LCHF Testimonials
Here is a page dedicated to LCHF testimonials. Leave a comment on how LCHF has worked for you. Your story may just inspire one more person to give LCHF a go. It may just help one more person regain their health and reduce their medication. It may just help one more person to lose that weight they have struggled to lose all their life. If you are starting LCHF today for the very first time, imagine yourself in 6 months and what changes you have made and the health benefits you have gained. You can do this. Little by little, step by step, strive for improvement, not perfection.
If you are new here, this page may help answer the questions you may have, and this page will help you get started. Get ready to stock your pantry and let's do this. There is so much support, tip and tricks over on Facebook, so join us there too and subscribe for FREE recipes each time I post them.
- How much weight have you lost?
- What other symptoms have cleared?
- Have you come off any medication?
- Has your diabetes control improved?
- Have you reversed your pre diabetes or Type 2 diabetes?
- Has you IBS, dermatitis, PCOS, fertility improved?
- How is your mood and concentration?
- How long have you battled with weight or with other symptoms that lead you to discover LCHF?
- And finally, how has Ditch The Carbs helped you? What have you discovered? What recipes are your favourite?
I would love you to share my website with friends and family who need some help with weight or health issues. As a registered pharmacist, I truly believe I have helped more people in the last 2 years reduce (and in some cases stop) their medication, than the last 25 years dispensing it.
With many thanks, Libby x
E
Hi. I'm looking for some inspiration and help. I have been eating lchf for several weeks now (4+) and the weight loss is non existent. There was a drop in the beginning of <1kg,l which was probably water.
I do feel better in the sense that I dont have heartburn, my menstrual cycle feels smoother (no cramps, backpain, etc) but jo weight loss. I'm 5'4" and weigh 78kg. While I am overweight, I dont have any health problems at age 34. I have logged what I eat in a typical day, I'm eating under 1500cals a day and under 20g carbs. I have not calculated protein to fat but I am sure I'm eating far more fat than protein. A sizeable amount of my calories is coming from butter / ghee / olive oil, mayo, eggs and cheese and cream. I eat two meals a day, breakfast at around 10.30-11am and dinner at 7-8pm. At most a black coffee or some tea in between. The calories are split almost equally between both meals but the carbs are more at breakfast than dinner.
Does anyone have any ideas whats going wrong? My husband thinks I need to stop overthinking it and just stay consistent. I read about people who had drastic weight loss early on in their journeys and I get very confused about what I'm doing.
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
I cannot give individual advice on nutrition and weight loss. You may want to join my 4-week low-carb course, where I share you everything you need to know to live low-carb, for life! You can join the waiting list here. You may also wish to join the closed Low-Carb Support Group. It is FREE and is a private place to discuss all things low carb.
Rodney W Boyles
Lots of great comments. I have only known about this site about six months. Am a type 2 diabetic trying to lower A1C levels and to quit medications. Long story short, Last Christmas, all the holiday sweets led to sleepless nights due to diabetic pain in my legs. Since Jan. 1, when we cut all processed grain foods from our diet, I have lost over 50 lbs. I do miss potatoes and crackers with my soups. But, my A1C went from 6.9 down to 5.9 is six months. I have lost four sizes in my clothes and have quit my high blood medication and my high blood sugar meds. The challenge is learning how to bake and cook without flour sugar or cornmeal. But, it can be done. Looking forward to losing another forty or fifty lbs. I do not exercise or play sports, and as soon as I start up, the weight should continue to fall off.
Leonie Johnston
I’ve had type 1 diabetes for 33 years (I turned 64 last week) and have been playing competitive racquetball for the last 20 years. I’d been a conscientious, fit, healthy and well controlled diabetic who religiously followed the dietary guidelines, including carbohydrate loading before exercise, until about 10 years ago.
It was then that I started to question the logic of having to insulin load so much before exercise. Doing this meant I risked going hypoglycaemic (low sugar) when I started playing racquetball because I still had active insulin onboard. To avoid this scenario, I needed to eat 3 hours earlier, which meant an impractical 4pm-ish dinner. I spoke to my diabetic educator about seriously reducing my carb intake generally, and in particular before sport, (therefore reducing my insulin needs) but both she and the SA Diabetic Association dieticians recommended & reinforced the guidelines & discouraged the idea.
It didn’t make sense to me so I starting reading about the implications of low carb eating, particularly if it was going to be detrimental to brain function, and I became confident enough to totally drop bread, pasta, potatoes and rice from my diet. I closely monitored my blood glucose levels and not only did my insulin needs reduce but it also resulted in some appreciated weight loss.
My bio-markers remained constant, I felt fine and had the energy to still play good racquetball so my doctors were happy with me. At this stage I was basically eating healthy, real food, avoiding processed food and eliminating the high starch carbs mentioned earlier. I ate this way for 7+ years.
During Diabetic week three years ago, I heard a woman on the radio (a listener who rang in, not a guest speaker) talking about Doctor Richard Bernstein’s book -that every diabetic (type1 & type2) should read. In itself this was great to hear because, rarely, is type 1 ever spoken about these days because of the rising epidemic status of type2 diabetes.
