Reading Gary Taubes and going low carb

  • Hello there,

    I've been against low carb for...well...until now. I wasn't against it for any reason except that I'm a carb lover and I would get terrible headaches trying to give them up. I've been reading Gary Taube's book Why We Get Fat and it has been inspiring. My husband started reading it first and he really seems to be responding to it.

    He recommends starting out at 20 grams of carbs per day. The first few days I probably had more, but today, I had about 20, as far as I could tell.

    I don't really know why I"m posting. I guess I just want to say "hi" and see how many grams you have started with, what your results were, how many you've been able to increase to and any advice anyone might have.

    Thanks!
  • Hi Luckymommy

    So glad to hear you've stepped on the low-carb wagon! Lots of people are resistant to going low-carb because, lets face it, we are a nation of carb-o-holics. Sandwiches, French fries, potatoes & pasta are staples in most households. Is it any wonder why obesity is at epidemic proportions! You can't do your body like that and expect it not to rebel.

    Gary Taubes and his books are great motivators. He makes a lot of very valid points and has done the research to back it all up. What he says makes sense.

    I've been on Atkins for 10 years & 4 months. When I began I had 100 lbs. to lose. I read the book (which is critical for doing it correctly) and I knew this was something I could do for a lifetime. I did an extended Induction (20 carbs a day with 12-15 coming from veggies & salad) until I got close to my goal and started to slowly add a few things. I have always kept my carbs on the low side. Even now, I don't like to go over 50 carbs a day. It has worked well for me. I feel better, I look better....its a win-win situation.

    You CAN do this!!

    All the best to you!
  • Thanks so much, JerseyGyrl! I'm amazed with your commitment and success! Thanks so much for your response and congratulations on winning the battle!
  • Hi LuckymommyI'll chime in even tho i'm supposed to be resting my eyes. I too love low carb. I did Ideal Protein, about 25 net carbs/day for 7 months and lost 75 lbs. and it was very do-able. It kept my hunger low. Now I keep to about 40-70/day

    Are you subtracting the fiber grams to get net carbs? When I go too low, I get lethargic and irritable, don't sleep well, have poor mental focus, get moody. I try to eat my carby foods in the evening (e.g. butternut squash or a beet). I forget why, lol, but I have noticed lately that I sleep better and feel more energetic.

    Keep us posted! : )
  • Well fancy meeting you here, mars735! That's very interesting to hear about your low carb life style....it's incredibly helpful, since you and I are like twins.

    I noticed that before, I was eating very low calorie (well, to me anyway...around 1,000 or 1,200 on average) and my weight loss stalled.

    Oops, I have to go so I'll write you later. Feel better!
  • Dr. Robert Lustig
    I've seen Gary Taubes on TV and have read his book. He is impressive.
    You might be interested in the work of Dr. Robert Lustig. He explains why sugar is so bad for you. He has written books and there is at least one video on Youtube that is very educational.