Cutting carbs

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Replies

  • amandainez08
    amandainez08 Posts: 87 Member
    hi,

    going on a low carb diet will not produce long term results... yes you will loose weight quicker but it will also come back quicker.
    the most simple and advised way to loose weight would be to determine the amount of calories your body needs to maintain your current weight. minus 15-20% max of your maintenance calories and you should loose anywhere between 1-2lbs a week. All you need to do is be in a calorie deficit. and remember if you decide to eat a burger or kebab.. you have to minus the calories of your daily amount. so eat cleaner so you can eat more :)

    Not meaning to argue with you, but your carbs contribute to your calories. 1g of carbs is about 4 calories. Personally, I don't believe in cutting carbs out indefinitely. (I wouldn't be able to live the rest of my life without SOME carbs! Lol!) Your body uses carbs for energy. If you eat too many or if you eat unhealthy carbs, your body turns it to fat and stores it. What I do, I don't put a limit on my carbs. I just choose healthier options. As a result, I wind up eating way under my carb goal for the day. It just comes natural if you eat healthy enough. And of course, if your body doesn't have enough carbs, it will burn through your fat (where carbs go anyway when you have too many). So, of course if you lower your carbs or cut them out completely, you'll lose fat...a lot of it. But I just choose to eat the healthier carbs, and it's working for me so far! I also add a little exercise in there ;)
  • waj_b
    waj_b Posts: 45 Member
    x
  • waj_b
    waj_b Posts: 45 Member
    hi,

    going on a low carb diet will not produce long term results... yes you will loose weight quicker but it will also come back quicker.
    the most simple and advised way to loose weight would be to determine the amount of calories your body needs to maintain your current weight. minus 15-20% max of your maintenance calories and you should loose anywhere between 1-2lbs a week. All you need to do is be in a calorie deficit. and remember if you decide to eat a burger or kebab.. you have to minus the calories of your daily amount. so eat cleaner so you can eat more :)

    Not meaning to argue with you, but your carbs contribute to your calories. 1g of carbs is about 4 calories. Personally, I don't believe in cutting carbs out indefinitely. (I wouldn't be able to live the rest of my life without SOME carbs! Lol!) Your body uses carbs for energy. If you eat too many or if you eat unhealthy carbs, your body turns it to fat and stores it. What I do, I don't put a limit on my carbs. I just choose healthier options. As a result, I wind up eating way under my carb goal for the day. It just comes natural if you eat healthy enough. And of course, if your body doesn't have enough carbs, it will burn through your fat (where carbs go anyway when you have too many). So, of course if you lower your carbs or cut them out completely, you'll lose fat...a lot of it. But I just choose to eat the healthier carbs, and it's working for me so far! I also add a little exercise in there ;)

    lol i know they contribute to calories.. almost everything does. i was sayin not to go on a very low or 0 carb diet because its not practical long term and you will only gain back the weight just as fast if not faster. also if your low carbing for a specific event, the low carb or 0 carb should not last longer than 4 days or your body will stop the fat burning process hence in comes a high carb day or cheat day/meal to trick you body and keep it in a fat burning state. also the reason why you loose so much weight in the first 7-14 days is because you loose alot of water weight.
    eating healthy is definitely better for long term health.. but if you eat bad food/carbs and your still within your goal you wont put on weight.. but their are downsides to that.
    and always have a protein source with every meal.. never have carbs on its own. some people over do it with healthy fats i.e. peanut/almond butter nuts etc.. they are very dense and carry alot of calories.. some people should weigh them just so they get an idea.
  • Jessicajoyus
    Jessicajoyus Posts: 9 Member
    nice!
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Cutting calories causes you to lose weight, whether you cut carbs, protein or fat. If you have specific digestion problems with carbohydrates that was causing an unusual amount of bloating then a lot of what you lost could be water. But it's unlikely you lost 13 lb of water. It's also unlikely it was 13 lbs of fat. What ratio of fat vs muscle you are losing depends how you exercise and your overall diet (not just carbs).
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Thought this study from a couple weeks back was relevant:

    http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20120626/all-calories-not-created-equal-study-suggests

    "The testing confirms that they burned about 300 calories more a day when following the very-low-carb eating plan compared to the low-fat plan, and about 150 calories more on the low-glycemic index diet compared to the low-fat plan"

    That's an extra 2.5lbs per month of extra calories burned from eating low-carb over low-fat.

