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.

Athletes might even focus on carbs first.

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.

I second all of this.

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.

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.

We are both re-starting, and at a similar weight!

Helena

Can I see your daily menus please?

Helena