Originally Posted by Jacqui_D (Post 5258022)

This thread is for carb-sensitive dieters who are following various low-, slow- or moderate-carb diet plans. Come join us, posting as much or as little as you like, as we share our diet plans, menus, recipes, exercise, daily progress, and healthy tips, and chat, inspire, motivate, and encourage each other! Please let us know what carb-conscious plan you are following, even if it's your own individual plan, and we will do our best to support you!

As for me, I am doing a modified version of Tim Ferriss's Slow Carb Diet. I like it because I never feel "starved" (as I always have while dieting in the past) and that's because I no longer experience daily blood sugar spikes and drops due to quick-burning, high glycemic index carbs. I also never feel deprived because this diet includes one day each week when I can eat ANY foods I want. And although exercise is recommended, it is not required. I'm not much of an exerciser, although I am getting better, but I try at least to walk for 20-30 minutes each day. The Slow Carb Diet is not for everyone though. Everybody's different!

The gist of the actual Tim Ferriss Slow Carb Diet is: For 6 days of the week, eat lean, preferably organic meats and fish/seafood, eggs, legumes, and non-starchy veggies. (Sugar-free Jello, 16 oz. of diet soda per day, and 1-2 glasses of red wine per day are also allowed.) On these 6 days, avoid breads/grains, dairy (except for cottage cheese), pasta, fruits (except for tomatoes and avocados), sweets, and starchy vegetables. The 7th day of the week (you choose the day) is a "cheat day," when you can eat anything at all as much as you want, including anything on the forbidden list. The cheat day is recommended to keep you from feeling deprived so you'll stay on the diet and to shake up your metabolism each week to keep it from stalling. Ferriss recommends eating 20 grams of protein with each meal, eating 30-60 minutes within waking up in the morning, eating the same meals over and over, having five low-carb days before taking a cheat day, and some other fine details, which I don't really know because I haven't read his book, The Four Hour Body, nor do I intend to. I'm happy with my own version of the diet!

I am a big believer in doing what works for you (as long as it DOES work), so I have tweaked the Slow Carb Diet, and my personalized plan looks like this:

For 6 days of the week, I eat
--meat (not necessarily lean or organic)
--fish
--legumes (including baked beans)
--eggs
--non-potato veggies
--veggie-like fruits (like tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, etc.)
--nuts and seeds in moderation (a handful)
--peanut butter in moderation (not natural, just regular Jif)
--yogurt
--cottage cheese
--other dairy in moderation
--black and green olives
--condiments and sauces (including ketchup and honey bbq sauce)
--full-fat salad dressings (usually ranch)
--breaded convenience/fast food meats like chicken tenders (It's too much trouble to try to peel the breading off, so I just allow it since I don't eat these foods very often.)
--protein bars on occasion (for convenience--I've found I have to eat these sparingly because they can trigger my hunger)
--fibrous fruit and berries in moderation (I didn't add this until I reached my goal of a normal BMI. So far it's working for me without a problem, but I don't overdo it)

and I drink
--Water, often flavored with Mio Liquid Water Enhancer (I try to drink a half oz of water for every lb I weigh, daily)
--Diet Dr. Pepper (I'm addicted to this and I'm trying to stay away from it, but I still don't want to remove it from my list!)
--Green tea, sweetened with Splenda

For these 6 days, I avoid
--breads, cereals, and grains (including corn)
--pasta
--fruits (except veggie-like fruits)
--potatoes
--sweets

I count no calories. I count no carbs. I count no grams. I don't eat within 30-60 minutes of waking up. I don't eat every 4 hours. I don't pay attention to numbers at all. I don't necessarily eat the same meals over and over. (If I do, it's simply because I like those foods!) I eat when I'm hungry. I stop when I'm full, and I try not to eat late at night, although if I'm hungry, I will.

The 7th day of the week (I've chosen Saturday, although I'll move it for a special occasion) is what Tim Ferriss calls Cheat Day but what I call Carb Day. (It's not cheating on the plan but rather an actual part of the plan!) I can eat WHATEVER I want as much as I want on Carb Day, but again, I eat when I'm hungry and stop when I'm full. Plus, I do try to be mindful that the more quick carbs I eat, the more I am going to crave them, so I try not to go "all out" (although occasionally I will). I do gain between .5 and 2.5 lbs the day after Carb Day, but it's just water weight and it usually falls back off in the next couple of days while I continue to lose fat. It's all figured into the plan, so I don't worry about it.

So that's what I'm doing! What are you doing? If you are on or want to try a low-, moderate- or slow-carb diet, feel free to join us!

