Just finished reading CALP....

[Wombat]

OK y'all, I just finished reading CALP. There's a lot to like about this WOE. Call me crazy, though; I feel if I'm not flogging myself and totally depriving myself, then the method isn't hard enough on me and probably won't work! (Although I see examples of that on this forum that run to the contrary.) I don't know how I would handle the slower rates of weight loss, though....impatient person that I am. I know it's not supposed to be a means to an end, but a habit. Still....

While I noticed talk in the book about insulin levels, I didn't see nearly the emphasis on dropping cholesterol levels as you would see, say, in Atkins. I am curious to hear from those of you doing CALP. How have your cholesterol levels dropped....and what about specific examples of insulin dropping (say, for example, from 135 to 95, or something like that).

Something else that took some getting used to is not seeing how many carbs there are in the recipes in the back of the book!!! I haven't even picked a method yet and already I'm accustomed to seeing carb amounts on EVERYTHING!!! Another reason why in the back of my head it doesn't seem HARD enough to be effective....*shrug* I know that sounds really weird, but I think you know where I'm coming from.

Anxiously awaiting to hear from the CALPers! :wave:

da BAT

[Snowite69]

On July 1st I started CAD ( almost the same as CALP) and so far have lost 15 pounds. The emphasis is not on Carb amounts so much as just to eat foods with under 4 grams of carbs for your 2 comp meals and then a well rounded reward meal. so far it is working for me ( I find atkins too restrictive for me) I don't want to count carbs so this plan is something I can stick to for life. I really feel that this is the way that is actually going to help me get this weight off once and for all. You just have to take care not to buck wild with your reward meal or it could backfire on you causing you to gain instead of lose. I just take it day by day and if I find that I am gaining I make adjustments in what I am eating.

[JeannieF]

I'm doing CAD and have been for the past 2 weeks (about). I, too, am frustrated by slow weight loss, BUT I realize that I truly am a Carb Addict and I need to do this.

I've done practically every diet in the universe (okay, I exagerate) and low fat doesn't work for me. I don't lose an ounce. I'm also not really losing lbs on this (yet), but I believe if I keep at it, I will eventually lose this weight.

Give it a try. One thing I noticed almost immediately was an increase in energy. This was amazing. I always needed an afternoon nap. After only 2 days on CAD, I no longer needed a nap and haven't since! AMAZING!

It does seem almost too easy, but maybe it's about time we realize we deserve to have some good things in our life, too.

When I think I'm losing too slowly, I remember how long I've been at the same weight and tell myself, "If I could be at that weight for soooo long and not do anything about it, I can be at that weight and be eating healthy."

Does that make sense?

Go girl!

Jeannie :daze:

[Wombat]

Well I am on week 2 of Atkins induction and I really don't feel all that wonderful. I'm not noticing a huge weight loss either (read: ANY), which seems to be typical for Atkins "inductees." Perhaps I should re-read CALP and reconsider. I think I can live with a 1-2 pound loss a week as long as it is somewhat constant. But so far I am seeing nothing and feeling horrible. For some odd reason I have convinced myself that you really need to be beating yourself up BIG TIME in order to get some kind of weight loss reaction.

CALP seems like the 'kinder, gentler' way to get the same results (albeit slower). I think it would be a better diet (ooops, perhaps I should be thinking "way of life") for me to go on once I conceived as well (we'll start trying next year for a kid).

Thanks for the input.

[JeannieF]

I'm now beginning week 5 of CAD and doing great. I don't even think about cheating.

I've lost about 10 lbs and don't feel deprived at all. I, personally, haven't had success on Atkin's as it's way to restrictive for my personality. I have to have some carbs to feel like I'm living.

Do what works best for you. Cad isn't hard to understand (at least for me it isn't). Very lo carb for 2 meals, one Reward Meal that you are allowed to indulge a little.

Just wanted to update you, since my weight loss did pick up some. I seem to have, what they call "wooshes", where you don't lose for days on end and then WOOSH! Off come 2 or 3 lbs. Okay. If that's the way it works, it'll work for me.

Good luck!

Jeannie

[Wombat]

So tell me Jeannie, how long did you do Atkins before you decided to switch to CAD, and did you find yourself in a stall when you did the switch? Inquiring minds want to know :)

There IS something rather nice about the idea of a 'reward meal.' Honestly I think it would help me stay more in control, not out of control.

