On low-carb plan; feeling hungry.

fussyonion

Hi gang!
I started at the gym recently and was put on a low-carb plan for the next few weeks.

I'm enthusiastic and willing to change but I thought I'd just pick your brains for a moment, as this is all a bit new to me.

I'm finding myself getting hungry in the evening. I was told by my PT that you should never feel hungry; that you should feed your body every 3 hours before that feeling of hunger appears.

So if I just post what I ate today, for example, could you perhaps tell me what else I could eat to stop this feeling of hunger?

I do 45 mins cardio and 15 mins resistance at the moment (it's all I've been told to do for the next little while).

So here's what I had today:

BREAKFAST: 30g porridge made with water, 1 banana, cup of tea

LUNCH: Half a tin of tuna, rocket, watercress, spinach, cherry tomatoes, mixed peppers, scallions, sweetcorn, cucumber, about three tablespoons of brown rice. An apple.

DINNER: Two chicken breasts served with another salad and some tomato and pepper sauce (home-made).

SNACKS: 10 almonds, a kiwi fruit.

Also had 4 x 750ml bottles of water.

MileyReilly

No wonder you're starving. You need carbs simple as that.

Danger781

MileyReilly wrote: »

No wonder you're starving. You need carbs simple as that.

That's a ridiculous uneducated statement.

allthedoyles

Chia seeds and an apple through the porridge in the morning

fussyonion

Miley, I have a lot of weight to lose. I joined the gym, thinking I knew it all about healthy eating. I thought it was fine to have brown toast in the morning, wholemeal sandwich at lunch with low-fat crisps, then rice or pasta or spuds at night.

I have been educated by a professional at the gym, who taught me about carbs.
He told me to only eat them in the morning/after a workout.

He has set goals for me which I want to meet as I am trying to take this plan seriously and no doubt I'll make mistakes along the way, but I am trying my best.

fussyonion

allthedoyles wrote: »

Chia seeds and an apple through the porridge in the morning

Good thinking there..I could grate the apple. I'll pick up chia seeds in my shopping too.
I appreciate your tip; they all really go a long way in helping me!

colossus-x

I'm not sure what your diet history is but if your coming from a poor diet to the diet you describe then that's too much of a jump. One should go from a poor diet to a good diet and then to a low carb diet if weight loss stalls.

Going on a low carb diet is hard for everyone even those who have a well established healthy eating habits. So if you are coming from a poor diet I suggest eating a medium-carb diet , still ditching pasta and rice but having some new pots or bread from time to time but not overdoing it. I'd eat oats any time of the day, not just breakfast.

If your going to stick to the diet you described then I'd stick another meal in there after your dinner. Even if it was just more chicken and salad. The strategy I would take when trying to get used to low carbs is basically stuff you face with low carb healthy stuff for the first few days till your used to it even if it means you overeat. Anything to distract you from eating carbs. You'll just get used to it over some days till you'll eat normal quantities again. Have some ready to eat chunky salad in the fridge for when your feeling weak !

jacksie66

This post has been deleted.

Mellor

That's not a low carb diet. Porridge, banana, brown rice, apple, kiwi - these are all carbs. Carbs are probably making up the largest % of your intake. Followed by protein, and then very little fat.

If you are excessively hungry, then you aren't eating enough. It's hard to say without quantities, but the above is around 1000cals. That may be OK for a small female, but based on the fact you said "I have a lot of weight to lose", I'd hazard a guess that its simply not enough for you.

Whats your current weight? Whats your activity like?
As those two variables decide how much you more should be eating on a daily basis.
As for what you should be eating, you need a little more protein, and a lot more fats. You don't need another apple, you need eggs, avocado, oily fish, other meats. Keep the almond snacks, nuts and seeds are good.

deadanonymau5

fussyonion wrote: »

Hi gang!
I started at the gym recently and was put on a low-carb plan for the next few weeks.

I'm enthusiastic and willing to change but I thought I'd just pick your brains for a moment, as this is all a bit new to me.

I'm finding myself getting hungry in the evening. I was told by my PT that you should never feel hungry; that you should feed your body every 3 hours before that feeling of hunger appears.

So if I just post what I ate today, for example, could you perhaps tell me what else I could eat to stop this feeling of hunger?