Originally Posted by Wannabehealthy (Post 5258265)

PQ, sounds like Bro is being a bad boy. It's hard. He has been through a lot and I'm sure he's depressed over it and just wants to live a normal life. But if he doesn't get some control, there won't be a life. I can relate to this, with my diabetes. I know in my heart of hearts that there are some things I just cannot eat. And every time I indulge and get a BS spike, I want to kick myself. I swear I won't do it again, but I do it again. I think my problem will start to effect the quality of my life eventually, but with Bro, it's going to effect whether he will have a life or not. Much more serious. Yes, he probably does need counseling. Back surgery is probably going to depend on his compliance.

Jacqui, I CAN do fairly well with not eating the carbs that I prepare for DH, but it's so easy to pop a fried potato into my mouth! Also, when I make mashed potatoes, I should fill the pan with water as soon as he is finished with it, or I will finish it off while I'm cleaning up. It's not a matter of waiting until Carb Day when I can have them. Because of my diabetes, there cannot be a Carb Day. My only option is a small amount at a time, and the best option is to do away with them altogether. It IS very hard to stick to a small amount. Much easier to have none. That first bite makes me want to have the second bite, and third, then I'm out of control and my BS shoots up. I quit smoking cold turkey in May 1993....never looked back. But you can't just stop eating. It's much harder to stop carbs cold turkey, even though they damage a diabetic body as much or more than cigarettes. My sister-in-law dieted herself to a 97 lb weight loss, but can't quit smoking. I don't understand that.

By the way, DH won and we went to the casino. It was OK. Not a total loss. LOL

Originally Posted by PrairieQueen (Post 5265541)

Rennie where are you? We need you on here to mix things up. People are bored with my garden and meal updates! Hiding doesn't make the pounds go away.....

Originally Posted by Wannabehealthy (Post 5266019)

Weight, blood sugar, and blood pressure all up this morning, thanks to the delicious lasagne. ha ha

Originally Posted by Dina123 (Post 5266046)

Hello all,
My name is Dina and I am 205 pounds.
I wish to lose at least 10 pounds. I have tried and tried. I have lost inches but no weight.
I have tried this and that.
I have tried drinking slim fast twice a day but like / want to eat not drink.
I was reading this post and thought this is something I think I can do.
I like a lot of us really need support.
I cut out the diet sodas for 6 month and did not lose weight.
Cut out sugar.No weight loss.
I really dont know what is wrong or what I am doing wrong.
Thank you for the welcome.

Originally Posted by Rosinante (Post 5266117)

Hi Dina. I'm no expert but maybe if you could post what you eat for a couple of days, people here might be able to comment, and make suggestions. :hug:

Originally Posted by PrairieQueen (Post 5266170)

Hi ladies!

Glad to see you back Rennie! I know you can do it. You are so like I was in weight, age and height when I started this journey. I'm so glad to see that you've got the push that you needed and you're going to consult with a dietician :). :)

Originally Posted by Wannabehealthy (Post 5266172)

I know what my problem is, but don't know, or don't want to do, what it would take to fix it.

Originally Posted by Wannabehealthy (Post 5266172)

Good to see you back, Rennie. I've missed you. You inspire me. You may stray, but once you get on track, you really flourish.

Originally Posted by Wannabehealthy (Post 5258265)

PQ,.... I can relate to this, with my diabetes. I know in my heart of hearts that there are some things I just cannot eat. And every time I indulge and get a BS spike, I want to kick myself. I swear I won't do it again, but I do it again.

Jacqui, I CAN do fairly well with not eating the carbs that I prepare for DH, but it's so easy to pop a fried potato into my mouth! Also, when I make mashed potatoes, I should fill the pan with water as soon as he is finished with it, or I will finish it off while I'm cleaning up. It's not a matter of waiting until Carb Day when I can have them. Because of my diabetes, there cannot be a Carb Day. My only option is a small amount at a time, and the best option is to do away with them altogether. It IS very hard to stick to a small amount. Much easier to have none. That first bite makes me want to have the second bite, and third, then I'm out of control and my BS shoots up. I quit smoking cold turkey in May 1993....never looked back. But you can't just stop eating. It's much harder to stop carbs cold turkey, even though they damage a diabetic body as much or more than cigarettes. My sister-in-law dieted herself to a 97 lb weight loss, but can't quit smoking. I don't understand that.

Originally Posted by Jacqui_D (Post 5265694)

Lol, PrairieQueen, we are not bored with your garden and meal updates, but I agree that Rennie does need to come back to us! :yes:

Originally Posted by Wannabehealthy (Post 5265815)

... DH, who is a natural pessimist, ... He told me it's because of all the eggs I eat. LOL

Today when I was filling my pill box, I noticed that one of my new meds is labeled "may cause dizziness" so that explains the occasional dizziness I've been having lately. I was worried that it was an indication of an additional problem. It's minor...just a couple seconds of lightheadedness here and there. I will have to read online and see if that is something that goes away after a while. I hope so.