OT: an update on the not dieting thing

Back in December I posted this
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....of-dieting

Well the friend referred to has now lost 8 kilos and is feeling wonderful. I am still tempted by this diet, although it is completely the opposite of what I usually eat and espouse (it is very high protein, low carb).
Anyway I have decided to give myself 6 weeks to lose the 2 kilos (5pounds?) to get myself to the weight closer to what I have been most of my adult life using slow methods that have worked in the past
-no sugar on my cereal or sugary snacking
-no evening snacks
-limiting carbs just slightly (ie 2 weetbix at Breakfast, 2 slice of bread at lunch 1 cup pasta/rice at tea - bit more if it is the main focus of the meal - this may sounds like heaps for many people but is actually cutting down for me!)
- fancy desserts/baking only once a week maximum

If this doesn't work (I am already exercising nearly as much as my family and body can take!) I may be tempted to follow my friends path. Hopefully not though.

16 years ago

Becky

Veteran

Anne, I'm not a diet expert, but I've read a lot of places that the low carb/high protein diets can be unhealthy because they place a lot of stress on your liver and kidneys. How about focusing on increasing your intake of fruits and veggies (should be easier in the season you're in now) and letting that food crowd out some of the carbs?

rute

Well it depends, on what you eat with the carbs you mentioned, if you eat at lunch, 1 cup of rice, a small piece of chicken and lots of vegetables, its an healthy meal, but I know that are diets who prescribe great amounts of proteins and that can be a problem as becky said. But to give an opinion we must know the rest of the menus

chewyspaghetti

Why don't you just track your calories for a while?

RoseandJoan

Honestly Anne, from your other post about naps I would be worried about your energy levels if you drastically altered your diet, You have a beautiful figure please do not jeopardise your health for the sake of a couple of pounds.

Louise

Watch out for smelly breath too! My BF tried a high protein diet and had the most awful breath i could barely face him talking to me! x

Sarah

(website)

LIke I posted in the last thread, this type of diet concerns me a lot.
If you really think you need to lose weight, try eating clean for awhile. But like the others said, don't do anything drastic. It's not healthy. You may get thinner, but you won't be any healthier.

marianna

Anne, low carb diets are for those with a lot of weight to lose, or medical problems like diabetes or PCOS. I don't think it's necessarily the right move for you. It also will not help with your lethargy --- when I did low carb years ago I was constantly tied and lacked any energy. You won't be able to chase your babies without proper energy!

Also, I lost 60 pounds when I did low carb, but I gained it all back the moment I started eating bread, etc again. Not the best move. It's not a permanent solution.

cciele

This might sound odd, but you might want to up your fat calories; it will help you feel fuller and you won't feel like snacking.

I think everyone has a different metabolic requirement as far as the macronutrient ratios go. My body does really well on a diet that's about 50% fat, 35% protein, and 15% carb; my bloodwork is all with normal ranges, my weight is steady, and my general mood good (unless I don't get enough sleep!).

A good book to read about the history and science of the high vs. low carb movements is "Good Calories, Bad Calories" by Gary Taubes.

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

To be honest I think that your plan of slightly altering your diet is a good one. One of the ways I lost weight was to halve the sugar I use in tea and coffee.

I think that it is recommended that you eat 6 servings of carbs a day. I would make sure that you are eating 5 servings of fruit and veg a day as well. A serving is the size of your closed fist.

Christie

Active Member

I think as long as you're getting 25-30 grams of good carbs per meal (whole grains, rice, beans) in addition to quality proteins and real fats like butter or olive oil, and unlimited veggies, you'll be okay.

Cutting out the useless carbs like sugars and snack foods ... go for it! A few years ago, I lost 5 lbs in one month just eliminating one soda a day.

AlexSue

I've used weight watchers in the past and it's worked well for me... basically, it encourages eating more fiber and a moderately low-cal diet. I find that I need structure to lose weight, but you may be fine just making small changes. Also, exercise (cardio for weight-loss, strength training for toning) helps a ton (and then you can eat more! haha).

Ah, I just read your previous post. You sound quite slim and active already!

Steph

Hi Anne! My boyfriend has been on a high protein/low carb diet for about seven years now (he needs to do so because he has a lot of stomach/intestinal issues), so I have a good amount of experience with it. From what you have said about your weight, what you currently eat, and only needing to lose 4.4 pounds (one kilo is 2.2 pounds), I don't think you need to switch to a low carb diet.

In your current diet it sounds like you eat cereal, bread for sandwiches, rice/pasta and snacks regularly. It also sounds like you bake/eat desserts, and are planning to cut that down. If you go low-carb, you will have to give up all of the above completely, in addition to any sugar (including alcohol) and fruits. I think that a lot of people end up losing a lot when they go low-carb because they don't feel like they have any options, so they just don't eat much food at all.

If it were me, I would not alter your diet so drastically when you have such a small amount of weight to lose. It sounds like there are things in your current diet that you can cut more easily. The biggest danger with a low-carb diet is not doing it properly. That is, some people just cut out a few carbs, but not the large majority (on the first two weeks of Atkins and South Beach, which are the most common low-carb diet, the dieter can only eat 20 carbs a day), but they still increase their protein and fat intake. When that happens, they end up gaining weight, because they haven't really cut the carbs. So unless you really want to cut out all carbs, sugar, and fruit, I would recommend just cutting out the extras you mentioned.

Also, it sounded from your original post that although you are at the upper end of your weight range, you were generally happy with the way you look. Don't let the fact that your friend is losing so easily make you feel less secure about yourself. I don't know if that's what is going on or not, but I just thought I would throw it out there.

Maya

Hmm, perhaps it's just me, but I fear you are going a tad overboard in pursuit of losing a very negligible amount of weight. Cut out the bad stuff, sure, but I don't think you need to do more exercise or go on a cardboard diet to lose 5 pounds. You may be thinner and you may not be, but you probably won't be a whole lot healthier.

It seems like perhaps you are letting your friend's success influence you too much? Ask yourself if you would have gone to this extent if you didn't know her or know she was on a diet.

I think it's good that you are trying to eat better, but if that doesn't work, then I think you need to accept that your current weight is the right weight for you.

anne

Okay guys. I am totally convinced now!

As I have said I have always had some serious concerns about these diets - in addition to ones you have brought up, there is the ethical/environmental angle - and the financial. For our family of 5 food/groceries rivals rent as our biggest expense and as a fairly frugal person I try not to serve too much meat. We keep hens (in Aus "chooks") so we have plenty of eggs!

I think my small changes are having an effect already. I"ll let you know.

Thanks everyone!

Category