Carbs: Too Many, Too Little, Or Something Else? page

[trekfan]

All right, this seemed like the place to post this and if it's in the wrong forum or something, my apologies, but I'm at a bit of an impasse.

I've been Primal for seven weeks now and I've lost 33 pounds. I'm 22, 5'8, and was previously pretty heavy (weighed in at a hefty 266)-I still am pretty heavy in my view but just 33 pounds lighter. At any rate, I've taken to the Primal lifestyle with serious determination. I've got a pretty nice workout schedule going, a mix of walking, heavy lifting, and the occasional sprint during the week. I take Saturday's off for a rest day (and for college football, huge Florida Gator fan) and get back to working out on Sunday.

But over the course of the last two weeks a lot of questions have been raised by myself and those around me-mainly about my carb intake. On a daily basis I eat very few carbs usually and this is worrying a lot of my friends, especially the one who turned me on to Primal, K (that's what we'll call her).

K went Primal many months ago and has lost 40 pounds, weighing in around 115 now, and looks AMAZING. She's had two kids and has been married for eight years, so she's thrilled that she can wear cute small stuff again. She's my biggest supporter and has been my biggest aid since I began this journey seven weeks back. But over the course of that time my carb intake has steadily dropped off to the point where three out of the last four weeks (one week I tried a different strategy which only resulted in 1 pound lost), I've lost at least 5 pounds.

K is worried that I'm essentially starving myself to death for weight loss and I can't say that she isn't right. I've taken to eating less because, according to my body, I'm not hungry. It could be mental, it could be me lying to myself, I'm not sure, but I know that I've been heavy for so long (the last eleven years of my life my weight has steadily increased) that I could easily be doing exactly what she says I am-I may be starving myself to lose weight.

She holds that dropping 1-2 pounds a week, like she did when she started, has resulted in her body actually looking 115 pounds and her being able to wear small cute clothes. She's crash dieted before and she says that whereas the crash dieting made her a smaller chubby person, going Primal has resulted in her body being physically better looking and leaner. K also points out that I'm not really following the Primal Plan-not eating anything is more a crash diet than going Primal. When I do eat I eat Primal-meat, veggies, ect. I don't cheat at all (because I know if I do it once I'll likely do it again...and again...and again...).

I've attempted to get up to the 50-100 grams of carbs a day as Mark recommends but I just find it really difficult to eat that and not feel yucky (for lack of a better word). The weight is coming off, but I haven't noticed any significant body changes other than my upper torso losing quite a bit of weight. I don't suffer from "man boobs" anymore and that's great, but I'm more concerned with my middle area, as my gut is a a bit smaller, my pants a bit looser, and maybe my face has lost some weight too. But not nearly as significant as my upper torso area.

So, my question for you good folks is what's the answer here? I can't help but think that K is right, maybe I'm doing this all wrong, maybe I should just accept the slower weight loss and not try and rush it. It seems to have worked well for her and has resulted in everything I'd like as far as body changes go-she's thin, looks thin, and looks great overall (and she doesn't even work out-at all).

Yet, my methodology of low to no carb intake has worked fairly well over the course of going Primal and the weight is coming off. Since I started at a far higher weight than her, does that mean spotting significant physical changes will have to wait?

Is 50-100 grams of carbs a day what I need to get my body back in proper form or is it different depending on each person? Does my body type demand I eat 50-100 grams a day?

Or is low to no carb the way to go for me? It's gotten results and I'm hesitant to try and cram 50-100 grams of carbs in me a day for fear that it will (A result in a setback and (B make me feel ill.

Like I said, I'm at an impasse. Any and all comments, suggestions, advice, ect, are welcome. I really need some feedback here. Thanks in advance and for taking the time to read.

[gunnk]

I think you need *some* carbs, but if you feel good -- clear headed, well-rested, energized -- you're probably OK doing what you're doing.

Considering it took me DECADES to discover that wheat is the #1 reason my body suddenly tries to stop breathing (asthma -- from which I'm now med-free thanks to Primal), I don't think a few weeks or even few months of very low carb is going to be the end of you. The human body can tolerate a LOT that may not be "ideal". Just keep watching how you feel and add carbs back as needed.

[trekfan]

I think you need *some* carbs, but if you feel good -- clear headed, well-rested, energized -- you're probably OK doing what you're doing.

Considering it took me DECADES to discover that wheat is the #1 reason my body suddenly tries to stop breathing (asthma -- from which I'm now med-free thanks to Primal), I don't think a few weeks or even few months of very low carb is going to be the end of you. The human body can tolerate a LOT that may not be "ideal". Just keep watching how you feel and add carbs back as needed.

