# Low carb diet for 4 weeks - Anyone care to join me? \[Continung discussion\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 10, 2018, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913 "2018-05-10T11:21:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/241 "2018-06-07T12:49:32Z")
> [@Cartooniverse](#): > > Yes, I clearly need to do a much better job of checking account on everything including all of the vegetables I am eating. I’m not giving up - I’m determined to make this work in the Long Haul. But it sure is frustrating! > > ( Candied Yams are a vegetable !!) I’m not in it for the weight loss, I’m in maintenance mode, but I do intermittent fasting (18/6) plus a ketogenic diet. If I mess up on the ketogenic diet the 18 hour fast helps me get back on track quickly, and if I mess up on the IF the ketogenic diet keeps me from going too far astray. As long as I don’t screw them both up on the same day I’m usually golden. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/242 "2018-06-07T14:05:28Z")
I am down twenty pounds now, but definitely losing steam, so starting the transition into a less restrictive mode. Yesterday I had two pieces of whole wheat toast with breakfast, and it helped my mood enormously. There’s a reason “Skinny B\*\*\*\*” is such a common insult; hunger makes you tetchy. 😉 Three tblsp of Bob’s 10 grain mix each night before bed has helped immensely. On the days I have skipped it, or not eaten all of it, I’m a complete mess the following day. I think I need to sprinkle a bit more whole grain through the day. And I plan to slightly increase calories over the next week to slow down the weight loss. Twenty pounds is a lovely start, but for me that’s only one third of the way there, so I’ve got to get into something more sustainable - also less expensive. Salmon or shrimp for breakfast is an excellent protein boost, with very low iron, but I just can’t afford to keep doing it daily. > [@China\_Guy](#): > > . . . > Anyone else kinda revolted by food? Most items are just not appealing to eat. I’m eating bigger portions as the days go by though, so maybe it’s just the first few days? I’m not into a big steak or a pound of bacon for breakfast. Today I had a slice of bacon for breakfast, some leaf veggies and chicken at lunch, and then shrimp and eel for dinner. I have found cheddar cheese to be palatable for small snacks, > . . . I overdid the chicken breast the first two weeks, and now the thought of it revolts me. Which is super strange because it’s one of my favorite foods. I have found that a very small apple with the meal cuts through the fat and cleanses the palate between bites. The same with bites of raw celery. I don’t particularly like celery, but it works wonders in helping the meal stay appealing. Meanwhile, I find myself craving ground beef, when ground meat of any sort usually has me fighting my gorge all through dinner. > [@SmartAleq](#): > > . . . but what I’m really appreciating is a distinct lack of heartburn (haven’t had a Tums since I cut the carbs out) and a really good energy level with less joint pain and stiffness. > . . . I’m actually having a lot of trouble with reflux. Without starch in there to thicken the mix, my stomach is full of highly liquid acid and protein which comes up easily. I have to be strictly upright for at least an hour after every meal. It’s a First World problem, but I sure would like to be able to recline or even go to bed after eating. No way. Oat bran tablets are a big help. > [@Cartooniverse](#): > > Discouraged as all hell. Cannot figure out what I did to get out of ketosis but I’ve been out for the last couple of days. I’m up four pounds. ☹ [www.cronometer.com](http://www.cronometer.com) It’s the free diet hacker tool of your dreams. Enter everything you eat in the course of your day and you will know precisely what is occurring. If you see that your carbs were higher than expected, you can mouse over the measurement and it will show what percentage of that came from which foods. You may also notice chronic deficits which are causing your cravings. Good luck everyone! And thanks for letting me ramble, it helps a great deal. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/243 "2018-06-07T14:51:13Z")
For me as well. The stomach acid issues dropped to zero once I cut out the sugars. Even if I eat spicy foods I have no problem at all with it. Thank you for this link I will l ```auto ``` ook into it and try to maintain lower carb vegetables everyday. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/244 "2018-06-07T17:35:30Z")
Regarding the carbs in veggies, keep in mind it’s NET carbs you’re concerned with–the fiber in the veg is a carb but doesn’t count. So while cucumbers may have carbs in, if you’re eating the skin (which you should, so buy the unwaxed English variety) it’s less than it seems. I watched a very good BBC documentary, “The Truth About Carbs” and it was quite illuminating–might be able to stream it with a VPN but it’s definitely worth the time to catch it. Great explanations, and some empirical evidence that’s absolutely amazing. > **[BBC One - The Truth About..., Carbs](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b5y6c0)** > > Dr Xand van Tulleken explores possible negative effects of carbohydrates on health. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/245 "2018-06-07T18:51:39Z")
