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So confused! HELP. Diet, no diet, carb, no carb, fat, low fat....



 
 
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  #1  
Old May 6th, 2004, 07:30 PM
Timber 285
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Default So confused! HELP. Diet, no diet, carb, no carb, fat, low fat....

Okay,

A few years ago I lost 30 lbs in a very short amount of time. I think I had
been eating so much junk food and "bad" stuff over the years the weight just
flew off without a heck of a lot of effort. Unknowingly I think I cut carbs by
a good amount and just paid a little more attention.

Since that time I have tried to maintain the loss by going completely low carb
Atkins-style. That worked for a while I guess. But boredom set in due to the
fact that I never did it right (never added back in the whole grains etc.) and
over the past year I gained about 12 lbs back. Not exercising as much, got lazy
with treats and got my heart shattered (not necessarily in that order).

I have lately swung between low low carb and not so low carb but healthy with a
few binge sweet days thrown in for good measure (sweets are def. my downfall).
There have been more and more of those, however, and this is not a positive
trend.

I just want to be healthy at this point and I figure the weight will take care
of itself if I find a good, healthful way of eating.

The problem is low carb has been so drummed into my head I'm now afraid of
carbs in general and I don't even know what healthy is anylonger.

I do believe in a somewhat low carb lifestyle because it has been the only
thing I ever stuck with and I didn't feel deprived (except for the
aforementioned sweets).

However, I would like to do something moderately low carb but extremely
healthy. I always felt guilty eating all the fat and so I would like to cut
down on that and add in fruits, some grains, etc. I don't miss bread
particularly although I'd like to eat a sandwhich on occasion (can even use a
low-carb tortilla for that). This week I started eating a really high fiber
cereal with carb countdown milk for the first time since I can remember.
Cereal? Sacriligious I guess. I am extremely tired of eggs for breakfast and I
need something quick so I thought that was a good alternative. Oatmeal would be
nice but where do I start on my fears there? I guess I've just heard that once
you go over so many carbs you are destined to be fat and so the thought of
oatmeal or too much fruit, etc. will send me off to a life of fat. For a while
I was thinking if I ate over 30 carbs I would just start gaining. It got to the
point I wouldn't even touch sugar free gum. This is too obsessive and it has to
stop.

I would very much appreciate some of you who follow a moderatly low carb eating
plan to give me some direction. What is healthy to you? Can I eat low fat
yogurt or should I stay with something else? Can I eat an orange every day and
not gain 20 lbs in a year? Can I switch back and forth between egg beaters and
high fiber cereal and oatmeal during the week?

Do I have to give up my beloved two mugs of coffee with splenda every day?

Should I avoid diet coke and only drink water?

I am so grateful for any of your comments. Right now I'm weighing in at 153 (I
am 5' 7") and up until I started adding more carbs in I was weighing between
145-149. Obviously the upward trend there is the water weight I assume so I am
trying not to freak out and just figure I need to forget about that and go for
health over everything else. My lowest weight was 134 and that was too low for
my frame so I would like to shoot for 140-145. Although I am not a slave to
numbers. Clothes fitting means more to me -- so much more.

At this point I don't even know the calories I should be trying to aim for.

This year has been off and on with exercise (walking, a little hiking and
riding my horse) but I intend to up that as I would like to feel stronger and I
know if I can get back into a routine it would be very helpful.

Thank you so much. I look forward to being part of this group and I look
forward to your experiences.

Timber
  #2  
Old May 6th, 2004, 09:11 PM
Patricia Heil
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default So confused! HELP. Diet, no diet, carb, no carb, fat, low fat....

Atkins did to you what most specialty diets do.
They bore you, you stop, and the weight comes back on.

Are you sure you're ready now to be healthy for life?
If you are, start a program to stick with the rest of
your life. Forget about low-carb or whatever you
have heard about in the news.

1) Start an exercise program. You can't be healthy
without exercise. In fact, exercise prevents so many
problems it can save you up to $6000 a year in drugs
eventually. You need some aerobic, you need some
strength, and you need some flexibility training. Do
this before you change how you eat. The goal is
to work out at least 30 minutes straight, every day.

2) Eat a wide variety of food that is low in fat and
high in fiber, with some animal products to give you
things your body can't get from or make from plant
foods. Limit the number of portions you eat, and
limit how big the portions are. You can eat junk
food, but not every day and probably not every week.


"Timber 285" wrote in message
...
Okay,



  #3  
Old May 6th, 2004, 11:36 PM
Mieko
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default So confused! HELP. Diet, no diet, carb, no carb, fat, low fat....

In article , (Timber 285) wrote:
I just want to be healthy at this point and I figure the weight will take care
of itself if I find a good, healthful way of eating.


