Low Carbs, Low Fat, High & Low. What is a Person to Do?
Monday, October 19, 2009
I was recently contacted to review a book coming out by authors that follow a low carb lifestyle. Not being a low carb person, I wrote back explaining that I am not low carb eater. I told them I am more a 40-30-30 type person. For those that do not know what that is, it is 40% carbs, 30% protein and 30% fat from the calories I eat in a day. Saying that, this may change from day to day slightly with maybe more or less carbs, more or less protein but usually about the same percentage of fat calories with the majority of them being healthy fats & trying to stay away from the saturated fats. I also change it up on days I do not exercise.
So, after explaining this to the person that contacted me, they said they still would appreciate my input on this book. "The book is geared towards helping the spread of that fat in the middle as we get older and says the authors have a specific regimen for eliminating VAT, the visceral fat that accumulates around the organs, while promoting overall health and enhancing your appearance at the same time". So, having gone thru some of middle age & moving into a bit more than middle age & fighting those age hormones, I agreed to read & review the book. Plus, I am fighting this right now! Hey, I am open to learning anything new & I was told that I can give my honest opinion of the book. I know there are low carb people out there so why not read it. I also will be able to give away 2 copies of the book. I plan to review the book on my blog mid-November & have the giveaway then.
So, back to why I am writing this today. First, of course, to tell you about the upcoming review and giveaway. BUT more to go over my ABSOLUTE BELIEF THAT YOU HAVE TO FIND A PROGRAM THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU AND THAT YOU CAN LIVE WITH FOR LIFE!!!!! If you are a low carb person & it works for you & you are healthy & all your blood work stats are great & you feel energetic, why should I tell you my way is better. For others, their bodies thrive on high carb diets. Maybe not a high percentage but they are out there. And then there are those like me that fit better into the 40-30 30 profile. I also eat most of my food from whole foods & do not eat very many packaged goods. I am not a frozen dinner person at all. I make my chicken breasts ahead of time so they are there for me OR I make a turkey meatloaf with extra lean ground turkey & that can last a few days too. Hey, you can use extra lean ground beef if you prefer that.
I have changed my "diet" many times over the years to find what works best for me & I continue to do so as my body has changed over the years & is in constant change now. I have said many times that one needs to be consistent so that they learn their body & learn how to listen to it so you know when changes need to be made.
I saw a great quote by Michelle Bice of Bice Fitness which I have lived by for years now: "In order to lose weight the right way, you need to understand how your body works, and starving yourself is never the answer! I learned that the hard way as I did not eat right when I was younger. Now and for years, I have been eating the right way & I keep learning what my body needs to perform at it's best. I say, please print out the above quote & make it so!!!!! DO NOT STARVE YOURSELF!
I also have to recommend a great post by my friend FJ that is all about carbs & which ones might be best for you: The Carbs You Eat Could Suck the Life Outa You. This is really good stuff! Remember, FJ has a "way with words". But for me, I don't mind since I am a "potty mouth" outside my blog (learned it from my mom) AND if I am learning something, who cares! This is just FJ. If you want to learn more about him, check out this interview a fellow blogger did with him: Interview with FitJerk.
I would love to hear your thoughts on how you find the best diet (food program) for you & same with your workout routine. Have you made changes over the years? Have you had to learn & change with time like me? Did you do it wrong before you got it right, like me again? Any thoughts you want to share on this, low carb, high carb or any other program, send it this way!
Also, check out A Merry Life if you want to win a scale.. if you are like me & weigh yourself every day. Some do, some don't & others now & then. To each their own.
I was recently contacted to review a book coming out by authors that follow a low carb lifestyle. Not being a low carb person, I wrote back explaining that I am not low carb eater. I told them I am more a 40-30-30 type person. For those that do not know what that is, it is 40% carbs, 30% protein and 30% fat from the calories I eat in a day. Saying that, this may change from day to day slightly with maybe more or less carbs, more or less protein but usually about the same percentage of fat calories with the majority of them being healthy fats & trying to stay away from the saturated fats. I also change it up on days I do not exercise.So, after explaining this to the person that contacted me, they said they still would appreciate my input on this book. "The book is geared towards helping the spread of that fat in the middle as we get older and says the authors have a specific regimen for eliminating VAT, the visceral fat that accumulates around the organs, while promoting overall health and enhancing your appearance at the same time". So, having gone thru some of middle age & moving into a bit more than middle age & fighting those age hormones, I agreed to read & review the book. Plus, I am fighting this right now! Hey, I am open to learning anything new & I was told that I can give my honest opinion of the book. I know there are low carb people out there so why not read it. I also will be able to give away 2 copies of the book. I plan to review the book on my blog mid-November & have the giveaway then.