I do 45 mins cardio and 15 mins resistance at the moment (it's all I've been told to do for the next little while).

So here's what I had today:

BREAKFAST: 30g porridge made with water, 1 banana, cup of tea

LUNCH: Half a tin of tuna, rocket, watercress, spinach, cherry tomatoes, mixed peppers, scallions, sweetcorn, cucumber, about three tablespoons of brown rice. An apple.

DINNER: Two chicken breasts served with another salad and some tomato and pepper sauce (home-made).

SNACKS: 10 almonds, a kiwi fruit.

Also had 4 x 750ml bottles of water.

Of course you're feeling hungry, you're barely eating. Try some more filling foods like new potatoes, pulses, quinoa and yogurt in there. You're not going to starve yourself to lose weight.

When are you feeling particularly hungry? E.g if its between lunch and dinner, eat more at lunch and less dinner, move the timing of your food around?

Was your diet crap beforehand and you suddenly jumped into this diet?

fussyonion wrote: »

Miley, I have a lot of weight to lose. I joined the gym, thinking I knew it all about healthy eating. I thought it was fine to have brown toast in the morning, wholemeal sandwich at lunch with low-fat crisps, then rice or pasta or spuds at night.

I have been educated by a professional at the gym, who taught me about carbs.
He told me to only eat them in the morning/after a workout.

He has set goals for me which I want to meet as I am trying to take this plan seriously and no doubt I'll make mistakes along the way, but I am trying my best.

What qualifications do they have? Are they personal trainers?

Alf Veedersane

fussyonion wrote: »

Hi gang!
I started at the gym recently and was put on a low-carb plan for the next few weeks.

I'm enthusiastic and willing to change but I thought I'd just pick your brains for a moment, as this is all a bit new to me.

I'm finding myself getting hungry in the evening. I was told by my PT that you should never feel hungry; that you should feed your body every 3 hours before that feeling of hunger appears.

So if I just post what I ate today, for example, could you perhaps tell me what else I could eat to stop this feeling of hunger?

I do 45 mins cardio and 15 mins resistance at the moment (it's all I've been told to do for the next little while).

So here's what I had today:

BREAKFAST: 30g porridge made with water, 1 banana, cup of tea

LUNCH: Half a tin of tuna, rocket, watercress, spinach, cherry tomatoes, mixed peppers, scallions, sweetcorn, cucumber, about three tablespoons of brown rice. An apple.

DINNER: Two chicken breasts served with another salad and some tomato and pepper sauce (home-made).

SNACKS: 10 almonds, a kiwi fruit.

Also had 4 x 750ml bottles of water.

Has your PT given an indication of the calorie content of your daily intake? And what kind of deficit the plan has you on?

fussyonion

colossus-x wrote: »

I'm not sure what your diet history is but if your coming from a poor diet to the diet you describe then that's too much of a jump. One should go from a poor diet to a good diet and then to a low carb diet if weight loss stalls.

Going on a low carb diet is hard for everyone even those who have a well established healthy eating habits. So if you are coming from a poor diet I suggest eating a medium-carb diet , still ditching pasta and rice but having some new pots or bread from time to time but not overdoing it. I'd eat oats any time of the day, not just breakfast.

If your going to stick to the diet you described then I'd stick another meal in there after your dinner. Even if it was just more chicken and salad. The strategy I would take when trying to get used to low carbs is basically stuff you face with low carb healthy stuff for the first few days till your used to it even if it means you overeat. Anything to distract you from eating carbs. You'll just get used to it over some days till you'll eat normal quantities again. Have some ready to eat chunky salad in the fridge for when your feeling weak !

I appreciate your advice.
My previous diet wasn't awful; everything I cooked was home-made with lots of vegetables, but I ate too much bread, too much rice and pasta, and I snacked on crap all day.

I understand your point about going straight to low-carb, but when I joined the gym and told my personal trainer my goals, this is the plan he gave me and because he has set me weight loss goals for this week, I have to stick to the plan.

So if that means low carb, then that's what I'm doing.

But your suggestions are definitely great, like having an extra bit of chicken and salad or keeping salad in the fridge for snacking, so thanks for that

fussyonion

Mellor wrote: »

That's not a low carb diet. Porridge, banana, brown rice, apple, kiwi - these are all carbs. Carbs are probably making up the largest % of your intake. Followed by protein, and then very little fat.

