Trying to Jump Start My Weight Loss!!

Updated on April 25, 2012
J.S. asks from Cortland, IL
12 answers

I'm finally back in the rhythm of working out & exercising regularly!! BUT, my downfall is my eating habits. I'm not overweight, nor am I close to it, but I don't like the way I look. After 3 kids, you can guess my problem areas!!
I want to jump start my weight loss by decreasing my carb & calorie intake. Any food suggestions?? I actually wanted to do a 1-week trial of no carbs at all, as I've heard great things about results from doing so.
Any ideas on yummy foods that have little or no carbs and low in calories??
Thanks in advance!!!

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M.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I have been reading recently about a new method of weight loss that looks extremely promising-For 2 days of the week you no/low carb it and eat just very healthy on the other days. Dieters who ate lke this lost more weight than regular low-calorie dieters. Two days a week of this will be easy because you won't tire of the foods. Here is what I suggest to eat:
breakfast- spinach omelet, spinack quicches that can be made ahead (these are from South Beach Diet)
Lunch-lettuce wraps If you haven't tried these they are really good. South Beach diet has a lot of good recipes
Dinner-vegetarian chili, small salad or fish and roasted veggies
snack-red peppers and hummus

Get the SB Diet book for lots of great recipes and ideas.

My new favorite snack is Kale Chips. Jackcie-you have to try these...they are amazing and SO healthy. All that you do is set the ove for 350 and prepare the chips by taking the Kale off of the stems and chopping it up. Toss it in a little EVOO with salt and cook for about 15 mins. I sprinkle fresh parm on when they are done. I have eaten just this for dinner and have been so satisfied.

HERE IS SOME INFO ON THE DIET:
Low-Carbohydrate Diets, 2 Days-A-Week Shown To Be More Successful Than Standard Dieting, Study Finds

An intermittent, low-carbohydrate diet was superior to a standard, daily calorie-restricted diet for reducing weight and lowering blood levels of insulin, according to recent findings.

Researchers at Genesis Prevention Center at University Hospital in South Manchester,
England, found that restricting carbs two days per week may be a better dietary approach than a standard, daily calorie-restricted diet for preventing breast cancer and other conditions, diseases.

"Weight loss and reduced insulin levels are required for breast cancer prevention, but
these levels are difficult to achieve and maintain with conventional dietary approaches,"
said a team of research dieticians at the Genesis Prevention Center,

The findings were presented at the 2011 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, held in early December.

The researchers compared three diets during four months for effects on weight
loss and blood markers of breast cancer risk among 115 women with a family history of
breast cancer.

They randomly assigned patients to one of the following diets:
1) a calorie-restricted, low-carbohydrate diet for two days per week;

2) an "ad lib" low-carbohydrate diet
in which patients were permitted to eat unlimited protein and healthy fats, such as lean meats, olives and nuts, also for two days per week;

3) a standard, calorie-restricted daily
Mediterranean diet for seven days per week.

Interestingly, the data revealed that both of the intermittent, low-carbohydrate diets were superior to the standard, daily Mediterranean diet in reducing weight, body fat and insulin resistance.

Mean reduction in weight and body fat was roughly 4 kilograms (about 9 pounds) with the intermittent approaches compared with 2.4 kilograms (about 5 pounds) with the standard
dietary approach.

Insulin resistance reduced by 22 percent with the restricted low-
carbohydrate diet and by 14 percent with the "ad lib" low-carbohydrate diet compared with
4 % with the standard Mediterranean diet.

"It is interesting that the diet that only restricts carbohydrates but allows protein and fats is as effective as the calorie-restricted, low-carbohydrate diet," the researchers said

2 moms found this helpful
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D.C.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I have a tip if you have a smartphone. I downloaded an app called 'myfitnesspal'. It keeps a food diary for you, including all your nutrition info so you can SEE your calorie intake, carb intake, etc. And you can either search for the food that you ate, or you can scan the barcode on any pre-purchased food with your phone camera and it puts it in. It is so great for keeping track of any kind of diet! I just found it and I love it.

As for the low-carb diet - lean meats and lots of veggies is the easiest way to do it. You can make chicken stir fry (but be careful of any sauce), hamburgers (no bun), eggs for breakfast and throw some chopped veggies or fresh herbs in for extra taste. Most vegetables are low-carb, as long as you avoid potatoes, corn, carrots, and peas. But make sure you drink a LOT of water if you go low-carb. A friend did it and lost a lot of weight, but didn't drink enough water and ended up with a kidney stone. Not good.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

I cut all bread from my diet inaddtion to all junk food (cake, cookies, ice cream, candy and chips) I increased my protein and fat intake. My starting weight was 140lbs on Jan 17. At 5'7" I was not considered overweight either. As of today I weigh 121lbs and wear a size 4 or 6.
I recommend you you keep the good carbs such as fruit in your diet. Berries are very good for you and have a lower glycemic index count than other fruits such as bananas. I do however mix a banana in my protein shake every morning. I also eat nuts (good fat). I usually have chicken or steak for dinner and I eat bacon a few times per week because I love it:). I no longer crave carbs BTW.
Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

A.G.

answers from Houston on

Don't cut out carbs just eat good ones. Your body needs a balance of carbs, proteins and fats to function properly.