Her enthusiasm motivated me enough to purchase the book, “Dr Bernstein’s Diabetic Solution. The complete guide to achieving normal blood sugars”, which in turn led me to discover the ketogenic diet followed by the controversial issue of high cholesterol, heart disease & the statin drug treatment.
For the last 18 months I’ve been eating LCHF, convinced by the many YouTube seminars I’ve listened to & books I’ve read that this is the way to go. Neither my GP or Endocrinologist is happy with my high cholesterol readings but acknowledge that it’s my decision to choose not to take their advice of statin medication, even though it doesn’t really sit easy with me to blatantly go against their ‘expert’ advice.
I heard Dr Peter Brukner on the radio in May this year talking about his new book, “A Fat Lot of Good” which summarises the history of all the issues I’d been reading/worrying/agonising about for so long. It also reinforced decisions I’d made to disregard the wayward dietary guidelines (that ill-informed governments have burdened us with for far too long). It truly was a “YAHOO!” moment for me. I purchased the book and was glued to it - underlining many “YES!” facts and statements. In it he recommended “Ditch the Carbs” as the top website for recipes and support for those eating LCHF so since then I’ve been an avid follower and really appreciative subscribed member.
I have continued to gain confidence when speaking with my doctor and endocrinologist about how I’m successfully managing my diabetes (without their full support) and have really enjoyed experimenting with so many different and very delicious recipes. This has certainly made it very easy to keep life interesting, tasty and healthy. My husband, who’s non-diabetic, eats the same meals as me and he doesn’t feel as though he’s missing out on anything. My weight has remained constant but the added fat in my diet has certainly helped with staying satisfied, rather than hanging out for the next meal or snack.
The ironic thing is that I’m one of the healthiest of all my peers, both racquetball players and others, even though I’ve had a chronic condition for 33 years - and it’s predominantly because I’m living a LCHF life.
Some of our favourite regular dinner recipes are: Spinach & Cream Cheese Chicken, Low Carb Cheese Steak Stuffed Mushrooms, Chicken Pesto Roll-Ups, Keto Lasagne with Zucchini Noodles, Slow Cooker Malaysian Beef Curry with Cauliflower Rice, Low Carb Beef Stroganoff.
Joanna Neophyton
Thank you for sharing your story, which is very motivating for another T1D- such as me.
Jessica
Hello,
I have been doing LCHF for almost 7 months now. I have lost 3stone 7lb and feeling better than ever! Your site has been so helpful for me and I am always looking for new recipes to introduce into my diet. I am doing LCHF alongside exercise so overall feeling so much more active and no longer dread walking to places.
One thing I am still struggling with unfortunately is spots. I went to the doctors before starting my weight loss and they always told me it was to do with diet. Ii's now been 7 months and I have stopped wearing makeup in the week also as a last bid to help! At least now I know this isn't down to an unhealthy diet and will be telling my doctor so! ha ha
Tiara
We're a gaggle of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community.
Your web site provided us with useful info to work on. You have performed
a formidable activity and our entire group
shall be grateful to you.
Lynn Marie
L over this website. Thank you so much for all the wonderful help you have given me. 3 months in and 30 lbs down. Just took my entire closet to Goodwill yesterday. I am happier every day. Still have 40 to go so looks like my new wardrobe will be donated this fall. Went on LC to help my sister win a challenge at her work. 2 weeks after I started I found out that she did not. My weight went down and hers is going up. I occasionally fall off the wagon, like during Spring Break, but once back home the 2 lbs I gained came right off.
My blood sugar is more stable. Carbs used to cause me to bottom out and often pass out daily.
I am shopping in Misses and not Plus department now and love that feeling.
Love mashed cauliflower and ribs. Shrimp and chef salads are my staples.
My siblings all get together for brunch on Sundays. This has always been a real meal. Since I started this diet one sister has started bringing potato chips as "an appetizer" which before I started LC was cheese, olives, veggies Etc... Having a hard time getting her to understand that I don't want food like that in my house. Oh well! I am stronger now, have more willpower and hopefully will hit my goal weight before the end of the year.
MorganB.
Hello! I’m pretty new to this site, but so excited to have found you! I started a ketogenic diet a little over 6 weeks ago. So far, I’ve had great success. I’ve lost 16 pounds and over 7 inches in total. I started the Keto diet because I had bloodwork come back showing I’m prediabetic and have very low thyroid enzymes...and I’m barely 33! Knowing that these health conditions run in my family I decided to make changes to hopefully turn my health around. I am also hopeful I won’t have to start any medications, fingers crossed.