    That's the Harvard study, right? Didn't it also show that the low-carb had the most negative health impact?
    "The best diet from a metabolic perspective was the low-carbohydrate diet, but there were downsides," Ludwig says

    Levels of the stress hormone cortisol and C-reactive protein -- an indicator of inflammation in the body -- were higher during the low-carb phase of the study.

    "The metabolic benefits of this diet may be undermined by more inflammation and higher cortisol, both of which can increase [heart disease and stroke] risk over time," Ludwig says.

    The results of the study pointed to a Low GI has the heatlhiest overall. Of course, it is just one study in a pool of many.
  • waj_b
    waj_b Posts: 45 Member
    hi,

    going on a low carb diet will not produce long term results... yes you will loose weight quicker but it will also come back quicker.
    the most simple and advised way to loose weight would be to determine the amount of calories your body needs to maintain your current weight. minus 15-20% max of your maintenance calories and you should loose anywhere between 1-2lbs a week. All you need to do is be in a calorie deficit. and remember if you decide to eat a burger or kebab.. you have to minus the calories of your daily amount. so eat cleaner so you can eat more :)

    So you're on a reduce calorie diet? What would happen if you went off your reduced calorie diet?


    im just maintaining at the moment as i have a catwalk on friday. but the simple logic that is for 90-95% of people (other 5-10% of people being with amazing genetics i think i may be one of them :P) is that you need to be in a calorie deficit to loose weight and in a calorie surplus to gain muscle/weight.
    you wont have the same bad affects as your only decreasing you calories by 10-20% (should be no more than 20%) .. theres no huge difference.. you aint suffering or feeling overly hungry or depleted. if you came off the diet.. depending on your calories.. you would either maintain or put on weight at the normal rate.
    remember fat loss isnt a quick fix.. if you have really quick results as with very low to 0 carbs they wont last long. just reduce your calories to up2 20%.. your choice.. and you will shed weight over time no matter what. do not eat even fewer calories that fitness pal has calculated for you, and if you want to eat more.. exercise or be active.. every calorie you burn you can eat more in that day and it wont matter.
    also you dont have to eat 100% healthy.. just know that if you eat a big fat juicy burger.. thats alot of calories to waste for the day.. you next few meals are going to be smaller.

    My point i am trying to make anytime you go back to your older habits you will gain back the weight. I am sure you have done cutting cycles. If you want to maintain the body fat % you gained you're not going to increase your calories back to normal.

    Doesn't matter which fat loss method you use, if you go back to your old ways you will gain your weight back.


    i never go above say 8% bodyfat all year.. and thats with alot of cheating here and there... the reason why someone is overweight is because they eat tooooooo much... so going to back to 'normal' isnt really going to back to eating TOO much. you just eat your normal 3 meals.. exercise here and there and no you wont be overweight again.
    when i come out of dieting i just go bk from 3% anywhere up to 8%.. body dont hold any more because i dont overeat every hour every day.
    also my calories are at a 'normal' level... i havnt decreased them.. i just refrain from overeating all the time.. and trust me i do overeat at times and eat what i 'shouldn't' if you want to overeat.. you need to exercise or have an active job.
    and fatloss method of just decreasing 15-20% of your current calorie intake is not out of the norm anyway. its probably still more than the person should be eating at the height and age.
  • bugtrain
    bugtrain Posts: 251 Member
    bump
  • raystark
    raystark Posts: 403 Member
    Totally true. I have lost sixty pounds of water following a low carb regimen since January of this year. No fat at all. Just water...:glasses:
  • It probably depends. I am trying to stay between 50-100 gm carb a day, more on the 50 end. But everybody's different.
  • CountryMom03
    CountryMom03 Posts: 258 Member
    *Bump to Save*
  • Sarah_Wins
    Sarah_Wins Posts: 936 Member
    I read some where that cutting carbs only causes you to lose water weight and not fat. Does anyone know if this is true?
    I've already lost 13 lbs lowering my carb intake and this info frightens me.

