Do I really have to do low carb? It hate it but can I lose without it? (I'm 54)

[PeachyImpeachment]

There is so much conflicting evidence out there. Someone who has actually reviewed all the research (I have, but have lost the wood for the trees) - will I lose if I cut back with some carbs and nice things, lots of veg and protein, some fat? I'm 54 so it will be hard work whatever I do.

I think so. Carbs are fine in moderation imo. The main thing I think is to find a way forward with healthy eating that is sustainable and I couldn't go no- or even particularly low-carb without being totally miserable! Wouldn't be able to do without bread. I do have a very low sugar diet though.

(Also I'm veggie and there's only so many lentils you can face.)

What I'm doing is trying to have carbs as late in the day as possible, as that's when I crave them most. Realise this contradicts a lot of advice I've read but it works for me.

Nope... it's as simple as calories in vs calories out.

Rest is just marketing.. and it finding what suits your life and pallet .. sure reduce carbs works but, that's because you are usually eating more protein and fat which keeps your more satisfied and doesn't give the same peaks and troughs carbs can so naturally you eat less

But you could also lose weight eating a calorie controlled slice of cake for breakfast lunch and tea.. (think some guy proved his point my eating just twinkies) but a poorly balanced diet obviously isn't best

Lilmiss I'm not sure the rest is just marketing though - there was a Harvard professor who did a meta-analysis and concluded low carb works best due to the whole insulin thing. I hate it though - makes me grouchy.

You could try the body coach diet where you eat carbs on your work out days and low carb on other days?

But to be honest I lost 4 stone and didn't cut out carbs. I just ate 1200 cals a day and exercised 5-6 days a week (Davina DVDs etc) - the days I did exercise I also ate the cals I burnt (so generally 300-350 for a davina dvd of an hour).

If you don't want to low carb, then it won't work for you, whatever the science! (And there is lots of it - it isn't just marketing)

But I'm not sure why it makes you grumpy, when you can eat such a lot of lovely, satiating food.

Being on a low calorie diet makes me miserable, hungry and I hate all the artificial/processed foods that I end up eating.

Read Dr. Jason Fung's book, The Obesity Code. He reviews lots of different ways of eating - he's mainly in favour of low carbing, given insulin resistance/the metabolic syndrome, but ultimately says that all diets work to some degree!

I've been doing slimming world recently and it's working for me! All the pasta and potatoes you like. I'm 46 this year.

Calories in Vs calories out is true. But if you just drop cals and eat a McDonald's every day and that's it, you will lose weight. The different with a high protein diet (whether low carb or low fat) is that it helps to maintain your blood sugar, but more importantly maintains your muscle.
The amount of muscle you carry has a huge effect on body shape and the calories you burn.
My usual advice is choose your protein then have what you fancy with it. Fill up on lots of veg. Frozen, ready prepped, microwave, fresh, whatever you fancy then add a more complex carb - sweet potato, rice, a few oven chips.
The best diet is the one you can maintain.

The best thing you can do is get active. And stop using your age as an excuse.

I can't stick to low carb either. Have started and stopped Biwi's Bootcamp too many times to count! I end up resenting that I can't have a biscuit or something similar and then give in and binge completely.

However I think we generally eat too many carbs so I do try to really limit them. And have healthy whole grain carbs where possible.

I'm doing Weight Watchers at the moment but concentrating on protein, veg, some fruit and some 'good' carbs. Not eating lots of chemically fake sugary crap. I love a biscuit after my lunch with a cuppa. This way I can have a biscuit. Just one. Usually a light digestive or a Nairns fruit oat biscuit.

I can lose sticking to what I call 'no crap carbs'. No white bread, white, pasta or white rice. Sometimes I will have brown rice sometimes cauliflower rice. Sometimes I will have whole wheat pasta or sometime I will have courgetti. Some meals I don't miss carbs at all but mentally telling myself I can't ever have them just doesn't work for me. I just obsess and want them more and binge.

Our modern way of eating is far too heavy on carbs. Most of us not do enjough heavy physical work or exercise to warrant the amount of carbs we consume. We are also exposed to so much processed sugary crap and think it's normal. It's not. Yes we can have a treat. But most of us don't have treats i.e. occasionally. We have what should be a treat every day. That's not a treat. It's habit.

Yeah I have dropped my carbs down and raised my protein this time around. I'm trying to conserve muscle and am doing a fair bit of weight/resistance exercise this time plus a bit of cardio. I'm trying to keep it to 40% protein, 40% carb and 20% fat. Personally I just can't do low carb and I have tried it a few times. Each to their own really, it is not the only way to lose weight. I still eat healthy fat and no low fat crap but I eat a lot of veg and lean meats plus any fish. Today I will have tuna and courgette fritters for breakfast (bit of flour in there so not low carb), moroccan chicken with cous cous and broccoli for lunch and chicken pie (made with filo pastry) and lots of veg for dinner. I'm not exercising today so thats about 1250 cals but the days I do I burn about 400 more (I do an hour of HIIT circuit classes) so will also have another breakfast of an egg with smoked salmon, a snack of homemade mackerel pate with carrot sticks and will have a bit more for dinner (maybe pesto pasta with a small amount of spaghetti and loads of veg mixed in).

ArgyMargy if the OP is 54, then she is either menopausal or perimenopausal, and believe me that really impacts the metabolism. I am 54 next month, and my menopause has really buggered up my weight. I have gained 9 kilos over the last 6 years, and I can assure you I am more active now than I was 6 years ago. I bike 25km a week, and walk every day for 2 hours with the dog. In fact, I'm on the bike every day, as I don't have a car (I live in the Netherlands). It's pretty disheartening when you gain weight, and you know you're doing mostly the right things to lose it, but it's making no difference. OP let me know what works as I haven't got a clue what else to do short of liposuction or stapling my mouth shut.

Chinup its not inevitable. I'm 53 and weigh less than I did pre-menopause. I don't diet but I am active and try to eat & drink sensibly. Not restrictively. If you don't have health issues constraining you, age by itself shouldn't lead to weight gain. If you are less active and continue to eat the same, you will put on weight.

I calorie count. I find I eat less carbs because protein keeps me fuller for longer so I use my calories for protein. I wouldn't say I'm low carbing. I've had carbs with every meal. Just less of them!

Argy - I think it is inevitable for some people (or maybe you have a greater understanding of the science behind it than chinup and me). I'm not using age as an excuse.

Chinup thanks! I see lots of people my age and weight on dog walks too - so much for exercise.

BIWI - thanks. I think it's my brain chemistry - I just feel wrong without carbs emotionally. I don't crave them, I feel low. Also I know there is a relationship between carbs and serotonin production.

Thanks everyone else too.