I officially started on Feb. 2, 2018 and weighed 182.2. Now as of March 24th, 2018, I weight 165. I also incorporate a ratio of 18:6 intermittent fasting, smaller portions and keep my calories to less then 1400. I supplement with exegenous ketones and no carb electrolytes and work out on the elliptical 3 days a week for 45 mins. I make sure that I keep my heart rate between 130-150 for ultimate fat-burning cardio. I always workout in a fasted state, usually around 10am and wait to eat until 1pm. When I drink enough water, I have ZERO cravings after my fasted workout. It’s a whole new world that I didn’t no existed!! It’s a world where I don’t have to depend on food to feel good, I don’t crave, or struggle with afternoon fatigue. Plus the energy is so through the roof. I can’t imagine going back to the sugar-dependent eating. I’ve never felt better!! My goals are to loose another 20-25 pounda and continue to turn my blood work numbers around!! I’ve used several recipes from this site that have been delicious! Just tried the carrot cake recipe for Easter! Can’t wait to have a LC holiday meal!!!
Teri
Hi! Would you be willing to share what exactly you eat in a day and when you eat? I'm trying to eat keto and combine it with intermittent fasting and I'm so confused as to WHAT and WHEN to eat!!! I find myself not eating because I'm confused about everything!! That would help me so much if you are willing to share! Thanks!
Lori
Breakfast / lunch
1.5 oz mixed greens
1.5 oz cucumber
1.5 oz cherry tomato
30 g feta cheese
1 TBSP cocunut oil on salad
6 oz cooked pure beef burger
Salt & pepper to taste
Lunch / Dinner
1 can tuna
TBSP mayo
4 slices bacon
30 g shredded cheddar cheese
Romaine lettuce leaves
Put everything into lettuce wrap for a tuna wrap
Get an Instagram account and go to #ketofoods for thousands of ideas, or to http://www.dietdoctor.com
Ellen
Hi, I found this website while looking into low carb bread substitutes for my son. He is 8 years old and recently diagnosed with ASD and ADHD (inattentive). We'd been trying different things including GFDF and have been including camel milk when and where we could afford it. I found a new supplier of camel milk late in 2017 and during a conversation with the supplier he said that we'd wouldn't see good results without improving his diet and gave suggestions which sounded very much like keto. So here I am. The whole family (me, husband and both kids) reduced our carb intakes significantly and both my husband and I felt we had lost some bloating in the stomach area. I lost two kg without even thinking about it. We saw a fairly quick improvement in temperament from our ASD boy and concentration improved. Last week we went on a road trip and fell off the wagon a few times. Both husband and I began to feel bloated again and my ASD boy became more emotionally unstable again and increased stimming behaviour. Even my 4 year old has become more cranky. So we're getting back into it. I've found your website a valuable source of recipes for replacing all those useless empty carb foods we were eating before.
ilahb
When did you start your Low Carb Diet? 9/1/2017
How much weight have you lost? As of today 10 lbs.
What other symptoms have cleared? I was merely over weight with no illnesses. (thank God)
Have you come off any medication? I take no medication. I am 53. I started so I never have to.
How is your mood and concentration? My attitude has changed. I was in a really bad place prior to 9/1/2017. BAD place emotionally, mentally, spiritually, Foggy Brain ...
How long have you battled with weight or with other symptoms that lead you to discover LCHF? Ever since I had children. They are 27, 26, and 22. I was 100 lbs. prior to my first pregnancy.
And finally, how has Ditch The Carbs helped you? What have you discovered? What recipes are your favourite?
I do not have a favoite. You see, I have a condition (my bad place) called Anosmia and it manifested itself January 2016. I do not have the ability to smell or taste. AT ALL ... My olfactory nerves/cells are completely gone. I do have taste buds but, without smell, there is no taste. I cannot smell spoiled food, or a gas leak. Ya, it's like that. I can tell if it's ice cream but I cannot tell you if it is chocolate or vanilla. I cannot smell coffee, my hairspray in the morning or exhaust fumes. The house will fill with smoke before I notice if I am not visually paying attention. Yes, it is like that! It is unnerving! I had to come to terms with it. I was eating, the past 1 1/2 years , out of control in hopes that just that next bite, that next bite, that next bite, I will be able to "will" myself to taste again. I miss smells i misst being able to smell a flower, or Spaghetti or garlic or - even exhaust fumes.
I was told, after a myriad of testings, scans, mri's, steroids, and a bunch of other stuff, to find the cause, that my situation, due to a 3 day fever of 101 or higher (for the 3 days) is the cause of my condition of Anosmia.
So, what is my favorite? I do not have one. I know for a fact that I would not be eating Ketogenic or low carb if I had my olfactory nerves in tact. So, I am at a point, now, (the last month) with tears in my eyes, that I have decided, "If you cannot beat it, join it" .. I need to lose 100 lbs and get my body (aka health) in a better place.
I have about 90 lbs to go and I never want to look back. I know, now, that I will never again taste pasta, a donut, "real" chocolate cake, spaghetti, my meatloaf, mash potaotes. and a huge list of other stuff. I cannot and I will never be able to. I am resolved.
and NOW, I am ABSOLUTELY ok with it. I am happy and I am in a MUCH MUCH better place. I cook still, I bake still. (Just took a low carb bread from the oven, for breakfast tomorrow morning, lightly toast and some (real) butter, cup of coffee and I'll be set til lunch)
Happy ... I am thankful, and I am grateful - In Everything Give Thanks for this IS the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
I am thankful. I actually, at this point would be very sad if my Anosmia were to be cured. I would be afraid I would revert back to my old ways. SO, I am taking advantage of my situation that took me 18 months to figure out!
