Plain old calorie counting

[AccidentallyWesAnderson]

I need to lose the 2 stone I put on during and after lockdown to feel back to 'me'. I'm only 5'3 and every pound of it shows. I can't fit into any of my clothes blah blah.

I have only successfully lost weight on a low carb diet 10 years ago (I'm 40). Since then I've tried many times to get back on the low carb diet wagon but can't seem to stick it for more than a fortnight. I've joined threads on here, I understand the science and how it works, I think I'm insulin resistant as all my weight is round my middle amongst other things. Admittedly it's the first and only diet I first tried.

Cutting out a whole group just doesn't work for me now. I'm in a fairly new relationship and it makes eating out a nightmare so I'm thinking just counting calories so that I can eat anything within reason.

Has anyone given up low carb to just calorie count and successfully lost weight? I have it in my head that carbs are the enemy!

I also lost lots of weight previously with low carb / keto but tried again recently and it just didn't seem to work. So I started to calorie count and keep carbs low within that and it has worked for me.

I keep carbs sub 50g per day. That's still pretty restrictive I appreciate. Basically I don't think I'd be losing if I wasn't calorie counting as I think with low carb alone I somehow was letting the calories creep up too much (lots of dairy for example).

Hope that helps a bit!

Yes absolutely. But, I find myself eating way more protein in order to feel full in a calorie deficit so it has kind of became naturally lower carb over time. I have in the past lost loads of weigh eating McDonald’s and one chocolate bar a day (when I was young and daft) because it was around 1400 calories a day. Calorie counting definitely works.

Good point about protein @Yessha. I'm the same, try to keep protein above 100g and use it for satiety to avoid the carbs a bit.

The only thing that works for me is to be consistent on my fitness Pal
I'm 5'3 and am now 122lbs - I lost about 10lbs in the last 4 months
I eat about 1500 calories a day and make sure to eat at least 100g of protein

I am 42 and lost 40lbs whilst I was 41 via intermittent fasting and eating more protein and cutting out carbs. I also recorded and weighed my portions. Intermittent fasting I ate breakfast late like 10 or 11 am and had my dinner at 3 or 4 pm and ate nothing after that. I had green tea if I was hungry or just wanted something during the fasting stage.

Eating dinner earlier and not eating anything after your last dinner really does help.

There are still carbs in the other food we eat so just cut out bread, rice, potatoes unless sweet potatoes. Eat more fiber and protein and fat. Just cut the carbs out.

Also weigh yourself regularly in the day. It will help you decide whether you should have a little cheeky snack or not.

Also reduce calories and try and eat about 800 to 900 calories a day. Look up Michael Moseley.

Try reducing calories to about 1500 first then to 1250 if you cannot go right down to 800 calories day.

My stomach shrank so I could eat 800 calories a day or omad diet (one meal a day) and still be full.

Lots of positive stories then counting calories! I think I'd be kidding myself if I thought I didn't have to lower the carbs in some way or another. I'm going to try and do intermittent fasting as I don't mind eating only twice a day and never feel the need to snack after dinner.

I actually have all the Fast800 recipe books so will need to try and revisit them.

Thanks all.

This is good advice. The Fast 800 (or fast 1000 or fast 1200... ) is a really good basic principle which, when combined with calorie counting, can help most people lose weight.
I eat out frequently but find it relatively easy to order low-ish carb food (that is, avoiding potatoes, pasta, rice, bread etc.) and instead opting for meat and fish with lots of veggies. It's helpful that most chain restaurants now have the calorie info on the menu but regardless I always try to have a look at a restaurant's menu in advance to see what's on offer. I do sometimes order two starters instead of main - or a starter plus a side salad or two to get all the veggies and protein/fat and less of the carbs.
It's also worth working out your basal metabolic rate (BMR; there are various calculators online) so you can understand what sort of calorie deficit you need to achieve to lose 0.5kg or 1kg a week.
Finally, I use My Fitness Pal to log what I'm eating and to try to ensure I keep my carbs under around 50g a day and that I'm hitting my macro- and micro-nutrient goals. That way, I'm much more inclined to choose nutritious foods.
Good luck!

I calorie count. It's the only way I can keep track of my intake properly.

I keep protein up and eat lots of non starchy veg which provides carbs.

I try to keep simple carbs for occasional treats, and find it doesn't take much to increase my weight!

I use Fitness Pal so I can keep track of nutrients. They're really important to me.

I did start MM's 800 calorie diet, but I do a fair bit of exercise so upped it to 1300-1400 after a bit of experimentation, and am currently very well nourished and losing.

I think the trick with low calorie diets is to not waste calories on starches and simple carbs, otherwise you won't get enough nutrients to stay healthy.