Low carb dieting appeals to so many people mainly because of the quick results, right?
Well not so fast my friends, before opting in to this type of plan, let's make sure you understand all that's involved.
A low carb diet has you eating lots of protein and limiting (or even altogether avoiding) carbohydrates. The reason for limiting carbohydrates is that they are easily converted into fat.
So, in theory, by eating few or no carbohydrates, you take out the possibility of something being turned into fat. This then is supposed to cause you to lose fat/weight.
But the question is. . .does low carb dieting really work?
As with many “quick fix” weight loss plans, it does. But only for a short time. What it really comes down to is that your body needs carbohydrates. when it becomes starved for them, it starts taking its energy from glycogen stores.
A little bit of science here. . .for every gram of glycogen, there are four grams of water attached. So, what you are actually losing when you lose weight is water.
It might look good for a while but as soon as you start eating carbohydrates again (as you will eventually have to do), you will gain back the water weight.
What you need to keep in mind that any type of diet which claims that you need to only do it for a little while and then return back to “normal” eating habits will.not.work!
Instead of focusing on a diet, you need to change your lifestyle and eating habits. This scares many people because they think it means never eating a piece of chocolate or french fry again. That's not the reality.
In fact, the strict quick diets are what enforce this kind of “no exception” concept. Then, when the diet is over (as it eventually must be because you cannot continue to adhere to such strict restrictions), you gain back the weight.
A good weight loss and maintenance plan is doable for a long time.
It involves putting healthy food into your body (lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, fiber and Omega-3 fatty acids) and eliminating the bad stuff like sugar, processed and fried foods, etc.
Can you eat the bad ones every once in a while too? Yes. Just try to be mindful of how often you are doing it.
Of course, to get the best results with losing weight and maintaining your goal weight, you also want to be doing some sort of light, regular activity. Make it something that you enjoy or that already fits into your schedule.
For example, some people who live in the city can actually walk to work (weather permitting). It might actually take the same amount of time than sitting in traffic or on public transportation.
Low carb dieting is one of the many diets that offer short-term results. Stick to something more realistic that you can follow for a lifetime.
Yours in Health,
Danette
P.S. Please share this with your friends and I welcome your comments below.