That's my story and it is just starting... I cannot wait for the ending. woo hoo!
Siobhan Kearney
Did you try taking zinc? I lost my sense of smell after taking prednisone for 5 or 6 days. Many stresses can cause zinc levels to be depleted and there is a chance of restoring a sense of smell once zinc levels are repleted. I was lucky that I worked for a nutritionist at the time who was able to share the zinc connection with me and lucky that mine came back. Zinc is also relatively inexpensive. Good luck.
Daisy Hamilton
Hi Libby,
This is the second time I am trying this way of living. I tried to before, in march, with two goals in mind: control my carbohydrate addiction and lose weight. I have been using MyFitnessPal to keep a record, lost over half a stone quite quickly and then hit a plateau for four weeks, after which time, I gave up. I got through the summer by returning to my old habits and now am determined to give it another go, as I feel so out of control with my eating. After one week, I have lost no weight at all, but have pushed through the carbohydrate withdrawals and feel less hungry and am back to cooking. I realised, just like the first time, that cheese and cream are my downfall, so I will have to cut down on cheese and ban the cream. I have four stone of weight to lose, as I have lupus and find exercise exhausting most of the time. I do a lot of walking in my job, so that is good. I love your comments and emails and look forward to reading them. Thank you!
Cyndi
Hi, my name is Cyndi and I am a type2 diabetic. I have been lchf for about 6 months. Weight loss has been very slow but all my blood work has improved dramatically. My A1c has gone from 6.6 to 5.2 a non diabetic level. I have been able to cut my metformin in half and was able to discontinue my oneblood pressure medicine and decrease the other.I feel great and this way of eating is sustainable for me.I love this web site lots of good information and recipes.
Anne
You had high cholesterol and you were ok to eat high fat? So many people say high fat will harm you if your cholesterol is high, so that is why I was shying away from LCHF....but if it actually lowered your cholesterol then maybe I can do LCHF way of life.
Annette
You need to start reading up on cholesterol. Dr. Aseem Malhotra has some good articles on it. Basically: high cholesterol in itself doesn't really mean anything. But don't take my word on it, read the experts. But fat doesn't worry me anymore (the good ones that is).
Sue
Hi all,
My name is Sue.
I have been doing the LCHF diet for a couple weeks or so now.
I have been struggling with my weight and A1C numbers.
My doctor had said I would have to go on Metformin if I
did not get my A1C down again,.,
Yesterday I went to see the doctor and have my labs done.
The results were fantastic...My A1C went down 0.6 points
and is no longer in the diabetes range...back to pre-diabetes.
Also, no Metformin!!!
I am still struggling with losing the weight and the inches, but that will come
once my health improves from the inside out!
Lori
I have to say that success on keto is just committing to not eat breads, grains, root vegetables, rice and potatoes. Perspective can’t be what you may be missing, but what you can change, you don’t want to go back to eating high carb foods, you want to take the time to learn a new way of eating. Go back to basics and remember calories count. So track your food intake with myfitnesspal and keep carbs below 20 grams a day, count gross carbs not net carbs so you don’t disillusion yourself.
Keep calm and keto on!
Leeanne
I have been LCHF for 3 weeks. I have lost 7 lbs and gave noticed reduced inflammation in my hands which I had been having a lot of trouble with. I started because my wife was diagnosed with borderline diabetes. I started eating this way to support her but I am now fully invested in it. I was a huge carboholic so this is huge for me. I have tried many of the recipes already and am extremely grateful for this resource. Keep up the great work!
Teri
Great job! I'm right behind you. Going to clear out the pantry and jump on board. Hope the inflammation in my hands and other parts of my body go down too. Thanks for sharing! I always love to read positive articles. It may just get me motivated sooner than later, hopefully . Good day to you ❣
Harriet
Please help me. I have been on low carb for about 3 weeks and have lost 2 pounds. I am disappointed in the weight loss although my blood glucose (I have Type I diabetes) is GREAT. I want to lose probably 15 to 20 pounds. What am I doing wrong? I typically follows the three ebooks that I downloaded from the website with a few nuts in-between. I don't know what to do at this point. I also joined the gym and workout/exercise about 4 x a week. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Harriet
Sam
Harriet
My wife is Type 1 as well. Her endocrinologist told her that the artificial insulin she takes hinders weight loss. She's been on this diet for 4 months and losing about a half pound per week. Keep at it it'll eventually come off. She has reduced the amount of insulin she takes by more than half.
Nick
30 minutes of fasted cardio. Doesn't have to be running or jogging but a brisk walk will help out tremendously. Try consuming your carbs within 1 hour of post work out. Remember low carb not no carb. It is still very important to consume carbs just "good carbs". Ive been doing lchf for a couple of weeks I have dropped 2 pants sizes but haven't lost weight. That's due to my high protein intake. So I ah e dramatically lost fat. And screw the scale! One last thing try to consume 1-2 gal of water.
