Carb cutting....

This week I am going to experiment with my carbs. I have read some posts where people are complaining that alcohol inhibits progress, or that they cannot lose weight, and then seeing that they are eating tons of fruit, pasta and simple carbohydrates...and not much protein. I think that it makes sense that weight loss doesn't happen under those cicumstances. The body turns carbs into sugars, the sugars are quick energy...if the body is under a certain caloric limit, of course the body uses the simplest form of calories to store for later. Unfortunately, also what happens is that the body starts using your muscles for protein..because those who are hitting the carbs hard and not getting enough protien will be using their own bodies protein to keep things going (our brains, and other parts need a certain balance of carbs, protein and fats to keep going) And since we ARE so wonderfully made, the human bod does what it can to survive. I hate to think that when I am trying so hard to lose weight, my body is storing some of the carb intake and therefore hindering my weight loss. When I read that a fellow CC'er ate four pieces of fruit a day, two servings of pasta, cereal and pretzels..and did not care for meat...and only lost 2 pounds in a month (which must be a huge bummer when you are "behaving")...it made perfect sense! Didn't Robert De Niro eat HUGE plates of pasta to bulk up for a boxing movie that he made years ago? (I think he had to gain lots of weight)

As for alcohol, same thing. I think I lost the first chunk of weight partially because I stopped drinking entirely. It's all sugar! And the body finds energy in carb form easier to store...bummer. So for me, no alcohol...(I credit the alcohol to a good share of my weight gain this past year) Easy on the carbs and I am upping my green veggies and protein. I am also going to hit my weights more and concentrate a bit less on the cardio.  I think when one is "stuck" and not making progress, you have to look at what you EAT...when I went back to Bally's and talked to one of the trainers there, he told me a huge part of weight loss is the food...excersize is important for your heart health..and toning and a general sense of well being also..but if the intake is wrong or ineffective, you can't make progress. So, I will give this a week or two, and see if this rev's up my loss...I am sure ready to toss my "fat pants"...I am so tired of wearing them !

I hear ya about the fat pants, same here! I also decided that I was going to try for a couple of weeks eating the same amount of calories, only less carbs and more protein. I am still on the first week so I will let you know how it goes.

yea i know i was eating a lot of carbs, i haven't been tracking long enough to determine any weight loss yet, but i know that one way i was able to cut my calories was by eating much more protein and less carbs because if i eat carbs i'm hungry again very quickly and if i eat protein i'm full much longer... so i'm just plainly not as hungry as i was.  i'm definately still eating carbs, but less than i was and "better" carbs at that. 

Original Post by jmc1221:

 i know that one way i was able to cut my calories was by eating much more protein and less carbs because if i eat carbs i'm hungry again very quickly and if i eat protein i'm full much longer

I, too, find that protein helps satiety.  I cut carbs (simple, refined) and have to add in lean protein in order to not experience the hunger.

You are absolutely right!  Same here.  I'm trying months and months with no results.  I have been exercising and definetely cut down on the calories a lot which I thought is never going to happen since I was so used to eat big meals but I still eat carbs and a lot of white bread or pasta or rice etc.  I'm going to do exactly the same as you.  Still maintain the calories but cut the carbs as much as possible.  I am so tired of this. 

I'll start NOW and I'll let you know next Friday how is going.... I like this.

I think it is true that to lose weight you need to cut out the REFINED CARBS...ie anything that is not whole wheat or is overly processed. I think it is important to remember though that carbohydrates are essential for brain function and that if you take your carbohydrate intake too low you won't just be losing fat but muscle as well. A diet I have found effective has been the "zone" or "formula" diet: 30% fat, 30% protein, 40% carbohydrates.....very balanced

I really don't think I have ever heard that cutting carbs to a lower degree eats muscle...I know if you starve yourself you body uses the protein in your muscles for brain function....for the bodies base needs. When you cut carbs...all carbs it kicks your body into "ketosis" and you start to use the stored fat as energy (much like when you fast you go into ketosis, your breath smells funky, and you lose weight at a fast rate) You also can get headaches and pretty grumpy from that stage. (Not what I want, or need...) I just see people here who are being good...counting their calories...yet eating pretzels, lots of fruit and bread and cereals and the scale doesnt move. ( I know also that alcohol stops my own weight loss in its tracks) Lowering carbs is not the same as cutting them out entirely...and we that are looking for a substantial weight loss..(and some of us with bad carb habits) do better this way.

Refined carbs are my diet killers.  Pasta is the worst becuase I love it sooooo much. When my pasta addiction gets the best of me I struggle just to maintain, but I can eat the same amount of calories in fruits and veggies and lose weight at a steady rate. 

Refined carbs are my diet killers.  Pasta is the worst becuase I love it sooooo much. When my pasta addiction gets the best of me I struggle just to maintain, but I can eat the same amount of calories in fruits and veggies and lose weight at a steady rate.