Calories Don't Matter?

[Momcat 29]

Just curious if anyone out there has read the recent books by Dr. Hyman and Dr. Ludwig regarding weight loss, carbs, fat, and calories. Their theory is basically that calories in calories out is outdated and not the way our bodies work. They say it's all about our insulin, that a high carb diet and the resulting insulin produces the bad fat in our bodies and causes us to gain weight. They believe dietary fat is good for us and that our diets should be higher fat/higher protein/lower carb (including lower whole grains). I had my gastric sleeve about 14 months ago and weight loss has been extremely slow for the last 6 months or so (about 2 pounds per month), despite doing everything right. Two weeks ago I bought the Hyman and Ludwig books and started eating the way they suggest, and have lost almost 4 pounds in two weeks, without tracking food or calories, basically eating what I want within their guidelines. I think the difference is truly amazing so far. Any thoughts???

[perforce 243]

I've always been against the idea of 'a calorie is a calorie is a calorie' as an idea because certain foods affect you completely differently. With that in mind it doesn't surprise me you're seeing these results. Have you seen the documentary 'fed up'? It explains it quite well too. I think it's much more important to eat 'clean', or as non-processed as you can manage. If you're eating massively over calories then you'll still have a problem, but they're not my main concern.

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[Rogofulm 2,440]

Lots of Protein and fluids, very low carbs, and don't worry about calories and fat has been my mantra throughout the 18-month "honeymoon period". And it worked! I got to goal weight in 10 months, and have kept it off for 10 months. BUT... In the past two months I've had to start working harder at maintaining. I've been eating tons of nuts as my go-to snack, but then a few pounds started to creep back on. I also tend to eat more cheese than I probably should. So maybe once our bodies settle-in for the long haul, calories start to matter again. Now I'm trying to cut back, and get my exercise levels back up to where they were when I was losing quickly. It seems to be working somewhat, but it's harder and slower than it used to be. So the lesson is this: the honeymoon period doesn't last forever, and we need to do everything we can to maximize our weight loss during that 12 to 18-month window!

[JamieLogical 8,708]

My nutritionist didn't give me any targets for calories, carbs, or fat. Just a Protein goal. Meeting that every day seems to make everything else fall into place pretty well. I still believe calories in vs. out is the basic math of gaining or losing weight. But carbs and sugar and healthy fats all play a role in how MUCH we eat. If you eat simple carbs that burn up fast, you are going to be hungry again sooner and eat more. If you eat high protein and healthy fats, you are going to feel full longer and eat less. And there is no question in my mind that carbs breed carbs. If you start eating more carbs, then you are going to crave them more often and eat more of them.

[Babbs 14,681]

Just ask the hundreds of us who have stalled eating 600,700,800 calories if it's as simple as calories in/calories out. On paper, you'd think we'd all be as thin as rails in a short amount of time, but as I learned very quickly, our bodies are much more complex that that. It's really more quality vs quantity, and finding that sweet spot between what we are putting into our mouths and how much we move around to burn it off. We are all one big science experiment if you think about it!

[rastus 35]

lost almost 4 pounds in two weeks, without tracking food or calories, basically eating what I want within their guidelines. I think the difference is truly amazing so far. Any thoughts???

My doctor said exactly this.....don't count or watch anything except cm's/inches & have a fairly simple exercise regime. It has worked in my case.

stalled eating 600,700,800 calories if it's as simple as calories in/calories out

This was explained to me as not having enough calories will cause stall [stopping weight loss] & in some cases even cause gain, as your body is not getting enough/starving & knows it.

As I just said I have never been told all this carbs, calories, Protein stuff just to eat enough of anything that pleases, with some common sense balance & importantly, if you don't feel hungry keep your mouth shut & politely ignore peer pressure to conform with others eating volumes/habits.

Edited March 2, 2016 by rastus

[Stevehud 1,790]

long have their been books about calories not mattering and fats being good, look at the eades, Atkins etc. but trust me when i say, what works for one of us doesnt for others. for me its sugars, plain old sugars avoiding them and i avoid gaining, i literally went to almost zero sugar during my first year [post op and dropped all my weight in that first year. take in more sugar and ill gain back. So for me its sugar then carbs then fats and calories. But sugar is the biggest single thing. You have to find what works for you. but starches ( which are sugars) and carbs along with sugar, is the real enemy for me.

[akreese02 174]

I am almost a year out (this month on 3/24). I stopped losing weight after 7 months (October). For those first 7 months, I tracked every bite in myfitnesspal. By November, I was miserable and depressed. I almost felt like I was developing another eating disorder (I was bulimic in my teens). For the past two months I have been doing intense orange theory HIIT training and eat a Paleo diet. I ditched tracking calories and the fitbit and while I'm slowly losing (If I stay on the Paelo diet, I will lose but the minute I eat sugar, I stall) and I am WAY happier. I love that I am sleeved, I love the weight loss I have obtained, I'm committed to my health and to exercise, I had to stop obsessing bout calories and steps and start living other parts of my life again!

Edited March 3, 2016 by akreese02

[Kathy812 794]

@@akreese02 I needed to read your post. I was recently looking into Paleo diet and a Fitbit because NOTHING is making my scale move. I have my 16 month follow up Friday & have only lost 1 pound since my 12 month appointment!

I need to tweak a few things after reading everyone's comments. Love BP, you guys are awesome.

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

Sugar is a carb.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Sugar is a carb.

That is why instead of avoiding all carbs, I focus on avoiding starches and added sugars.

[livvsmum 2,369]

I haven't read them, but what I've found in my entire 2.5 years post op, is that if I stick to my Protein, carb, and Water goals, I've never once had to think about calories. They just kind of fall into place when you are doing those things the way you should. So yeah.... I would probably be prone to agree with what it sounds like the books argue.

[ProudMomof2 51]

@@livvsmum do you have a daily carb goal that you stay under?

[Lulu_lulu 32]

You will certainly see results if you make drastic changes within your diet. And that's what happened with you. And perhaps maybe your body's type isn't suitable for high calories.

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[livvsmum 2,369]

@@livvsmum do you have a daily carb goal that you stay under?

I try to stay at or below 40g