not sure what to do with this diet

[mrsbadonkadonk]

I've heard a number of stories of people who did low carb diets then when stopping it put all the weight back on and more. Would that still be the case if you went from a low carb diet to a low calorie/fat one?
I'm asking as I really want to kick start my weight loss, and I think low carbing will do that, but can't face the thought of doing it long term. Will I be wasting my time? Has anyone got any experience of dieting this way?

Anyone?

I'd cut back on carbs but not bother to cut them out altogether. I found cutting out bread alone really helped kick start my diet, but still eating small amounts of pasta. I ate things like bean salads and hearty soups instead of sandwiches for lunch.
I'm back on bread now, but have lost 2 stone, and still slowly working on losing another stone.

Hmmm, I do try to cut back on my carbs (processed ones) but I really don't think a low carb/low fat/low cal ANYTHING is sustainable. As you have said yourself the low carbers put it all on again.

Instead of thinking in terms of low this or low that, try and think natural healthy food with no crap and no snacking. Then its a lifestyle choice rather than a 'diet' which has to end sometime.

Do you exercise?

I have an exercise bike that I do half hour or so 3 or 4 times a week. I have a holiday looming in July hence the sudden panic to shift some of the weight.

I agree with cyb. If you look at the stats, any diet has around a 98% fail rate...meaning that most people end up putting the weight back on. It's all about small portions, eating only when you are hungry, and stopping when you are satisfied (not stuffed). If you follow that, and stick to healthier portions, you shouldn't have an issue shifting the weight.

Thanks for the reply and chops well done on the 2 stone loss.
I know its a lifestyle change otherwise I will keep repeating the losing it/ putting it all back on cycle. I just wanted a miracle fix for my hols!

i do agree it is about an overall lifestyle change - once you've lost the weight, so i understand the need to kick-start weight-loss when you are overweight with a diet where you feel in control of your relationship with food.

it's great to eat 'healthy' portion sizes etc when you are the weight you want to be as you generally will have a more positive outlook on yourself, your body and your food, so it's not as difficult to do this. but the reason you (and me!) are overweight in the first place and not happy is that portion sizes are not currently healthy nor is the food, so i find it a bit frustrating when people just say oh, diets are bad, just don't eat as much. it's not that simple otherwise nobody would be overweight! so yes, people go on diets and then revert to their bad habits and put on the weight they lost, but the trick is to NOT go back to old habits once you have reached a weight you are happy at.

phew, didn't mean to write so much, but there you go, just my opinion.

FWIW, i am currently low carbing, as I have 3 stone to lose, and I'm pleasantly surprised with the fact that you generally do lose all your snacking and (most importantly for me) sugar cravings very quickly due to your insulin being so stabilised on the high protein foods you're eating which makes sticking to it longer term - if you have lots of weight to lose like me - more manageable. Plus, you don't feel like you're on a 'restrictive' diet because if you're ever hungry, you eat until you are satisfied, just as long as it's protein.