So, back to why I am writing this today. First, of course, to tell you about the upcoming review and giveaway. BUT more to go over my ABSOLUTE BELIEF THAT YOU HAVE TO FIND A PROGRAM THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU AND THAT YOU CAN LIVE WITH FOR LIFE!!!!! If you are a low carb person & it works for you & you are healthy & all your blood work stats are great & you feel energetic, why should I tell you my way is better. For others, their bodies thrive on high carb diets. Maybe not a high percentage but they are out there. And then there are those like me that fit better into the 40-30 30 profile. I also eat most of my food from whole foods & do not eat very many packaged goods. I am not a frozen dinner person at all. I make my chicken breasts ahead of time so they are there for me OR I make a turkey meatloaf with extra lean ground turkey & that can last a few days too. Hey, you can use extra lean ground beef if you prefer that.
I have changed my "diet" many times over the years to find what works best for me & I continue to do so as my body has changed over the years & is in constant change now. I have said many times that one needs to be consistent so that they learn their body & learn how to listen to it so you know when changes need to be made.
I saw a great quote by Michelle Bice of Bice Fitness which I have lived by for years now: "In order to lose weight the right way, you need to understand how your body works, and starving yourself is never the answer! I learned that the hard way as I did not eat right when I was younger. Now and for years, I have been eating the right way & I keep learning what my body needs to perform at it's best. I say, please print out the above quote & make it so!!!!! DO NOT STARVE YOURSELF!
I also have to recommend a great post by my friend FJ that is all about carbs & which ones might be best for you: The Carbs You Eat Could Suck the Life Outa You. This is really good stuff! Remember, FJ has a "way with words". But for me, I don't mind since I am a "potty mouth" outside my blog (learned it from my mom) AND if I am learning something, who cares! This is just FJ. If you want to learn more about him, check out this interview a fellow blogger did with him: Interview with FitJerk.
I would love to hear your thoughts on how you find the best diet (food program) for you & same with your workout routine. Have you made changes over the years? Have you had to learn & change with time like me? Did you do it wrong before you got it right, like me again? Any thoughts you want to share on this, low carb, high carb or any other program, send it this way!
Also, check out A Merry Life if you want to win a scale.. if you are like me & weigh yourself every day. Some do, some don't & others now & then. To each their own.
I have found carbs to be absolutely key. I am of the "fat is bad, carbs are good" generation and for my prediabetic metabolism that turned out to be awful advice. However, I don't feel good on very low carbs. 30/30/40 feels good, is enjoyable to eat and keeps my blood sugar in check. I guess it's the "low-er carb" lifestyle.
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i try to get my carbs from fruits and veggies, and not "white foods"... bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, etc. if anything, as a diabetic, the closer you can get to a mediterranian diet, the better! it's helped me lose weight, feel better, and control my blood sugars.
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I guess I'm more of a simple eater. I don't obsess over the balance of carbs and protein. I just eat what I like and keep in mind that too much of one or the other isn't good for me.
I tend to pay attention to the fat percentage in foods. That's what worked for me!
Looking forward to your review Jody.
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I eat like Diane
Calorie intake is the key. The only really significant difference between the various diets, in my opinion, is which one will allow you to keep the calories in, in check!
For what it's worth, the best diet advice I ever give is don't dig a hole for yourself that you will struggle the rest of you life to get out of!
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Diane & Dr. J.
I should have mentioned that I got to the 40-30-30 by both eating wrong at first & then just paying attention to how my body worked as I changed foods & tried to get it right. It just turned out that when things felt & looked the best, it was near that 40-30-30 mark. I did not set out to do that but ended up there by just listening to my bod & taking cues from what it "told me".
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Larkspur, I say whatever works for you & glad you found it!
I used to avoid fat & boy do I feel & look better with the healthy fats in me!
Thx for your insight!
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Cher, you got it down & Mediterranean is good! Congrats!
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I'm pretty simple. I try to eat things that are good for my body and burn off the energy I have taken in. Sometimes I eat packaged or processed or just plain high calorie foods, but I do so in moderation and in accordance with my exercise level for the day.
I've lost 104 pounds since January of this year and a huge part of my success is that I never feel "deprived". You are right, you have to find what works for you.
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Tricia, thank you for visiting & commenting! Congrats on your weight loss! Amazing!!!! You have found what works for you & that is what counts!!! I agree, a balance of eating well but not feeling deprived is key.
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I loved the key message which is don't starve yourself'! That can be forgotten when you are strictly following a diet in a book. I don't avoid carbs, but stick to the grains and avoid white ones. I always have protein with my carbs and I seem to manage my energy levels OK.
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Kellie, thx for always stopping by! I am like you. I tend to have protein with pretty much every mini meal & the energy seems to do fine.
Keep up the good work!
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