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

glowgirl_2

Thanks lostinrates, I'll see how I go on my own for now, I'm pretty determined and dont anticipate any problems but I'll join in feb if I have a nightmare:)

Alison_Funnell

Good luck glowgirl. Wise of you to tackle it immediately - I didn't years ago and regained all the weight I have previously lost and more. It is amazing how a few changes to diet can make such a difference in weight gain. Blooming Christmas, eh?

tara747

glowgirl, you will lose it no probs!! I reckon I've put on a pound or three over Christmas - your gain is probably more dramatic as you have been low carbing prior to that. Having said all that, I know how you feel - I used to be 8st2lbs (lower end of the healthy range for my height) and I have put on 1.5st in the last 2-3 years! I have managed to lose and gain the same 4-5lbs in 2009 and this year I am totally determined to stop messing about and lose at least a stone (the rest would be a bonus). I feel minging, just so bloated and hardly anything fits.

I have been trying to buy clothes carefully (e.g. skirts etc which will still fit when (!) I lose weight but will sit lower on my hips etc) so that I don't waste money. I even bought a pair of size 8 good-as-new Rover Island jeans in a charity shop as a challenge! They only cost £2 and are now hanging on my wardrobe door as a reminder of what I need to do! I would have fitted into them no problem 3 years ago but not a hope at the minute... and that gets me down. I have indulged a little over Christmas and have accepted that I might put on a few lbs, but I am spring cleaning my life in 2010!

It's good to be shallow now and again.

Good luck and keep us posted!!!

p.s. sorry for hijacking your thread.

glowgirl_2

Thanks tara;)I'll report back, today has been a rubbish day, I'm actually looking forward to normal routine next week:)

iamana1ias

Jomo wrote: »

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

No, not scientific, and written by someone that has clearly never read any of the books mentioned.

Jomo wrote: »

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.

This bit is true (but only to a point).

Jomo wrote: »

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.

Not true. Many people who low carb long term are in ketosis but do not suffer any ill effects.

Jomo wrote: »

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.

Again, not true. After the initial very strict induction (to wean you off carbs) the diet is based around non-starchy veg and salad with normal amounts of protein. It certainly is not unlimited amounts of meat, cheese or butter (but someone who bothered to read a low carb book would know that) :rolleyes:

Jomo wrote: »

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.

Which is why it shouldn't be a diet, but a way of life.

Having low carbed (not no carbed) for over 8 years with a decent amount of exercise I am living proof that the above paragraph is utter !!!!.

Jomo wrote: »

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.

Spoken like someone that's neither read the books nor asked any people. :rolleyes:

Jomo wrote: »

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.

Low carbers are encouraged to take supplements. A recent test showed that I am not deficient in any nutrients whatsoever.

Jomo wrote: »

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."

The American Heart Association don't know what they are talking about. They sold the 'low fat = healthy' myth in the 1950s based on zero scientific evidence.

Should you like to understand the science of eating/the myth of our current diet thinking I can recommend the Diet Delusion.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Diet-Delusion-Challenging-Conventional-Disease/dp/0091891418

pjk_3

In the initial stages of a low carb diet a considerable amount of the weight loss is from water. Similarly when you go back to carbs you'll (almost) instantly gain back that water weight and maintain it until you low carb again. So, while you may have gained a few real pounds it's perhaps not quite as bleak as it seemed. Honest!

red

good luck glowgirl...and i think you should feel pretty proud of yourself for picking up on it and doing something about it..it is so easy to let these things go on for too long...

but don't feel too bad about things...it is good that you can take the time out to enjoy yourself, although i am not suggesting you regularly over-indulge...but i think it takes real strength to be healthy and occasionally go for the unhealthy choice...and still come back from it and be healthy!

Bronnie

I can empathise totally gg! I've piled on weight since the middle of Nov. I'm not even posting what I wear on the fashion thread, cos, it's basically the same black stretchy knits every day (I did notice you'd stopped posting.....now I understand!!). I know what I'm doing, I just can't help myself. My loathing of winter doesn't help!

I actually am relishing the prospect of Jan 1st as somehow in my mind, all this nonsense stops and I can get back on track. I'm going to book a holiday in the sun for Easter too, which is the motivation I need.

Like you, I know I can get back to where I want to be. I too am just annoyed with myself that I let things go.

jenniewb

Not sure if its possible to put in 2 stone of body fat in 2 weeks- its likely you were depleated in other areas like water- maybe you were dehydrated? and muscle- being a low weight doesn't mean you have low body fat, you can actually have quite high body fat but not have much muscle and so when you eat properly, your body does a sort of grabbing thing with calories and stores them. But 2 stone of that like I say, is excessive, you'll likely go back to normal when you start eating normally- as long as its a healthy normal! If your starving yourself, it'll be an up hill battle. But only you know that.

tara747

jenniewb wrote: »

Not sure if its possible to put in 2 stone of body fat in 2 weeks- its likely you were depleated in other areas like water- maybe you were dehydrated? and muscle- being a low weight doesn't mean you have low body fat, you can actually have quite high body fat but not have much muscle and so when you eat properly, your body does a sort of grabbing thing with calories and stores them. But 2 stone of that like I say, is excessive, you'll likely go back to normal when you start eating normally- as long as its a healthy normal! If your starving yourself, it'll be an up hill battle. But only you know that.

2 stone? She's only gained 8lbs!!!