> [@Cartooniverse](#): > > Discouraged as all hell. Cannot figure out what I did to get out of ketosis but I’ve been out for the last couple of days. I’m up four pounds. ☹ I know what I did, but I’m there with you. I’m up 3. I’ve started back on the plan and intend to keep pushing forward. I hit some personal life stressors and made some bad food choices. The good thing about this thread is that I remembered something someone had posted earlier about if you do well, then good, you keep going, if you don’t do well, then you just try harder. For some reason, that’s been resonating for me. Would anyone like to participate in a monthly weight loss thread? I’d like to continue after **MMM** ’s excellent thread winds down. I need to keep going a lot longer than 1 month. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/246 "2018-06-07T22:52:04Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > Would anyone like to participate in a monthly weight loss thread? I’d like to continue after **MMM** ’s excellent thread winds down. I need to keep going a lot longer than 1 month. Despite the thread title, I have no intention of stopping on June 11. I still have miles to go before I cheat (heh), but on several random occasions today this thought crossed my mind: “I feel pretty good”. So yes to the new thread. You can drive that bus, but I’ll be aboard. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/247 "2018-06-07T23:44:48Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Despite the thread title, I have no intention of stopping on June 11. > > I still have miles to go before I cheat (heh), but on several random occasions today this thought crossed my mind: “I feel pretty good”. > > So yes to the new thread. You can drive that bus, but I’ll be aboard. > mmm Cool beans. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2018, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/248 "2018-06-08T04:35:07Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I’m wearing my new 501s and size-smaller shirt today. 🙂 Yeah, those new smaller jeans… They’re kind of loose. Down about 38 pounds this morning. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2018, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/249 "2018-06-08T06:38:20Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Yeah, those new smaller jeans… They’re kind of loose. Down about 38 pounds this morning. Dang Johnny, you’re half the man you used to be! ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2018, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/250 "2018-06-08T12:28:54Z")
For those struggling to figure out where they might be getting more carbs than intended, try weighing your food rather than eyeballing it, if you don’t already. You’ll get a better idea of what you’re eating. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2018, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/251 "2018-06-08T21:27:02Z")
I’m struggling to keep my carbs low because summer fruits are my favorite. But I am managing to stay away from processed carbs and really starchy vegetables. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2018, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/252 "2018-06-08T22:48:47Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > I’m struggling to keep my carbs low because summer fruits are my favorite. But I am managing to stay away from processed carbs and really starchy vegetables. I hear you. When summer tomato season rolls around I don’t think I’ll be able to contain myself. I look forward to it like a kid looks forward to an annual trip to Disney. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2018, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/253 "2018-06-09T00:30:08Z")
**scootergirl** broke the 130 barrier! She is looking great, and I can feel her ribs! Don’t worry about those tomatoes! Eat every one you see! I, on the other hand, am having a hard time keeping my weight up. Beer is supposed to be good for weight gain, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2018, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/254 "2018-06-09T00:58:45Z")
To keep my type-II diabetes under control, I’ve been on a strict low-carb diet for 20 weeks today. The first three days I had a carb hangover so bad I was bedridden, then I got better. If I stay _completely_ away from carbs, I don’t miss them, and my blood glucose stays in the 90-100 range without medication. Started at 280 pounds, now down to 240. Waist from 50+" to 46". Still a long ways to go to be where the height-weight charts say I should be, but if my weight loss could be compared to walking from Miami to Seattle, I’m currently somewhere in Missouri. I eat an amount of fat that would have once sickened me, but since it’s having to stand in completely for carbs it just gets burned off. My go-to foods are cream-and-water cocoa with no-cal sweetener; bacon; canned tuna in oil; deep-fried veggies; cheese; cheap non-lean hamburger; and turkey legs or thighs. Dessert is a measured amount of walnuts. I could barely shuffle a few blocks when I started, now I walk 40-50 minutes on average five times a week. I sincerely believe that I am a human version of what horse breeders call an [Easy Keeper](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easy_keeper). Someone whose metabolism is geared to gaining weight when high-density carbs are available and losing weight when they’re not. Sort of “berry season vs. winter”. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2018, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/255 "2018-06-09T04:48:31Z")
