Low-carb

mejumpmore1 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-11-2006, 07:40 PM

I just put my husband *temporarily* on a low carb diet as he needs to lose some weight fairly quickly. He has to stay below 20 g of carbs for the next couple weeks. For anyone who has done low carb or knows some recipes please fill me in!

This was a suggestion by my mom...I am not a fan of low carb, and yes i know the dangers/issues associated with low carb so please don't freak out on me. With that said, he will only be doing it for the 2 weeks and then we go to regular healthy eating.

Thanks in advance.

MacChick · #2 (**permalink**) 10-12-2006, 01:36 AM

Well, if you want him to lose weight in 2 weeks eating that many carbs... he won't lose much. I tried Atkins and it's the only diet that has worked for me. Some people do better on low cal/low fat, I do better on low carb. Carbs have always been my weak point. He will lose weight, but not more than low cal IMO. Not eating that many carbs. If he really wants to lose weight he should excercise at least an hour each day and stay 10g or under. That causes the body to go into kietosis (I think) and start burning body fat for energy. The adjustment period is two weeks. Then the real weight loss starts. He won't lose much in 2 weeks as it is, and even less on that many carbs. It takes the system a while to realize stuff. At least, that is what happened to me. I have gone on Atkins numerous times, and it all works best when I drink lots of water or crystal light or iced tea with Splenda and stay under 5 grams of carbs and exercise.

Good luck

MacChick · #3 (**permalink**) 10-12-2006, 01:41 AM

When I was doing it, I found tasty recipes here:
http://www.lowcarb.ca/low-carb-recipes.html

My fave recipe was Portabello mushroom pizzas. You can add mushrooms, garlic, olives, hot peppers and it won't add to the carb count. Neither will pepperoni. Just go easy on the tomato sauce or pizza sauce. That stuff is full of carbs. Then use this recipe:
http://www.shadesofjaim.com/recipes/...llapizzas.html

mejumpmore1 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-12-2006, 10:35 AM

thanks patricia. he was reading up on atkins and it said that for the first 10 days or so that you should stay under 20 g. That's where I came up with that number. He's really been much lower than that. It's only been a couple days and already has lost 3 lbs. (he weighed last night after eating 3 meals during the day..so that's pretty darn good).

I really need to find some snack foods for him. He LOVES to snack and was rumaging through the fridge last night trying to find something. I have heard nuts, porkrinds (eww), sugar free jello. etc. So, I need some more salty/sweet snack ideas to keep him satisfied.

btw, glad to hear that atkins has worked for you! So far it seems to be doing the trick for husband. I just hope it continues and that he will stick to it.

**jetta_07** · #5 (**permalink**) 10-12-2006, 01:27 PM

just curious, why is he only losing weight for 2 weeks than going back to his regular diet? i've heard with the atkins you will go back to your before weight when you start eating the carbs again

mejumpmore1 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-12-2006, 03:13 PM

we are moving in two weeks and he needs to lose the weight fairly quickly because he isn't sure when he is going to have a PFT (physical fitness test) and have to be weighed and taped. He would like to have lost about 10 lbs before then which could be as soon as we get down there. Overall, he does well on his PFT and passes with no problem...it's just that he has a bit of a belly and needs to whitle it down a little so that he doesn't get red flagged. OH, and he wouldn't be going back to his regular diet once he has started losing or lost as much as he needs to. I said I would put him on a regular healthy diet (of which he hasn't really been on).

He is a junk food junkie, so I really want to make him eat lots of veggies and fruits and lean meats as opposed to sticking to atkins forever (because i think it is dangerous and totally unhealthy)

I hope that makes sense and wasn't too long.

MacChick · #7 (**permalink**) 10-12-2006, 03:15 PM

Why does he need to have a PFT? Is he a cop or firefighter? Curious...

Imhotep · #8 (**permalink**) 10-12-2006, 03:24 PM

he should be doing cardiovascular exercise along with dietary modification. i don't know if he is already?

mejumpmore1 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-12-2006, 05:27 PM

he's in the military and had 1 hour PT (physical training) daily he does some form of isreali martial arts 2 days per week (krav...something) he runs and lifts on the other days.

Blue Eyes · #10 (**permalink**) 10-12-2006, 06:12 PM

If you do low carb, you should do South Beach instead of Atkins. South Beach is low carb and low fat and is actually healthy. And when you do start eating carbs again, they're healthy ones like fruit, brown rice, whole wheat or multi-grain bread, etc. I lost 10 lbs in the first 2 weeks. But the 1st two weeks are pretty strict. Low fat protien, eggs, nuts (very small amounts) low fat dairy, vegetables. No fruit, sugar, bread, etc. Basically the only carbs you can have in the 1st 2 weeks are the few that are in the veggies. It's hard, but it works. My husband lost 15 lbs. What I like about it is that it's a life change, not a DIET. It's basically just healthy eating. Good luck to your hubby no matter how he decides to lose it!!

mejumpmore1 · #11 (**permalink**) 10-12-2006, 06:21 PM

blue eyes - i'm gonna PM you.

**luvapup** · #12 (**permalink**) 12-08-2006, 09:50 PM

Low carb really does work, but you need to remain on a modified low carb approach to really maintain long term. You can never go back to regular eating or it will all come back.
I like Atkins, it works and I dont have to count continuously...the calories. I am full faster, and hungry less often, miraculously.
Food prep is the issue. Time consuming. GOtta choose to make it a lifestyle type.

Linds · #13 (**permalink**) 12-11-2006, 10:37 AM

Once he is done the Atkins diet he may want to try something like Body for Life. It is pretty easy and includes weight training, some cardio, and a diet of high protien, low refined carbs and low fat (5-6 small meals a day). Maintaining is easy since the meal plans are just health eating meals with one day a week where you get to binge.

I am also very jelouse that he is taking Krav Maga :P. My friend has been doing it for a while now and she looks amazing. Plus i am sure she can kick a muggers arse from here to timbucktwo!!

WeLoveDenim · #14 (**permalink**) 12-27-2006, 01:45 PM

I've done both South Beach & Atkins, and both work. But if you do either, he has to realize it is a lifestyle change. You can't be a junk-food junkie and expect to stay slim. I find South Beach a little easier to stick to but Atkins helps you lose fast. I've also done a modified Atkins where its low-carb and low-fat. Basically I ate lean chicken, fish, meat, eggs, and fat-free cheese & milk, and lots of low-glycemic veggies (i.e. no potatoes or corn). Doing that I lost 30 lbs. in 2 months. I am now on maintenance and follow a more South Beach-esque diet. Still eat low-fat and lots of protein but if I eat bread or carbs, its good carbs, no white flour or sugar.