I CANNOT do low carbs!!!!!

[alexiarenee]

For some reason, I can't do more than a day on low carbs...
Low carbs for me meaning, 1st meal maybe oatmeal, and the rest protein with green veggies.....
I tried to do the carb rotation thing, but could do no more than 1 day low carb before I craved something bad sooooooo much that I gave in!
I do fine with maybe at least 2 of 5 meals with carbs....anything less than that and I can't hang!!
It sucks because I hear the carb rotation works really well...but I cant stick to it!!!! I can stick to a moderate carb diet forever..
Anyone else have this prob or any advice???????

 

[diamonddiceclay]

it is a matter of willpower-if you want to look good, you have to sacrifice

 

[VooDoo Lady]

I had a VERY difficult time adjusting to a low carb diet....but I just asked for as much support as I could from the people around me and dug my heels in until my body adjusted.

Now I am having a hard time ADDING carbs...

The beauty of carb rotation is that you don't have to stick to a low carb diet EVERY DAY...you get a couple of days to ease up and maintain your sanity!

You do need carbs to function! They aren't entirely evil! Unless you are trying to get into ketosis, I think you can eat a little more than just oatmeal and green beans on a daily basis! Maybe for your low carb days....

Try to stick with it long enough to let your body adjust and after a little while it won't be such an effort anymore. I PROMISE!!

VDL

 

[luvs2workout]

Try cutting back your carbs slowly...at first, I tried eating only a bowl of oatmeal in the morning ...at around 9pm I was walking to the fridge b/c I felt so weak and nearly passed out cold....then I decided that I NEEDED more carbs..you gotta listen to your body and adjust it to your needs...what works for one, may not work for the other...when I low carb - I CANNOT go lower than 60 grams and function properly....I mostly stick to no carbs after 5 or 6 - instead of going low every 2nd or 3rd day - its just what works best for me...its all about trial and error..good luck

 

[velvett]

I must be a freak.

I've been keeping my carbs under 20mg for two weeks (Keto Diet) and I finally feel normal and well, not to mention I can finally sleep though the night.

 

[mini_mouse]

it could be that your low-carb frustration is actually because you're not getting enough protein in your diet. Carbs are more filling and satisfying in the SHORT term, but within a few hours of eating they tend to exacerbate the cravings for more. Also, they only fill you up for a short space of time. Proteins fill you up for much longer and don't tend to cause such a craving frenzy. So instead of adding in more carbs you could try adding in more protein first. 6 meals a day, at least 4 of which are protein, should squash even the most enthusiastic of carb-cravings.

Also, when you do have carbs try to stick to complex carbs because they have a slow-release effect on insulin and keep you satisfied for longer. Bananas, for example, are a good source of complex carbs, and unprocessed bran is better than brand-name oatmeal.

 

[hardbdygrl]

carbs are really not that bad everyone! u need carbs to function properly,,,,carbs keep your muscles hard,,,,u will be suprised what little carb can do for u

 

[alexiarenee]

Thanks everyone for you good advice.

 

[Ceebs]

Like others have said, it's a matter of willpower. Ask yourself why you're doing low carbs in the first place. Is it because you're cutting? Did you develop a food intolerence? Do carbs do funny things to your mind? Or all of the above? And when you feel a craving coming on, ask yourself why you're craving carbs. Is your blood sugar low? Do you just want the "sweet" taste in your mouth? Do you need a pick-me-up?

Answer these questions for yourself, and when you have a craving, repeatedly remind yourself of the answers. (If you're craving carbs because your blood sugar is low, by the way, you may want to eat lower-GI carbs with larger amounts of protein to slow digestion.)

I've been low-carbing (<60 grams/day) for three years now, and even though it was hard at first to downshift from potatoes and bananas, if I have more than 40 grams in a sitting now, I feel physically ill. The body is amazingly adept at adapting to whatever you throw at it, but you're never going to lower your median carb intake unless you make a habit of it.

 

[thin]

Make a hash of chopped mushrooms, kale and unprocessed bran with some "season all" it is like turkey stuffing and can cure carb cravings.

-Susan

 

[alexiarenee]

Make a hash of chopped mushrooms, kale and unprocessed bran with some "season all" it is like turkey stuffing and can cure carb cravings.

-Susan

I have heard of Kale.....but what is it?????

 

[starfish]

Yummmmm.. I like kale. I will look into that..
Thanks Susan!

 

[thin]

It's a kind of leafy green that is high in protien and calcium... like cabbage or collard greens. It is very filling and so low calorie that if it has many carbs it won't put you over your limit for the day.

