low carb help - Page 3

[Purple Sage]

I believe that weight loss/gain is completely controlled by hormones, specifically insulin. Completely. So I don't think that counting calories is helpful at all with weight loss. I think we often get it backwards with regards to calories....what we eat controls how hungry we get and the cravings we have, not the other way around. A proper diet will not allow someone to overeat, and a diet that raises insulin too much will cause hunger and cravings and overeating.

In Dr. Eades' articles on calories, he said he finds that many people overeat on foods like nuts and cheese - these foods contain carbs and raise insulin. It's not that people are simply overeating calories - they are compelled to overeat because the body is reacting to the carbs, plain and simple.

If you are gaining or not losing weight you need to lose, the culprit will be found in what you eat. You do not have to count calories - just look at the foods you eat that contain carbs and realize that those are the foods that are driving your hunger. The only way to change it is to reduce the carbs. Counting calories won't work...the evidence for that is all around us.

Just my .02

[tolovemercy]

Originally Posted by Purple Sage

I believe that weight loss/gain is completely controlled by hormones, specifically insulin. Completely. So I don't think that counting calories is helpful at all with weight loss. I think we often get it backwards with regards to calories....what we eat controls how hungry we get and the cravings we have, not the other way around. A proper diet will not allow someone to overeat, and a diet that raises insulin too much will cause hunger and cravings and overeating.

In Dr. Eades' articles on calories, he said he finds that many people overeat on foods like nuts and cheese - these foods contain carbs and raise insulin. It's not that people are simply overeating calories - they are compelled to overeat because the body is reacting to the carbs, plain and simple.

If you are gaining or not losing weight you need to lose, the culprit will be found in what you eat. You do not have to count calories - just look at the foods you eat that contain carbs and realize that those are the foods that are driving your hunger. The only way to change it is to reduce the carbs. Counting calories won't work...the evidence for that is all around us.

Just my .02

I agree completely, at least as far as my own weight loss goes. When I was my thinnest (which was, really, too thin), I was eating upwards of 3200 calories a day, all in fats and proteins. At the time, I was 112lbs, having dropped from 130-135 on my 5'6" frame. I am now back closer to my previous weight again, and am hoping to get closer to 125. The calorie stuff had me a bit concerned, actually, until I looked back at my food logs from back when I'd lost that weight. Low carb--regardless of calories--is what works for me. (I went low-carb to treat thrush/yeast problems, btw, not specifically for weight loss.)

[amcal]

Originally Posted by Purple Sage

In Dr. Eades' articles on calories, he said he finds that many people overeat on foods like nuts and cheese - these foods contain carbs and raise insulin. It's not that people are simply overeating calories - they are compelled to overeat because the body is reacting to the carbs, plain and simple.

If you are gaining or not losing weight you need to lose, the culprit will be found in what you eat. You do not have to count calories - just look at the foods you eat that contain carbs and realize that those are the foods that are driving your hunger. The only way to change it is to reduce the carbs. Counting calories won't work...the evidence for that is all around us.

Just my .02

Nuts and cheese are also very calorie dense. Nuts are much higher in carbs than cheese.

I don't think calories are the only thing that count. Far from it. I think carbs count the most. But, I do think calories play a role. A very complex role.

I don't think one can simply say eat all the steak and butter you want and you'll loose weight.

I also don't think you can eat 1500 calories a day of nothing but carbs and loose weight either.

I think there has to be a balance.

The OP is struggling to loose weight and I suggested to her that her calories might be high. I stand by this.

If you're trying to loose weight and you're eating clean, low carb foods yet you're not loosing, you may be eating too much.

Everything is so subjective. What works for one person doesn't always work for another. I've low carbed most of my life and I never loose weight just eating mass quantities of low carb foods. At 40 years old, I have to watch my calories as well. Maybe some people don't have to watch their calories. But, I don't think there is one single prescription for someone struggling to loose weight. It's far too complex for that - everyone's metabolism is different, how everyone responds to calories, carbs, fats etc.. is different.

The OP should try to find what works for her. If eating low carb foods with unrestricted calories works for her than fantastic! I'm thrilled for her. It would never work for me so I'm insanely jealous of those of you who don't have to watch your calories as well as carbs.

But, if she's eating low carb and the weight is not coming off, I would suggest taking a look at calories.

[Purple Sage]

I agree it is very complex, but I would look at eliminating carbs way before I would start counting calories.

For the record, I do think people can lose weight by eating nothing but meat and fat in "unlimited" quantities - the body will self-limit a diet devoid of carbs quite well. But I'm one of those crazy "zero carbers."

[amcal]

Originally Posted by Purple Sage

I agree it is very complex, but I would look at eliminating carbs way before I would start counting calories.

For the record, I do think people can lose weight by eating nothing but meat and fat in "unlimited" quantities - the body will self-limit a diet devoid of carbs quite well. But I'm one of those crazy "zero carbers."

That's my point exactly. The OP said she was low carbing and not loosing weight. If she is low carbing - really low carbing - no cheats - a true diet based on low carb foods - and she's not loosing weight, then my suggestion to her would be to check calories.

And, I agree with you about the zero carbs - it does work. But, personally, I don't think it's healthy and it's a very difficult diet to do long term. I know atkins recommends it for metabolic resistance but even he says not to do it long term. I know there are those that do but, for someone struggling to loose weight, I don't know that extreme diets are the way to go. But, to each their own.

[Purple Sage]

I thought the original Atkins book said that everyone had to find their own level of carb intake where they could eat to satisfaction (i.e. no calorie counting) and lose weight or maintain, as the case may be. That level of carbohydrate will be different for each person, but for some people it will be less than 10 grams a day. The point was that a proper diet will not make you hungrier than you need to be, and there will be no need to count calories because counting calories implies (to me) not eating when you're hungry. But if you can count calories AND not be hungry, then that's great - that means you're eating the right level of carbohydrate for you.