    Of course it's not true. Unless I was just a gigantic ball of water :wink:

    Get some low carb friends and watch us prove the jerks who refuse to read the science wrong!
  • waj_b
    waj_b Posts: 45 Member
    I read some where that cutting carbs only causes you to lose water weight and not fat. Does anyone know if this is true?
    I've already lost 13 lbs lowering my carb intake and this info frightens me.

    Of course it's not true. Unless I was just a gigantic ball of water :wink:

    Get some low carb friends and watch us prove the jerks who refuse to read the science wrong!

    there is low carb and really low carb... eating a low carb diet makes you loose alot of weight in the first 7-14 days right? yes it is mainly water weight! your body is mainly water? remember?
    also more than say 4 low carb days in a row and your body stops the fat burning process.. hence if doing this you need to carb cycle.. basically jus have 1-2 days of carb load or 'cheat'
    low carb diets are not practical in the long run... your liein to yourself if you think they are.. if not, den your not LOW carb-ing it. low carb diets are beneficial for short term.. i.e. photoshoot/competition/special event etc. you will put the weight back on just as quick as you lost it.
    best fat loss method is just calorie deficit.. 15-20% MAX less calories than your maintance weight.. should loose 1-2lbs a week. theres no rush. this is more practical in the long run as your only reducing your calories a little bit and more towards normal.
    but most importantly make sure their is a healthy balance of your macros in your calories.. yes you can eat a donut but dont do it always.. and i see it as a waste of calories because then you have to eat less food for the rest of the day.
  • pattyproulx
    pattyproulx Posts: 603 Member
    Thought this study from a couple weeks back was relevant:

    http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20120626/all-calories-not-created-equal-study-suggests

    "The testing confirms that they burned about 300 calories more a day when following the very-low-carb eating plan compared to the low-fat plan, and about 150 calories more on the low-glycemic index diet compared to the low-fat plan"

    That's an extra 2.5lbs per month of extra calories burned from eating low-carb over low-fat.

    That's the Harvard study, right? Didn't it also show that the low-carb had the most negative health impact?
    "The best diet from a metabolic perspective was the low-carbohydrate diet, but there were downsides," Ludwig says

    Levels of the stress hormone cortisol and C-reactive protein -- an indicator of inflammation in the body -- were higher during the low-carb phase of the study.

    "The metabolic benefits of this diet may be undermined by more inflammation and higher cortisol, both of which can increase [heart disease and stroke] risk over time," Ludwig says.

    The results of the study pointed to a Low GI has the heatlhiest overall. Of course, it is just one study in a pool of many.

    http://eatingacademy.com/books-and-articles/good-science-bad-interpretation

    Have a look at this link. He explains the study in more detail shows what the CRP results actually were.

    The truth is it was higher, but only very marginally (barely statistically significant) and still much lower than the baseline stats. However, the media spun it around like low-carb could kill you by raising inflammation, etc.

    The study wasn't perfect but is very interesting nonetheless.
  • pattyproulx
    pattyproulx Posts: 603 Member
    I read some where that cutting carbs only causes you to lose water weight and not fat. Does anyone know if this is true?
    I've already lost 13 lbs lowering my carb intake and this info frightens me.

    Of course it's not true. Unless I was just a gigantic ball of water :wink:

    Get some low carb friends and watch us prove the jerks who refuse to read the science wrong!

    there is low carb and really low carb... eating a low carb diet makes you loose alot of weight in the first 7-14 days right? yes it is mainly water weight! your body is mainly water? remember?
    also more than say 4 low carb days in a row and your body stops the fat burning process.. hence if doing this you need to carb cycle.. basically jus have 1-2 days of carb load or 'cheat'
    low carb diets are not practical in the long run... your liein to yourself if you think they are.. if not, den your not LOW carb-ing it. low carb diets are beneficial for short term.. i.e. photoshoot/competition/special event etc. you will put the weight back on just as quick as you lost it.
    best fat loss method is just calorie deficit.. 15-20% MAX less calories than your maintance weight.. should loose 1-2lbs a week. theres no rush. this is more practical in the long run as your only reducing your calories a little bit and more towards normal.
    but most importantly make sure their is a healthy balance of your macros in your calories.. yes you can eat a donut but dont do it always.. and i see it as a waste of calories because then you have to eat less food for the rest of the day.