If you are excessively hungry, then you aren't eating enough. It's hard to say without quantities, but the above is around 1000cals. That may be OK for a small female, but based on the fact you said "I have a lot of weight to lose", I'd hazard a guess that its simply not enough for you.

Whats your current weight? Whats your activity like?
As those two variables decide how much you more should be eating on a daily basis.
As for what you should be eating, you need a little more protein, and a lot more fats. You don't need another apple, you need eggs, avocado, oily fish, other meats. Keep the almond snacks, nuts and seeds are good.

I understand your point, but my PT told me I could have carbs in the morning or after a workout, so that's why I had porridge yesterday morning.

Maybe I shouldn't have had the rice at lunch, but I'll learn from my mistakes.

My PT also told me fruit was OK to snack on, but not a lot and once I have some nuts with it.

My current weight is 88kg and before I joined the gym, I did zero exercise and was probably the laziest person you could meet.

fussyonion

deadanonymau5 wrote: »

Of course you're feeling hungry, you're barely eating. Try some more filling foods like new potatoes, pulses, quinoa and yogurt in there. You're not going to starve yourself to lose weight.

When are you feeling particularly hungry? E.g if its between lunch and dinner, eat more at lunch and less dinner, move the timing of your food around?

Was your diet crap beforehand and you suddenly jumped into this diet?



What qualifications do they have? Are they personal trainers?

Yes he's a personal trainer with a whole list of qualifications.

I can't go eating new potatoes, pulses, quinoa and other carbs when I feel like it.
I can only have carbs in the morning or after a workout.
That may sound restrictive to you, but I'm trying to follow a plan set for me so I can reach a weightloss goal for this week.

I'm feeling hungry in the evening. I make sure I've enough food on my plate for dinner, so this shouldn't happen probably.

My diet before was alright but not great; I cooked everything from scratch with lots of veg and nothing came from jars or packets.

But I did no exercise and snacked on crap.

runawaybishop

fussyonion wrote: »

I understand your point, but my PT told me I could have carbs in the morning or after a workout, so that's why I had porridge yesterday morning.

Maybe I shouldn't have had the rice at lunch, but I'll learn from my mistakes.

My PT also told me fruit was OK to snack on, but not a lot and once I have some nuts with it.

My current weight is 88kg and before I joined the gym, I did zero exercise and was probably the laziest person you could meet.

I think you need to reassess your PTs level of knowledge. It doesn't matter when you eat, what matters is how much. What is your calorie intake for the day, as recommended by your PT?

fussyonion

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Has your PT given an indication of the calorie content of your daily intake? And what kind of deficit the plan has you on?

No, he hasn't mentioned calories.
He gave me an info sheet listing carby foods, proteins, plant protein foods, dairy, vegetables, etc and basically I choose foods from that sheet, to eat.
Of course I can choose my own sources or proteins/veg/fruit, etc, but the sheet gives me a rough idea.

Basically it can be carbs in the morning, protein and vegetables at lunch, snack on almonds if needed, then protein and vegetables at dinner.
I've to drink a load of water too.

MileyReilly

Low carb is nonsense and the latest fad. Of course you need carbs to work out as much as you are. Some young lad who got a job in a gym is not a professional. This time next year the "professionals" will be screaming for people never to eat protein cause of some reason or other. Sheeple will do anything they're told!! Look at all the big fat head body builders with the red faces and big bellies, they're the ones shouting proteeeeiiinn. Look how they look!!

fussyonion

MileyReilly wrote: »

Low carb is nonsense and the latest fad. Of course you need carbs to work out as much as you are. Some young lad who got a job in a gym is not a professional. This time next year the "professionals" will be screaming for people never to eat protein cause of some reason or other. Sheeple will do anything they're told!! Look at all the big fat head body builders with the red faces and big bellies, they're the ones shouting proteeeeiiinn. Look how they look!!

Miley, don't bother contributing to this thread. I'm trying to get advice here, not a lecture from someone who knows absolutely nothing about this.

Penny Tration

You don't seem to be eating nearly enough calories.

I'd seriously question any professional who says you can only eat that little. No bloody wonder you're hungry!

I'd suggest having berries around to snack on. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries. I find they fill me, but for a low calorie count and a low sugar count.

