If low carb works, why are people still fat?

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Replies

  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    to the people who get mad at low carb eaters... WTF? everyones bodies are different . i have tried both. and who needs sugar, white bread, and white pasta.. no ty :D really makes one feel bettter

    And do you beleive the only 2 choices are low carb or sugar, white bread and white pasta. Why do you, and others, frame this discussion in terms of absolutes?? So, as you say....WTF?
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    White bread, white pasta and sugar aren't the only sources of carbs. There's green vegetables, fruits, dairy, and whole grains as well. A huge portion of our food supply!

    Gee, ya think?
  • manda1028
    manda1028 Posts: 148
    what im saying is those are the things no one actually needs.. nothing is wrong with a low carb plan of fresh veggies, lean meats, cheese, nuts etc... i dont like feeling sluggish after a bowl of pasta, and this is how i can lose wt vs low cal.. like i said everyones bodies are different and the "wtf" was becuz one of the first responses was something about how low carb makes someone angry and there would be an argument on this topic.
  • White bread, white pasta and sugar aren't the only sources of carbs. There's green vegetables, fruits, dairy, and whole grains as well. A huge portion of our food supply!

    Gee, ya think?


    Someone's rude--I was responding to the black/white post about carbs above mine. Some people are jerks.
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    what im saying is those are the things no one actually needs.. nothing is wrong with a low carb plan of fresh veggies, lean meats, cheese, nuts etc... i dont like feeling sluggish after a bowl of pasta, and this is how i can lose wt vs low cal.. like i said everyones bodies are different and the "wtf" was becuz one of the first responses was something about how low carb makes someone angry and there would be an argument on this topic.

    Not really, a caloric deficit is still required to lose weight, regardless of what dietary approach you want to follow
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    White bread, white pasta and sugar aren't the only sources of carbs. There's green vegetables, fruits, dairy, and whole grains as well. A huge portion of our food supply!

    Gee, ya think?


    Someone's rude--I was responding to the black/white post about carbs above mine. Some people are jerks.

    And I am totally agreeing with you!! Your post is one of the few that showed an intelligent choice that wasn't low carb or white bread and sugar. Bravo!!
  • HorseWithNoName27
    HorseWithNoName27 Posts: 188 Member
    Carbs are not angels or demons. They are just a type of food. No one type of food makes you fat on its own. Do what's right for you but don't expect everyone else to want to do the same, or to be successful on it. Myself included.

    /inb4 flamewar :devil:
  • manda1028
    manda1028 Posts: 148
    i can honestly say i did 1200 cals and was doing light exercise and i did lose, then i steadily gained. probably started to low on cals, but i found it was easier to eat processed stuff on the low cal than i do when i cut carbs. i feel healthier cutting out the junk and eating fresh. which really , i could consider as low cal too but also cutting carbs. it just works with my body and i cant argue with that. im thankful i found something that works for me. i just hate reading where some people think that low carbers are drinking oil and eating rib eyes daily. i never tried to be rude. i respect whatever works for whoevers body and may they continue on getting healthy and looking the way they want to look.
  • mugsisme
    mugsisme Posts: 127 Member
    Everyone wants to know my "secret" for losing weight. (Those who aren't busy crying about how anorexic I am and how I don't look healthy, although my doctor has REPEATEDLY told me I am fine.)

    They are all excited until I tell them:
    I started making healthy food choices.
    portion control.
    exercise.

    boo. Those are the my secrets to losing weight. Too bad everyone is looking for a quick fix. Bahaha, they want their cake and they want to eat it too, all of it.

    off to make low fat, low sugar, whole wheat, vegan chocolate chip cookies in honor of my birthday.
  • strgzrlily
    strgzrlily Posts: 19 Member
    We really need to refine the phrase "calories in - calories out" etc.

    Eating deep fried chicken (in) and walking around the block and burning calories (out) has a night and day different end result than eating grilled salmon (in) and exercise followed by cardio (out). The quality of the nutrients make a big difference. I can't support any NO carb solution. I have no problem with LOW carbs as long as they are measured low carbs.