Christine
You're a dude... of course you're going to lose 2 pants sizes in 2 weeks. Try being a woman and trying this diet. not as easy to lose.
Linda
You don't have much to lose. Be patient and it will come off. Your blood glucose numbers are great.
Geoff
Hi, I've been lchf for nearly 7 months and have lost 20kg. I'm sitting around 85kg now and would like to drop maybe 5kg more, although a few people have told me that I'd look too skinny then. I was pretty much sugar free before going lchf so it wasn't too difficult, and I honestly don't miss pasta, potato, rice etc. In fact my 3yo son kept demanding that I have some of his buttered bread the other day and I thought it was awful! Thanks to people like Libby I'm finding heaps of tasty recipes and alternatives. There are some tough times in the early weeks but once your body adjusts it's one positive after another.
Lindsay Woods
Well Libby in February 2016 an Orthopedic surgeon said I was too young (66) for a knee replacement and I needed to loose weight. He sent me to a Dr who introduced me to LCHF and gave me some recipies to cook. In searching for variation I came accross your website and one of the first recipies was Shepherds Pie. Now my goto lunch to take to work. I have managed to drop 25kgs in weight very much helped by you endless recipies. So thank you I read everything I can on this subject and you have made me investigate even further. Your article on Almonds was enlightening as I understand Omega6 vs Omega3 so I do not eat as many almond. In Feb 2016 I would take steps one at a time. No longer is that necessary. Thanks to your website I do not find this way of life difficult to follow. I have passed you website onto many people so keep up the good work.
Obakeng
Hi Lindsay
So how much have you lost all together now? Have your knee pains disappeared? I have hip issues and I am obese, I am doing everything I can to avoid surgery as I am only 29 yrs old. I have been on LCHF for 2 weeks now lost a lil bit but I just need assurance that weight loss does ease joint pains.
Kind Regards
Cindy
Hi
I don't know if this is the best place to leave a comment and ask for help and I hope you read it soon.
My husband and I started eating LCHF nearly 2 months ago with my son(9) eating fairly low carb with us and I wanted to put all my thoughts and results down as well as share some worries etc.
We have been fairly strict but never count carbs but know and understand what's high and what not to include so think we have been pretty good.
Both my husband and I have lost weight, though I didn't have a weight problem but my husband wanted to lose his belly as we know that belly fat may mean organ fat.
We are now at an ideal weight and saw a fairly quick result but don't want to lose any more but we alre not sure how to keep low carb and high fat if wantto stabilise.
I have always been fairly healthy and have regularly researched health and diet and understand and know quite a bit about the function of our bodies and often bore people with health advice that they rarely ask for, but I am passionate and committed to it though some would say I obsess!
I work as a health care assistant in a hospital environment so do see a lot of illness and disease and often have to support people after doctors have shared bad news with them.
I can admit that there is a fear of disease for myself and my family which drives my passion for health and truly believe that food and lifestyle is the key which I will talk about to whoever wants to listen.
Now the problems I faced with this new way of eating is,though I fully agree and understand the science behind it, that I have not had a lot of positive effects.
My previously erratic blood sugar spikes and lows have been better but
I have had a knot in my stomach since I started that feels like heart burn and often comes up into my throats which has made me fell ill most of the time.
I LOVE cream and butter and have relished in having it in my coffee and butter on various things as well as cream with strawberries as dessert.
This has seemed to make me feel more ill and so decreased my appetite.
I have pushed through thinking I will get used to it and it's my body adjusting but it hasn't really gone though I now think I need to watch dairy as it may be the cause.
The other things I have been struggling with are that my energy levels have not only gone down but I am so tired, I can't stay awake past 9pm and often have to rest in afternoon to help me get through.
I also do still have brain fog which I again thought would clear once my body adjusted.
My mood had changed and though I used to have marked dips in mood before my menstual period, this time has lasted for over a month along with low libido( I always had a high one before) which is very upsetting and very difficult for my husband and generally I know my children have noticed that I am not myself.
To top it all I went to the doctor because of my stomach problem and low mood and I found out that my blood test results were not good yesterday.
I live in England so they have a different way they record cholesterol measurements but my numbers were total-7.29, HDL 1.6, LDL 4.94, and triglycerides 1.64.
I was devastated and had a long chat with the doctor and she said that I should cut out bacon and processed meat and eat oats which lowers cholesterol.
After I discussed this with my husband we researched lots of websites last night and tried to understand why my results were so high and I had been so good and what this means for me and us.
I think as I am not wanting to lose any more weight and the ,fact that my stomach maybe doesn't agree with the high fat I would try having oats a bit more but stay on LCHF with cutting down on bacon, which is goin to be tough as I loved having fry ups with my son and enjoyed it guilt free.
What are your thoughts and what do I do with this information?
