I just ate spaghetti after my workout and I feel like I've cheated myself although at the end of the day, after exercise I have calories left over. I'm having a problem wrapping my head around this ...
You will get a million different answers on this.
I am in the camp that barring and metabolic/diabetes issues, carbs are carbs
I personally eat ~300g of carbs a day, close to 3k calories a day and have lost 25lbs so far
Agree. I have one of said diseases that responds better to less carbs, otherwise I wouldn't do it. The caveat is that portion control is really important, and people tend to WAY underestimate portions of rice, cereal, pasta etc.0 -
Heh, this is a sensitive topic for me....In 4 months on these boards, I have noticed a very distinct pattern.
The vast majority of men answering your question will say it's only calories in/calories out, and carbs don't matter. And that you need your carbs (this especially from men who do lifting).
Half the women who will answer your question will say it isn't just calories, you need to restrict carbs to see weightloss.
Some women (who do intensive exercise including weights) will agree with the majority of the men.
And some women will come on the boards saying "I'm eating my recommended calories and not losing weight", when their carbs are still really high. I have seen a looooooot of those.
I'm in the low-carb camp. It's the only thing that works for me. I'm also sedentary and currently don't have time to add exercise to my routine. If you exercise, I would still reduce your carbs, but not really low. If you exercise intensively, including weights, I would probably stick to the MFP recommended breakdown of your macros, following a 40% carbs/30% protein/30% fat breakdown.
Both here and on other sites I frequent where weight loss comes up, the OVERWHELMING number of women find success with (or only with) watching carbs.0 -
BTW - low carbs = 30 pounds lost in 5 months.0
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It is an individual thing....I tried the calories in/calories out thing for 3 months, and struggled HARD to lose 7 pounds. I cut carbs down to under 100g Net per day, and in 7.5 weeks I have lost 12.4 pounds. I am exercising no more than I did before ( actually, the last month or so, I have actually done LESS) and I know I have eaten more.
I was diagnosed with a metabolic disorder called Insulin resistance about 7-8 years ago, but it was reversed during my last pregnancy. I am assuming that my weight loss issues indicate that it has returned. Hopefully the dietary changes I have made on my own will fix it.0 -
Thanks everyone ... I really appreciate your help. Please feel free to add me as a friend.0
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Does eating carbs effect your weightloss or is all calories in and calories out? I used to be one of those people who feel like they couldn't eat carbs if they wanted to lose weight, but so many people are eating carbs so i know that isn't true ... I just ate spaghetti after my workout and I feel like I've cheated myself although at the end of the day, after exercise I have calories left over. I'm having a problem wrapping my head around this ...
You will get a million different answers on this.
I am in the camp that barring and metabolic/diabetes issues, carbs are carbs
I personally eat ~300g of carbs a day, close to 3k calories a day and have lost 25lbs so far
What he said! Everyone has an opinion about this. I know for me, I lose weight much, MUCH easier when I watch my carbs. I do 5-6 days of fairly low carbs (normally around 30 net) and then a high carb day that is my splurge day.0 -
Heh, this is a sensitive topic for me....In 4 months on these boards, I have noticed a very distinct pattern.
The vast majority of men answering your question will say it's only calories in/calories out, and carbs don't matter. And that you need your carbs (this especially from men who do lifting).
Half the women who will answer your question will say it isn't just calories, you need to restrict carbs to see weightloss.
Some women (who do intensive exercise including weights) will agree with the majority of the men.
And some women will come on the boards saying "I'm eating my recommended calories and not losing weight", when their carbs are still really high. I have seen a looooooot of those.
I'm in the low-carb camp. It's the only thing that works for me. I'm also sedentary and currently don't have time to add exercise to my routine. If you exercise, I would still reduce your carbs, but not really low. If you exercise intensively, including weights, I would probably stick to the MFP recommended breakdown of your macros, following a 40% carbs/30% protein/30% fat breakdown.
Both here and on other sites I frequent where weight loss comes up, the OVERWHELMING number of women find success with (or only with) watching carbs.
I'm an exception to your rule - a woman who eat lots of carbs and doesn't do much strength training. I'm a runner and love my carbs, and I'm not planning to give them up anytime soon.