    Disagree completely and I've met way too many people who've had success and read too many studies that disprove the fact that low-carb is only beneficial for the short-term as you're insinuating.

    There's no arguing that some or the majority of the weight loss in the first week or two is water, however, the weight does keep coming off afterwards and the body just simply does not store that much water.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Thought this study from a couple weeks back was relevant:

    http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20120626/all-calories-not-created-equal-study-suggests

    "The testing confirms that they burned about 300 calories more a day when following the very-low-carb eating plan compared to the low-fat plan, and about 150 calories more on the low-glycemic index diet compared to the low-fat plan"

    That's an extra 2.5lbs per month of extra calories burned from eating low-carb over low-fat.

    That's the Harvard study, right? Didn't it also show that the low-carb had the most negative health impact?
    "The best diet from a metabolic perspective was the low-carbohydrate diet, but there were downsides," Ludwig says

    Levels of the stress hormone cortisol and C-reactive protein -- an indicator of inflammation in the body -- were higher during the low-carb phase of the study.

    "The metabolic benefits of this diet may be undermined by more inflammation and higher cortisol, both of which can increase [heart disease and stroke] risk over time," Ludwig says.

    The results of the study pointed to a Low GI has the heatlhiest overall. Of course, it is just one study in a pool of many.

    http://eatingacademy.com/books-and-articles/good-science-bad-interpretation

    Have a look at this link. He explains the study in more detail shows what the CRP results actually were.

    The truth is it was higher, but only very marginally (barely statistically significant) and still much lower than the baseline stats. However, the media spun it around like low-carb could kill you by raising inflammation, etc.

    The study wasn't perfect but is very interesting nonetheless.

    Too much to read while at work but I'll try to check it out next week when I'm back from vacation. But I've read the synopsis by Dr. Ludwig. Hopefully whoever wrote this review, which I assume conflicts with his, at least gives some credentials or other reason that he is more credible.
  • waj_b
    waj_b Posts: 45 Member
    I read some where that cutting carbs only causes you to lose water weight and not fat. Does anyone know if this is true?
    I've already lost 13 lbs lowering my carb intake and this info frightens me.

    Of course it's not true. Unless I was just a gigantic ball of water :wink:

    Get some low carb friends and watch us prove the jerks who refuse to read the science wrong!

    there is low carb and really low carb... eating a low carb diet makes you loose alot of weight in the first 7-14 days right? yes it is mainly water weight! your body is mainly water? remember?
    also more than say 4 low carb days in a row and your body stops the fat burning process.. hence if doing this you need to carb cycle.. basically jus have 1-2 days of carb load or 'cheat'
    low carb diets are not practical in the long run... your liein to yourself if you think they are.. if not, den your not LOW carb-ing it. low carb diets are beneficial for short term.. i.e. photoshoot/competition/special event etc. you will put the weight back on just as quick as you lost it.
    best fat loss method is just calorie deficit.. 15-20% MAX less calories than your maintance weight.. should loose 1-2lbs a week. theres no rush. this is more practical in the long run as your only reducing your calories a little bit and more towards normal.
    but most importantly make sure their is a healthy balance of your macros in your calories.. yes you can eat a donut but dont do it always.. and i see it as a waste of calories because then you have to eat less food for the rest of the day.

    Disagree completely and I've met way too many people who've had success and read too many studies that disprove the fact that low-carb is only beneficial for the short-term as you're insinuating.

    There's no arguing that some or the majority of the weight loss in the first week or two is water, however, the weight does keep coming off afterwards and the body just simply does not store that much water.

    the main point to consider was why hassel yourself with low carbs.. when calorie deficit works. low carbs can make your lethargic, moody etc etc. but hey... if you want to deprive yourself of carbs when theres no need.. then do so.
  • AlabasterVerve
    AlabasterVerve Posts: 3,171 Member
    Too much to read while at work but I'll try to check it out next week when I'm back from vacation. But I've read the synopsis by Dr. Ludwig. Hopefully whoever wrote this review, which I assume conflicts with his, at least gives some credentials or other reason that he is more credible.
    The bad interpretation part of the title is referring to the media interpretation of the study. Specifically mentioned were the articles by USA Today, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. It's a good article and the comments are worth reading as well, IMO.
This discussion has been closed.