I do understand that there is a lot of scientific research that tries to prove that high cholesterol doesn't cause heart disease but there are such conflicts and my dad had a major heart attack in his 50s and my mum had a stroke just recently and was told that one of her arteries was clogged and told to cut down on the very thing I am eating lot of.
My son has also had some interesting changes since changing his diet.
He has cutout sugar and has some bread and fruit, but has lot of veggies and cheese and meat instead of pasta etc.
He does see his dad half of the time who still give him carbs and sugar but I am slowly teaching him about it. The sad thing is we hav noticed that his mood has changed and is very grumpy and angry and often doesn't want to eat. He also seems to have less energy and often complains that his legs get tired.
He was a very active ,normal boy who plays football twice a week and is often out on his scooter after school.
It's worrying as I understand that he still needs some cabs and it is process and I do trust that eventually he will be telling his dad that he doesn't want carbs and sugar, but in the mean time I am not sure if we are doing right for him as he's not a happy boy, which is upsetting.
The other interesting thing is that my husband who totally understands the science but can't stomach high fat, so has just been cutting down on portion size and cut out carbs almost completley( he can't do without his apple and orange after lunch) and has lost weight markedly and has had no side effects at all!!!! He hasn't noticed a change of energy or brain fog or feeling hungry, basically no difference at all. Don't understand it at all????
Sorry for the long messa.ge but I needed to let you know all the background.
Please help.
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Hi Cindy, wow you sure have a lot going on. There are two main aspects that need to be resolved.
First - the medical problems need to be addressed with a full clinical review by a low carb medical professional who will understand your blood results, your current diet and can advise you accordingly. It sounds like there is a family history that would need to be taken into account which should be full and thorough. It will be confusing to be living LCHF yet be getting standard conflicting low fat and high carb advice from your doctor. I would look at this website which is run by an award winning low-carb GP in the UK, she may be able to point you in the direction of a low-carb GP or dietician in your area. From there you will be able to get a full picture of what is going on.
The second problem I see, is the discomfort with eating so much fat. I can help you with this one. Many see LCHF as a licence to over eat fat. We should only eat fat until full, not bloated, not sick and certainly no discomfort. You now relish having it in your coffee, on berries etc etc, you may be overdoing the fat. Eat only enough to make you comfortably full. If a creamy coffee is enjoyed, are you still eating lunch out of habit or hunger? Maybe you are feeling discomfort due to still being full from the creamy coffee or similar fatty snack perhaps? Are you tracking your carbs? You say your blood sugars are more stable but are you still having highs and lows? Are some carbs creeping back in to give you the highs then the energy slump later in the evening? I would do a full and 100% completely honest food diary and monitor what you are eating with your blood sugar results. A huge number of people who do not experience the results they hope, when they do a food diary, realise they are low carb, but not as low carb as they thought which just a little tweaking of food and eating will resolve.
Why not join my closed Low Carb Support Group where you can ask more questions privately, there are so many people there who have been in incredibly similar situations.
Cindy
Hi again
Thanks for the reply, I don't want a Facebook account so won't be able to join the support group.
I do only eat when hungry and often after I have eaten to satisfaction I get this odd feeling and sometimes feel weak even when I don't have a lot of fat.
As my husband has decided to just keep his carbs low and not eat high fat as he just can't face it, after a life of cutting off the fat off meat and never liking cream or butter after being forced to drink warm school milk, we don't have very fatty meals and I just add cheese it butter if I feel like it.
My 9 year old would eat high fat but my daughter(17) has point blank said she cannot do this plan as she goes out with friends a lot and there is just too much temptation.
And she doesn't want to eat high fat and normal carbs.
I have had to accept that she will know the principles of good eating and take it into adulthood and can decide for herself.
So our meals have to satisfy all of us.
Today I have had grain free granola, creamy coffee at 11 and scrambled egg and 1 slice low carb bread for lunch.
Tonight I am having stir fry which is pretty low fat but may add extra olive oil.
That's a pretty normal day but also have lots of salads with cheese or egg or cold meat and leftovers for lunch.
So not sure what I am doing wrong.
Ah I do seem to crave things in evenings so do have plain full fat yogurt with Berries or cream and I have made low carb desserts which I sometimes have.
I have felt very unsatisfied since I have started as food was a big part of my enjoyment so I gues I am looking for that same thing.
I do still feel hungry during the day so I do have a handful of nuts or carb free baking etc. Every now and then though not every day.
Is that too much?
michelle
i found what worked I got my macros done which means I know how much fat protein and carbs I need to eat
Molly
Cindy,
I have found that once in a while (maybe timed to my menstrual cycle? Not sure yet...) I have tummy troubles from eating higher fiber foods like nuts and greens. I just have to make sure I pay attention and don't get overenthusiastic with the salads and nuts just because I want the micronutrients. I also drink a TON of coffee all morning with lots of heavy cream and I know that contributes to every other symptom I still experience. Personally, I seem to thrive on full fat dairy (grass-fed cream, greek yogurt & butter) so I'm going to continue to experiment with other ways to consume cream and butter while reducing my coffee intake to something resembling reasonable. I suspect if I can summon the willpower to cut back on my pot-a-morning and sometimes half-another-in-the-afternoon habit the stress to my adrenals will decrease.
