[phatgyrl]

My first question is this: Which is actually better...counting carbs and counting calories? I lost the majority of my weight a few years ago following a low carb approach. Then I hit a plateau so I eventually began counting calories which I feel contributed to my most recent weight loss. Now, I'm stuck trying to decide which will actually be better for me in the long run. I do find that low carb is easier for me to follow...

My second question is: I weighed in yesterday to find I was up 5 WHOLE lbs!!! what is the deal? I mean, is that even possible? This is the TOM for me and I also went out to dinner and had wine with my husband this past weekend, but 5 lbs!!! I'm so mad. I guess that could also be why I'm now trying to decide carb or calorie counting for me. Someone PLEASE help!

Thanks.

[kimberpc]

So are you still "low carbing"? I have to say that I lost 45lbs low carbing only to put it all back on over the next year.... this time I've lost 65 pounds watching what I eat (less fat and less calories) and exercising. Good Luck to you!

[phatgyrl]

I've actually been watching calories for the last 3 weeks. I only began doing that when I couldn't break a plateau I'd been on for months. I'm not finding it very easy to do because sometimes I don't really don't what to eat or how many calories a day I should actually be eating. I'm worried that I won't be able to reach my goal due to flip-flopping to and from different eating plans every other week. I'm almost ready to give up and that is so unlike me. I'm thinking of going back to low carb strictly for a while but I want to do more research on other plans before making another move.

[susanpesek]

Good Morning, Phat! I think the Weight Loss Club here details the specifics much better than I could, but for me, counting calories is the only way to lose sensibly at first. Now, I don't count as religiously, but I still count.
I break my eating up into 6 mini-meals a day, and I eat about 100 calories of protein of some sort at EACH 'sitting'. Skim milk, fat free cottage cheese, cheese sticks, a few nuts, beans(legumes), eggs, (I eat 1 yellow with 3 whites and count it about 100 calories) skinless chicken, water packed tuna, fish, pork(not my favorite), beef( low fat content)...
:p You can add protein powder to 1/4 cup water and drink it down. Not for me, though. Be certain to write down every single bite you eat or drink because that keeps you aware of what you are eating and helps to establish a good pattern.
:p Drink at least 100 ounces of water every day. I now love the taste of water but always add dome Equal and lemon. I drink 8 ounces before every mini-meal and sip during each meal and all day in between.
Make sure you eat lots of complex carbs. This is different from low-carb diets because you include every vegetable and fruit but some in more limited quantities. Make yourself a huge salad that you can eat from every day, which includes Romaine lettuces, carrots, broccoli slaw, mushrooms (add these fresh daily because they quickly spoil),tomatoes, water chestnuts, celery if you like it, bell peppers of every color, cucumbers, zucchini, squash, greens beans, spinach.
:p Bulk up your meals' volume with fresh vegetables ---cook some spaghetti squash with a tad of cinnamon and baking sweetener and spray it with Pam, bake 30 minutes for a great rich taste. Steam your broccoli or brussel sprouts and spray them with a buttery spray- we have used I Can't Believe It’s Not Butter. It's yummy~
Use fat free dressings on your salads! With all this, you can probably think of loads more items to add to the list. Be sure and eat breakfast- this is where I add most of my whole grain carbs- I eat a cup of dry Kashi Go Lean Crunch which has protein in it, along with 7 whole grains. I could hardly start my day without it.
Write tour ideas and let us know what you are going to try ~