Low Calories or Low Carbs?

[bluejays]

So the story is I've gained 10 pounds in the past month or so. Weight has never been a problem, but with the additional weight, I'm a bit sluggish and gaining that dreaded midsection tire. Anyway, I do want to lose roughly 20 pounds.

What's more important to losing weight? Low calories or low carb intake? I thought this thread would also help those in here.

[photon]

This'll be as bad as religious or political debates I'm sure, but my 2 cents would be that since the body isn't a perfect furnace extracting all calories from all input, the answer will be more complicated than simple thermodynamics.

[Frank MetaMusil]

Cut out beer from the menu if you drink it. That's where I usually start when looking to lose weight.

[Lego Man]

Eat small portions, eat as many vegetables as possible, eat fruits for snacks, and eat Lean meats and fish.

SO EASY!!!

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by mpaca

Eat small portions, eat as many vegetables as possible, eat fruits for snacks, and eat Lean meats and fish.

SO EASY!!!

On that note you can supplement your meats with tofu for your protein requirements and lower fat content (not to mention saving you money at the grocery store). I highly recommend lentils and Lupini beans as well. Stick with Omega-3 heavy fish to keep your brain sharp, and stay away from condiments of any kind. Use low-fat and/or extra virgin olive oil and vinegars to substitute your dressing needs.

Also switch from white rice to wild rice or quinoa.

[Daradon]

And get up and move. Use simple solutions like taking the stairs when you can and not driving everywhere. Harder in the winter, I agree. Usually when I feel I need to shape up a little I don't even have to worry about diet, I just increase my exercise. Obviously the two in tandem would be ideal though.

[SHOGUN]

leangains.com

Thank me later.

[Sample00]

Calories in, calories out. Put out more than you take in and you have weight loss.

[TheSutterDynasty]

Originally Posted by photon

This'll be as bad as religious or political debates I'm sure, but my 2 cents would be that since the body isn't a perfect furnace extracting all calories from all input, the answer will be more complicated than simple thermodynamics.

Which is why calories are adjusted based on metabolism. For example, a gram of protein actually contains over 9 calories, but taking into account metabolism we only get about 4 calories per gram.

Edit: The "health movements" of the past have always focused on low fat, ignoring calories and the type of fat. For some reason, likely a misinterpretation of literature, this changed to low carbs. "Fats" and "carbohydrates" are large categories encompassing many, many different types. Mono & poly unsaturated fats are good. Complex (whole grain, not just whole wheat) carbohydrates are good. For weight loss, it's about having a good diet that includes all the good stuff but still puts you at a caloric deficit for weight loss. Luckily, most of the good stuff (complex carbs, vegetables, etc) also fills up you with not many calories.

[krynski]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

On that note you can supplement your meats with tofu for your protein requirements and lower fat content (not to mention saving you money at the grocery store). I highly recommend lentils and Lupini beans as well. Stick with Omega-3 heavy fish to keep your brain sharp, and stay away from condiments of any kind. Use low-fat and/or extra virgin olive oil and vinegars to substitute your dressing needs.

Also switch from white rice to wild rice or quinoa.

I say ex-nay on the tofu. An increase in tofu in your diet will increase the estrogen level in your body. If you would like to work this off via activity, tofu is not necessarily the best way to go. If you are a guy, this increase of estrogen can throw off your hormone balance and do more harm than good. Maybe eating tofu while working out might help you get rid of that spare tire, but it could also decrease the length of your stick-shift and increase your airbag deployment size. I completely agree with the fish comment.

[3 Justin 3]

Eat less, work out = weight loss.

Also, how did you gain 10 lbs? I'm jealous, tell me!

[scotty2hotty]

Originally Posted by SHOGUN

leangains.com

Thank me later.

Been going there for years. Great site and smart guy.

OP, two books I would recommend that address your exact question:

One is Wheat Belly by Dr. William Davis. A great, easy read on carbs vs. calories.

The second is Why We Get Fat by Gary Taubes. This is a much more in-depth and research based book if you are more interested in the details.

[photon]

Originally Posted by scotty2hotty

The second is Why We Get Fat by Gary Taubes. This is a much more in-depth and research based book if you are more interested in the details.

Doesn't he basically discount the whole calories in < calories out = weight loss idea?

[scotty2hotty]

Originally Posted by photon

Doesn't he basically discount the whole calories in < calories out = weight loss idea?

Not completely, but he leans that way. He prefers to look at the hormonal triggers of food and ask the question "Why do some people eat more".

Definitely in the more low-carb camp, though.

[bc-chris]

Originally Posted by Sample00

Calories in, calories out. Put out more than you take in and you have weight loss.

i agree with this to a certain extent, but you need to eat smart/healthy

you can have a nice big salad or a couple doughnuts - they'll have similar calorie counts, but the salad will be more food and a lot more healthy & filling


i still believe that the best advice is regular exercise and to eat a healthy balanced diet if you want to slim down

[Log]

Originally Posted by Sample00

Calories in, calories out. Put out more than you take in and you have weight loss.

This. I have lost 65 lbs by solely using this new found secret.

[nik-]

10 legitimate pounds in a month? ... not even weighing yourself on a full stomach?

that's 33000 more calories in than out in a month .... I'm not even mad, that's impressive.

[macker]

Originally Posted by fleury

So the story is I've gained 10 pounds in the past month or so. Weight has never been a problem, but with the additional weight, I'm a bit sluggish and gaining that dreaded midsection tire. Anyway, I do want to lose roughly 20 pounds.

What's more important to losing weight? Low calories or low carb intake? I thought this thread would also help those in here.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4846891_lose...-one-week.html
If you want to lose 10 pounds in one week go low carb

[SHOGUN]

I really doubt you can keep up a low carb diet long term... unless you want to live your life around Atkins/Keto Diet.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by SHOGUN

I really doubt you can keep up a low carb diet long term... unless you want to live your life around Atkins/Keto Diet.

I usually keep my carb count between 50-100g/day unless I'm going to the gym (or if I go out for dinner on the weekends). It's really not that hard when you don't eat bread or drink milk.