Belly Fat Cure?

[allgirls]

Is anyone familiar with it? It's a "cut the sugar/lower the carbs" program.

I bought the book and it's a bit "diety" but definitely health I think.

It runs off the premise that sugars spike the insulin levels which creates cravings/hungers.

After a week I am not craving carbs/sugar as much so that much is true so far.

The book has some great recipes. Unlike the usual low carb programs it can be vegetarian-ized.

I'm very wary of diets.

Anybody have an opinion?

Allgirls

[allgirls]

bump

[Violet2]

Well I think low carb is the best way to eat, however you do it. So I have nothing but a biased opinion for you. Sorry.

Truthfully, if you want a belly fat cure and are not just trying to lose weight in general, try green tea. There was a really neat double blind study last year that found green tea helped melt belly fat by 45%--you can read it for free on Medscape. I did it for a short time and found it worked, but couldn't keep up with the tea consumption.

Recently, Consumer Labs tested a bunch of green tea supplements and identified which ones actually contain the ingredients they say they do, so you can now take a supplement vs. drinking all that tea.

V

[NoraC]

Do you know if decaf green tea will work on belly fat? I think 5 - 8 cups of green tea with caf would be too much for me. will have to check out that article.

[Violet2]

Yes decaf can work but it's better to make your own and it's what Dr. Weil recommends. Caffeine is very water soluble. So... get a high quality green tea. Soak it briefly for about 1-2 minutes. Toss the tea and 90% of the caffeine with it. Rebrew and drink your decaf.

Some of the supplements are low caffeine too.

There's more info here and here.

Joining medscape is free and I like to read the studies there. Nothing is ever guaranteed, but the downside of green tea consumption is minimal. It can't hurt and it didn't, kwim? But caffeine can be a concern.
V

[allgirls]

Oh I already drink lots of green tea and I'm not actually worried about the belly fat so much as the idea of less than 15 g of sugar(all sugar not just refined) and lower carbohydrate etc.

My sugar cravings have gone after two weeks and now I have a smaller appetite overall.

I'm eating high quality foods, I'm vegetarian so lots of beans etc.

So far I'm finding it pretty easy to do..it feels natural and it's really easy once you know sugar/carb quality. Let's see if it's just a honey moon phase..it definitely doesn't feel "diety".

[NoraC]

Thank you Violet2 for the info.

[Violet2]

Originally Posted by allgirls

Oh I already drink lots of green tea and I'm not actually worried about the belly fat so much as the idea of less than 15 g of sugar(all sugar not just refined) and lower carbohydrate etc.

My sugar cravings have gone after two weeks and now I have a smaller appetite overall.

I'm eating high quality foods, I'm vegetarian so lots of beans etc.

So far I'm finding it pretty easy to do..it feels natural and it's really easy once you know sugar/carb quality. Let's see if it's just a honey moon phase..it definitely doesn't feel "diety".

If it helps your resolve, there was some literature that came out last week that blood sugar feeds cancer. High blood sugar, even if normal, can let cancer grow.

If you want a more technical view of low carb/low sugar, I highly recommend Garry Taubes' Good Calories Bad Calories.
V

[allgirls]

Originally Posted by Violet2

If it helps your resolve, there was some literature that came out last week that blood sugar feeds cancer. High blood sugar, even if normal, can let cancer grow.

If you want a more technical view of low carb/low sugar, I highly recommend Garry Taubes' Good Calories Bad Calories.
V

Thanks Violet. Yes..that does help

I`m still below 15g per day and lost 2.5 lbs in the first 6 days...considering how much food I feel I`m eating I`m amazed at that.

Again...I`m not concerned so much about the weight as the health aspects...reading literature all over about this and the science does seem to support the idea.

[Violet2]

If you are below 15g total carbs a day consider some magnesium, calcium and potassium supplements. And salt your food. Very low carb can upset electrolyte balance.

A lot of people complain with VLC plans that they feel like crap and it's because they don't supplement properly.

ETA: It was an endocrinologist that introduced me to LC, if that helps too.

ETA2: There's a free detailed recap of Good Calories Bad Calories here.

v

[Cheshire]

We're giving it a go. Been eating his recipes for two weeks and I'm eating carbs, just the good kind (complex, whole grain with little sugar/corn syrup in them). I don't think of his diet as that low carb because I'm eating a lot more breads and pasta than I used to.

I do feel like I'm eating a lot. I'm not counting all of the carbs/sugars as he suggests in the book, just watching my portions and have had my cheat moments.

I don't feel deprived. I feel better than I used to. DH has lost 10 pounds and at least an inch. Me, 5 pounds and no inches. I just want to be healthier and so we're not looking at it like a diet but it is just a new lifestyle for us to watch our sugar intake more closely.

I think the book is a great jumping off point.

[allgirls]

I am cutting sugar to less than 15g per day, not over all carbohydrates. I eat whole wheat bread, pasta and vegetables every day in moderation.

I always salt my food with sea salt and I take an iodine supplement.

