How do you maintain your lower/conscious-carb lifestyle?

[Anonymous]

I am trying to lose weight; very overdue after having babies. I am consciously choosing to not eat "bad"/white carbs (including bread, pasta, sugars etc) and loading up on good carbs (veggies, fruit, nuts etc) and proteins. I am not trying to go "no-carb" or even "low-carb" per se. I'm just trying to have protein for breakfast, eat salads for lunch, and watch my carb intake. I refuse to sacrifice a glass of wine. I have already lost 5lb! I'd like to continue losing and then maintain my weight. And I'd like to be able and have some pizza or pasta once a week, especially during our family pizza night!

I am also of course doing exercise.

Any success stories on maintaining a lower carb lifestyle thats realistic?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I'm obese and needed to limit carbs during pregnancy, and my trick was to up my protein a lot. By the time I got the amount of protein a day that my CNM suggested, I didn't have room for carbs.

I only gained 6 pounds, baby was only 7, and I didn't get GD, so it must have worked.

[Anonymous]

I have lost approximately 10 lbs in the last 4 months by cutting out simple carbs from my diet. I cut out sugar (sometimes I will allow myself dark chocolate or honey), coffee/tea, juice and milk. I drink water or almond milk. At each meal, I eat protein, beans/legumes and veggies. And I snack on nuts in between meals. I have found that I have more energy and sleep better at night. I don't exercise at all. I too was looking to shed weight after having a baby. I recently saw friends I hadn't seen in about a year and everyone commented on how great my skin looked and how much weight I had lost. I didn't weigh myself until recently, but I could tell I was losing weight by how my clothes started to fit. Also, don't skimp on good fats. I often eat avocados with my eggs in the mornings.

For me, the key to maintaining this kind of eating habit is flexibility. If I feel like having bread, I will eat one pita bread with almond butter. If I go to a birthday party, I will eat a small amount of cake, but not always. If I make pancakes and I want some, I'll take one (without the syrup). I don't eat fruit much, but if I feel like it, I'll eat fruit. And, if I do indulge once in a while, I don't berate myself, feel like a failure or think I have to work those calories off by hitting the gym. I eventually want to start doing yoga, but for now, what I am doing is working for me. I never feel hungry and cravings start to dissipate once you start eating this way. I also don't obsess about how many glasses of water I drink in a day. I carry a bottle with me and I try to remember to drink from it throughout the day.

Good luck and be gentle with yourself!

[Anonymous]

My favorite little "trick" is that if I find myself really wanting something that is not all that healthy, I promise myself I can have it tomorrow if I still really want it. Most of the time, by the time tomorrow comes along I have either forgotten or find the craving has past. And if I really do still want it, then I have some! Sometimes way too much!!! But then it is back to focusing on healthy foods. It really helps if you like the healthy foods (I do), but thanks to our culture the other foods will always be calling our names ... and that "everything in moderation" was just a rationalization that got me fat in the first place! Good luck and congrats on your success so far!

[Anonymous]

NP i also have about 10 pounds I can not loose 15 months partum! Taking notes here! I lost a lot of weight on atkins years ago so hoping a modified version will help now. The plan is to cut out sugar and white flour for now.

[Anonymous]

Op here. Thanks for the replies! How long did you ladies go before allowing yourself the occasional slice of pizza or cake? Still in weight loss mode here; when did you guys get to the maintenance mode? Tks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Thanks for the replies! How long did you ladies go before allowing yourself the occasional slice of pizza or cake? Still in weight loss mode here; when did you guys get to the maintenance mode? Tks

PP here. In order for this to "work" you have to see it as a permanent change in the way you view food and keep it simple. I require at each meal: (i) protein, (ii) veggies, and (iii) beans/legumes. And I snack in between. In the beginning I felt like I was constantly eating so I wasn't really inclined to eat unhealthy foods. Once I felt comfortable this was my permanent way of eating, I would occasionally have a piece of cake, etc. The other day, I was craving sweets, so I had a handful of dates. If I had raisins, I would've had raisins.

Dunno if what I'm saying is helpful or makes sense. All I know is that I am seeing the results I want to see and I don't feel starved or deprived. The other day, my DC wanted pizza. I made her a simple cheese pizza at home using wheat pita bread, store bought organic pizza sauce and blended shredded cheese. DC loved it and so did DH! I took a couple bites and it was delicious. DH thinks the way I eat is extreme (I think is hefty plate of pasta is extreme), but it has become so normal for me. And when I eat out, because I know what my 3 basics are, I can choose wisely! It's funny how when you change your perspective you start to find there are more healthy choices out there than you think. The point is not to count calories, as so many people think, it's to give your body what it needs at regular, consistent intervals.