That said, you're not really on low carb. Most of what you've detailed has carbs, just not carbs from bread and potatoes!

I'd also suggest some sweet potato with dinner if you end up hungry in the evening after dinner.

Alf Veedersane

fussyonion wrote: »

No, he hasn't mentioned calories.
He gave me an info sheet listing carby foods, proteins, plant protein foods, dairy, vegetables, etc and basically I choose foods from that sheet, to eat.
Of course I can choose my own sources or proteins/veg/fruit, etc, but the sheet gives me a rough idea.

Basically it can be carbs in the morning, protein and vegetables at lunch, snack on almonds if needed, then protein and vegetables at dinner.
I've to drink a load of water too.

That's fine but picking foods from that list makes it very easy to undereat in terms of calories.

It would be useful to input everything into MyFitnessPal to see what you're getting on board. It will give you an appreciation of what's in what you're eating both in terms of calories but also in terms of carbs/protein/fat.

I'd venture that what you outlined above is too low so you're going to be hungry.

Alf Veedersane

MileyReilly wrote: »

Low carb is nonsense and the latest fad. Of course you need carbs to work out as much as you are.

Your clueless rants aren't helpful.

Low-carb has its place. It isn't a one-size fits all and works for many people.

Carbs aren't needed in large quantities to fuel workouts. There's a greater need for certain types of workout/training/exercise but not all exercise.

fussyonion

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

That's fine but picking foods from that list makes it very easy to undereat in terms of calories.

It would be useful to input everything into MyFitnessPal to see what you're getting on board. It will give you an appreciation of what's in what you're eating both in terms of calories but also in terms of carbs/protein/fat.

I'd venture that what you outlined above is too low so you're going to be hungry.

Great idea; I forgot I had MyFitnessPal on my tablet. I'll definitely do this.

Ah yeah, I'm not sticking to the sheet he gave me; he just gave a rough idea of what was protein, what was plant-based protein, what was carbs, etc..it was just an explanatory list.

Once you know what's what, you then choose what you want, so I bought my own veg and protein that I like myself.

Thanks very much for your advice

runawaybishop

fussyonion wrote: »

Great idea; I forgot I had MyFitnessPal on my tablet. I'll definitely do this.

Ah yeah, I'm not sticking to the sheet he gave me; he just gave a rough idea of what was protein, what was plant-based protein, what was carbs, etc..it was just an explanatory list.

Once you know what's what, you then choose what you want, so I bought my own veg and protein that I like myself.

Thanks very much for your advice

The explanatory list should be going with something else, such as a calorie allowance. Its next to useless by itself and you can easily gain weight on a high fat high protein diet.

Has your PT touched on any of that, or on macros?

Peregrinus

What rings alarm bells for me is the PT telling you that "you should never feel hungry". If you're overweight through overeating, and are trying to correct that by adjusting your eating (whether or not in combination with exercise) then, to be honest, some feeling of hunger is inevitable. You're going to reduce your caloric intake significantly or you are going to fail in your weight-loss goal; it's as simple as that. And a significant reduction in caloric intake is going to make you feel hungry in the same way that increased exercise is going to make you feel tired.

This is largely a transitional thing. You will get to a point where you have a healthy sustainable eating pattern which leaves you feeling satisfied. But "retraining" your metabolism like this takes a bit of time. You'll need to find healthy sustainable eating habits which work for you; while you're doing that you should expect to feel a degree of hunger from time to time.

Alf Veedersane

fussyonion wrote: »

Great idea; I forgot I had MyFitnessPal on my tablet. I'll definitely do this.

Ah yeah, I'm not sticking to the sheet he gave me; he just gave a rough idea of what was protein, what was plant-based protein, what was carbs, etc..it was just an explanatory list.

Once you know what's what, you then choose what you want, so I bought my own veg and protein that I like myself.

Thanks very much for your advice

It might also be useful to get a small digital kitchen scales. You'll get one for less than a tenner. It's just hard to know a lot of the time what weight is in a serving. Again, both this and MFP aren't things you need to get bogged down in all the time long term. Before long, you can tell weights by eye and you'll know from MFP use that, for example, 30g of porridge with 80ml of whole milk is X calories, with Y grams of C/P/F.