[Vaquitita]

Originally Posted by amcal

That's my point exactly. The OP said she was low carbing and not loosing weight. If she is low carbing - really low carbing - no cheats - a true diet based on low carb foods - and she's not loosing weight, then my suggestion to her would be to check calories.

i'm finding this debate very interesting, thank you.

actually i was not low carbing before i started this thread. carb conscious in my meal choices yes, but totally sabotaging myself with deserts. for 2+ weeks after starting this thread i ate low carb. then a weekend at my inlaws followed by stomach flu and AF, i have eaten more carbs this past week. i weighed myself this morning and, despite all that, have lost 3+ lb. which is a nice prod to get me back on track with low carb.

[amcal]

Originally Posted by Purple Sage

I thought the original Atkins book said that everyone had to find their own level of carb intake where they could eat to satisfaction (i.e. no calorie counting) and lose weight or maintain, as the case may be.

Atkins also said that calories do matter. He said that carbs matter more but, calories do play a role in weight loss.

He also said to eat until satisfied - not gorged. Again, another nod to natural calorie counting. If we eat until just satisfied, we'll eat fewer calories. Additionally, eating fats and protein will lead you to be satisfied much sooner (and on fewer calories) than eating carb laden food.
Also, this is an interesting study:
http://www.temple.edu/temple_times/3-24-05/atkins.html

[Purple Sage]

Originally Posted by amcal

Atkins also said that calories do matter. He said that carbs matter more but, calories do play a role in weight loss.

He also said to eat until satisfied - not gorged. Again, another nod to natural calorie counting. If we eat until just satisfied, we'll eat fewer calories. Additionally, eating fats and protein will lead you to be satisfied much sooner (and on fewer calories) than eating carb laden food.
Also, this is an interesting study:
http://www.temple.edu/temple_times/3-24-05/atkins.html

I agree, and that's the whole point I was getting at - that the diet needs to be one that supplies enough energy - but not too much - AND be satisfying. If there is hunger involved in achieving a healthy weight, then there's something wrong with the content of the diet.

I would also just like to put out there that I am one of those people who has to eat less calories to lose weight when I eat carbs (and I'm hungry the whole time), but I can eat significantly more calories on a very low carb diet and still lose weight without being hungry. So in my experience, a calorie is not a calorie, and counting them won't do me any good. The only thing that works for me is to severely restrict carbs (which I think it very healthy) and listen to my body's hunger/satiety cues. No one ever said gorge yourself.

I just think its fascinating that I could eat 1800 calories of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, beans, potatoes, etc. (when I was low fat vegan), and I would be hungry all the time and not lose an ounce but would gain if I ate more. Now I'm eating at least 2400 calories a day of meat, fat, eggs, and cheese, and I am losing an average of 2 pounds a week. If the weight loss stops, the first things to go will be the cheese and eggs.

I think the book Good Calories, Bad Calories does a great job of explaining what I'm talking about.

[amcal]

It sounds to me like we're arguing the same point.

I completely agree the Gary Taubes book is fantastic. And I absolutely agree that not all calories are equal.

I also agree that it's much easier to loose weight on a low carb diet - you're not hungry and you naturally eat fewer calories. A high carb diet is just a recipe for hunger and over eating.

So, it seems like we completely agree on just about everything.

Again, I repeat my only suggestion to the OP was that if she was eating low carb foods and not loosing, she may be eating too much (read: past her natural satiation point).

But, the OP has come along and said she's not really been eating low carb so, I go back to my point that it will be especially important for her to watch her calories if she's not eating low carb and not loosing.

[Purple Sage]

I think we're on the same page, too...just in a round about kind of way.

[Purple Sage]

I just want to post a link to a new video blog on the calorie issue, for anyone who might be interested. It's on a "zero carb" blog, but it definitely applies to low carbers or anyone else looking to lose weight.

http://blog.zeroinginonhealth.com/?p=1226

The video is a little rough around the edges, but the message is spot on.

[roostery]

subbing, I'm loving the websites! I'm going to try cauliflower pizza tonight.

[Vaquitita]

update: well after tracking my diet for a couple weeks, i got my fat % higher and my carbs lower. my sugar cravings actually went away, i found myself less hungry, and i lost a few pounds (and even before the scale moved i was getting comments). yay. but 2 weeks ago we tore into our kitchen remodel and have no stove so we have been eating tj's frozen meals or take out constantly. i've gained back the pounds i lost and my sugar cravings are back with a vengance! i'm SO discouraged. i feel yucky. and i can tell my kids feel yucky too.

next week i'm taking the kids to a camping/family reunion trip and i'm looking forward to good food again. eggs for breakfast, meat and salad for lunch. if only i can keep from eating other peoples junk. which i'm scared of since my sugar cravings are so bad right now (i ate an icecream drumstick this afternoon! ) i'm thinking i'll bake up a whole bunch of cookies to take with us. they will be much better for us than the junk that will be floating around.

[Vaquitita]

i originally thought we'd only be with out a stove for a week, so i just went with the premade stuff. but now i realize even after the stove is back in, then the sink will be out. so it's going to drag on for a while and i need a strategy to get us eating better! please hit me with your brilliant ideas! i have an oven, a toaster oven and a microwave available. dishes need to be kept to a minimum. but i am thinking i could broil chicken and zukes, burgers (no bun for me) with avocado, buy premade/cooked meat and sprouted bread rather than 'meals'.