I've tried two low carb plans since the beginning of 2009, Atkins and Eat Fat Lose Fat (Fallon/Enig). While neither of them helped me lose weight they did help in other ways.
1. They taught me what low carb is
2. They taught me what foods my body is really sensitive to
3. They taught me what healthy foods really are

Now after reading "Natural Health and Weight Loss" by Barry Groves and the candida plan over at Healing Naturally by Bee, I've realized what I was missing was fat...good old yummy fat!! I think I still had a deep silent fear of fat while I was trying to follow those plans. I also ate far too much dairy (for me) and "low carb" processed products.

I bumped up my total fat intake last Wednesday and I have already lost 4 pounds.
I also dramatically reduced the poly fats and dairy. I think that trying to eat 95% whole, unprocessed foods really helped too. (An Atkins bar is a candy bar for me).

It's really paying off.



My plan now is to transition to organic/pastured meats. Working on a budget for that right now. Hope I can do it.

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Start: May 6, 2009
Size 14 jeans, 177 lbs

May 15, 2009
Size 14 jeans, 173 lbs

What foods did you add to bump up your fat intake? I keep thinking I am eating too much meat since I have been on a stall for weeeeeeeeeks now. Driving me crazy! I have not been limiting my fats on purpose but something is not working.

katlupe

Coconut milk, coconut oil, butter

I drink coconut milk (add water, stevia and warm it up).
I make a candy out of coconut oil, almond butter, cocoa, coconut flakes (not very sweet).
I use generous amounts of butter on top of my meats and veggies.
I eat the skin on my chicken wings, legs, thighs.
If I roast chicken or beef I cook my greens veggies in the drippings.

I eat 8oz beef/chicken/fish and 2 eggs for approx. 70g of complete protein.
I try not to worry about the plant proteins I get from veggies and nut products since they aren't complete but I don't go oveboard.
If I log my meals into Nutritiondata I get anywhere from 80-100g protein (including the plant proteins), less than 50g carbs, and 175-250g fat

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Start: May 6, 2009
Size 14 jeans, 177 lbs

May 15, 2009
Size 14 jeans, 173 lbs

Interesting isn't it. Please clarify, you upped fat and changed nothing else. Based on the grams you eat, your estimated calories is approx. 2400. Is that more calories or less than you ate before you were able to lose.

I'm suspecting you are another poster child for less calories in does not equal weight loss?

I am definitely eating more calories

The other changes I made:
1. Gave up dairy. Was in denial but finally I let go. Even cream causes bloat.
2. Gave up bottled salad dressings/mayo and consequently gave up raw salads and added more cooked veggies so they could absorb the fat/butter while cooking. I top steamed veggies with butter.
3. Eat less eggs (not a big egg fan anyway) to decrease protein.
4. Started going to Curves 3x week

I am sure all of those are helping me. But I really feel upping the fats really has been the biggest help.

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Start: May 6, 2009
Size 14 jeans, 177 lbs

May 15, 2009
Size 14 jeans, 173 lbs

I'll bet this has a lot to do with your success.
I feel we each use foods in a different way due to our Genetics. For me LC works well.
I do also feel that once you find what is the correct food type to intake for you, it now returns to simple math. Burn more calories than you intake and you lose weight. With your item #4 you indicate an increase in activity. Hence, more calories burned than before.
Great.

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Tom

You bet and I disagree with Tom. Exercise only contributes to approx. 100-250 calories/bout of exercise, maybe a little more based on intensity and weight. It does not make a dent in the 3500 calorie deficit you need to lose a pound. There is a lot of research that shows exercise helps with weight maintenance more than it helps with weight loss.

If you are carb sensitive eating high carbs on the same calorie diet will make you hungrier and then eat more. Also by eating higher quantities of carbs, even if calories are the same, and you have high insulin levels or any of a number of metabolic "disadvantages" your health will be affected and it will affect weioght differently. Eating fat, will not affect insulin levels. Eating carbohydrates will affect insulin levels.

Do you track the nutrient breakdown of calories, ie % of calories from carbs, fat, protein?

Yes, according to Nutritiondata.com I take in approx. 70% fat, 20-25% protein, 5-10% carbs (give or take a few). I never go under 70% for fat.

__________________
Start: May 6, 2009
Size 14 jeans, 177 lbs

May 15, 2009
Size 14 jeans, 173 lbs