    This is good and I agree. I have no desire to debate whether or not low carb is healthy or right for anyone but myself. I've been on Atkins since October of last year and have had wonderful success and feel better than I ever have. My blood work was done recently and my numbers are great! I've lost 68 pounds by eating low carb combined with working my rear off at the gym! However, after carbs, I look at calories next. It does matter.
  • manda1028
    manda1028 Posts: 148
    White bread, white pasta and sugar aren't the only sources of carbs. There's green vegetables, fruits, dairy, and whole grains as well. A huge portion of our food supply!

    Gee, ya think?


    Someone's rude--I was responding to the black/white post about carbs above mine. Some people are jerks.

    yes , that was pretty rude and i didnt mean for mine to be ignorant. i am talking about those are the carbs i dont understand why others get fussy that people go "low carb" no one needs to miss out on veggies and certain fruits. . that is why i didnt include them and i only talked about what i consider garbage.. white bread, pasta, sugar ect.. this goes along with fried items as well. the key should be making smart choices and eating what makes your body feel its best.
  • carld256
    carld256 Posts: 855 Member
    off to make low fat, low sugar, whole wheat, vegan chocolate chip cookies in honor of my birthday.

    Happy Birthday! And those cookies sound great.
  • manda1028
    manda1028 Posts: 148
    happy birthday!
  • kaervaak
    kaervaak Posts: 274 Member
    Low carb is a great option for some people and a not so great option for others. Like all diets, it's a tool that can help you achieve your goals. I personally found low carb to be an extremely effective way for me to lose body fat. It's no magic bullet, but compared to other macro-nutritional splits that I have tried while keeping total caloric intake constant, I found that low carb was easier, more satisfying and gave me better results. I had more energy, felt less hunger pangs and preserved more lean body mass while in nutritional ketosis than I did on similar calorie limited diets that did not put me into a ketogenic state.

    It does have its downsides though. I love a good beer every once in a while and those are big no-nos on low carb. Also, it's hard to find a quick meal on the go and it's incredibly hard to be vegetarian and keep to a low carb diet. Also, you need to love vegetables (though everyone should love veggies and eat them all the time).

    I very much appreciate Dr. Attia's approach on his blog. His results need to be taken with a grain of salt because his sample size is only himself - but even anecdotal evidence is better than nothing and his self-testing has produced some very interesting results. His study on the interplay of ketosis and exercise was particularly interesting and worth a read.
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    i can honestly say i did 1200 cals and was doing light exercise and i did lose, then i steadily gained. probably started to low on cals, but i found it was easier to eat processed stuff on the low cal than i do when i cut carbs. i feel healthier cutting out the junk and eating fresh. which really , i could consider as low cal too but also cutting carbs. it just works with my body and i cant argue with that. im thankful i found something that works for me. i just hate reading where some people think that low carbers are drinking oil and eating rib eyes daily. i never tried to be rude. i respect whatever works for whoevers body and may they continue on getting healthy and looking the way they want to look.

    I think the key to your weight loss was the lack of capitalization and paragraphs. Oh yea, that and cutting carbs.
  • White bread, white pasta and sugar aren't the only sources of carbs. There's green vegetables, fruits, dairy, and whole grains as well. A huge portion of our food supply!

    Gee, ya think?


    Someone's rude--I was responding to the black/white post about carbs above mine. Some people are jerks.

    And I am totally agreeing with you!! Your post is one of the few that showed an intelligent choice that wasn't low carb or white bread and sugar. Bravo!!

    Seemed sarcastic and harsh. My apologies
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    White bread, white pasta and sugar aren't the only sources of carbs. There's green vegetables, fruits, dairy, and whole grains as well. A huge portion of our food supply!

    Gee, ya think?


    Someone's rude--I was responding to the black/white post about carbs above mine. Some people are jerks.

    And I am totally agreeing with you!! Your post is one of the few that showed an intelligent choice that wasn't low carb or white bread and sugar. Bravo!!