As long as you are reasonably active as well, it can take care of itself.

need something quick so I thought that was a good alternative. Oatmeal would be
nice but where do I start on my fears there? I guess I've just heard that once
you go over so many carbs you are destined to be fat and so the thought of
oatmeal or too much fruit, etc. will send me off to a life of fat. For a while
I was thinking if I ate over 30 carbs I would just start gaining. It got to the
point I wouldn't even touch sugar free gum. This is too obsessive and it has to
stop.


Wow, it sounds like you have some issues that you're going to have to work
though. First point to try to remember - anything is fine in moderation. That
means a few sweets are fine, fruit is fine, carbs are fine, fat is fine,
protein is fine.

I think low-carb diets are fine, as long as you are thinking about what you
are doing - trying to eat carbs in moderation. Moderation is going to mean
different things to different people.

Start slow. Eat one serving of oatmeal once a week. Try it out. See how your
body reacts. Everyone is different, but you'll probably find that it's fine.
Add in fruits slowly. It'll be ok.

I think you might want to consider trying to find some kind of nutritional
counselling, as it does seem like you are being obsessive about what you are
eating.

Good Luck!
  #4  
Old May 7th, 2004, 08:10 AM
Lictor
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default So confused! HELP. Diet, no diet, carb, no carb, fat, low fat....

"Jayjay" wrote in message
...
The term "diet" should pertain to the way you choose to eat. Not to
a short term way of losing weight. The "no diet" really is a way of
distinguishing between a "short term change in eating in an effort to
lose weight" as apposed to a "long term, permanent change in eating
habits that allow you to lose weight and maintain the weight loss for
the rest of your life"


It goes beyond that for some people. To me, no diet also implies that you
have little restriction on the kind of food you can eat. For instance,
carbs/proteins/fats/sugars are not taboo. Likewise, you don't *have* to eat
some special food. You don't weight your stuff, you don't count your
calories, you don't weight yourself daily... But you do practice overall
moderation by listening to your body (hunger/satiety). You also try to have
a global approach on your weight loss, including behavioural and
psychological issues. This doesn't mean you do not include nutrition there.
You just don't make an obligation out of it - it's good to try to eat
healthy food, but one totally unhealthy meal once in a while won't kill you.
The goal is to make eating a non-stressful experience that becomes self
regulating.
Per definition, a no-diet approach is long term. If you're not doing a diet,
you're not going to stop doing it, ever. But it goes beyond that. Low carb
is long term for most people, but it's still a diet.

You can "diet" and lose weight, but what do you do when you stop
dieting?


You get back all the fat you lost, and then some more.

Carb vs. no carb.
Some carbs are good. Some carbs are necessary. Do some research on
the "Glycemic Index" of foods and read up on it.


Also look at what lowers the GI, this is almost as important as the "raw" GI
of the food. All these lower GI :
- fats
- proteins
- fibers
- acids
- cooking in large chunks vs small chunks
- cooking the food less (ie al dente pasta vs overcooked pasta)

Bottom line on carbs.
If its white - eat a very limited portion
If its sugary and sweet - eat a very limited portion


There again, combination can help. Spreading butter on that white thing will
lower the GI. Eating that sugary thing at the end of a complete meal (with
fats, fibers...) will also dramatically lower its GI.
Though GI is mainly useful if you have diabete or a similar condition
(reactive hypoglycemia for instance). It's also useful if you don't like
being hungry a couple of hours after your meal.

If its dark brown, grainy, its good.


Unless dark brown means caramel colouring

Fat vs. low fat.

Some fats are good. Fats in yoru meals can help you feel satisfied
after your meal.

Also, some fats will actually help you reduce your cholestrol. They
also will help curb hunger, appetitie, and help you lose weight.


They will also provide vitamins, help you heart beyond the cholesterol issue
and help your skin health.


  #5  
Old May 7th, 2004, 11:12 PM
Doug Freyburger
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default So confused! HELP. Diet, no diet, carb, no carb, fat, low fat....

Timber 285 wrote:

Since that time I have tried to maintain the loss by going completely low carb
Atkins-style. That worked for a while I guess. But boredom set in due to the
fact that I never did it right (never added back in the whole grains etc.) and
over the past year I gained about 12 lbs back.


Let's see. It worked for a while but since you declined to follow the
directions you fell off. Sounds simple to me. Do Atkins but follow
all of the directions. You already knows it works as long as you do
follow the directions because it worked for a while. So step out into
the later phases per the directions and you'll do fine. Atkins has a
Maintenance phase and everything.
  #6  
Old May 8th, 2004, 09:51 PM
KenKnightJack
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default So confused! HELP. Diet, no diet, carb, no carb, fat, low fat....

Buy the ATKINS book and read it, and start all over. Switch into burning fat
instead of carbs.
It is the most effective weight loosing diet.

