New to low carb

[MaraNFla]

Hi,
I am new to the low carb lifestyle. I have been doing low fat for about 5 years. in Nov, of 98 I was almost 260, and today I am 180. The lowest I got on low fat, was 165, and did climb up to 193. So I been yo-yoing about 20 pounds for 5 years. The question can I also do low calories, not really low fat, but low cals, and low carb? I am having a hard time with eating to many calories! And what about alcohol? I didn't really think that I was a carb addict till today, when I had to fight with my cravings for bread. I am also a little tired, and dizzy, is this normal?

[liz175]

Hi,

Congratulations on all the weight you have lost so far. You shouldn't have to count calories while doing low carb, because the eating plan naturally supresses most people's appetites after the first few days. That's one of the great things about low carb! It's hard to get out of the lowfat mentality, but doing so is necessary to successfully do lowcarb. Eating more fat will actually speed up your weight loss.

[Rosebud]

Hi there Mara, welcome!

Unfortunately, trying to go low carb and low cal will be setting yourself up for failure.

You see, after a while of eating low cal, the body just plain thinks it's starving and hangs onto whatever it can. This is possibly the reason for your previous yo-yoing with those 20 pounds.

One important thing to remember about low carbing is that for long term success, you have to realise that it is a permanent way of life. So you need to choose a plan that you can live with.
How about reading summaries of some of the major plans in "Which low carb plan is right for me?" at the right side of the screen? You are a lot more likely to lose weight and keep it off if you follow a particular plan.

I would also suggest you have a look at "Low Carb Tips" on the orange bar at the top of the screen for some more low carb information.

HTH

:rose:Rosebud:rose:

[Lolli-J]

Hi Mara!

If you're feeling weak and dizzy, make sure you are taking all the recommended supplements.

Lolli