    Seemed sarcastic and harsh. My apologies

    No apology needed. It was sarcastic and harsh but not directed to you. It was directed to those who were framing the discussion as being either low carb or junk food. Your post was the breath of fresh air in the middle of the toxic fumes. Like I said in my original post, false hypothesis!
  • amandaxh
    amandaxh Posts: 38 Member
    The problem with all these discussions about low carb (low whatever.. low cal, etc.) is that people just want a direct answer. That is not how weight loss works. There is a spectrum of factors that affects each individually different and can attribute to their overall plan for weight loss -- some of these factors the same or different for various people. Period.

    People's bodies are born differently (genetics) and developed differently (environment) to become what they are now. I think the common sense idea is calories in and calories our for weight loss. For some people, this alone works with their body. For others, the type of food they eat matters in addition to simply counting calories. For others, the type of food they eat doesn't matter (it matters, because it will affect their body, but it doesn't seem to be of HUGE consequence in their weight loss). Some people are more sensitive to carbs, sugar, etc. whether through genetics or overall eating patterns from throughout life, or both. Some people don't seem to have a problem with it. Those that do should correct how they eat accordingly, most often not just for weight loss but for health.

    I often find within these discussions a very fine and complicated line when people talk about weight loss and health. They are associated but there is not necessarily ALWAYS a direct correlation (but there can be). Losing weight can be an unhealthy process of a healthy process. One can lose weight unhealthily or healthily. One can lose weight in a somewhat healthy manner, but not a totally, all inclusive, 180 degree change type of manner. It depends on their focus. That is important to consider when discussing weight loss and health. Yes, a calorie is a calorie, and no I do not personally think that all calories are created equally (in how our body breaks them down and uses them for energy), but nonetheless --- some people just don't care! Maybe because they feel they don't need too (they can lose weight to their own standards without worrying about what theyre eating, merely the amount) or because they'd rather focus on just their weight and their overall, all-encompassing health. Losing weight for most people IS a healthy thing (eating disorders aside), but some people wish to go about that differently).

    That being said, many arguments around low carb are between people who take different approaches for various reasons (their body type, their philosophy, their personal experience, etc.) with people focusing on different aspects of their weight loss and health. So what exactly is the point in saying "this is right, no this is right, no this is right" when there is no one right or wrong because of people's individual differences. To me all of this seems a matter of point of "no, I think you shouldn't just focus on weight loss, but internal health as well" or "no, its okay to just focus on weight loss, I don't want to be incredibly intently focused on the actual foods I put in my body" -- a debate between how much intensity into the effect of specific foods on the body and whether one should or shouldn't focus on it, and to what degree.

    That being said, not everyone is going to care to the same degree about the nutritional aspects of specific foods, not everyone is going to follow a specific diet of nutrition to the same regime. Some believe in moderation, some believe in only consuming those foods which are blatantly healthy, some prefer somewhere in the middle. Some will eat cake every day and if they're losing weight -- not care. Its a matter of preference. But if you are an advocate of one way or the other, encourage those as to why you're approach seems practical or useful, rather than others ideas, instead of merely why low carb does or doesn't work (because the truth is that is does work for some people, and others it doesn't make a huge difference.. so perhaps its a moot point?) .... but in the end, remember, you're working off the experience of your own body: subjective findings. Be courtesy to others who have different subjective experiences.
  • Easywider
    Easywider Posts: 434 Member
    tl:dr

    it's not a diet, its a lifestyle.

    stick with it, and you don't get fat!

    /shock /awe

    you can't go back to eating junk food all day /eyeroll

    This! Perfect post, if not gloriously on the money.

    In addition. I do not thank you for posting...This only throws rocks at the hive of the uninformed to buzz about spewing their deliriously ignorant misconceptions.
  • Wonderob
    Wonderob Posts: 1,372 Member

    As with any weight loss method, if it is merely a "diet" and not a lifestyle change a person will always fail.

    That goes with low fat, low carb, calorie counting, etc...........

    That's simply not true - my diet worked, and it has done previously

    There are times in my life when I find myself 15-20lbs overweight; this might be because of injury, non-football season, or just circumstances where I can't exercise/eat as per normal

    I then go on a strict, non-sustainable, horrible, hard work, diet, eating food that I really don't like and doing additional gym work that is too hard and also non-sustainable. Certainly not a lifestyle change!