I told my husband about CALP and when I told him I was starting with Atkins induction I think he was disappointed...and concerned. Of COURSE, HE doesn't have to lose weight, and is as fit as a fiddle. (Rides his bike to work every day)

Love your signature :thup:

[JeannieF]

Well, I didn't switch directly over from Atkins to CAD. I had a significant break (a whole pregnancy, lots of weight gain.)

I tried Atkins previously and couldn't handle the restriction. Felt like I was in jail (so to speak) when it came to eating. Too many "can't eats" on Atkin's for my personality.

But, I believed carbs were definitely my problem, so how to handle the carb problem but not do Atkins? The answer for me was CAD.

I have found this WOE to be extremely easy. I feel like I get plenty to eat and I don't feel deprived or sorry for myself.

Think on something....

From what you've written, you're concerned about losing quickly -- seeing results. (Aren't we all!!!) BUT, a thought process I've adopted is... HOW LONG WAS I JUST PLAIN FAT AND DIDN'T DO ANYTHING? Why is it now such an emergency that I lose FAST?

This is NOT a fast weight loss program. This is a slow, steady, stall, slow again, steady again, stall... weight loss program. If I know I've been following the program to the best of my ability, I can stick with it.

Also, do measurements or get a pair of tight pants or one's that just don't even go on. Try them on every week to see how the fit has changed. When you are eating hi protein, you will, will, will built muscle and move the fat out without necessarily seeing a big change on the scale.

You'll see that over and over again on this site, in all the Hi Protein, Lo Carb books and I've seen it personally. You want to lose FAT, not just weight.

I find I have no problem staying on this WOE when I don't see a change in the scale every morning (sometimes it even goes up!), when I don't feel deprived and angry about all the stuff I CAN'T eat.

Do what works for your psychi and your body. Both have to be involved to win this war. :daze:

Jeannie

[aussiemike]

Hi Yall,

Just wanted to echo your sentiments....

Im an active CAD'er and have to say I love it and it is SO easy!!!

Ive lost 32 pounds now in the last 3 months and feel great. Im even starting to feel like my NEW trousers are getting too lose for me.

I love CAD because you CAN have carbs but just once per day and its so balanced.

I have to say too sometimes i feel like im cheating because its so easy and think it should be harder BUT its just that weight loss has been so misunderstood until the last few years and general perceptions seem to now be changing radically and quickly!!

HOpe to hear from you all soon..........

[Libbyfcr]

Don't be in a big hurry. Change will come and pretty soon you will be looking back on the last year and saying " I can't believe I have done this!"

You are all doing fantastic and I will be waiting around with a smile on my face watching your successes!

Best wishes,
Libby :wave:

[carolsofla]

This whole thread is very interesting to me because I've been considering switching from Atkins to CAD/CALP (haven't decided which one, but CALP seems much easier). I started Atkins July 17 and definitely have seen the pattern...lose, stall, gain, stall, lose. I've only lost 8 pounds, which is actually not bad since that's more than 1 pound a week. I'm coming off a stall right now, too, so I expect I'll drop another pound in the next day or two. So far I don't see any difference in size, but I definitely don't feel so full and bloated. Low-carb isn't real hard for me, but I do miss pizza!

Anybody have any thoughts about CAD vs CALP?

[JeannieF]

After reading both books, CAD is much less restrictive than CALP, but if you like order in your life, CALP is probably the better way to go. Less choices, it seems.

CAD, to me, is simple.

1. Very lo carb breakfast
2. Very lo carb lunch
3. Well balanced dinner with option to have carb of choice or induldge in a treat, if you so desire. (Reward Meal)

CALP is a little more laden with rules (i.e., salad is a must before each RM. 1/3 veggie; 1/3 protein; 1/3 carb for RM...)

Good luck. I find it very easy for the most part. Not a hard WOE to follow.

Jeannie

[Libbyfcr]

Personally I think they are both simple to comprehend and follow. My preference however is for the CALP book. I think it just clarifies a few things from the first book.

My suggestion is this...... read them both and then decide what works for you. If you are like me then you will have to learn from trial and error regarding what works best for you.

They are both good books.

Libby :wave:

[carolsofla]

Thanks for all the input. As much as I like both CAD & CALP, I don't find the books well written. They are very confusing and I had to re-read some of both of figure out exactly what the plan is. The main thing I like about CALP is having a snack, not that I snack that much. Also, on both of them, if breakfast and lunch are the complementary meals, where are the carbs in breakfast? The books refer to things like eggs and bacon???