Instead you should try to make half of everything you eat raw fruit or veggies and keep your meals under 400 cal three times a day with 150 cal snacks in between. And work out of course

1 mom found this helpful

T.K.

answers from Dallas on

Some of our faves are nuts.
they are high protein, and while they have carbs, it's offset once you subtract fiber to get the net carbs. When you get tired of regular almonds, you can get wasabi, bbq, cheddar. It's crunchy, salty, filling. They really help with that crunchy, salty craving.

String cheese
pepperoni
celery dipped in peanut butter or ranch
sliced ham and cheese, rolled up, skewered with a toothpick. I dip them in a little olive oil vinagrette. The vinegar helps speed the metablosim.
hard boiled egg
fresh strawberries
scrambled eggs with fresh veggies and cheese with salsa.
homemade hamburger patty, topped with carmelized onions and mushrooms

1 mom found this helpful

M.L.

answers from Houston on

No carb diets work! But then you become really bloated and icky feeling fairly quickly and the weight comes back, sometimes even more so. So simply, restricting the carbs and making healthier choices is the best way to start.

Don't bring the junk food in the house! Snack on healthier options, yummy trail mix, granola bites, lightly salted avocado, hard boiled eggs, string cheese, fresh fruits and veggies (make a yummy, low cal/low sugar or serve with peanut butter) dip, open faced sandwiches, hummus or salsa with chips, lightly salted.no butter popcorn... Lots of great healthy recipes and meal plans online, check out sparkpeople.com .

1 mom found this helpful
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H.M.

answers from Denver on

If you are a late night snacker start there - it's my downfall. Eat regular meals during the day but vow to not eat anything after dinner. If I can do that I almost always see a quick increase in weight loss...plus after a week or so I lose that desire to shove cookie after cookie in my mouth while I stare mindlessly at the tv.

Otherwise - I've also heard eating spicy foods jump starts your metabolism.

Good luck!

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M.L.

answers from Colorado Springs on

There are good carbs, which you need to eat! You can get a little book which gives you the protein, carb, and fat content of lots of food (or perhaps you could find it online). This will be very useful to you. If you cut down or eliminate the carbs you don't *really* need, you'll help yourself. You need the carbs in milk, veggies, etc. The chips and the bread... not so much. Try cutting down on those (or cutting them out), and increase the protein you eat. That may help. Back to working out - well done!

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B.F.

answers from San Francisco on

Try the South Beach diet. It's healthy and really works. (It actually was originally a diet for heart disease patients.) Get the book and read it for the full effect (and recipes!). It will actually change your eating habits for the long term based on what you learn. Good luck!

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M.K.

answers from St. Louis on

I do not suggest trying a diet that forces you to restrict a food group or a type of food. That is extremely bad and can lead to later binging when you aren't allowed to have that food type. It doesn't matter if you eat a stick of butter or whole grain fat free toast - calories in, calories out will determine your weight loss. (And some other super scientific things but it's not really important, you can lose weight without knowing all the details).

"Mindless Eating" is a great book with some different tricks to eat less and to eat more healthy without restricting yourself in an unhealthy way, whether with calories or food type. If you drop too fast in calorie intake your body will not be able to handle the stress. Please read this book before jumping on the diet train!

To the person who quoted a study below, just based on skimming, if you're focusing on protein/fats and no carbs, you're obviously going to be full more often because protein fills you up much quicker. However, I'd suggest rather than cutting out all carbs, stay closer with complex carbs (whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta) and pay attention to proper portion control, but avoid simple carbs (candy, sugar, etc).

Look into the glycemic index for good foods for energy and blood sugar maintenance.

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

Decrease carbs leave the calories alone. That should kick up your metabolism. If you decrease the calories at the same time you will slow down your metabolism so you will just be suffering but not losing weight. That's no fun!

F.H.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi J., If you are looking for an online support group and you're on facebook, search "be my diet buddy" and join our group (and anyone else that might be interested). We encourage and support each other online so check it out. Personally, I don't think eliminating carbs is the answer, but I am overweight so maybe I shouldn't talk! I'm trying to do "everything in moderation". I do have a diet that has been working that is all natural, I will PM it to you. I hope you find something that works for you! Good luck!

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