    Low and behold my diet works! 3 months later and I am back to my preferred weight. I am no longer on a diet and did not make a lifestyle change.

    I will always fail? I think not. My diet worked.
  • neverstray
    neverstray Posts: 3,845 Member

    As with any weight loss method, if it is merely a "diet" and not a lifestyle change a person will always fail.

    That goes with low fat, low carb, calorie counting, etc...........

    That's simply not true - my diet worked, and it has done previously

    There are times in my life when I find myself 15-20lbs overweight; this might be because of injury, non-football season, or just circumstances where I can't exercise/eat as per normal

    I then go on a strict, non-sustainable, horrible, hard work, diet, eating food that I really don't like and doing additional gym work that is too hard and also non-sustainable. Certainly not a lifestyle change!

    Low and behold my diet works! 3 months later and I am back to my preferred weight. I am no longer on a diet and did not make a lifestyle change.

    I will always fail? I think not. My diet worked.

    Lol. I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not...looks like it. But, either way, that's hilarious. Lol.
  • Wonderob
    Wonderob Posts: 1,372 Member

    As with any weight loss method, if it is merely a "diet" and not a lifestyle change a person will always fail.

    That goes with low fat, low carb, calorie counting, etc...........

    That's simply not true - my diet worked, and it has done previously

    There are times in my life when I find myself 15-20lbs overweight; this might be because of injury, non-football season, or just circumstances where I can't exercise/eat as per normal

    I then go on a strict, non-sustainable, horrible, hard work, diet, eating food that I really don't like and doing additional gym work that is too hard and also non-sustainable. Certainly not a lifestyle change!

    Low and behold my diet works! 3 months later and I am back to my preferred weight. I am no longer on a diet and did not make a lifestyle change.

    I will always fail? I think not. My diet worked.

    Lol. I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not...looks like it. But, either way, that's hilarious. Lol.

    Deadly serious - can you dispute anything I have said?
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    If low carb eating is so effective, why are people still overweight?

    This seems a somewhat silly question with an obvious answer. There are many diets that work. The reason they don't work is that people don't stick to them. The question you have to ask yourself is why didn't you stick to it.

    Usually happiness and/or satisfaction is the answer. Most people do not want to be overweight, but they also don't want to live their lives feeling like they are missing something. If you don't enjoy eating low carb, then you are unlikely to stick with it and should not choose that diet. Low carb is effective, but it's not necessary to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.
  • Easywider
    Easywider Posts: 434 Member

    Deadly serious - can you dispute anything I have said?

    Yes...Just about everything. Not in the sense of actual 'weight' lost, that's the easiest part. I would dispute the practicality and functionality of your diet cycle...Especially at your age, I just don't think that's very wise, respectfully.
  • caraiselite
    caraiselite Posts: 2,631 Member

    As with any weight loss method, if it is merely a "diet" and not a lifestyle change a person will always fail.

    That goes with low fat, low carb, calorie counting, etc...........

    That's simply not true - my diet worked, and it has done previously

    There are times in my life when I find myself 15-20lbs overweight; this might be because of injury, non-football season, or just circumstances where I can't exercise/eat as per normal

    I then go on a strict, non-sustainable, horrible, hard work, diet, eating food that I really don't like and doing additional gym work that is too hard and also non-sustainable. Certainly not a lifestyle change!

    Low and behold my diet works! 3 months later and I am back to my preferred weight. I am no longer on a diet and did not make a lifestyle change.

    I will always fail? I think not. My diet worked.


    so after being usually active (your normal life with sports) you gained a few pounds from being sedentary, then managed to lose them and keep it off, great!
    but you say you gain it again.. sorry but that isn't keeping it off!

    your diet worked short term but not long term.
  • PS2CR
    PS2CR Posts: 98 Member
    If low carb eating is so effective, why are people still overweight?

    Because they're also low-activity.

