It's pretty much up to you where you put your calories if your goal is weightloss alone. You can put them into fats, protein or carbs.
For me, I keep my calories about 20% below maintenance and try to put most into protein and fats, especially essential fats (e.g. omega 3s). I focus a lot on protein also as it helps me feel fuller for longer. The residual goes into carbs.
You do need minimums of protein and (essential) fats to stay healthy. And carbs too if you are athletic and wish to perform.
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I will soon be celebrating 10 years on Atkins I've lost over 100 lbs and have maintained the loss.
Before I began Atkins, I read the book and I decided this was a plan I could do for the rest of my life. I think that is the key, YOU need to find something YOU know YOU will do for a lifetime.
Atkins is not for everyone but, for me, it has literally changed my life and I am very happy I made the best decision I could almost 10 years ago!
All the best to you!
No doubt the low-carbers will all chime in with their support. To me the book sounds like just one more cog in the revolving wheel of diet books and theories. I don't believe in the set point notion to begin with -- I'm with those who posit a lifestyle "settling point" instead -- and nothing in my personal eating or dieting experience gives me any reason to vilify carbs.
F.
I have changed to nearly always quantifying what I do personally as saying "no sugar and no grains". I certainly do eat "carbs" but personally I do have to vilify sugar and starches and, because of all I have read about the attributes of today's grains, those, too. Bottom line is it's a matter of finding out what works for you and being open minded about it.
Protein is what keeps me sated so I start with that. If I start with and concentrate on grains, I will be constantly be hungry and there's no way I can sustain that. Giving up sugar should be self explanatory even to the "low fat-ists". The reliance on grain carbs is something that, IMO, should concern everybody but that's none of my business.
Last edited by Mad Donnelly; 01-22-2014 at 12:17 AM.
I have changed to nearly always quantifying what I do personally as saying "no sugar and no grains". I certainly do eat "carbs" but personally I do have to vilify sugar and starches and, because of all I have read about the attributes of today's grains, those, too. Bottom line is it's a matter of finding out what works for you and being open minded about it.
Protein is what keeps me sated so I start with that. If I start with and concentrate on grains, I will be constantly be hungry and there's no way I can sustain that. Giving up sugar should be self explanatory even to the "low fat-ists". The reliance on grain carbs is something that, IMO, should concern everybody but that's none of my business.
My plan right now is this: lose the weight with a strict ketogenic diet (<20g carbs per day). Once I hit my goal weight I plan to stick to a whole foods "lowish" carb diet where counting isn't required- cutting out grains, dairy, processed foods, added sugars, etc and eating meats, tons of veggies, some fruit, etc. You could call it paleo but I don't like the term because I think the paleo philosophy is deeply flawed.
I think it's impossible and ultimately not healthy to stay on strict ketogenic diets forever; certainly there have been no long term human studies on it. It is my hope that the short term ketogenic diet will improve insulin and leptin sensitivity and also give me time to learn to eat more intuitively and foster patterns of behavior that are different than those that promoted obesity.
I went back to low carb and I'm losing again. I've carefully researched and played around with my carb levels to find what I maintain at and what I feel good at. I will be low carb for life.
THANK YOU Jane. I have a similar metabolism to you, and I have come to this conclusion, too. Not all fat people have to do this, but some of us do. It's nice to know I am not alone.
I've lost over 100 lbs and have maintained the loss.