I do feel good. The only times I feel "off" is when I don't get enough sleep. Pre-Primal, I suffered from a seriously erratic sleep schedule. Now I'm pretty decent at getting a solid 8-9 hours of sleep a night but sometimes it's really hard. Energy level wise I'm way more active than I was Pre-Primal and my head thinks pretty clearly most days.

I'm just afraid if I start adding carbs back in, if I start feeling crappy, that my body is going to hold onto them for dear life and the weight will come back. I've never been able to lose weight like I have since going Primal and now I fear it'll all come back if I start screwing around with what works. Irrational fear, yeah, but is it one that's justified?

Thanks for the response gunnk. It makes me feel a bit better knowing my methodology doesn't sound crazy.

[sixpack-rc]

I'm right there with you. I got great weight loss the first few weeks and felt great. But when it stalled I started counting calories only to find that most days I was barely hitting 1000. My carbs are usually between 50-100 because I eat a banana, orange or apple every day. My weight loss has continued to stall but my body feels like it is re-forming itself right before my eyes. I'm wearing a shirt today that is huge on me. I wore it last week (exact same weight) and it barely buttoned over my belly.

I think that with so much work to do rebuilding, my body may not want to be overburdened with digestion constantly so I'm hungry only when it needs something. I don't know but I finally just decided that I'll eat until I'm not hungry and see what happens. The last thing I want to do is replace my obsessive bad food associations with wheat and sugar with unhealthy obsessive ways to get extra calories with primal food.

Also, long term studies have shown that people who eat a lot fewer calories seem to live longer and have fewer diseases.

I think you're doing great and so long as you are getting a lot of protein don't worry about it. For me that meant eating leaner meats earlier in the day. Otherwise the fat kills my hunger and I end up not getting enough.

~rc

[trekfan]

I'm right there with you. I got great weight loss the first few weeks and felt great. But when it stalled I started counting calories only to find that most days I was barely hitting 1000. My carbs are usually between 50-100 because I eat a banana, orange or apple every day. My weight loss has continued to stall but my body feels like it is re-forming itself right before my eyes. I'm wearing a shirt today that is huge on me. I wore it last week (exact same weight) and it barely buttoned over my belly.

I think that with so much work to do rebuilding, my body may not want to be overburdened with digestion constantly so I'm hungry only when it needs something. I don't know but I finally just decided that I'll eat until I'm not hungry and see what happens. The last thing I want to do is replace my obsessive bad food associations with wheat and sugar with unhealthy obsessive ways to get extra calories with primal food.

Also, long term studies have shown that people who eat a lot fewer calories seem to live longer and have fewer diseases.

I think you're doing great and so long as you are getting a lot of protein don't worry about it. For me that meant eating leaner meats earlier in the day. Otherwise the fat kills my hunger and I end up not getting enough.

~rc

Usually lunch is the only meal of my day and that consists of some slices of ham, cheese, and a bit of fruit/veggies. Thanks for the encouragement rc-feels good to know I'm not alone.

[Sue]

K is being a drama queen. She only had 40 pounds to lose unlike you who has heaps. K probably gained most of her weight later in life after kids whereas you've been heavy most of your life. You have different bodies - you probably have a lot more issues - prone to obesity etc. You need to do what works for you not K.

[Sue]

Usually lunch is the only meal of my day and that consists of some slices of ham, cheese, and a bit of fruit/veggies. Thanks for the encouragement rc-feels good to know I'm not alone.

Must have missed this. So you eat one meal per day everyday? That is a very light meal. Do you ever eat 3 meals? I can see why K is a bit concerned. Why don't you try for 2 meals - lunch and dinner?

[trekfan]

K is being a drama queen. She only had 40 pounds to lose unlike you who has heaps. K probably gained most of her weight later in life after kids whereas you've been heavy most of your life. You have different bodies - you probably have a lot more issues - prone to obesity etc. You need to do what works for you not K.

@Sue: *looks around* Okay, admittedly, she does do a bit of drama, but everyone does. She's only concerned because she cares.

Yes, I do have a lot more issues than her-my family has a history of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, back issues...ect...

Yes, our body types are different, way different, and she only gained all that weight after getting married and having kids.

As for my meals, sometimes I can manage dinner and lunch, but usually lunch carries me through the day fine. If I eat dinner it's usually wasted food as I don't even get close to finishing it.

[Chaohinon]

If you feel fine, aren't that hungry, and are seeing results, then why fix what isn't broken?

There will probably come a time where you hit a major plateau in weight loss, and then I'd strongly suggest eating more starch and less fat. But until then, just keep it up.

Also, keep in mind that human evolution supplies the reasoning behind paleo & primal. And in the context of human evolution, it makes absolutely no sense to fear eating too little or going hungry for long periods of time, or to worry about how many meals you have per day, so long as what you do eat is nutrient dense.

[trekfan]

Thanks Chaohinon; that's been my reasoning too. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.