Help!

scarletfire · 11-30-2012, 06:39 PM

Newbie here looking for advice from people who have had success on LC veg diet. I am 5'7" and about 142 pounds so healthy BMI, BUT, I have been trying unsuccessfully to lose weight on a variety of diets for over a year (calorie counting, CLEAN program etc.) After seeing my brother have success (he is a carnivore for sure) on LC I thought I'd give it a try. I got a few books from the library (New Atkins and Eades 30 day) and did some research. For two weeks I ate under 50 net grams of carbs a day and did not lose any weight. I cheated over Thanksgiving because I was traveling and with family.

This week I got back on the LC train, except I have stuck to under 30 g. net carbs a day, and I've been pretty vigilant with no sugar whatsoever. It has been 6 days. I have had a bit of peanut butter but no fruits/beans. Typical protein shake for breakfast, salad for lunch, almonds/cheese for snack and meat sub+ veggies for dinner. I feel pretty exhausted. I like to rock climb and exercise a few times a week, and have not had the energy to do much. But, the worst thing is I haven't lost any weight. I am wondering if it is just impossible for me to lose 10 or even 5 pounds (seems like this diet works well for those with more weight to lose).
Here are my questions:
1) how long should it take to see results following this plan?
2) would it be okay to eat some carbs before vigorous exercise so I can make it through?
3) I work at 7 am teaching preschoolers, so caffeine is virtually impossible to give up. Okay or no?
4) as an athlete should I stick with this or try something else?
Any other advice? Thanks so much for your insight!

Librarygirl · 11-30-2012, 06:46 PM

I'm no expert, but at 5'7 and 142 lbs and an athelete, I would think you are probably at the right weight. If you are unhappy with "problem" areas, I would suggest weight lifting. I would also assume you probably already knew that.

scarletfire · 11-30-2012, 09:22 PM

I guess I should clarify- I am not only concerned about losing weight, just fitting into clothes and generally feeling good. Also, from tracking food and doing some research, I thought I may have had an insulin sensitivity and figured I would give LC a try because it seemed like a healthy option. (I'm kind of all over the place I guess!) I would just like to see if people have had positive experiences with vegetarian LC and have been able to lose a small amount of weight starting from somewhere similar to where I am. I am not enough of an athlete to stay super fit without some discipline in my diet :-) Just needing some motivation to keep going!

Nigel · 12-01-2012, 06:21 AM

If you are exhausted, my guess would be that you might not be getting enough protein.

If you eat beans, they are a great source since there are so many varieties to choose from and they help make fuel for your body when exercising.

Madge17 · 12-02-2012, 04:05 PM

Welcome Scarletfire

I'm not knowledgeable enough with the LC program to give you specific advice, but I can say that I have lost approx. 20 lbs. since starting the LC vegetarian diet.

While many folks seem to loose 20 lbs in their first few weeks of LC, it has taken me 8 months to loose this weight - and I still have a way to go. It has been a *very* slow weightloss, but that's not necessarily a bad thing - I'm hoping "slow and steady" wins the race and I won't be yo-yo ing. I also never had that initial fluid loss most people experience in the beginning either. Since I don't exercise, I really didn't expect to loose it quickly...well, quicker than 8 months maybe, BUT 20 lbs is the most weight I've lost and kept off over an 8-month period in years, so I am still psyched about it!

The closer you are to your optimum weight, the harder it may be to loose, so I wouldn't get too frustrated.

Hang in there and give it some time, everyone's body is different.

Like Nigel, I also think that eating beans for both their net carbs and protein would be good for you before a vigorous workout. Good luck and keep posting!

Librarygirl · 12-02-2012, 05:10 PM

I can't imagine at your height needing to lose weight. I guess that's why I said you should consider weight-training, if you're unhappy with problem areas. I don't think reducing your weight below what it is, at your height, would be healthy.

