Please tell me I don't have to "no carb" to lose weight!

[classifiedinformation]

I could not bear the thought of having no cereal and basically eating eggs and meat most of the time to end up being thinner but having clogged up arteries instead!

Please share your "normal" low fat diets with me, want to lose at least a stone. Thanks. :-)

[Sleepwhenidie]

Oh - Fat is definitely not the enemy! Trans-fats are evil but most of the time you are much better off choosing the full fat, natural option than the mucked about with, sugar/chemical loaded "low fat" one.

[countryhousehotel]

classifiedinformation the thing is, you'll never stick to something you don't enjoy. So don't bother with low-carb if it sounds unappealing (there are many different versions of low-carb by the way). You should start reducing your consumption of processed, refined food especially if it's full of unhealthy fats and refined sugars. That means no sugary breakfast cereals even so-called healthy ones like Special K. That stuff is crap.

You could try looking up the 5:2 diet threads, that might be more your thing? Although I am slightly depressed by the number of people who follow that but still eat ready meals and processed rubbish, instead try to stick to healthy fruits, veggies, lean protein, wholegrains and healthy fats like avocado and nuts that can help you lose weight.

One thing that has really helped me is to work out the number of calories my body needs to remain at its current weight (use an online calculator, try googling TDEE calculator which stands for Total Daily Energy Expenditure). Then to lose weight, you should aim to eat around 500 calories a day LESS than that every day. You'll be surprised how many calories you can eat and still lose weight. I like it because I'm trying to eat up to a certain number, not stick to something ridiculously low. My daily calorie goal is around 2,100 (which is 500 less than my TDEE) - and I've lost 11 pounds in 3 weeks with that approach. Track your food on MyFitnessPal or one of the other free online trackers. I like MFP because the database seems to be really comprehensive and I can usually find everything in there, or a near enough alternative, and as a last resort it's very easy to add food yourself.

[Fairygen]

South beach diet is another stupidly high in protein and fats

[50shadesofvomit]

I went lower carb, more veg and lost weight. (Sugar is not really a problem for me but I love carbs) If I want sugary stuff like cake I'll eat it but stick to half a slice of cake or one biscuit or whatever amount that keeps me satisfied.

My Fitness Pal and more exercise worked for me too.

[teaandthorazine]

Well, I'd agree with you about Dukan, it is revolting (and very restrictive) but not because its low carb, more that its also low-fat, so imo the worst of all possible worlds! Atkins, yes it does focus a lot on meat, but you are required to eat veg too, every day! I think original Atkins is considered a bit old fashioned these days anyway...

A quick look at the Bootcamp recipe thread should disabuse you of any 'meat and eggs' based prejudices

[chocoluvva]

If you cut out refined carbs you'll be fine, ie refined sugar, anything made from white flour, white rice, most breakfast cereals except shredded wheat and porridge oats. Have boiled potatoes and sweet potatoes, but only in moderation. Substitute white rice for long-grain, brown basmati rice and substitute pasta for wholewheat pasta in moderation.

Eat loads and loads of salad, veg and soup (provided you don't add a lot of milk to it).

[KatoPotato]

I've lost just over 4 stone by calorie counting using myfitnesspal and exercising. 1200 per day of whatever I fancy! It can be done.

I just couldn't low carb. I love fruit and oatcakes and pasta too much!

[HeySoulSister]

Paleo anyone?

I've switched to that from low carb...

[classifiedinformation]

Cathan, thanks for the info, but I do not really not believe it despite all the scientific facts provided. My father had a heart attack about 3 yrs back and pretty much most of the food you are allowed on the low carb diet were banned for him by medical professionals.

His cholesterol has gone down massively, as has his blood pressure and weight. He is healthier than me now!

I ask for advice because I know I need to be doing more than I am and have no willpower, but I am fed up with the stock answer of "no carbs".

