that carbs make me fat!
I dont know why, but I am starting to believe that carbs are the devil, and that without them I can weight less.

I have been thinking a lot about Atkins. I know I cant really rely on doing Atkins as it is said because I develop cholesterol easily, but I can just have tons of proteins and cut all carbs.

Just wanted to share what I feel!

Refined carbs are the enemy. They provide nothing but calories and a blood sugar surge.

If you don't want to drastically cut carbs long term, you might want to try South Beach. It focuses on healthy eating with good carbs. When you first start out you can't have breads, rice, fruit, or some vegetables, but that phase lasts only 2 weeks, then you start adding back in the things you couldn't have the first two weeks and seeing how they affect you.

For a comparison between Atkins and South Beach, please look at this link: http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=92524

I don't know much about Atkins, only enough to know I can't do it. But I thought telling you about South Beach might give you some more options. I'm on it because of high triglycerides and insulin resistance, and I need to control the amount and type of carbs I consume.

Good luck whatever you choose. And I'm sure someone else will be able to tell you about other programs that might work for what you are looking for. I pretty much only know what hasn't worked for me, and a little about things I thought about trying.

I did strict Atkins for awhile, lost some weight, but then started to feel really unhealthy in general, so I went back to including carbs. While I gained when I did that, it was short-lived. I felt better because of it. However, I am type 2 diabetic, so I still limit my carbs somewhat, like under 180gm/day. I eat more like a South Beach diet and try to limit fats to less than 80 gm/day, from a very short list. I make sure to get good fats, like from avocado or nuts, and olive oil every day. I banished the butter and dairy, as well as all refined carbs and as many processed foods as possible.

I'm fortunate in that I may be big, but my cholesterol is downright sexy...the one thing that genetics got right for me! So I do indulge in red meat once or twice a week. But I always choose grass-fed beef, bison or lamb. And I never eat processed meats, with the exception of uncured turkey bacon. And even that is only once a week.

The veggies I eat are more of the fibrous sort, like tomatoes, asparagus, beans, greens, etc. I don't eat a lot of fruit, because sugar is still sugar. One apple a day, maybe, or a grapefruit. I eat a lot of veggies.

Just making those changes led to a 45 lbs. loss for me. And I've kept it off for over a year.

Georgia

I am not following any plan, just heatly foods and calorie counting. I was eating alot of fruit and really didnt lose much weight. I cut out the fruit for a couple of days and Voila! down 5 lbs in 2 days. I guess you just have to find out what is right for you.

Atkins when done correctly is a great plan, my DH has been on it for years (he's on maintenance). He eats very lean meats, 1-2 oz of cheese a day, loads of veggies, low carb bread (a slice or 2) and his blood work is great. Before he started atkins his cholesterol was horrible, I mean horrible. BUT !! everyone is different so you might want to ask your doctor what is best for you.

Good luck with what ever you choose to do we're behind you !!!!

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Haha, you shouldn't say carbs are the devil... they're necessary for proper brain function! The devil is overindulgence, just as you can't blame money for man's corruption.

Low carb diets are like the garden of Eden, with a tree of chocolate bars and cake. Ignore that inner snake and enjoy the garden around you!

I limit myself to no more than 15 carbs per meal and no sugar,flour, bread, potatoes, or pasta.

and most of the time I am way under the 15

I feel the same way. My body does not lose weight just by cutting calories! I need to limit the carbs. I lost most of my weight by counting calories. And it did work for a while. Then I hit a plateau.

I exercise regularly and am currently doing P90X. I have been at a plateau for 4 months. I just lowered my carb intake and I've lost 3.5 pounds in a week! Thats so great for me. Finally I found what I needed to keep going.

Not everyone is the same. I know people who eat carbs at every meal. Oatmeal for breakfast, rice or a pasta dish for lunch, and something similar for dinner. They are skinny and healthy. If I did that I would stay at the same weight and I would feel a little puffy. I wouldn't gain but I don't lose. I know I won't eat like this forever but I need to stick with eating just protein, veggies, eggwhite, milk and nuts as long as I'm losing. I'm not following any plan and to tell you the truth I haven't really been keeping track of or counting my carbs. I just know what makes me gain.

Try starting out eating less carbs and see how your body reacts. If you lose then keep going! Good Luck!

I posed this question in another thread, where they were discussing calories vs. carbs.

my take is that some people can not eat carbs. and Iam really wondering is this a metabolic issue relating to

people who were thin as children but put on weight over a few years? (can lose cutting just calories)

Or Is there something going on with people who have been overweight all their lives? (can not lose w/o cutting carbs)?

like myself, I see pics of myself from 1st grade- I was overweight then, sure I've dieted down to a still overweight range but smaller.. but never got to what is considered "normal weight"

I've come to the realization that I even have to limit "good carbs".

I also believe that persons who have been overweight since childhood have an issue processing carbs and its not just a question of exercise and cutting calories