I have no deficiencies, no health issues beyond premenopause symptoms

I would like to to lose weight..but it`s not my priority, though that`s a fun side effect.

I have an immune system that rocks.

I am simply trying to avoid the sugar diabetes that seems to suddenly be rocking my cousins..the ones my age in particular and even younger.

And I just feel that sugar is bad for you..and your body can`t tell if the simple sugar is from an orange or a coca cola, it`s metabolized the same.

[allgirls]

Originally Posted by Cheshire

We're giving it a go. Been eating his recipes for two weeks and I'm eating carbs, just the good kind (complex, whole grain with little sugar/corn syrup in them). I don't think of his diet as that low carb because I'm eating a lot more breads and pasta than I used to.

I do feel like I'm eating a lot. I'm not counting all of the carbs/sugars as he suggests in the book, just watching my portions and have had my cheat moments.

I don't feel deprived. I feel better than I used to. DH has lost 10 pounds and at least an inch. Me, 5 pounds and no inches. I just want to be healthier and so we're not looking at it like a diet but it is just a new lifestyle for us to watch our sugar intake more closely.

I think the book is a great jumping off point.

I`ve re-jigged the recipes a bit(I`m veg) but I lost 2.5lbs the first 6 days..I haven`t measured yet. It`s surprisingly simple..check the label, how much sugar..if it`s a fruit or veg check the little book...

I was shocked at how the milk goes...from 1g sugar in half&half to 15 or something in 2%milk..so now I`m putting cream in my morning coffee instead of sugar and when I run out I`ll get full fat.

I don`t miss fruit..wasn`t a big eater of it, had already given up the artificial sweeteners but the local convenience store recently started stocking a stevia sweetened drink so I have that as an occasional treat.

I have NO sugar cravings though I was pms until today(now I`m current ms lol) and I was at my daughter`s bakery and was tempted by a lemon thing but I resisted...omgoodness...normally I would have eaten a cake by now. I`m very impressed but wary...

It certainly doesn`t feel like I`m on a diet and I am never hungry or craving..it`s rather odd...I almost feel `normal`

[Violet2]

If I am being good on LC, I could bathe in cake and cookies and ice cream and not care. Totally do not care. It may as well be ashes.That's what happens when the crap sugar is out of your system.

V

[allgirls]

So I weighed today..down 6.4 lbs in 2 weeks..well actually it's been 12 days. It's a little much but I feel good and as though I'm eating well. It's odd, there is nothing diety at all about this. I don't count, journal etc...just read labels and keep it really low in the sugar. My carbs are all high quality and I'm not craving anything. I made chocolate chip cookies for a kid event and didn't taste it at all and the jar is full of the extras and I could NOT be bothered. And is here so that makes it even stranger.

And I didn't have to buy any odd or strange foods

I will keep you posted!

[allgirls]

down 8 in 3 weeks with little effort

I'm very surprised at this..I eat a lot of whole fat foods etc. Dark chocolate, wine and well, I'm never hungry..had a craving for bread the other night(ovulation) and ate two pieces...there was no sugar and I hadn't eaten any carbs all day. I didn't die

I'm enjoying the videos as well..really thought provoking

I feel great..so on we go!

[425lisamarie]

Good for you It's so great to find something that works for YOU, and that you feel satisfied and accomplished.

[allgirls]

Thank you

I feel great right now

I was expecting it to be harder somehow

[allgirls]

Today was 4 weeks and I was weighed and measured at the gym.

Down another 3.4 lbs for a total of 10(wait..the math doesn't work..I think it's 11 but she said 10 and I didn't question it)

Total of 11 inches lost including 2 off my waist and 2 off my bust!

I'm thrilled particularly considering how easy this has been!



Oh..yeah..and my period started today and no significant fluid retention and almost zero pms!!! I had lost track of the days and it snuck up on me!

[glorio]

Wow, allgirls! That's awesome! Congrats!

I am also following this plan, and loving it. Over a month ago before hearing of The Belly Fat Cure, I resolved to get back to a more healthy lifestyle. I've gained about 60 pounds in the last year

Well, I started out by cutting sweets and Coke Zero and my weight loss was really sluggish. After reading about the BFC and wrestling with the idea of cutting my fruit intake, I went for it. I still eat berries daily, and tiny portions of high fructose fruits, and am very satisfied with the reast of my diet- lots of beans, avacados, nutes, Ezekial sprouted breads, salads, veggies, eggs, some lovely dark chocolate as you mentioned, etc. I am never hungry- and I lost 2.9 pounds the first 6 days!


I'm excited to hear that this way of eating seems to be helping you avoid pms/ water retention. I always have bad symptoms related to my cycle, so I am hoping to see improvements! My digestive system is definately feeling more regular, and I've noticed cutting the sugar has improved some of my fatigue. (I'm hoping walking and wii fit will help with this too)

I'd be interested in hearing some of your meals if you feel like sharing. I use some ideas from Jorge's book, but mostly think of my own that meet the 15/6 guidlines.