Having said that, I think it is a personal choice. Some people report that they have great success not eating carbs, many others (like me!) eat carbs and lose weight very happily.
My experience is that for my body it is really all about cals in/cals out. As soon as I consistently stick to a moderate calorie deficit I lose weight. If I don't log accurately or eat over my calories I stay about the same or put on weight.
My opinion is that there is no point in giving up a whole group of foods unless you actually have to. That is just setting "rules" that can be hard to stick to (especially when you are eating away from home) and it increases that chance that you are going to give up and label yourself a failure - and we've all done that plenty of times before!
Try with carbs, try without. Do what works for you and what you think is going to be sustainable for the rest of your life.0 -
BTW - low carbs = 30 pounds lost in 5 months.
Not low carbs = 30 lbs in 5 months.
And I don't do a ton of strength training. Some, but not a bunch.
To me, low carbs do nothing more then restrict an intake of calories. It is the restriction of those calories that cause weight loss... not the carbs themselves.
Now, I do try to watch my carbs closely to be sure I get my fats and proteins in... but otherwise, I don't freak out about it at all.0 -
Cutting out and/or lowering carb intake makes weight loss more efficient. Cal in, cal out is a general rule, but by taking in the right macros your body becomes more efficient at burning FAT. Yes, a lot of initial weight is water, but it also makes burning fat quicker.0
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It depends on your body. I have PCOS and insulin resistance (which a lot of overweight people do), so yes, cutting carbs does help me lose weight. Nothing drastic. Around 100 g (30%) seems to be what a lot of people with insulin resistance do.0
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when I do low carb eating i lose weight,by looking at what people wrote it seems those who do no exercise like me , have to reduce carbs to lose weight.just me saying.welcome to mfp.0
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Cutting out and/or lowering carb intake makes weight loss more efficient. Cal in, cal out is a general rule, but by taking in the right macros your body becomes more efficient at burning FAT. Yes, a lot of initial weight is water, but it also makes burning fat quicker.
What makes you believe this is true?0 -
Cutting out and/or lowering carb intake makes weight loss more efficient. Cal in, cal out is a general rule, but by taking in the right macros your body becomes more efficient at burning FAT. Yes, a lot of initial weight is water, but it also makes burning fat quicker.
Have anything to back that up?0 -
BTW - low carbs = 30 pounds lost in 5 months.
High carbs = 45 pounds lost in 6 months.
Your mileage may vary.0 -
Seems level of exercise is key.
Strength training or runner = need the carbs.
Sedentary people (or people with insulin resistance) = need to reduce the carbs.0 -
Cutting out and/or lowering carb intake makes weight loss more efficient. Cal in, cal out is a general rule, but by taking in the right macros your body becomes more efficient at burning FAT. Yes, a lot of initial weight is water, but it also makes burning fat quicker.
What makes you believe this is true?
Experience and research... I'm not saying my statement is absolute, but I believe macro proportions can play a large part. Especially with carbs, sugars, and insulin levels. Though an extreme, someone that took in 1500 cals of carbs and sugar a day for a month would most likely lose a lot more lbm than someone eating high protein, low carb; Even if they ended up the same weight.
Just my perspective.0 -
What about portion size? A small serving of pasta served with vegetables and a home made pasta sauce then a huge bowl covered in cheese. Not to sure what you're having.
Feel free to add me everyone.0 -
Cutting out and/or lowering carb intake makes weight loss more efficient. Cal in, cal out is a general rule, but by taking in the right macros your body becomes more efficient at burning FAT. Yes, a lot of initial weight is water, but it also makes burning fat quicker.
What makes you believe this is true?
Experience and research... I'm not saying my statement is absolute, but I believe macro proportions can play a large part. Especially with carbs, sugars, and insulin levels. Though an extreme, someone that took in 1500 cals of carbs and sugar a day for a month would most likely lose a lot more lbm than someone eating high protein, low carb; Even if they ended up the same weight.
Just my perspective.
You can't use that example though- being protein deficient is a very different situation than 15-20% protein SAD vs 40% protein "low carb" diet.0 -
Cutting out and/or lowering carb intake makes weight loss more efficient. Cal in, cal out is a general rule, but by taking in the right macros your body becomes more efficient at burning FAT. Yes, a lot of initial weight is water, but it also makes burning fat quicker.
