Low carb success.

[Christmassss]

My New Year’s resolution was to lose weight. I finally got my act together when I started to eat a lot less carbs in July and since then my weight has dropped from
89 kilos to 71 kilos. I literally can’t believe it, I’ve lost 20% of my body weight and have been really enjoying the Christmas season going out and wearing lots of sparkles.

That's fabulous!!

Well done that's brilliant! I'd be interested in what kind of meals you ate - especially breakfast. I feel less hunger on low carb but can't stick to it as get uninspired on how to put a meal together minus carbs. Cheers for any advice you'd be happy to share on how you succeeded.

That's great, well done.
May I ask a typical day's menu ? Is it keto or low carb ( are they the same ?).
I've tried keto a few times but can't sustain it. I last about 5 days !
I love low carb recipes ( on here, on you tube for example), but I've found I start to not look forward to my meals.

@cissyandbessy I felt less hunger, too. I think that was the problem - I no longer looked forward to eating. And I found that depressing!
My sugar cravings definitely disappeared though and my tummy was flatter after a few days. I'd love to give it another go, but need to get over this hurdle.
Only yesterday, I made parmesan crisps with a vat load of parmesan my dsis didn't want. They're absolutely delicious - I'd rather eat them than a bag of crisps.

This is a typical day. I didn’t follow a plan such as Keto, I made up my own plan.

Breakfast, smoothie made with high protein yogurt and three or four types of fruit.

lunch, a massive salad with about 6 types of salad and protein such as tuna, salmon, prawns, occasionally ham and a small amount of cheese.

Dinner protein such as chicken and veg or eggs with veg and ham or salmon.

One low calorie hot chocolate.

After about 4 months I mixed it up some days and had a very late lunch at about 3.30/4 and then no dinner but maybe something such as a small bowl of olives and nuts.

I have now reintroduced bread and I am still losing weight.

I continued to eat out at least once a week and have been on three holidays including two cruise since I started.

Just lately I haven’t fancied the smoothie so have a brunch of eggs, tomatoes and ham or salmon.

think that was the problem - I no longer looked forward to eating. And I found that depressing!

I found the opposite, I look forward to my smoked salmon, prawns etc.

@Christmassss thanks for your post.

On paper, it suits me because it's all the food I love. And I don't have a sweet tooth. And, I only eat brunch - 11am, then tea, 3pm, and I'm usually OK.
I'd have omelette ( ham, prawn, cheese) and tea any meat / seafood, veg / salad I love.
I should give it another go, I think.
At present, I'm losing a pound a week ( past 8 weeks), but I fancy a change.
Oh, do you drink alcohol ?

Thanks, again - I'm going to give it another go in 2024, if anyone wants to join me ?

Oh, do you drink alcohol ?

I drink the equivalent of a bottle of Prosecco over the course of a month when I am at home. I do go away a lot and I then drink one to three drinks a night.
One pound a week loss is good.

That's really helpful @Christmassss thanks for sharing. I agree @Amdone123 I just lost interest after a bit eating similarly and also got lazy with all the salad chopping and prep. Am going to have to start again seriously after Xmas as am gradually gaining again and am at my heaviest ever - so yes am up for a fresh start. I do feel sluggish and knackered and really do want to get back to it. I'm impressed with your resolve @Christmassss enjoy your festivities feeling lighter and wearing all the sparkly things!

@cissyandbessy well, have a fresh start in the new year. We could be accountable on here - post our weights ( if you want), and food plans. I don't mind the preparation, I like being in the kitchen. Sunday is a good day to spend a couple of hours in the kitchen.
When I first started keto, I made a list of all the foods I like, then based my meals around that. I quite enjoyed it - really not sure why I 'failed'. Though, in retrospect, I may have been too strict. So, low carb, instead of keto.

I make a roast dinner and just eat the meat, lots of veg, gravy and maybe just one potato.

If I cook spaghetti and meatballs I’ll eat the meatballs, ragu sauce and then a dish of mushrooms and peppers.

Similar with chicken fajitas, I don’t eat the wraps but have the meat, salsa, onions and peppers.

Fish I’ll have with a few types of veg.

I really do concentrate on all the tasty food I can eat and try and view pasta, rice, potatoes etc as boring food that I don’t miss.

If I get hungry I say to myself ‘body if you are genuinely hungry then work out how to get some energy from the fat on my ass’ which is what it seem to be doing.

Good luck everyone.

🤣🤣🤣
Interesting about hunger. Listening to a nutritionist a while back and she said if you think you're hungry then have a chicken salad instead of a Mars bar.
You'll soon know if you're 'hungry' or not.
It really stuck with me.

Am Up for that @Amdone123 - have a bit of time off work post Xmas so will spend some of it planning properly and persuading myself that Sundays are food prep day. And also speaking to my body about getting it together and using the plentifully available fat already there - love that @Christmassss

Great !
I don't really like starting any plan on the 1st Jan as yes, we need preparation time. And all the rubbish is still in the cupboards, so maybe Monday, 8th Jan.
In the meantime, have a lovely Christmas and a very positive and healthy New year. ❤️

Hi @Christmassss @Sunseed @cissyandbessy , happy new year !

I should think @Christmassss is still doing low carb ? Wondering if anyone else wants to start?

I'm doing well overall, but I'm still hovering around 13st, and I know 7lbs will make a big difference to how I look and feel.
I'm hoping to start this Sunday.
I'm on a strict budget ( spent too much at Christmas), so I need to make a list, but I'm keeping it simple.

Brunch - omelette, ham, bacon, cheese or egg and avocado mayo in lettuce cups.
Tea - any meat, any veg / salad.

Water, water....and wine on Fridays.

Anyone want to accompany me ?

Me

I've a posh dress to get into in 6 weeks

@Tilllly great.
When can you start ?
How much do you want to lose ?
6 weeks is a great period of time, I think.

Today, now

I think half a stone would do it

@Tilllly that's a great, realistic target 🎯
You can do that.

I need to focus on this properly too, starting today.
I have 4 stones to lose (just over 14st now) but probably ought to break this down into smaller chunks so I stay motivated.
Alcohol is my downfall..... it frequently leads to a bowl of crisps and more.
And I don't drink enough water throughout the day.

@Sunseed yes, definitely break it into smaller chunks, say half a stone a time.
Alcohol is my downfall, too, but I've been quite good just drinking on a Friday. I don't eat when I'm drinking but the next day, I eat enough to feed a small family. So, for me, it's hangover I try to avoid as I lose weight through the week, then it's back on.
Do you drink spirits ? I wish I enjoyed them, but I don't. You can get low carb wine though. And champagne is low carb but as I'm on a budget that won't be happening any time soon.
Oh, I just made parmesan crisps - they are no carb and much nicer than crisps.

Some of the drinking is just habit and ought to be replaced with fizzy water or similar at that time of day (i.e. it's 6pm and I'm having a break between work and starting to cook dinner). I do drink gin and vodka but prefer white wine.

Really it needs a major mind shift that I don't need alcohol at all.

Definitely. It is just a habit.
Join our Moderating thread if you want. It's really supportive.

I had smoothie for breakfast

Turkey and olive salad for lunch

Mackerel fillet, green beans and 100g of new potatoes for dinner

I know that's carbs but starting steady

Now to avoid a glass of wine

That sounds lovely. Good idea with the new potatoes.
Good luck regarding the wine !