Hello, I'm a newbie and this is my first time posting! : ) So glad to have found and joined this community.

I've decided to start an LC "diet"/lifestyle after realizing that my greatest weakness is carbs and the cause of my weight gain and inability to lose weight. I have about 26 lbs to lose and I'm not sure if I should and could (due to a busy lifestyle) follow a specific diet plan. I'd love to start the Atkins diet but don't know if I can carefully follow the plan and the suggested meals. Can I just carefully cut out carbs from my diet and exercise without sticking to a specific plan?

Any advice is appreciated! : )

hi bbon,
welcome to LCE!

As a general rule, many folks have found, through trial and error, I might add, that *winging it* on their own didn't work out to well. YMMV(your mileage may vary).

From my personal experience, (and I was one of those *wingers* years ago), it's definitely better to follow an established plan, and at the very least be knowledgeable about it(reading the book of the plan you wish to follow) so you will have some direction in which to go. At any time, for the most part, you can *customize* it and make it your own, as many folks here have done.

Good luck on your journey to healthy eating and weight loss.

hth
s

__________________
Shelley


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Welcome.

I'll be honest. From my observations, not having a specific plan to follow does not generally result in great success for most folks. Those who pick a particular nutritional approach and follow that plan tend to do much better than those who don't. It's very helpful to understand the principles upon which the program is based and to have a "road map" available.

I wouldn't advise that you "cut out carbs." None of the mainstream low carb diets are "no carb" diets. No carbohydrate at all is pretty boring and more or less unsustainable. Many vegetables and certain fruits are part of all low carb programs.

That having been said, there certainly is no harm in cutting out all the junk food found in the typical western diet.

__________________

Thank you for the advice! I'll make an effort to stick to some plan, it'll be worth it I guess!

Thank you both for the advice

Hi, bbon. Welcome to a friendly and informative site.

I agree that following a specific Plan is a good idea for the beginning. I particularly like Atkins because he's such a terrific cheerleader. Having his book close by (for years, actually) provided information and help when the going got tough, as it always does at some point.

I'm glad you mentioned exercise, because that's the key to ongoing success, along with healthy eating. And junk food? Aack. Yesterday, a sick friend sent me to McDonald's to get her a snack, and I had to hang the bag outside the window of my car on the way back, because I couldn't stand the revolting smell. My how I've changed!

Best wishes.

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

For me, a plan sets guidelines and without those to be looking at, my winging it will be adding m&ms into it....I need strict written out guidelines for me to stick to it or I will make up my own rationale to have something of a 'no no' factor

I am also newbie but i feel at home And i think any good start will be learning diet recipes.