Am going through all the replies now. Thanks ladies. X

[classifiedinformation]

I only eat cereals that have no sugar and I add Agave syrup.

[classifiedinformation]

Ok, I can see what one poster meant about evangeical beliefs about different diets.

These are my problems, I don't have the time (or inclination) to cook breakfast in the morning. Getting my 8yr old and 2yr old ready for the school run does not allow for cooking.

My partner and kids would not react well on a low carb lifestyle plan, and I don't want to be cooking two meals each night, esp as my dd is a very picky eater.

Also I bake, I love baking (although I don't eat the product of my labours very often) and I would feel a little bit of a hypocrite baking cakes whilst advocating not eating them.

And addicted or not, I like carbs. I am teetotal and I don't smoke, so I guess they are my vice. :-(. I'm doomed!

[BsshBossh]

classified if you don't fancy cutting down on carbs why not just do it the old-fashioned way and count calories. You'll not necessarily have to do it for a long time - just enough for you to learn what a normal size portion should be. You can combine it with basic, common sense eating - lots of vegetables, unadulterated foods (Google "clean eating" for ideas) - if you prefer.

I've lost over 4 stones since early last year and to be honest it's been very easy as I could still eat pizza, bread with butter, full-fat yoghurts, olive oil on salads, ice cream etc - just a little less of it. Not excluding anything and eating in moderation has meant my "diet" and weightloss has been totally sustainable. I've never felt deprived.

Last year I didn't exercise but just monitored my calories in MyFitnessPal. I ate loads (around 1800-2000 cals) but just under what I needed to eat so I lost the lbs (I came to my calorie total using a TDEE calculator online - you can Google this).

By the end of last year I'd learned what normal portion sizes were so didn't need to calorie count. This year I started 5:2 fasting to lose the last of the weight (and for health benefits). Am now at goal weight (but still losing a bit and now am exercising 5 times a week).

There are so many ways to lose weight so take your time to explore all the threads on here. Do whatever suits you best. Best of luck!

[classifiedinformation]

Thanks Bsssh. Have read books on the 5:2 diet and am very interested in trying it. What and when do you eat on your fast days? Also how do you get past the hunger pangs?

[classifiedinformation]

Forgot to add, I rarely eat potatoes as my dd hates most forms of them. :-)

[BsshBossh]

classified I tend to eat only a single meal on my fast days as I like to eat dinner with my husband - 500 cals makes for a normal portion dinner. I don't tend to get hungry during the day nowadays (not even when dishing out snacks and meals to my DD) because I'm used to fasting now. But if I feel hungry I just shrug and say, I'll eat later. It just takes a bit of self-discipline really. I drink loads of water and that helps with any hunger. Other fasters eat three small meals throughout the day (take a look through the threads for ideas) eg soup, small salads, boiled eggs.

The thing is, you only have to fast for two days of the week. The rest of the time you eat normally (though you can't overeat). It makes it really easy for me as I can have a normal eating life for the majority of the time.

I lose 1 lb a week fasting but truly it's the health benefits that have made me stick with it. There's a lot of science arond supporting occasional fasting.

[Fairygen]

Have you tried Paul McKenna's I can make you thin? It's more about when you eat rather than what. It teaches you to listen to your body and only eat when you are hungry and stop when you are full. He also does the hypnotic gastric band, which I tried with great success.

[eslteacher]

Aside from whether its healthier or not, I just don't want to drastically cut carbs either, because good bread and good pasta are lovely foods and I cannot envision living my whole life barely eating them.

I've hopped on board with my fitness pal OP, and if you don't want to cut out/drastically reduce any major food groups I'd recommend this approach. Its really helping me be more aware of what I eat and how calorific certain foods are that I wouldn't have imagined as being so. Encourages me to exercise too.

I'd also recommend getting a few weightloss oriented cookbooks, like Hairy Dieters and Fat Girl Slim. Good for inspiration for low cal meals but still 'proper' food.