JMHO

11-30-2012, 06:39 PM	#1
scarletfire Junior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 2 Gallery: scarletfire	Help! Newbie here looking for advice from people who have had success on LC veg diet. I am 5'7" and about 142 pounds so healthy BMI, BUT, I have been trying unsuccessfully to lose weight on a variety of diets for over a year (calorie counting, CLEAN program etc.) After seeing my brother have success (he is a carnivore for sure) on LC I thought I'd give it a try. I got a few books from the library (New Atkins and Eades 30 day) and did some research. For two weeks I ate under 50 net grams of carbs a day and did not lose any weight. I cheated over Thanksgiving because I was traveling and with family. This week I got back on the LC train, except I have stuck to under 30 g. net carbs a day, and I've been pretty vigilant with no sugar whatsoever. It has been 6 days. I have had a bit of peanut butter but no fruits/beans. Typical protein shake for breakfast, salad for lunch, almonds/cheese for snack and meat sub+ veggies for dinner. I feel pretty exhausted. I like to rock climb and exercise a few times a week, and have not had the energy to do much. But, the worst thing is I haven't lost any weight. I am wondering if it is just impossible for me to lose 10 or even 5 pounds (seems like this diet works well for those with more weight to lose). Here are my questions: 1) how long should it take to see results following this plan? 2) would it be okay to eat some carbs before vigorous exercise so I can make it through? 3) I work at 7 am teaching preschoolers, so caffeine is virtually impossible to give up. Okay or no? 4) as an athlete should I stick with this or try something else? Any other advice? Thanks so much for your insight!

12-02-2012, 04:05 PM	#5
Madge17 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 136 Gallery: Madge17 WOE: MeatlessLowCarb/LowSodium Start Date: April 2012	Welcome Scarletfire I'm not knowledgeable enough with the LC program to give you specific advice, but I can say that I have lost approx. 20 lbs. since starting the LC vegetarian diet. While many folks seem to loose 20 lbs in their first few weeks of LC, it has taken me 8 months to loose this weight - and I still have a way to go. It has been a very slow weightloss, but that's not necessarily a bad thing - I'm hoping "slow and steady" wins the race and I won't be yo-yo ing. I also never had that initial fluid loss most people experience in the beginning either. Since I don't exercise, I really didn't expect to loose it quickly...well, quicker than 8 months maybe, BUT 20 lbs is the most weight I've lost and kept off over an 8-month period in years, so I am still psyched about it! The closer you are to your optimum weight, the harder it may be to loose, so I wouldn't get too frustrated. Hang in there and give it some time, everyone's body is different. Like Nigel, I also think that eating beans for both their net carbs and protein would be good for you before a vigorous workout. Good luck and keep posting! Last edited by Madge17; 12-02-2012 at 04:08 PM..

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11-30-2012, 06:46 PM	#2
Librarygirl Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: South Carolina Posts: 3,756 Gallery: Librarygirl Stats: HW 207/(JUDDD) 198/CW 180/GW 130 5'4 49 yo WOE: JUDDD Start Date: Low calorie 6/12 ; Low carb 9/12/ ; JUDDD 11/13/12	I'm no expert, but at 5'7 and 142 lbs and an athelete, I would think you are probably at the right weight. If you are unhappy with "problem" areas, I would suggest weight lifting. I would also assume you probably already knew that.

11-30-2012, 09:22 PM	#3
scarletfire Junior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 2 Gallery: scarletfire	I guess I should clarify- I am not only concerned about losing weight, just fitting into clothes and generally feeling good. Also, from tracking food and doing some research, I thought I may have had an insulin sensitivity and figured I would give LC a try because it seemed like a healthy option. (I'm kind of all over the place I guess!) I would just like to see if people have had positive experiences with vegetarian LC and have been able to lose a small amount of weight starting from somewhere similar to where I am. I am not enough of an athlete to stay super fit without some discipline in my diet :-) Just needing some motivation to keep going!

12-01-2012, 06:21 AM	#4
Nigel Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,072 Gallery: Nigel	If you are exhausted, my guess would be that you might not be getting enough protein. If you eat beans, they are a great source since there are so many varieties to choose from and they help make fuel for your body when exercising.

12-02-2012, 05:10 PM	#6
Librarygirl Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: South Carolina Posts: 3,756 Gallery: Librarygirl Stats: HW 207/(JUDDD) 198/CW 180/GW 130 5'4 49 yo WOE: JUDDD Start Date: Low calorie 6/12 ; Low carb 9/12/ ; JUDDD 11/13/12	I can't imagine at your height needing to lose weight. I guess that's why I said you should consider weight-training, if you're unhappy with problem areas. I don't think reducing your weight below what it is, at your height, would be healthy. JMHO