Question:
IS IT POSSIBLE THAT SOME PEOPLE NEED CARBS TO LOSE?

Is it possible that some people need carbs to lose more weight than with just all protein? When I did Atkins Pre-op I would NEVER lose no matter what, BUT when I went back to weight wathchers and got a variety I would lose. I know I shouldn't compare myself to others, but I am losing slowly, 30 pounds in 10 weeks. I'm wondering if I should start eating some carbs, I only eat meat and cheese and mostly salads. I get on the treadmill for 20-30 min. about 4-5 times a week.    — Kelly* P. (posted on April 1, 2003)

March 31, 2003
Hi Kelly- I believe Dr Atkins mentions in his books that not everyone has that problem (needing to eat low-carb to lose weight). I have a friend who followed Atkins WOE religiously and it did nothing for her also. We humans all seem to react differently to things- look at all the different outcomes of WLS (dumping or not dumping, etc.) Seems to make sense that Atkins may not work for some. Good Luck :o)
   — Mea A.

March 31, 2003
I had my surgery on 8/8/02 and I have lost 110 lbs now. I noticed early on that carbs had no negative effect on my weight loss actually, I found they helped. I am short and was told to eat 65 grams of protein per day. Around Christmas I tried just eating only protein roastbeef, shrimp, tuna, eggs and of course water to make sure my weight didn't slow. I found myself in a plateau very quickly. After saying screw it and began eating a little bit of everything (carbs) my weightloss started again. Basically, I have found that in order to lose weight I need to eat a balanced diet. There are times when I do not get enough protein and I just feel sluggish so I know I need to pay more attention. I have been very lucky in my weightloss journey. Old habits have not been hard to break and maintaining my new lifestyle is fairly easy. Today, I am at 215 lbs and a size 14/16, my goal is to never weight more than I do right now. I am happy and healthy, if I continue to lose weight then great and if I don't, well I am still 110 lighter than when I started my journey. Good luck to you in finding your path, I wish yours comes as easily as mine has. Angela
   — Angela A.

March 31, 2003
hi, i would like to say WOW 30lbs is great!!! you just keep plugging away. as for diet why don't you try a diet that incorperates a little of everything trying to make sure your getting enough protien but including some carbs, fruit and veggies in a balance for a month and see where you stand at the end of 30 days. you had the surgery so your gonna lose one way or another just how fast nobody know. keep up the exercise your doing great. kimberly open distal bypass 11/12/02 -72lbs
   — kimberly T.

April 1, 2003
Most nutritionists still recommend a balanced diet which includes proteins, carbs and some fats. Altho we are advised to keep up our protein, that doesn't mean we have to eliminate all other foods, and in fact, in order to eat a well balanced diet, we need carbs. I'm sure you know that there are good carbs (whole grain foods, beans, fruits and veggies) and bad carbs (white flour products, candy,). So, minimizing the bad carbs, balancing the good carbs with good proteins and minimizing the sugars is the healthiest diet for us. 30 pounds in 10 weeks is not bad. I know its hard not to compare, but if you do, you'll drive yourself nuts. most of us cannot compete with the ones who lose 100 pounds in a few months....
   — Cindy R.

April 1, 2003
Kelly, I completely agree with you. And if you are exercising that much, you NEED to eat some carbs. We need extra energy to burn when we work out, so eating carbs is really a good thing, not a negative thing when working out. SOme suggest sticking to whole wheat and whole grain carbs, I still do some white carbs, though. Working out 4-5 times a week makes me hungry and the carbs give me energy to burn. And good for you for exercising so early on post-op- it took me 6 months to get my butt moving! You're doing great!
   — Lezlie Y.