What makes you believe this is true?
Experience and research... I'm not saying my statement is absolute, but I believe macro proportions can play a large part. Especially with carbs, sugars, and insulin levels. Though an extreme, someone that took in 1500 cals of carbs and sugar a day for a month would most likely lose a lot more lbm than someone eating high protein, low carb; Even if they ended up the same weight.
Just my perspective.
You can't use that example though- being protein deficient is a very different situation than 15-20% protein SAD vs 40% protein "low carb" diet.
Still disproves losing fat is simply cals in/ cals out. That was my point.0 -
I really do think u have to do what works best for you. I had to play around with a couple of different ratios in my diet to achieve any weight loss. It may take u a couple of weeks or even months to find out what works (took a few months for me) but everyone is different and it can depend on whether or not diabetes is a factor for you or any other health issues.0
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I find that my weight loss is faster when I skip starches at dinner. So I mostly only eat them 2X a day, at lunch or breakfast. And occasionally I'll have a few crackers or something for dessert if I am feeling off. I don't feel full enough, if I don't have enough carbs, but eating "less" seems to be more successful for me.
Other than cutting down on starches, I still have plenty of fruits and veggies, and pay no attention to those. I also try to limit added sugar.
Also, it looks like some recent research supports adding protein, and less carbs (lower glycemic ones) is effective.
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2012/06/26/certain-diets-may-help-body-burn-more-calories-study0 -
It depends on your body. I have PCOS and insulin resistance (which a lot of overweight people do), so yes, cutting carbs does help me lose weight. Nothing drastic. Around 100 g (30%) seems to be what a lot of people with insulin resistance do.
This.
I low-carb after advice from my primary care dr. and dietician.
No sugar.
White flour replaced with whole wheat and grains.
White rice replaced with brown.
White starchy pasta replaced with whole wheat pastas containing omega 3 or low carb version.
Starchy potatoes & other veggie are limited.
Fruit is limited to mornings only so my body will metabolize the sugar.
Everything is lean & grean.
Basically the meal plan she gave me came from the American Diebetes Association.
I suggest anyone with a health problem work with their dr. for a plan that works for them. Weight loss plans are not a "one size fits all" product.0 -
for me. low carb all the way (under 20 grams, in ketosis)
calorie restriction doesn't work for me. i'm miserable, and i lose weight so slowly!
ketosis is just a godsend.0 -
for me. low carb all the way (under 20 grams, in ketosis)
calorie restriction doesn't work for me. i'm miserable, and i lose weight so slowly!
ketosis is just a godsend.
I'm really not trying to be snarky, but do you plan to continue that forever?To me, it just seems SO restrictive! If you mess up one day and eat just enough carbs to get out of ketosis, how long does it take to get back on track?0 -
for me. low carb all the way (under 20 grams, in ketosis)
calorie restriction doesn't work for me. i'm miserable, and i lose weight so slowly!
ketosis is just a godsend.
I'm really not trying to be snarky, but do you plan to continue that forever?To me, it just seems SO restrictive! If you mess up one day and eat just enough carbs to get out of ketosis, how long does it take to get back on track?
Ketosis only takes a day or two to get back into.0 -
when I do low carb eating i lose weight,by looking at what people wrote it seems those who do no exercise like me , have to reduce carbs to lose weight.just me saying.welcome to mfp.
I was on the treadmill 65minutes 3-4x a week PLUS 20-30 minutes of strength training 3-4x a week...and watching calories, and still struggled to lose 7lbs in 3 months. Cut the carbs and lost 12.5lbs in less than 2 months.0 -
Still disproves losing fat is simply cals in/ cals out. That was my point.
Anecdotal evidence. Your results are not universal, so it doesnt disprove anything.
Check out the guy who lost 27 lbs, 9% body fat, lowered his bad cholesterol and didn't increase exercise being on a TWINKIE DIET. You know what he did? He restricted his calories. Just that.
Not saying it's safe or healthy, but just showing that different things work for different people.0 -
I am convinced, it is not just calories in, calories out. If I eat 1500 cal in veggies, I lose weight fast, if I eat 1500 cal in white bread, donuts, cake etc. I lose weight, but very slow. I did this self experiment before.0
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