Self indulgent rant, please don't read if your not in the mood for shallowness

glowgirl_2

I have put on at least 8 pounds in weight in about 2 weeks:eek:it was 8 pounds about three days ago and I have been too scared to get on the scales since so its probably a bit more, I am not happy to say the least:( I wasn't big to start with about 8.7 st but now nothing fits and I feel s!!!, I usually follow a very low carb diet and have minimal sugar but I have seriously lost the plot recently and boy does it show, no reason for this just greed:oApologies for the rant, I am well aware there are people with much more serious problems but I just needed to write this down so I can get a grip again, I started on my normal eating habits this morning and now have to go through the hellish first couple of days before I settle again, b!!!!! hell I'm so annoyed with myself:mad:

Jomo

Do you know that a very low carb diet is very bad for you in the long term especially. I would advise you to go and see your doctor.

mrcow

Join the club. You're not the only one to be feeling the squeeze after Christmas!

BitterAndTwisted

Eight pounds isn't that much in the great scheme of things. You could lose all that in a few weeks of sensible eating and a long walk every day. Don't beat yourself up, some of us are waddling between the comp and the fridge

glowgirl_2

I see my doctor fairly regularly for other reasons and I have no problems at all despite following a very low carb diet for about 5 years, but thanks for your comments, 8 pounds looks like about 2 stone on me (or thats how it feels) as I am small framed and dont carry it well and as for the fit of my jeans, dont even start me off:rolleyes:I dont really need advice (but thanks anyway) just needed an outlet other than annoying my family again;)

iceicebaby

Calm down! Your not the only one but I know how you feel! I think I have put about the same amount too. Plan to get on slimming world and back in the gym next week (no point before as its my birthrday on Saturday)

iamana1ias

Jomo wrote: »

Do you know that a very low carb diet is very bad for you in the long term especially. I would advise you to go and see your doctor.

Absolute rubbish.

Got any scientific evidence to support that statement?

Jomo

iamana1ias wrote: »

Absolute rubbish.

Got any scientific evidence to support that statement?

Here you are, not very scientific as you requested but it will have to do!

Low Carbohydrate - How Do Low Carb Diets Work?


Reviewed By WLR Dietitian

Juliette Kellow BSc RD


Low carb diets, like the Atkin's diet have been around for a long time. Do they work? Are they safe? Read our dietitian's verdict on low carbohydrate diets.

Well Known Low Carb Diets

As well as the Atkin's diet, low carbohydrate is the basis for a number of diet plans, the list below shows some of the more well-known versions. The different types do have minor variations but all are basically low carb diets.

• The Atkin's Diet - probably the most famous, by Dr Robert Atkins
• High Protein Diet
• Stillman Diet
• Scarsdale Diet
• Hollywood Diet
• Ketogenic Diet
• Zone Diet

What Are Low Carb Diets?

Low carb diets are based on the premise that a diet very low in carbohydrate leads to a reduction in the body's insulin production, resulting in fat and protein (muscle) stores being used as its main energy source.

The aim of low carbohydrate diets is to force the body to use fat as its main energy source, when this happens a person produces 'ketone bodies' to fuel parts of the body that can not use fat as an energy source - the brain, and red blood cells, in particular. When this happens a person is said to be in a state of ketosis - characterised by smelly breath (an acetone smell like nail varnish) and side effects such as nausea and fatigue.

What's Involved?

Basically you cut out virtually all carbohydrate from your diet and increase your protein and fat intake. So you cut out things like pasta, bread, rice and alcohol, yet you eat unlimited amounts of meat, cheese and butter. That's why the Atkin's diet claims to be so luxurious.


Do Low Carbohydrate Diets Work?

In the short term, most people who go on low carb diets do lose weight and they lose it very quickly. However, the majority of weight loss comes from loss of water and muscle tissue, not fat which is what you need to lose to keep the weight off. Also, if you're trying to lose weight permanently, losing precious lean muscle tissue is like sabotaging your own body. Muscle tissue is metabolically active, and burns calories even when you are at rest. A decrease in the amount of muscle tissue you have will lead to a decrease in the number of calories you need each day to maintain your weight, making it much harder to keep your weight under control when you stop following the low carb diet.


So Why Do It?

People are attracted to low carb diets as weight loss is very rapid, and we like to see instant results on the scales! Lots of Hollywood stars go on low carb diets because they need to drop a dress size for a film - they don't do it for permanent weight loss or good health.


Is Low Carb A Healthy Diet?

In a word, no! Essential vitamins and nutrients come from a balanced diet and low carbohydrate diets are certainly not balanced. You can only get many essential nutrients from fruit, vegetables and grains - low carb diets only allow very small amounts of fruit and veg - definitely not enough to give you your recommended daily allowance. The Atkin's diet claims to clear up all manner of ailments, but the bottom line is these diets are lacking in nutrients essential for good health and the high level of protein puts a huge strain on your kidneys.
Low carb diets are also likely to encourage yo-yo dieting, cycles of losing and regaining weight, which has been shown to be a health risk.
Dietitian Says:

"Diets that recommend we cut back on starchy carbohydrate are an 'in vogue' means of losing weight and have gained a lot of attention in the media. However these diets could actually be harming our health in the longer term. The American Heart Association have expressed concern that their high fat content, particularly saturated fat, increases the risk of heart disease in those who follow these diets long term. Low carbohydrate diets go against all the current healthy eating principles and are deficient in many vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre, as they restrict the intake of fruit and vegetables. There are also concerns that these diets, if followed long-term, may increase the risk of kidney, bone and liver problems.
A balanced, healthy diet combined with exercise is still the most effective and safe long-term way to lose weight. However the results are gradual and require perseverance. Quick fixes such as the Atkins diet do not hold up to scrutiny and at present there are no long-term studies on the safety or efficacy of these diets."

giantmutantbroccoli

Please don't take offense at me commenting on your weight, but personally I'd say 8st7 is a low weight for an adult (depending on your build/size it could be okay or underweight). If the fact that you've gained a little bit of weight over xmas is really causing you that much concern you should go to the drs, maybe talk about your diet/check your BMI before you decide to diet.
Also, a low-carb diet is designed to lose weight, not maintain it. You should switch to a balanced healthy diet once you've reached your target weight, to make sure you're getting the full completment of vitamins, minerals and nutrients that you need - and also to make sure you don't continue to lose weight! High-carb foods like fruit, veg, grains and bread contain lots of stuff you need, like B-vitamins.

Sorry if this seems a bit off, I've been reading up on anorexia recently and it's made me a bit paranoid. Some of the pro-anorexia stuff is hard to tell from normal weight-loss diaries, until they get into the nitty-gritty details of what they're doing to lose weight, and it makes for damn scary reading.

lostinrates

Presuming you are trying to maintain a healthy weight why not join us on the 7lb a month challenge organised on this board each month by the Dragon?

Most of us see what you are trying o loose as a monthly target in a bigger scheme of loss, so you'll feel jubilant Its really very acheivable withing January, your 8 pound loss.

glowgirl_2

I prefer to be on the small side for my height/frame, as an adult thats my choice and I will decide whats best for me;), according to government guidelines I should weigh 9st 10lbs for my height (I have been this weight and bigger), that would make me a size 14 which I don't want to be, again personal choice. I lost weight some years ago on my own version of Atkins and then when I was where I wanted to be weight wise I ate more but still not a lot of carbs, this worked really well until I over did it recently. Being the weight that I choose has changed my life in many ways, I wont bore you with details but its all very positive, I would clarify again that whilst I appreciate the advice offered, I don't actually need it I'm just in a mood and having a rant:D