Maggie
Please go visit
Diet doctor
Watch the mivie the big fat fix
It's a documentary from a cardiologist who explains so well what causes heart attract
How it works
How to lower the build up in your arteries
Many good interviews
Also you may need more salt
Also I had some heart burn and started to take
Digestive enzymes to help or drink kefir
For kids they do need carbs they are growing
But fruit carbs etc
Hope this helps
Feel better soon
Ps. To reduce the plaque on the artieries
Drink cold pressed extra virgin olive oil and extra virgin coconut oil and add handful of almonds
According to the heart doc !
Lindsay
It's really simple give up potatoes, rice, pasta, bread and sugar and you are 90% there. The expensive part is buying new clothes. You should be wary even of artificial sweetners as the metabolic pathway that signals the brain that you want food is the same for sugar as for any artificial sweetner. The only difference is the sweetner has no carbs. Along with Libbys great recipies there is now a Low carb Diet Cook book put out by the CSIRO in Australia which topped the best seller list last week. The scientific analysis in the book from clinical studies is interesting. They still haven't gotten away totally from Omega 6 fatty acids but they will one day. Good luck and don't give up it all works and more science is backing it up.
Nanette Franz
I was close to being diagnosed as obese, though I did not look it. I have metabolic syndrome, so my doctor was always telling me to lose weight and quit smoking. I started on Whole30/Paleo and lost about 30 lbs. I slid back into my old eating habits, and while I did not gain back weight, I was not eating healthy. I thought I was doing ok. For about a year I had been having bizarre symptoms which doctors kept treating as sinus, allergies, GERD(?), ulcers(???). 5 different doctors to be exact. Nothing they did/prescribed worked. I was semi-miserable. I finally went to a neurologist thinking I had MS, ALS or some neurological malfunction. After talking with me for 3 hours, running several tests(blood included), she deduced, that while I had carpal tunnel syndrome, my blood sugar level was a fraction away from being deemed high enough to be diabetic. Not one other doctor had bothered to look at that in the entire year I had been complaining about my symptoms. She said that my higher blood sugar was causing my other symptoms. She told me to quit smoking(knew that) and lose 10 lbs and she'll see me in 6 weeks. Not only have I quit smoking, I went to a strict low carb eating lifestyle to control my blood sugar(Dr. Richard Bernstein 6-12-12). I have not gained any weight, in fact, I've lost about 4 lbs just following this method of eating. My symptoms have pretty much disappeared and my blood glucose looks good on my monitor. We'll see when I go back to the doctor.
This is the best lifestyle change I have done, other than quitting smoking. Once you get used to it and learn to eat and cook around processed/high carbohydrate foods, you will be amazed at what and how much you can eat. It will take some adjustment and it may frustrate your spouse/family. My husband can eat anything, I can't, so many times I cook separately. We're dealing with it after I told him I was going to become very ill if I did not change my eating habits and I did not want him changing my diapers later in life. He concurred.
Be patient, it's not for everybody, but it worked for me. Do the research, talk to you doctor, see what happens.
Marion
On May 4, 2015, I went into the ER with an angina attack, pain in back of my throat, radiating into the jaw. No heart attack, no heart damage, but major blockages, so they scheduled me for a double cardiac bypass. In the ER, before they'd admitted me, a nurse asked "did you know you're diabetic?" Huh. Didn't know. My BG was 360 and my A1c was 11.6. So they immediately put me on Metformin, a statin and a beta-blocker. After my heart surgery, they added a blood thinner to that cocktail. In hospital though, their idea of a "diabetic" meal was very lean chicken with pasta or mashed potatoes and applesauce, a slice of bread, plus a sugar-free cobbler for desert. Luckily, I wasn't very hungry anyway at that point. As soon as I was out of hospital, I went LCHF, which was easy... I couldn't stand up long enough to cook, so my stepson's wife cooked for my daughter, while I ate cold cuts, low-carb protein shakes with a few berries thrown in and some chia for fiber, boiled eggs and bagged salads. By that August, my A1c was 6.3, and I was down 51lbs.
I started working out as soon as I could... walking on a treadmill in cardiac rehab, then around the neighborhood, then as soon as I was allowed to lift anything heavier than a toothbrush, some light resistance training at the gym.
The past six months or so, though, I've been really struggling, giving in to temptation, making excuses not to work out. No one else in my household of 8 people eat low carb or care to try it. I've put back on ten pounds. My BG is not quite as in control as it was. Even my husband will say "one beer while you're out to dinner won't hurt you..." I'm here to tell you, yes, yes it will, because once you start eating just a little more carb, one beer, just a couple of chips, one french fry ... the cravings come back in full force. I don't even have to be hungry to hear my husband's Oreos calling me from the cupboard. Sugar is a highly addictive drug! So this week, back to being religiously strict. A couple of days of almost no carbs and lots and lots of fat (olive oil, coconut oil, butter) to get the cravings in check, then introduce more leafy greens, zucchini, other low-carb veggies and a bit more protein. Next week I'll start intermittent fasting. The tough thing is going to be making my workout time sacrosanct. My 12yo daughter comes home about the time I get off work. She'll just have to get used to being alone for an hour, starting her homework without Mom cracking the whip.