But at the same time, I think you need to know what your TDEE (todal daily energy expenditure) is because if you don't know how many calories you burn on a typical day, then you don't really know what you should be eating to.

Here's a useful calculator

Best of luck!

Danger781

I realise this is slightly off-topic but anyone who says low-carb is a 'fad' or 'nonsense' has not done enough research or has no personal experience with low carb lifestyles. I've been doing keto since late March and I'm down somewhere in the region of two stone. Could be down a whole lot more if I tracked exactly what I ate - But I don't, because I don't need to (Within reason..). Low-carb has its place in a weight loss regime if implemented properly.

From my own personal experience, my energy levels are far more consistent. I can last a whole longer while playing astro with the lads. I sleep / wake far easier than I used to. My back pain has more or less disappeared. My skin cleared up immensely. I'm nowhere near as chesty anymore. I've gone from wearing a 36" jeans to needing a belt with a 34".

I aim to eat less than 20g carbs per day.

neonman

Eat more FAT ! it will keep you fuller for longer.

Check out http://www.dietdoctor.com/

You'll get plenty of ideas what to eat and how it can improve your health. Plus this guy is a GP so at least you are safe in the knowledge that he just might know what he is talking about.

Mellor

fussyonion wrote: »

I understand your point, but my PT told me I could have carbs in the morning or after a workout, so that's why I had porridge yesterday morning.

Maybe I shouldn't have had the rice at lunch, but I'll learn from my mistakes.

I think you misunderstood. I'm not saying you are wrong to eat some carbs around a workout. I'm just saying that it's not low carb if the bulk of your energy is coming from carbs.
)This is probably a good thing seeing as a few posters got so wound up about low carb diets).

My PT also told me fruit was OK to snack on, but not a lot and once I have some nuts with it.

That's not bad advice. So far nothing he has said is what I would consider bad, but the way you are applying his advice it isn't ideal. Does that make sense?

My current weight is 88kg and before I joined the gym, I did zero exercise and was probably the laziest person you could meet.[/quote]

runawaybishop

Danger781 wrote: »

I realise this is slightly off-topic but anyone who says low-carb is a 'fad' or 'nonsense' has not done enough research or has no personal experience with low carb lifestyles. I've been doing keto since late March and I'm down somewhere in the region of two stone. Could be down a whole lot more if I tracked exactly what I ate - But I don't, because I don't need to (Within reason..). Low-carb has its place in a weight loss regime if implemented properly.

From my own personal experience, my energy levels are far more consistent. I can last a whole longer while playing astro with the lads. I sleep / wake far easier than I used to. My back pain has more or less disappeared. My skin cleared up immensely. I'm nowhere near as chesty anymore. I've gone from wearing a 36" jeans to needing a belt with a 34".

I aim to eat less than 20g carbs per day.

But the current implementation of low carb is indeed a fad, its used a lazy tool for weight loss. There is nothing wrong with carbs as they are excellent sources of energy. Low carb gets called a fad when its pushed out with rules such as "eat your carbs only in the morning", "all cereals are bad" etc.

I'd be most concerned about your calorie intake and your fat intake. They seem very low. As Mellor said, there's nothing wrong with the food you're eating at all, but it's not what would be considered a low carb diet. Most likely though, it's a serious drop in the bad carbs from your previous diet which can be a good thing

You could have some greek yogurt with your kiwi and nuts, or an avocado with your salad. Have an egg instead of the banana in the morning.

Good fats will help keep the hunger at bay. Not eating enough will guarantee one thing - you will fail. Track your calories, make sure you're getting enough, and you will have a much much bigger chance of reaching your goals.

Also make sure your food is yummy, don't eat plain bland food because you think it's healthy, you need to make this change in lifestyle last forever, so make sure you're enjoying it.

Best of luck with your goals. It's hard, but it can be done.

NicoleW85

I too have a lot to lose. I know from experience that when I've cut something drastically from my diet that I really enjoy then it just amplifies the urge to have it, therefore making me cave in quicker and do damage. Just be careful, that's all I'll say to you. Good luck - I hope it goes well for you

Peregrinus

runawaybishop wrote: »

But the current implementation of low carb is indeed a fad, its used a lazy tool for weight loss. There is nothing wrong with carbs as they are excellent sources of energy. Low carb gets called a fad when its pushed out with rules such as "eat your carbs only in the morning", "all cereals are bad" etc.

