Does anyone else need carbs to lose?

[lisabug 10]

I have been struggling with weight loss since day 1. I was originally eating 60 grams of Protein, 30 carbs and 600 cals. I was losing little to no weight. My nut and surgeon upped cals to 800 and carbs to 60. I started losing a little. Now I am on 800-1000 cals and 100-150 carbs a day. I have lost 5 lbs 2 weeks straight. I'm not complaining, just confused. I still struggle with getting in all the calories in a day. My pcp said something about having too much insulin and my body needing carbs so that it wouldn't store the calories I was taking in as fat.

Has anyone else done better with weight loss with higher carbs than low carbing?

[BZButterfly79 19]

That is puzzling, if you energy expenditure has not increased than it is safe to assume that your body functions better with the carbs, I would just be careful when it comes to playing with fire, for some people carbs have been the problem. As far as insulin too much of it would actually cause you to store the carbs you eat as fat he might have to give you medical reference on that one...I had an overproduction of insulin due to PCOs and never heard of that it has always been the complete opposite. If it is working and you are certain it has to do with the carbs then stick with the plan you currently have.

Oh! I just read something on obesityhelp(not a member but I read) and it was a doctor telling the pt to avoid low carbing because he did not want her in Ketosis. Well, the only rationale I could think of is he doesn't want her kidneys overworked but the thing about it is I have been brainwashed by Dr. Atkins about Ketosis being good cause that's when you burn fat for fuel. Some days I feel guilty if I have carbs(SERIOUSLY) because I used to follow Atkins on and off and my brain is like BREAD=HELL which is not true you gotta get a healthy kind etc, so now I am thinking having my Melba crackers with my liver pate is probably been a great thing.

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,281]

I have been struggling with weight loss since day 1. I was originally eating 60 grams of Protein, 30 carbs and 600 cals. I was losing little to no weight. My nut and surgeon upped cals to 800 and carbs to 60. I started losing a little. Now I am on 800-1000 cals and 100-150 carbs a day. I have lost 5 lbs 2 weeks straight. I'm not complaining, just confused. I still struggle with getting in all the calories in a day. My pcp said something about having too much insulin and my body needing carbs so that it wouldn't store the calories I was taking in as fat.

Has anyone else done better with weight loss with higher carbs than low carbing?

Absolutely yes. I always say, every BODY is different. I do need to eat some carbs to lose weight. I do not lose well on 30g per day or less. In fact I wasn't losing anything on that. I lose excellently well with around 60-100g per day. As soon as got my goals back up to that I've lost 10 lbs in 2 weeks. It just works better for me.

If its working for you and your Dr. recommends it - then stick to your current routine and plan.

All the best!!!

[kaehl 0]

This is very interesting. I have believed for a long time that low carb was the only way I could lose weight, and for the first few weeks I usually would lose and then stop. I would eventually give up and start eating normally again and start gaining it back.

Since my surgery 2 months ago, I have been keeping calories around 600 and carbs under 30 and I have only lost 24 lbs. all of it in the first few weeks. I haven't lost an ounce in 3 weeks! I did up my carbs yesterday to 100 with whole grains and vegetables but today I was afraid to keep the carbs so I'm at 25 grm. today.

I probably should give the higher carbs and higher calories a try for a few days at least, but it's so hard for me since I'm so afraid of both! My weight was the same today after the higher carb day yesterday. I think if its the same tomorrow I better think about making a change.

Absolutely yes. I always say, every BODY is different. I do need to eat some carbs to lose weight. I do not lose well on 30g per day or less. In fact I wasn't losing anything on that. I lose excellently well with around 60-100g per day. As soon as got my goals back up to that I've lost 10 lbs in 2 weeks. It just works better for me.

If its working for you and your Dr. recommends it - then stick to your current routine and plan.

All the best!!!

[Becca 108]

I stay around 60 carbs a day, mainly because I try to eat some fruits and vegetables each day at this point. I felt horrible on only 30 grams of carbs. I really felt so sluggish and I am a teacher so I felt like I couldn't keep up with my second graders. I have been doing 800-900 calories and I average about 60 carbs a day. I feel great with that amount. I have lost 23 pounds in a month (and two days). I am very happy with it. I know that some have lost way more than me the first month, but I as long as I am losing, I am very happy with my progress. My nut also suggested the 60 carbs a day. She said your body truly needs at least 50 a day to function properly. Someone also recently posted an article that stated you would successfully lose if you stayed between 50-100 carbs a day. Everyone is different, and we have to do what works for us. I do try my best to stay away from breads and processed carbs, though.

[SarahS 13]

I would stick with what you are doing now since you are losing. Like Diva said, Every BODY is different. Some people can't lose on carbs, some can. I lose on carbs. I never liked the really high Protein and low carbs. For one its not a well balanced diet and hard to stick with (at least for me) and it is hard on the kidney's. But some people do well with that. Just figure out what works best for you and makes you feel the best phsically. Good luck!

[pcos_chick 23]

I would stick with what you are doing now since you are losing. Like Diva said, Every BODY is different. Some people can't lose on carbs, some can. I lose on carbs. I never liked the really high Protein and low carbs. For one its not a well balanced diet and hard to stick with (at least for me) and it is hard on the kidney's. But some people do well with that. Just figure out what works best for you and makes you feel the best phsically. Good luck!

Hey Sarah,

Can you describe your post op diet? Cals/carbs etc.

Thanks!