 

[rez]

as most ppl have already stated..if ure craving something, its because you havent eaten correctly. On low carb days i HAVE to increase protein and fat (not too much), but have found that adding green veg to my meals makes me full.

you can eat low carbs..i did it for weeks (although i felt like shit), but im not recommending it.
also..how much do you weigh? 1/2 that amount (in kg) and thats the level of carbs you should be maitaining on a low carb day. Maybe that will make a difference.

g'luck

 

[tripleV]

carbs are really not that bad everyone! u need carbs to function properly,,,,carbs keep your muscles hard,,,,u will be suprised what little carb can do for u

i 100% agree

 

[hookdup]

And there are other diets apart from carb cycling.
If you really can't (Spatts, I change that to "won't) cut carbs, try a diet like Body for Life. It includes a carb at every meal.

 

[supergirl]

extreme results = extreme measures

you all know i am now a fan of keto.. i am getting where i want to be.. it takes a shitload of willpower, but ya gotta do what you gotta do.. and it took me a year of mentally preparing for this diet too...

here is a little mantra for ya girls:

'NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS BEING LEAN FEELS"

I say that about 100times a day lol

 

[MS]

Yes, there is no solution other than willpower. However, unlike Spatts, I feel nothing but good good good when I allow myself a high carb meal. Very good

I feel very bad when I drop my starchy carbs down to 100g per day. This is very low for me to maintain longterm

You have to find a balance between willpower and what works for you personally. I CAN and have done ultra low carbs (CKD). I won't say I can't. I will say it does not work for me and I will not try it again, especially since I can achieve my goals with moderate carb intake.

 

[new@gettinbig]

Dont be so negative about it...you are already setting yourself up for failure.....set small goals for yourself..find a pic of a fitness chick and put it on your fridge...along w/ some inspirational quotes.....read the boards..keep busy..plan your meals in advance...write down daily what you are going to eat for that day...get your bodyfat done every so often and journal that...its all in your mind..and its a matter of you wanting to do it..you can do anything you put your mind to..but you have to do that first....you are doubting yourself and giving in...its not that bad....you have to suffer a little if you want to get lean...but its your choice!

 

[Gladiola]

I SOO relate to this!

Currently I'm trying to gain lean muscle mass... so the mantra of being lean wouldn't help me. When I'm not trying to gain, I KNOW that I can maintain my current weight & still indulge, so the mantra still isn't helpful.
My problem is sugar. & it has nothing to do with what my body wants or needs or craves... .it's all emotional. I've been trying very HARD what seems my entire life to stop using sweets as an emotional comfort. If things aren't right in my life, I want to turn to sweets. I don't know my bodyfat cuz the trainer I was supposed to meet with kept standing me up I don't have any event to train for, I didn' t have a partner until Monday (& he's not certain about it) so it's too easy to just say, "oh forget it... eat the darn donuts."

I've tried it ALL believe me. There isn't an article out there on beating cravings & sugar that I don't already know all the info. Photos of competitors don't work for me cuz I find that DEMOTIVATING (I'll NEVER look that great... & that's reality, not pessismism! In photos, women have no PORES! They look so perfect (airbrushed)!)

What DOES help me is to plan out in advance what I'll eat & pre-record it in www.fitday.com. I also write in a journal sometimes so I can reread for a kick-in the behind from myself of a week ago.

Good luck either way, I feel your pain!

 

[mini_mouse]

When i diet and fail, I can become really depressed over the next few days and eat more food because of the depression. I have become suicidally depressed over eating mistakes before. Sounds strange maybe, but thats how much i care about all of it.

So i was wondering if I should just persevere to get lean or if I should weight until the eating disorder is under control and then try it. Persevering now, I thought might take my mind off it once I reach my goal. It would also make me the happiest person in the world. It would make my life to be at 7% body fat. I would be so happy and confident that I people wouldnt know what hit me.

p60, you know, nothing is worth getting this depressed over ... not even achieving 7% bodyfat . The thing is, until you lay your eating disorder to rest, your cutting achievements will always ring hollow for you: they'll never be "good enough". And that's because your eating disorder isn't simply about wanting to be a certain weight or achieving a certain amount of lean mass, it's also about how (un)worthy you feel as a person and how out of control you're feeling in the grand scheme of things. I think you need to re-frame your focus before you channel your energies into cutting. Instead of cramming all your hopes into your weight/bf goals, take some time out to boost your self-esteem in other areas of your life. Because, unless you do, your eating disorder and associated 'all-or-nothing' thinking will continue to be the fire that fuels your cutting schedule and it will undermine all the positives that could ever come from achieving your goals.

 

[hookdup]

p60,
I think it's time for you to celebrate instead of beat yourself up.
So what, your diet isn't perfect!
You are overcoming a deadly disease ... You are WINNING!
Do you know how much willpower that takes???

Focus on the positive. One day at a time, and all that. Just keep reminding yourself, 'I'm in a better place than I was yesterday.' And then, as you're ready, you can clean your diet more.

Baby steps!!! A lot of us have been there!

CONGRATS on having an AMAZING amount of Willpower ... (even if you don't always see it)