Nice job Lumpy. I just got back from almost 2 weeks in Asia where I kept on diet and hit the gym hard 3x. My home scale shows I lost more weight, but my benchmark is to use the scale at the gym after I’ve done an hour either rowing or on the elliptical in my birthday suit. So, I’m confident I’m under my 170 goal, but will check in tomorrow with my official weight ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2018, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/256 "2018-06-09T05:22:12Z")
> [@Arrendajo](#): > > I, on the other hand, am having a hard time keeping my weight up. Beer is supposed to be good for weight gain, isn’t it? :mad: You’re supposed to be cheering us on, not depressing us. ☹ Good job **Lumpy**! ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2018, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/257 "2018-06-09T10:40:34Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > To keep my type-II diabetes under control, I’ve been on a strict low-carb diet for 20 weeks today. The first three days I had a carb hangover so bad I was bedridden, then I got better. If I stay _completely_ away from carbs, I don’t miss them, and my blood glucose stays in the 90-100 range without medication. Started at 280 pounds, now down to 240. Waist from 50+" to 46". Still a long ways to go to be where the height-weight charts say I should be, but if my weight loss could be compared to walking from Miami to Seattle, I’m currently somewhere in Missouri. > > I eat an amount of fat that would have once sickened me, but since it’s having to stand in completely for carbs it just gets burned off. My go-to foods are cream-and-water cocoa with no-cal sweetener; bacon; canned tuna in oil; deep-fried veggies; cheese; cheap non-lean hamburger; and turkey legs or thighs. Dessert is a measured amount of walnuts. > > I could barely shuffle a few blocks when I started, now I walk 40-50 minutes on average five times a week. > > I sincerely believe that I am a human version of what horse breeders call an [Easy Keeper](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easy_keeper). Someone whose metabolism is geared to gaining weight when high-density carbs are available and losing weight when they’re not. Sort of “berry season vs. winter”. Welcome, and way to go, Lumpy! You and I are very similar (except that I don’t have 'beetus). > [@China\_Guy](#): > > …my benchmark is to use the scale at the gym after I’ve done an hour either rowing or on the elliptical in my birthday suit. I hope you give the machines a wipe-down when you’re done. mmm ---
**Author:** ![scootergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@scootergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scootergirl)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2018, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/258 "2018-06-09T18:50:35Z")
I vacillate between being a breakfast person and not. I know that it’s an important meal. Whether I eat before work depends on time available in the morning and on how I feel - sometimes I’m just not hungry for anything. If I don’t eat breakfast I usually will go until my break time or lunch time without something substantial. Essentially intermitting fasting. I have found this week that doing so really boosts my weight loss. I’m down almost 10lbs now. Unlike others who have been melting at a much more rapid pace, mine is coming off slowly. I started on April 5th. It has taken me just over two months to lose this weight. Congrats to all of you! OK, back to work and my chicken curry with cashews salad. YUM! ---
**Author:** ![scootergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@scootergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scootergirl)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2018, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/259 "2018-06-09T18:53:16Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > I’m struggling to keep my carbs low because summer fruits are my favorite. But I am managing to stay away from processed carbs and really starchy vegetables. Good plan. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2018, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913/260 "2018-06-09T20:23:16Z")
I’m back in the zone, and have started losing again. Yay! Should I start a thread for the rest of June on Monday, or should we just continue this one until July? Actually, I’m wondering if we should do a weekly thread, with a topic for each week. I have one for next week. We can rotate if other people have topics, or I can keep starting them. I would guess the topic will only last a day or two, and then we’ll get back to encouraging each other and taking notes on progress. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-carb-diet-for-4-weeks-anyone-care-to-join-me-continung-discussion/813913.md?page=14)