"Timber 285" wrote in message
...
Okay,

A few years ago I lost 30 lbs in a very short amount of time. I think I

had
been eating so much junk food and "bad" stuff over the years the weight

just
flew off without a heck of a lot of effort. Unknowingly I think I cut

carbs by
a good amount and just paid a little more attention.

Since that time I have tried to maintain the loss by going completely low

carb
Atkins-style. That worked for a while I guess. But boredom set in due to

the
fact that I never did it right (never added back in the whole grains etc.)

and
over the past year I gained about 12 lbs back. Not exercising as much, got

lazy
with treats and got my heart shattered (not necessarily in that order).

I have lately swung between low low carb and not so low carb but healthy

with a
few binge sweet days thrown in for good measure (sweets are def. my

downfall).
There have been more and more of those, however, and this is not a

positive
trend.

I just want to be healthy at this point and I figure the weight will take

care
of itself if I find a good, healthful way of eating.

The problem is low carb has been so drummed into my head I'm now afraid of
carbs in general and I don't even know what healthy is anylonger.

I do believe in a somewhat low carb lifestyle because it has been the only
thing I ever stuck with and I didn't feel deprived (except for the
aforementioned sweets).

However, I would like to do something moderately low carb but extremely
healthy. I always felt guilty eating all the fat and so I would like to

cut
down on that and add in fruits, some grains, etc. I don't miss bread
particularly although I'd like to eat a sandwhich on occasion (can even

use a
low-carb tortilla for that). This week I started eating a really high

fiber
cereal with carb countdown milk for the first time since I can remember.
Cereal? Sacriligious I guess. I am extremely tired of eggs for breakfast

and I
need something quick so I thought that was a good alternative. Oatmeal

would be
nice but where do I start on my fears there? I guess I've just heard that

once
you go over so many carbs you are destined to be fat and so the thought of
oatmeal or too much fruit, etc. will send me off to a life of fat. For a

while
I was thinking if I ate over 30 carbs I would just start gaining. It got

to the
point I wouldn't even touch sugar free gum. This is too obsessive and it

has to
stop.

I would very much appreciate some of you who follow a moderatly low carb

eating
plan to give me some direction. What is healthy to you? Can I eat low fat
yogurt or should I stay with something else? Can I eat an orange every day

and
not gain 20 lbs in a year? Can I switch back and forth between egg beaters

and
high fiber cereal and oatmeal during the week?

Do I have to give up my beloved two mugs of coffee with splenda every day?

Should I avoid diet coke and only drink water?

I am so grateful for any of your comments. Right now I'm weighing in at

153 (I
am 5' 7") and up until I started adding more carbs in I was weighing

between
145-149. Obviously the upward trend there is the water weight I assume so

I am
trying not to freak out and just figure I need to forget about that and go

for
health over everything else. My lowest weight was 134 and that was too low

for
my frame so I would like to shoot for 140-145. Although I am not a slave

to
numbers. Clothes fitting means more to me -- so much more.

At this point I don't even know the calories I should be trying to aim

for.

This year has been off and on with exercise (walking, a little hiking and
riding my horse) but I intend to up that as I would like to feel stronger

and I
know if I can get back into a routine it would be very helpful.

Thank you so much. I look forward to being part of this group and I look
forward to your experiences.

Timber



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  #7  
Old May 8th, 2004, 10:12 PM
Timber 285
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default So confused! HELP. Diet, no diet, carb, no carb, fat, low fat....

Thanks everyone for your comments. I suppose my post did sound a bit obsessive
but some of it was written tongue in cheek. I do believe that it's easy to get
obsessive about all of this and that's one of the things I'm so disappointed in
myself about. Instead of just eating what I know is a healthy way, I turned to
quick fixes and rules and regulations. I lost the weight but I also lost some
of my rationality I guess. This week has been good and I feel like I'm back on
track... eating really high fiber all bran cereal and yogurt breakfast/snack
and low carb torilla turkey sandwich at lunch along with a nice lean protein
with veggies for dinner. I cut down on the fat I was using on Atkins (as I said
I never totally felt comfortable with that) but I do understand that good fat
is a GOOD thing. Atkins is right for some and mostly right for me -- just not
totally.

Anyway, thanks.
153/151/140
  #9  
Old May 11th, 2004, 12:00 AM
Chris Braun
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default So confused! HELP. Diet, no diet, carb, no carb, fat, low fat....

Well, I've lost over 100 lbs. eating a diet that's moderate in both
carbs and fats. I typically eat 100-150 grams of carbs per day.
Certainly you won't automatically get fat if you eat carbs! You've
bought into the Atkins hype too much!

What counts is eating a reasonable number of calories and using those
you do eat wisely -- on healthy carbs (whole grains, fruits,
vegetables) and healthy fats (nuts, fish, lean meats, olive oil).

Chris
262/154/ (145-150)
 




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