How well have you done? How long have you been at this woe?
(Just in case Zeldar gets his panties in a bunch…)
I am gonna post what MY results are to date in the initial post so I don’t have to do another one
I’ve lost 23 lbs since January and have been maintaining that loss for the past three months. I searched high and low and finally found my wagon and I"m back on it…as of this past Monday. I’ve lost 3 lbs of the 5 I gained the week before entertaning company from out of the state and from the UK ( Julie)
No more low-carbing for da Quas. Too much meat = gout, and that is some painful sh*t! Thinking of trying South Beach, but right now, my priorities are to get rid of the inflammation and pain.
Body for Life, or Leanness Lifestyle. They both lean heavily on the "equal amounts of “clean carbs” (grams) and proteins and in small meals (grazing) . Plus the appropriate amounts of weight lifting and cardio.
No or low carb’s is not that great a deal. In fact, anytime when a “diet” comes along that asks the user to severely restrict one or more food groups (with the exception of processed and simple carbs, those should be taken in as small amounts as possible), it’s likely doomed to failure.
Sure they work right off the bat, a lot of diets do. But the failure rate of most diets is around 85-95% if I remember right. UAA “Fitness for Every Body” Bonnie Nygard author. Covert Bailey “Fit or Fat”. www.hussman/eas.com to name a few info cites with info regarding too low an intake of clean carbs.
Carbs, “clean” carbs (such as fruits and whole grains) are necessary for good health. Sorry about the TMI, but I am amazed at anyone who can do the Atkins diet and NOT be severely constipated in a matter of days.
Your body is TELLING you something when this happens. Are you looking to lose fat? Just shape up? Do you have other health concerns other than being overweight?
I’d seriously suggest getting a couple of opinions from Doctors who specialize in fitness. Even GPs aren’t always that aware of the appropriate types of diet and exercise necessary for losing fat, getting in shape, etc.
Some of them still believe in the ancient food pyramid!!!
I wonder why people feel the need to wander into lo-carb threads and tell us stuff which we already know and/or disagree with. CanvasShoes, I’m sure there’s enough lo carb threads you can go and spread your light into without needing to come in here and share your bias.
I’ve been lo carbing since early April. Nary a touch of constipation and I feel great. I don’t know how much I’ve lost as I don’t weigh because that way lies madness for me. I’ve lost inches all over though and the best part is that this WOE is very easy for me which other diets would not be. I’m following the Carb Addicts Diet and it’s working well. Slow gentle weightloss which is sustained.
Well I’m just giving my opinion that it’s getting old to have people tell us what we are doing is Wrong ;). I couldn’t do Weight Watchers if you paid me – there’s no way I’d wander into a thread entitled Weight Watchers? and tell them that the success rates are low and that low calorie low fat diets are doomed to failure.
I’m amused though that the only place I’ve ever seen Body For Life discussed and followed is on the lo carb boards.
CanvasShoes, low glycemic fruit (berries and most melon) and limited whole grains are allowed on Atkins, just not during induction (the first two weeks of the plan). They’re definitely allowed on maintenance, and also allowed during on-going weight loss, provided you can lose weight at the rate you want. Actually, almost anything is technically allowed on maintenace in on occasion except white flour and sugar. Also, lots and lots of high-fiber veggies are allowed on the plan. I’ve actually read the book, followed the weight loss portion of the plan for about a year, lost 60 lbs, and maintained the loss for a year and half. I gained about 10 lbs back last year, but that’s because I went off the plan and went back to some of my old eating habits.
I tried low fat, but wasn’t nearly as successful. It was much more difficult for me to stick to because I wasn’t happy with the food choices and I always felt hungry.
All I have to say is … (well not “all” lol) you can always find a myriad of “evidence” to support any side of any issue. So let’s not turn this into a debate of whether locarb is evil or good. k? LOL
All I wanted to know is if anyone is following a low carb regimine or close to it and if they wanted to share their successes or discuss it.
I started in January and have lost 32 lbs. Husband has lost 36.5. I love not being hungry like I was on the low fat diets I’ve tried. And not always craving food, especially candy and chips/crackers. And not feeling guilty when I eat. And having more energy and not feeling sleepy after I eat a big meal. And so on and so on.