[aussiemike]

hi carolsofla,

Im an active CAD'er. The book is a little unclear at times but the basic principles are you restrict your carbs to a 60 minute period, once per day.

SO if you want them at breakfast you could have Cheese on toast with some tomatoes of whatever you like.

Personally, I stick my reward meal for the end of the day because it feels good to look forward to my carbs with dinner. I still love my rice, pasta and potatoes!!!

Good luck!

[carolsofla]

Well, if it's working for you and you mainly restrict your carbs to the one 60-minute timeframe, that's certainly easy. I'm getting really close to giving it a try. For instance, last night we went out to dinner and I was absolutely craving Italian food. I had veal and peppers with no pasta, a salad, and a glass of wine (and my low-carb cheesecake, of course!). This morning I'm up a little. Good grief.

[Wombat]

Yeppers, I am getting really close to switching too. I am going to re-read CALP and study it so I can make sure I am doing it right. I don't think I was doing Atkins correctly and I've actually gained a couple of pounds. Perhaps Atkins is just too hard. I was making myself miserable.

This past weekend there was no way I could have done Atkins. I was working at a womens prison retreat and we actually feed the women food from the outside. GOOD food. Our husbands and other men from the church were cooking the meals and having them delivered into the prison. Food they would never get to enjoy in the facility....like STEAK and BAKED POTATOES. FRIED CHICKEN, COLE SLAW and POTATO SALAD. We had FRUIT and VEGGIE trays for them to snack on between presentations. We also had PRETZELS and CHEX MIX and MINIATURE CHOCOLATE BARS OF EVERY KIND. This past weekend, awesome though it was, was a disaster of the worst magnitude diet-wise. It would have been easier to be on CALP and fit in a 'reward meal' in that kind of scenario. (Resisting the other stuff is another battle altogether.) *heavy sigh*

To be fair, however, I haven't read Protein Power yet and I FINALLY got to check it out at the library (I've had it on hold forever) and I would like to read it and see what it says.

Here's something you may find interesting: the ladies at the prison KNOW about low-carbing...facts as well as fallacies. We actually got a chance to talk about it.

[aussiemike]

Hi Carol,

Dont worry,

The CAD book talks about that. I actually go up and down all the time and thats natural... Last week i weighed 83.9 kg and then saturday was 84.5 then sunday was 83.8.. so its really the general pattern that is most important...

IM really tempted to barrage you with a million reasons to do CAD but i wont, its your choice. But i do find it such an easy and fantastic way to lose weight.. One thing i discussed with another person here was that we figured we must be in Ketosis or something like it for about 23 hours a day. I reckon that still allows the body blood sugar and insulin levels plenty of time to balance out and BURN THAT FAT BABY!!!

Hey by the way, Whats it like living in sth Florida?

Bye
Mike

[aussiemike]

AMEN WOMBAT!! I HEAR YA!!

i couldnt do Atkins either. I lasted 1 day and then binged the next... Ive lost over 30 pounds easily on CAD and have lost my food cravings probably 90% !!

By the way are you an aussie ? (i.e. Wombat)

MIke

[mnokat]

So here's a question for you all:
What if I decide NOT to have any carbs with my RM? Do you think that will be okay? Sometimes I just want the meat and a salad, and don't want to add any carbs... Will this cause me to stall, or to lose weight faster? I can't find any definitive answer on this anywhere.

Have any of you tried cutting back the carbs to even less than 1/3 of your RMs?

Looking forward to your responses!
Kate

[aussiemike]

Hi MNOKAT

I am not sure but i guess if you reduce your carbs you will lose weight faster becuase its the bodys reaction to carbs and the following insulin response which causes weight gain.

The only thing id say is that in my experience the more extreme my diet then the more extreme my bounceback has always been. The no carb solution works for a lot of people but not for me...

My weight loss has slowed as Im about 7kg off my target but because its sustainable with the RM, im content to wait.

Hope that helps

Mike

[JeannieF]

Hi MNOKAT:

I frequently forgo the extra carbs because I truly don't want them. I find it speeds things up a bit. It's the freedom to know I can have them if I want them that makes this WOE so livable. :p
I feel proud and content all at the same time when I can say, "No, I actually don't want that cookie, ice cream, candy, noodles, potato..."

Like Mike said, you're more content to wait for the weight loss when you're not suffering or feeling deprived and sorry for yourself.

Enjoy!

Jeannie

[Libbyfcr]

Okay, I got lost.........
Also, on both of them, if breakfast and lunch are the complementary meals, where are the carbs in breakfast? The books refer to things like eggs and bacon???

