I have been slowly gaining weight since quitting smoking 11 years ago. In the past 8 - when I became self employed, I really started to gain. So, Now I am 5'7' and 170 (I jumped to 182 down to 165 back to 170.)
New year new plan. I am back in college for a career change that will happen in a few years as it will take that long to finish all new degrees.
Weight loss is my second priority to all A's in school. I feel "fat", I now have belly and butt fat and looking at myself makes me very sad.
I am looking at web sites and labels carefully. Goal is NO CARBS for at least two weeks. Lots of cabbage, broccoli, chicken, tuna and water.
Here is to the new "me". A healthier version!

Welcome to LCE!

What low carb plan are you following? We all suggest you choose a plan you like, read the book, then make your choices accordingly. BTW, if you are eating the way most plans outline, you will be eating carbs, but very few at first. You'll be getting carbs in the veggies you eat, but also a huge nutritional punch.

A lot of us use Atkins, Protein Power, or South Beach, a few the Zone. You'll have better success and will be able to maintain your plan if you are thoroughly familiar with it, by reading the book, underlining the passages that appeal or apply to you, and shop for food accordingly.

Wishing you much success!

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Nita

Hello, Erica. Glad to have you join us.

We generally do NOT recommend people try for no carbs. No sugar is great! No flour, okay. But veggies have carbs, and veggies are a mainstay of the healthy low-carbers menu. You need your vitamins. You CAN subtract fiber grams from carb grams when figuring the "net" or "effective" carbs, as that represents the carbs that impact your blood sugar. But even at the beginning of a low carb program, we encourage folks to eat a balanced menu, albeit more restrictive than previously.

Also, please be aware that if to maintain any loss from reducing carbs, you have to permanently reduce carbs to a maintenence level for you, which varies for each individual. If you use low carb as a diet and resume your former habits, most people regain anything they've lost.

Good luck!!


Atkins, one of the most restrictive plans, starts you off at 20 grams of carbs a day.

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