I eat TONS of vegetables, by the way. Unless I’ve run out and not been to the store to get more, I usually eat 3-6 cups of fresh vegetables a day. I also eat a bit of high fiber, low carb bread every now and then and the occasional berry or melon (never have been a big fruit eater). In fact, I’m going to fix a salad for breakfast this morning.
Debate: egg salad on top or chicken salad? Do I want to peel eggs or wait on chicken? I think I’ll do the chicken.
For those eating bread, have you found a lower carb one than “Natural Ovens” Hunger Filler/Right Wheat (they both have 15 carb per slice, 8 once you subract fiber). That’s the lowest I’ve found, and they taste pretty good, too.
It’s odd that my favorite fruits (berries) are the ones that fit in well with this way of eating. For dessert I sometimes have a layer of walnuts, a layer of fresh strawberries, topped with fresh whipped cream. Yummmmm.
I’ve been off the low-carb wagon due to lots of stress in the last year or so, both bad circumstances and health-related. I’m trying to get back on, but it’s been difficult.
This may surpise you. I’ve been doing the low card for better than three weeks. Not only am I not constipated, I haven’t suffered from my usual irritable bowel since the 1st week.
DA - I don’t know what to tell ya. I’m not a morning salad person unless I’ve had too much to drink the night before and I"m feeling ick.
I like to buy chicken breasts, the split ones, inbulk and freeze them on a cookie sheet and then dump them all ina bag so I can just pull out what I want. Actually I do this w/most everything.
I pull them from the freezer, poach two of them. Then after the meat’s shredded, I put in mayo, dijon (or yello), bleu cheese and some sliced almonds. OMG it’s great. Sometimes I add tarragon.
And I just remembered Ididn’t boil any eggs last night. dOH! I’d better get it done before I leave for work at noon.
PQP - I have one slice of the Atkins bread left in my freezer. However I love tortillas and the best I’ve found is Adios Carbs from www.synergydiet.com. My gf made the bread out of Dana Carpender’s 500 Lo Carb Recipes and loves it. I have been told on the LCF site that Cheater’s brand is one of the best out there insofar as breads are concerned.
I originally wanted to do Atkins to lose weight (after much trial and long-term failure with low-fat, low-cal diets), but my doc said no, because my kidney function is impaired. So, I constructed my own diet. I don’t eat refined sugar, white flour, white potatoes or white rice. Nor do I eat dried or canned fruits or drink fruit juice. Other than these things, I eat as much as I want, as long as I only eat when I’m hungry. I also exercise regularly. My last refined sugar was New Year’s Eve last year. Since then, I’ve lost 55 pounds. I love not being hungry all the time, not having cravings, and getting to eat great foods that were definitely a no-no on my low-cal diets.
I know a number of people who have been very successful on Weight Watchers, and good for them! But, I found an old WW card of mine in my purse, and on WW, it took me 14 weeks to lose 17 pounds, whereas in 14 weeks on this plan, I lose about 30 pounds. Also, because WW allows refined carbs, it kept me craving sweets and feeling hungry all the time. I admire people who can eat sweets in moderation, but I’m not one of them!
I’m starting my second week of South Beach. (It’s like Atkins the first two weeks, but without the fun parts–low fat meats and easy on the butter and cheese.) I feel pretty good, for the most part, although I tend to run down a little in the evenings, unless I have an extra snack.
I’ve lost about 3.5 pounds in the first week. I’m not expecting to lose the maximum he promises, because I only need to lose about 20 pounds total.
It hasn’t been too hard to stick to. I plan to cheat at dinner on the 4th, but otherwise I’ve been mostly faithful. I will be glad to get back to having some fruit. I went shopping yesterday and had to pass up the most gorgeous peaches, cherries, fresh figs and so forth.
I think it’s been a mostly healthy change. I’m certainly getting more vegetables than I was before. I also like the fact that it’s pretty easy to eat veggie if you want to, since even the induction weeks allow tofu and most types of beans and lentils.
Julie)