"Low carbs" may be unduly specific. But it may also be a useful discipline for someone who is seeking to reduce their overall caloric intake and who does, in fact, get most of their excess calories from a higher intake of carbs than is nutritionally optimal. Which would would be a common situation in Ireland.

Alf Veedersane

As an aside, here's an interesting article on low-carb diets from SigmaNutrition.com

runawaybishop

Peregrinus wrote: »

"Low carbs" may be unduly specific. But it may also be a useful discipline for someone who is seeking to reduce their overall caloric intake and who does, in fact, get most of their excess calories from a higher intake of carbs than is nutritionally optimal. Which would would be a common situation in Ireland.

Yes exactly, as I said its used a lazy tool for weight loss. Far better for the client to be educated and control their diet themselves.

fussyonion

Thanks so much everyone for all your tips, advice and suggestions.
It's really helpful as like I said, this is a new phase in my life, and education is key.
Really great tips and advice; I take it all on board

Mellor

The end of my post was snipped off above.

My current weight is 88kg and before I joined the gym, I did zero exercise and was probably the laziest person you could meet.

At 88kg you are burning at least 1950 per day, before exercise. Eating 1000 is too little. More fats and protein, aim for 1500 and adjust from there.

deadanonymau5

fussyonion wrote: »

Yes he's a personal trainer with a whole list of qualifications.

I can't go eating new potatoes, pulses, quinoa and other carbs when I feel like it.
I can only have carbs in the morning or after a workout.
That may sound restrictive to you, but I'm trying to follow a plan set for me so I can reach a weightloss goal for this week.

I'm feeling hungry in the evening. I make sure I've enough food on my plate for dinner, so this shouldn't happen probably.

My diet before was alright but not great; I cooked everything from scratch with lots of veg and nothing came from jars or packets.

But I did no exercise and snacked on crap.

"A whole list of qualifications" Sounds like they have makey-uppy qualifications from make-uppy places. Theres plenty of PTs aren't knowledgeable about nutrition or workouts. To become a "qualified" PT, isn't particularly difficult so any eejit can become one really. So just because he's a "qualified" PT, I wouldn't recommend you to do everything he says. Most PTs are chancers imo.

It also sounds like they're a rubbish trainer also. You said:

fussyonion wrote: »

No, he hasn't mentioned calories.
He gave me an info sheet listing carby foods, proteins, plant protein foods, dairy, vegetables, etc and basically I choose foods from that sheet, to eat.
Of course I can choose my own sources or proteins/veg/fruit, etc, but the sheet gives me a rough idea.

Basically it can be carbs in the morning, protein and vegetables at lunch, snack on almonds if needed, then protein and vegetables at dinner.
I've to drink a load of water too.

He handed you a sheet with info on foods? Sounds like the blind leading the blind. He sounds like a chancer that couldn't give crap about you to be honest. If he was knowledgeable about nutrition he would have went through a sample diet with you or at least have given you calories and (Protein/Carb/Fat) targets rather than ignoring them and leaving you picking from a sheet. I suppose he's not qualified to. Then he set weight loss goals? Does he expect a certain amount of weight to fall of you by choosing what you want to eat and not tracking calories. If you miss your weekly weight loss goals I wouldn't worry blame you.

Id recommend you just use your PT to show you how to operate the machines in the gym rather than for diet advice.

By exercising and not snacking on crap you will lose fat intuitively. I tried a low carb diet when I was younger and having tried lose fat with eating healthy including carbs better, I think it's an unnecessary and ineffective way to go about it. A female in my family lost a shocking amount of weight recently, just from exercising regularly,cutting out the snacking on crap, and portion control so stick to that anyway and the fat will drop.

I found low carb grand when I wasn't exercising much but I need it when I am doing a lot of workouts. I think carbs around workout time sounds fine to be honest
Other than that I'll go with what everyone else said. Eat a bit of avocado, have some eggs with you porridge, have a small bit of oil with your chicken, eat more and don't starve yourself
good luck

fussyonion

Thanks so much.

I plan on working out 3/4 times a week so you're right...I am going to need carbs to sustain this.
I didn't mean for my original post to come across as if I was going to avoid carbs completely.