[classifiedinformation]

That's very helpful Riverboat, thank you. I have heard of MFP, but have so far never used it. I will have a look when I get home from work tonight.

I'm also just about to sign up for paying monthly for unlimited swims at my local leisure centre and I have stopped using the car to go into town etc, so I walk alot more now.

I think it's more a lifestyle change that I need rather than just my eating habits. All these replies have been invaluable, so thank you everyone.

[BsshBossh]

Great stuff classifed. An accumulation of litte changes amount to a lot. Swimming, walking more, eating less but enjoying your food, getting active playing with the DCs - will all add up. You're right to focus on overall lifestyle rather than just one or two things.

[BetsyBell]

classified Just to second my virtual 5:2 fasting buddy bsshbossh's vote for 5:2 - I've been doing it since mid Jan, with a break for a holiday over Easter, and found it to be the easiest way to lose weight I've ever encountered. I would also entirely agree with countryhousehotel that it's pointless to do it if you just want to eat junk on the non-fast days, I can't honestly see the health advantages of doing that, even if it does work, but it does allow you to eat big occasion meals without stress that you're breaking a diet, and have breaks for holidays etc.

I've never felt better than when doing 5:2 but I did having spent a good 18 months retraining my eating habits towards the healthy and nutritious, cutting the 'treats' way down and taking up decent exercise so I wonder if you might be best looking at My Fitness Pal and working with that before embarking on fasting? 5:2 is a great accompaniment to an all round healthy lifestyle which essentially means, eat less and move around more. The great thing about something like My Fitness Pal or just a simple exercise and food diary, is it makes you really aware of what you're putting into your body and as a result of that you're less likely, or at least will think twice, before buying that pack of crisps or biscuits.

Good luck! There's some great advice on here

[classifiedinformation]

Thanks Bssh and Betsy. I have started on MFP today so hopefully that will give me a kickstart.

I generally don't eat lots of junk, I only have take out occaisionally and never anywhere like McDonalds, Burgerking, KFC (although we do take dc to MDs or Pizza Hut as a treat during school holidays, but I rarely have anything).

My biggest weaknesses are biscuits, chocolate and cake, however I usually have a max of 2 biscuits a day and when I bake a cake I only ever have one piece then leave the rest for the family.

Also I am ok eating veg as I love it, but too much fruit can cause a problem for me as I have IBS. I also have cut out fruit juices after seeing a tv programme that illustrated how much sugar (natural) they contain !

Hopefully I will now be able to fine tune my eating habits and up my water intake.

[soontobeslendergirl]

well done classified!! I bought Freddo bars and those 20p cadbury chocolate bars as I still like a proper chocolate hit - they are both about the 100 odd calorie mark so I can squeeze one in most days :o

Other tips I have been given are to slice up a milky way and freeze it and it takes ages to eat and also to freeze curly wurlys, again they take ages to eat for around 100 calories.

Fruit is higher in calories than veg so I tend to fill up on veg. I have honestly not found it too hard and I am a chocoholic. weigh in this morning was another 2lbs lost so that is two stone since January. Sometimes I have struggled to actually finish my dinner! I made cottage pie one night and had weighed and calorie counted it all out - I just about couldn't lift the plate!

Good luck with it :)

[soontobeslendergirl]

...nothing needs to be boring, remember that spice is a dieters friend!

[toomuchtoask]

OP - If you don't want to low carb then slimming world might be for you. I lost 4 stone on it (lost motivation while travelling and put it all back on but it does work if you have the motivation to maintain it).

I am currently low carbing and it is working. However I am not so 'carbs are the enemy' as people seem to be on here. Personally I don't think low carbing is possible as a long term solution. A few months - yes. A lifetime - no. To never have a meal out without worrying about what you'll eat. To never have a takeaway. To never eat a bar of chocolate or having to limit fruit. ummmm... I am however grateful for the advice I've had on here and it is working. I am just not quite as pro low carbs as some.