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low carb diet question
For any of you who has one hell of a time losing weight, have you had any luck going low carb? I’ don’t want to go Atkins level low carb, but i am trying to lower carbs, and I’m am cutting out starchy food. Anyways, have any if you had luck with this? What did you eat? Obviously i have to exercise as well, and when i can, i do. Since i can’t control migraines interfering with my exercise regime, i can at least try a diet approach.
Anyways, input would be greatly appreciated.
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21 Replies
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I didn’t lower my carbs so much as I increased my protein. I also found that counting calories (I use myfitnesspal.com) is my saving grace. It makes me more aware of what I’m putting in my body. Make sure you are cutting way down on your sodium and sugar intake and drink tons of water.
I don’t deny myself anything. I just eat in moderation (suggested serving sizes) and don’t go over my daily calorie limit I set for myself.
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I’m counting calories too, as well as calories burned. I’m tempted to get a fit-bit. I’ve done calorie counting before and was in the clear calorie-wise, but no weight loss. I am throwing around the idea that I need less carb, more protein to lose weight.
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It is something you have to play around with and see what works. Try cutting out or adding various things for a period of time to see when you feel like you have energy and when you are losing weight. Keep a food journal and make notes. Everyone needs something different. For me, I eat a fairly high carb diet with lots of protein. I do terrible on a low carb diet, but many people do great on them. it takes a lot of time and experimentation to see what works for you. It also helps to work with an RD so you know you are still getting all the necessary nutrients!
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Totally can’t afford an RD right now, unfortunately.
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If you can stick to it and do it right a low carb diet can work really well to lose weight fast. Eat stuff like eggs and bacon or a protein shake for breakfast, salads with low carb dressing for lunch and some type of meat or fish with veggies for dinner. You can have cheese or celery sticks for snacks. There are also tons of low carb recipies online for when you get bored. I’m trying to do it right now. It’s my 2nd day in. You get tired at first then you have lots of energy. Also I no longer have heartburn indigestion or gas. Unfortunately when you cheat or quit the weight comes back on pretty quickly.
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I put on about 40 lbs in a short time “thanks” (no thanks) to medicine. Ugh. I am since off the medication (Yea!) and the weight is slowly coming off. Too slow. Frustrating because I had kept my weight down over the last 15 years. I had exercised like a maniac for a year with very little weight loss. Then, I went to visit my doctor who just happened to lose 55 lbs! I asked her, “what did you do?” She said, “move more, eat less.” Then I spoke with the nurse complaining to her that I exercised every day, worked out at the club, walked, etc. etc. and she said, “it really is more about the calories you take in.” Well, that wasn’t what I wanted to hear, but she was right. I hate counting calories, so I am trying to work on good portion control. I’ve lost 10 lbs. so far. Sugar is my worst enemy. Really packs the pounds on and so does alcohol. I also discovered that when I had a drink, my appetite dramatically increased! Good news! I have recently noticed that the protein shakes I drink after a pole lesson is really curbing my sugar craving.
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I can personally recommend http://www.poletrition.co.uk. It’s an online nutrition plan for pole dancers and I tried about 6 months ago. The results were amazing and it’s totally changed the way I eat. It’s tough though! My advice is to stick with it, feel the benefits and then reassess at the end to see what works for you and what doesn’t (not exactly what they recommend but oh well, I just couldn’t give up milk!). The aim is to focus on “clean eating”. Have a look 🙂
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I have to echo what nverticalspin6498 has suggested…clean eating will help your body achieve its ideal weight while also helping with those migraines. Basically, if it comes out of a box, jar, or can, then its not “clean”. Its really bringing the body back to basics. There’s many extreme approaches to clean eating, and a major proponent of it is Dr. Joel Fuhrman. His book “Eat to Live” (checked it out at the library) explains how/why clean eating benefits the body is so many ways. Weight loss is just a side effect of his approach.
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From personal experience, the paleo diet has changed my life. It ends up being “low carb” simply due to the fact that we do not eat grains or sugars. I do not count calories, track fitness minutes, freak out over my carb counts. I simply eat moderate amounts of meat, lots of fat, and tons of vegetables. I’m in the best shape of my life.
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I should add that I am already eating “clean” so to speak. I haven’t been eating out, I’ve done every diet under the sun for migraines (which are not food related, they are hormonal.) I also cannot afford a diet plan. My dog got a mystery illness, along with my car and my mans car needing major services, AND my computer monitor died…all in one month. I have a lot of bills to pay off right now. 🙁
I’ve eaten vegan, low fat, gluten free, soy free, vegetarian, etc. Low carb is the last option I can think of, that I haven’t tried. That’s really why I am asking for tips on that diet-type in particular.
I have looked at paleo stuff and that is more my goal. I am not eating grains right now, except the occasional quinoa.
I might have to get a protein shake mix. Any suggestion on protein shake brands???
I also need a new blender cuz mine SUCKS!!!
I suppose I should get some bacon…I am guessing 1 or 2 strips of that per day?
I have been eating cheese, veggies, fish, chicken, beans (which I now have carbs but they still have protein), quinoa on occasion (again, I know it’s carb-ey, but still has decent protein), blueberries, cherries, eggs, nuts, the occasional apple or banana.
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I have found low carb effective. Once you get used to eating that way, it’s pretty easy. Here’s a blog that has a lot of south beach recipes. I kinda got in a rut of a chicken breast and a green veggie. She moves beyond that and has a lot of creative recipes.
Every one I have made was very good.
http://www.kalynskitchen.com -
I want to note, I try desperately to exercise when my body lets me. Believe me, it’s an endless frustration. My mind is ready to work out and my body goes NOOOOOPE! Yesterday and the day before, for example. The day before, MIGRAINE, yesterday, HORRIBLE CRAMPS. It doesn’t help that sometimes exercise can trigger a migraine, especially if I can feel the slight beginnings of one.
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Thanks Dani. That is a neat blog!
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Disclaimer: I am a die hard Paleohead. It works for me.
Regarding bacon — treat it as a garnish, not your main source of protein. It must be uncured, sugar-free if you can find it.
You should be eating 1-2 palms of protein per meal. Unfortunately, legumes and grains have proteins that cannot be processed by the body. They are a sub-par choice.
Protein shakes should be used in emergencies only. They are ultra-processed and do not offer the body anything that “real” food cannot.
Please check out Whole30.com or MarksDailyApple.com if you want to learn more about Paleo. It sounds like it could do wonders for your migraines.
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I second everything LauraLish said. I discovered the Whole30 and It Starts With Food in Decemebr 2012 and I have never looked back. Eating paleo has helped me with strength gains in pole that I would have never dreamed of getting in a year. It also makes me feel amazing, look amazing, and I have more energy than I’ve ever had before! I have a pole/paleo blog if you want to check out some of the things I eat 🙂 (http://unlimitedpoletential.com)
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