I don't understand the question. Do you want to clarify?

If breakfast and lunch are your low-carb meals then that is exactly what it means. LOW carb...... not No carb. If you follow the CALP book they have a list of many wonderful acceptable foods for your Low Carb/Complimentary meals of the day.

Personally, I eat a wide variety of non-breakfast types of food for breakfast. You don't have to stick with just eggs and meat. I like grilled salmon and asparagus for breakfast...... things like that.

:wave: Libby

[mnokat]

I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't going to be doing greater damage if I skipped the carbs. I guess I've had the "make sure you eat all of your food" mentality for too long. Too much Jenny Craig!!!

I'm on week 2 of this new WOL and I am so happy with it I can't even stand myself! I feel like for the first time ever I actually have the appetite of a normal person! And that is WITH eating a scoop of ice cream with dinner!!! It's absolutely amazing to me that I can walk by my admin's candy dish and not feel tempted to splurge.

I have only been eating twice a day - LC lunch, usually a salad with some grilled chicken and bleu cheese salad dressing (I still can't believe that I am actually eating Bleu cheese dressing!), and then a sensible dinner. I've never been a breakfast person, so it's a relief to me that we don't have to eat it! But my question is this... I know that on Atkins, you are supposed to eat 6 times a day (or something ridiculous like that). I'm never hungry 6 times a day! Do you find it more difficult to lose the weight eating fewer times? Has anyone done both plans?

Thanks again for your responses!!!
Kate

[JeannieF]

It is NOT more difficult to lose while eating only twice or three times a day. CAD recommends only eating 3 times a day, 4 at most if you really need a snack. This keeps the insulin from being released all the time. This is why you aren't tempted by the boss' candy dish!

I know exactly what you mean, I'm hardly ever tempted by the cookie jar anymore, and that's a miracle. (Every once in a while I am tempted, I admit. Usually when under stress.)

Well, hope you enjoy this WOE as much as I do. I'm soooo happy with it! I feel in control for the first time in my life. 5 weeks of control is just more than I could have ever hoped for!

Congrats on your great beginning!

Jeannie

[Wombat]

Originally posted by aussiemike
AMEN WOMBAT!! I HEAR YA!!

i couldnt do Atkins either. I lasted 1 day and then binged the next... Ive lost over 30 pounds easily on CAD and have lost my food cravings probably 90% !!

By the way are you an aussie ? (i.e. Wombat)

MIke


Sorry to disappoint you, Mike, but alas, I am an American (a Texas Aggie no less! *gasp!* :p ) who was born overseas in Germany. :)

I picked Wombat because they are kind of cute :) And because at the time I joined this site the name I would have picked was taken. I was doing some research on Australian politics during this time (the resolution on the Republic) and it seemed to work well enough. And finally I guess it could be a tribute to a penfriend I had ages ago from Melbourne (North Sunshine) Victoria ;)

[Libbyfcr]

I have only been eating twice a day - LC lunch, usually a salad with some grilled chicken and bleu cheese salad dressing (I still can't believe that I am actually eating Bleu cheese dressing!), and then a sensible dinner. I've never been a breakfast person, so it's a relief to me that we don't have to eat it!

When I had my first stall I discovered that it was caused by not eating enough. I tended to skip breakfast and only eat twice a day. As odd as it may seem, I found that I began to loose weight again after I UPPED my calorie intake by eating breakfast. So these days I usually eat breakfast.

Just something to be aware of, although I know we are all different.

Keep up the good work!
Libby :wave:

[carolsofla]

This whole thread is so useful! Now I'm convinced to switch to CAD. Thanks to everyone for your comments!

Mike - South Florida is great. I've only been here just under 2 years and feel like I should have been born & raised here! I was going to ask about Australia, but then read on and found you're from Texas!

Libbie - what I meant by my comment on the low-carb breakfast is, the book gave examples that only included eggs & bacon, which is nearly no carbs, unless they count the .6 in an egg! I'm pretty flexible and enjoy unusual breakfasts, too, so that's not a problem. I just thought it was an inconsistency in the book.