    (Gotta say, I thrive on carbs. And I'd get pretty cranky without them. My diet is probably 2/3 carbs, mostly of the fruit/veggie variety, because those are generally low-calorie, low-fat, high-energy foods.)
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
    tl:dr

    it's not a diet, its a lifestyle.

    stick with it, and you don't get fat!

    /shock /awe

    you can't go back to eating junk food all day /eyeroll

    There is a universe of choices between, low carb and junk food all day. False hypothesis.

    ^^^Truth.

    Getting tired of seeing the "Dont eat carbs and you wont be fat" BS.

    I eat in excess of 400g-500g of carbs every friday and i'm not fat.

    Eating anything that nets you ABOVE TDEE will make you gain weight.
    If its protein and you eat above TDEE youll gain weight.
    If its fats and you eat above TDEE youll gain weight.
    If its carbs and you eat above TDEE youll gain weight.

    Notice how I didnt say "Get fat"?
    Thats where your workouts come in play.

    Only go low carb if:

    1) you have specific food allergies
    2) you are in contest prep mode

    For general weight/fat loss just eat smart.
    It's moderation!
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member

    As with any weight loss method, if it is merely a "diet" and not a lifestyle change a person will always fail.

    That goes with low fat, low carb, calorie counting, etc...........

    That's simply not true - my diet worked, and it has done previously

    There are times in my life when I find myself 15-20lbs overweight; this might be because of injury, non-football season, or just circumstances where I can't exercise/eat as per normal

    I then go on a strict, non-sustainable, horrible, hard work, diet, eating food that I really don't like and doing additional gym work that is too hard and also non-sustainable. Certainly not a lifestyle change!

    Low and behold my diet works! 3 months later and I am back to my preferred weight. I am no longer on a diet and did not make a lifestyle change.

    I will always fail? I think not. My diet worked.


    so after being usually active (your normal life with sports) you gained a few pounds from being sedentary, then managed to lose them and keep it off, great!
    but you say you gain it again.. sorry but that isn't keeping it off!

    your diet worked short term but not long term.

    I think you're wrong. If you do a strict diet for a short time every time you gain a few pounds you can keep from ever becoming overweight. I know, because I did it for years when I was younger. It is perhaps not the healthiest way to lose, but it is not necessarily unhealthy either. It's certainly more healthy than being fat.
  • myofibril
    myofibril Posts: 4,500 Member
    If dieting or exercise works, why are people still fat ?

    Because human beings are falliable (and sometimes very deluded) and either underestimate how many calories they are consuming through diet, over estimate how many calories they are burning through activity or a combination of both.

    Low carb does play well for many people but that is because in many instances they replace carbs with increased protein and fat. These both are good for satiety and stabilising blood sugar levels leading to less cravings, less over eating and spontaneously eating less calories than your TDEE. Coupled with the nice psychological boost that low carb dieting gives in the early stages given improved appearance caused mostly by water loss this leads to good dietary adherence.

    Low carb stops working when the dieter takes it to mean "a can shovel as much food and utter junk down my gullet than is humanely possible as long as it is not carbs" thus meaning they consistently exceed their TDEE.

    Low carb "blame it on inshuuuuulin but lets ignore everything else involved including ASP" is the new dogma which has replaced low fat. It is just as misguided.
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    If dieting or exercise works, why are people still fat ?

    Because human beings are falliable (and sometimes very deluded) and either underestimate how many calories they are consuming through diet, over estimate how many calories they are burning through activity or a combination of both.

    Low carb does play well for many people but that is because in many instances they replace carbs with increased protein and fat. These both are good for satiety and stabilising blood sugar levels leading to less cravings, less over eating and spontaneously eating less calories than your TDEE. Coupled with the nice psychological boost that low carb dieting gives in the early stages given improved appearance caused mostly by water loss this leads to good dietary adherence.

    Low carb stops working when the dieter takes it to mean "a can shovel as much food and utter junk down my gullet than is humanely possible as long as it is not carbs" thus meaning they consistently exceed their TDEE.

    Low carb "blame it on inshuuuuulin but lets ignore everything else involved including ASP" is the new dogma which has replaced low fat. It is just as misguided.

    Pretty much nailed it right there Bro!