If anything, I'm dying to get stuck into a sandwich/toast/gimmieallthecarbs lol, but obviously I can't go mad either.

Every one of you who've replied to me...you've no idea how much you've contributed to my current frame of mind, and it's for the better.

I realise the importance of carbs and not to be afraid of them.
I've had a splitting headache all day and I'm exhausted.

Thanks again

deadanonymau5

FYI, thats complex carbs fussy onion is talking about

NicoleW85

If you ever need advice or just some moral support feel free to PM me! I'd strongly recommend increasing your protein intake around workout time as opposed to your carbs, or alternate on different days. Always change it up so your body has to work harder to keep up

runawaybishop

NicoleW85 wrote: »

If you ever need advice or just some moral support feel free to PM me! I'd strongly recommend increasing your protein intake around workout time as opposed to your carbs, or alternate on different days. Always change it up so your body has to work harder to keep up

No requirement to eat protein around workout time, no need to "change it up" to make your body work harder.

Future Primitive

Half a can of tuna? What kind of plan concludes that that is somehow optimal!?!

NicoleW85

runawaybishop wrote:

No requirement to eat protein around workout time, no need to "change it up" to make your body work harder.

After, not around. Mis-type. And yea, one been told your body gets complacent with the same routine and that can slow down weight loss - so make slight adjustments to your diet every now and then. Sorry if. You don't agree with this.

NicoleW85

*i've been, not one been. It was a dietician who told me that, just FTR.

Alf Veedersane

There's no real difference when you eat protein, whether it's before during or after your workout.

fussyonion

Future Primitive wrote: »

Half a can of tuna? What kind of plan concludes that that is somehow optimal!?!

Ah no that was just me. I didn't want a whole can...I've never eaten a whole one, they're huge!

Future Primitive

fussyonion wrote: »

Ah no that was just me. I didn't want a whole can...I've never eaten a whole one, they're huge!

Ah. Maybe you're using half a large can. I use the small ones. And half of one of those is pitiful.

fussyonion

Hi everyone, just thought I'd post a little update on how I'm doing.

I've done a lot more research in recent days and I think I've finally gotten my head around the whole thing now.

For the past few days I've had what some people call "carb flu", where I felt tired and had headaches and felt my brain was foggy.
Today, I feel brand new.

My IBS hasn't flared up at all, I have no heartburn anymore (I used to get heartburn any time I bent down, it was hellish), my lower back pain is gone (!?), I feel I've more energy and I feel generally brighter and more positive.
My daily food looks something like this now:

Breakfast: Either an egg and toast or Greek yogurt with fruit and nuts.
Lunch: Large salad with either chicken or some fish or I might have a wholegrain sandwich.
Snacks: Almonds, cashews, fruit and Greek yogurt or an egg.
Dinner: Home-made meals, such as SpagBol, curry, chilli, etc with veg.

I feel so much better now and I really don't feel deprived, which I did feel the other day.
I'm really starting to like what I'm eating and my body feels so much better now.

I'm not afraid of carbs anymore and I'm definitely incorporating them in my day, especially after a workout.

Even if I never lost weight this way, this way of eating is something I'm going to stick to because of how well I feel.
And I don't think I could ever have said before that I felt 100% well all the time.

Danger781

I don't think you would go through carb flu when you're still eating a significant amount of carbs. Pretty sure you would only go through carb flu when your body is adjusting to not using carbs as fuel but it's pretty clear yours still is. I'm of the opinion that it was something else at play... sugar cravings, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance..

Either way good to hear you're setting into the new lifestyle!

fussyonion

Danger781 wrote: »

I don't think you would go through carb flu when you're still eating a significant amount of carbs. Pretty sure you would only go through carb flu when your body is adjusting to not using carbs as fuel but it's pretty clear yours still is. I'm of the opinion that it was something else at play... sugar cravings, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance..

Either way good to hear you're setting into the new lifestyle!

You're right, it could have been any of those things, but whatever it is, I'm feeling great now and I'm glad I feel good because it's spurring me on to be the healthiest person I can be.

I should be fit and happy and enjoying life and before, I didn't have motivation or determination.
You couldn't get me off the sofa of an evening.

Now, I pack my gym bag like a kid starting school and I look forward to it now