[AnnMarie]

Wow. I am new here, and just wanted to say that this is a great thread. It has alot of valuable information in it, and alot of my questions have been answered! Thanks to everyone who posted, it was very helpful!!
:) :)

[carolsofla]

I switched from Atkins to CALP 9/16. The first week I lost 1/2 pound. That was good. The second week I lost 1 pound. That was good, too. But Sunday night we ate out and for the very first time since starting low-carb 7/16 I had too many carbs. They had the nicest popover muffins, a lovely Italian egg-custard dessert (I think it was called pancetta?), and I had wine. Normally I could balance all that, but the entree had a high-carb veggie. I didn't eat too much of it, but I did eat some, which messed up the 1/3-1/3-1/3 balance. I was also hungry and had cravings. I increased my lunch portions and started adding a small protein snack in the late afternoon and I'm not hungry anymore.

I'm back to my regular meals today and should be able to make it up, but it was really discouraging to step on the scale this morning. Since I switched from Atkins (where I lost 8, gained back 3 between 7/16 and 9/16, with no cheating), I am starting to lose a bit, but I'm still not back to the total of 8 that was so tenuously in my grasp. I haven't seen any change in size at all. :(

[JeannieF]

i can see why you'd be discouraged! What a bummer to be that resistant to weight loss.

I really can't believe that you aren't even seeing size change or the clothes getting bigger.

I haven't a clue why it's taking so long for you to see results.

Did you see a weight gain after eating out? I didn't pick that up from your entry. I have found that if I do eat out, I usually see an increase in weight of around 2 lbs, but that it goes off in a few days. I attribute this to hidden carbs (what do they put in that sauce?) and too much salt in the restaurant foods. So I drink lots after I eat out, like in the following days.

Have you been seen by a Doctor to have your thyroid checked? This may seem silly, since you are not hugely overweight, but since it's such a slow weight loss for you, I'd consider this.

I'm still plugging along and losing slow, but sure. I'll take whatever I can get, as I am definitely less weight than I was 2 months ago.

Good luck, dear. I hope this gets moving. I also hope a mentor sees your entry and maybe can offer some help.

Jeannie

[carolsofla]

Thanks for your response, Jeannie. We eat out a lot, but I'm usually pretty good and don't gain (I hardly lose, either). This time I did because I messed up my high-carb balance, so I expected it. I'm also 55 and post-menopausal, so I'm sure that doesn't help. I haven't been checked for thyroid problems, but my last physical didn't show any problems--Jan 2002. I know there are certain additional tests they can do, so I'll request those. My Step-Mom has a thyroid problem and she's never been terribly overweight--probably as much as I am. So maybe...

We're going on our first cruise next week (couldn't resist, living right here in Ft. Lauderdale--no airfare!). I know people are tempted, but I know I can be pretty good. The only time I may slip is when we're visiting Mexico--I love eating different foods. Fortunately, that will probably only be for lunch, but I may just go with the flow and make up for it later.

Today's food:

breakfast - 2 slices Atkins' zucchini bread (made with soy &
almond flour, zucchini, oil, and Splenda) w/whipped
cream cheese
lunch - tuna w/mayo & lettuce/tomato salad
snack - 1-2 oz of peanuts (I'm starving already, so I feel I need
a snack) or some zucchini bread
dinner - will be steak, corn on the cob, salad, and green beans,
plus a glass of wine--no dessert

I have a suspicion wine may be the problem--I have a glass every day--but even when I stopped I didn't lose, so I figured I didn't want to give it up if it didn't bring a benefit!

[bookworm67]

I'm glad to see such a lengthy discussion of CAD in this forum. Seems like most users focus on the Atkins plan, which for me would be too strict to follow for a lifetime.

It's almost two years since I started on the CAD program. It's changed my life. I never want to go back to the old one. Ever since I can remember I was ALWAYS thinking about food, even when concentrating on something else. If I wasn't eating, it was only through sheer force of will. That continual craving for food is gone. Sometimes I actually forget to eat breakfast. Another nice benefit is now I get dessert everyday, where before I tried never to eat it. (If I did, I sneaked it and felt guilty).

Initially I followed the diet to the letter and lost around 1 pound every week. I've stayed the same weight now for about a year, but no longer follow the diet with such rigor, i.e., I sometimes carb overload in my reward meal. This cheating keeps me from losing more weight, but I'm satisfied where I am. This Christmas I plan on wearing an outfit I bought last February (I used to wear a 14; now I wear a size 10). That will be the first time that my weight has stayed the same through two winter seasons!

It's too bad that some doctors and nutritionists spend so much effort trying to debunk low carb diets instead of seeing if they work. It seems like part of the problem is they only respond to extreme low-carb diets, like Atkins, and ignore diets like CAD which allow plenty of carbohydrates.