(02-17-2016 11:25 AM)GoodOwl Wrote:  

(02-17-2016 09:12 AM)king king Wrote:  

(02-14-2016 01:31 PM)niusfactuary Wrote:  

(02-13-2016 01:45 PM)miko33 Wrote:  King, thanks for your input. I agree that reducing carbs is important. I don't think going into an Atkins type diet is necessary. I think it's predominantly an energy balance issue overall, and eating 50g of carbs per day vs 200g is not much different over the long haul. Unless your diet is 2000 cal of sucrose and carbs per day, I've seen studies showing insulin resistance and diabetes being more closely linked to visceral fat levels than variations of macronutrients within decent diets themselves.

50 g of carbs per day is quite a bit different than 200g because 50g is low enough you'll go into ketosis.

I'm not advocating an Atkins type diet for everyone. Everyone is different and some people are able to achieve their specific goals while still eating a wide variety of foods.

The main point of my post was that sugar is the enemy, and it's not even a contest in this regard. Sugar is poison to your body.

For me, I never feel better than when I'm in ketosis. The digestive tract runs perfectly. My joints dont ache. My skin stays clear. All of the underlying muscles that you dont see normally begin to show themselves under the skin despite not working out. It's the lack of glycogen that literally 'thins' you out.

Outside of the sedentary times mentioned previously, I've always been an extremely active person. So when this hip thing happened and I couldn't work out in any way, I took that time to put diet to a real test. Could I lose weight while not doing anything physically? I found that with a keto approach I could, and now that I've gotten that down, I can't wait to see the benefits of adding in some more exercise.

However anyone achieves their goals, I'm glad that they've taken steps to be more healthy. It's a boon to themselves and everyone around them.

Keep up the good work, all!

I'd have to agree with king king here. Sugar (including added sugars, high fructose corn syrup (added to almost everything processed these days) diet sweetenres (which make your body gain and retain more weight, actually) and simple carbs that easily convert to sugars in our bodies (breads, pastas) is the main enemy.

I also found this out when I was laid up with a foot injury and couldn't walk or work out. I lost the most weight I ever did in my life with zero exercise, but a diet that got rid of all sugar and added sugars. I was shocked that this was even possible.

Since then, I have found that when my diet includes sugars I automatically gain excess weight, no matter how hard I may be exercising. It's pretty simple, really. The problem is our society is geared around all the quick easy sugary snacks and candybars/power bars and grabable treats and convenience foods (including the main evil: sodas and diet sodas-which are liquid poison). Heck, you go into non-food stores, and there;'s a cooler with monster drinks, red bull and diet sodas and a rack of candy bars everywhere. Its really hard to be disciplined enough to eat carrot sticks, celery and nuts when all that stuff is always available.

Nowadays, I almost always carry a little plastic baggie of mixed raw nuts, raw sunflower seeds and raisins in my car (and change it regularly) and a jug of water to refill my cup. And when in meetings/work I try to have a few "cutie" oranges, and apple the nuts and a refillable metal water bottle around. I don;t always succeed. On fast food menus, I try to be careful. I found that I eat a lot of breakfast burritos w/o cheese or sauce as they're only 300 calories. For me, coffee is a "treat" and I try to drink unsweetened tea I brew myself when cold (I like the red rooibus and mate vana as it is almost sweet and I don't need any sweeteners).

king king is right, but everyone has to find their own things they are comfortable actually doing and sticking with. Interested in who ultimately can stick with it over the long haul. Hang in there, and if you falter, there's always another week, so get back in there and keep trying!

Expound a bit on the diet sweetener and diet soda thing if you would.

I've cut out 100% of any sugar(y) products or foods (despite the occasional cheat or lapse) for probably close to 5 + years. Beer being the sole, and MAIN exception.

But, I have a large mug of coffee in the A.m. with 2 packets only of either equal or splenda. I then have a can of Diet Dew or Dr Pep in the early afternoon, then maybe one or two frescas in the PM. I drink water ALL day long otherwise, but you gotta have something else along the way. Water, even with lemon, gets plenty boring...

Thanks!