Marion
Forgot to mention... I very quickly quit the statins, because they made me stupid and gave me muscle pain, and because having read the research, the argument for them isn't really convincing. They had also started me on glyburide along with the metformin; as soon as I started the LCHF, I had to drop that one after a few hypoglycemic episodes in the low-40's (I think probably the ketones in my blood kept me from passing out). I also weaned myself off of the beta-blockers. The doctor in the hospital had put on my chart that I had chronic high blood pressure. That simply isn't true. My BP was reading high in the hospital because I'd been canoeing for 3 hours the day before and had a terrible, blistering sunburn. Of course my BP shot up whenever the blood pressure cuff inflated right on top of my sunburn! Typically otherwise, my BP has always run on the low-side, 111/60 or so...
susie
thanks for your share. I like how you tell your story has ups and downs. it's not always easy as everyone says it is.
Andy Bishop
On 16th June 2016 I found out that I was a Type2 Diabetic, my HbA1c was 62, cholesterol was 4.9 and BP 144/92 and I weighed 13 Stone 13 lbs (88.4 Kg) with a BMI of 30.2. I was sent off with a bag full of pills (Metformin & Statin) and a booklet about Diabetes. Needless to say that was not the best news I ever had. So I took my pills and read the booklet, which still suggested that I can have loads of carbs and some sweet stuff!
I decided to do a bit of my own research and soon found lots of information on the Internet, some good, some bad and some controversial. I found the Ditch The Carbs, Blood Sugar Diet by Dr Michael Mosley, Sugar Free by Karen Thompson and these lead me to look at a whole host of others including Diet Doctor (Andreas Eenfeldt MD), Professor Tim Noakes, Professor Roy Taylor, Dr David Unwin, Emily Maguire, Ted Naiman and Dr Aseem Malhotra. All these wonderful people have websites and social media that support diet and exercise and a LCHF or real Mediterranean Diet to improve your health.
After spending some time reading their websites and tweets I decided to give it a go and try Low Carb. I stopped the bread, pasta, potatoes and rice and started including more vegetables, some fruit (Berries, Apples, Pears ) and trying out some of the recipes from Ditch the Carbs. I also started some basic exercise; I walked for 30 mines a day. Pretty soon began losing weight and feeling better. I mixed up my menus taking my inspiration from Karen’s Sugar Free book, Libby’s Ditch the Carbs website, Andreas’s Diet Doctor Website and the BSD book by Michael Mosely.
Over the last 3 months my cooking has had interesting results as somethings I cook really well other were a bit of a disaster (Down to me not the recipes ) I have become a big fan of cauliflower rice and I am now enjoying butter, eggs, cheese and some full fat yoghurts, cream and nuts and I am losing weight. Much to the bewilderment of family and friends. I have even now increased my exercise and I’m doing HIIT sessions from the fabulous Joe Wicks (Freely available on YouTube) whose 15 minute low impact workouts are fantastic and fun.
It’s now 24th September and I’ve had a 3 month blood test to see how I am getting on. The results are in!
HbA1c is now 39, cholesterol is 3 (LDL=1.3, HDL=1.3) I now weigh 11 Stone 9 lbs ( 75 Kg ) and my BMI is 25.6. At my review they have kept me on Statins and I am now down to 1 Metformin and my BP is now 131/84. With my Diabetes Nurse I have agreed a target weight of 11 stone and another HbA1c test in 3 months. I’m also now trying to get my BP down a bit more so I’m going to start some Qigong and Mindfulness exercises.
I’ve had a fantastic journey over the last 3 months. I’m no saint as I have had a glass of red wine and a couple of squares of 85% dark chocolate during the last 3 months (But not every day!!)
I’ve found a supportive and vibrant community on the Internet who keep posting their recipes, research and hold forums discussing the latest developments in LCHF and Diabetes. I’ve managed to watch The Big Fat Fix and the Fixing Dad (Documentary about reversing a Type 2 Diabetes by Anthony and Ian Whittington) and I’ve just watched the fantastic 2 part program by Dr Chris van Tulleken – The Doctor Who Gave Up Drugs. I’m now looking forward to the next few months of my new journey.
A big thank you to everyone in the LCHF community and to the Doctors who are supporting and researching this way of life. As Albert Einstein once said “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we create them”
Keep posting and tweeting.
Andy @Crixus1963
Sarah Holley
I enjoyed reading this, well done on your success!
Melissa Howard
The results are in and I'm stoked!
Back in January, my 72 year old seemingly healthy, active husband was informed he was pre-diabetic and advised he start a new med called Metformin to bring his numbers down. Not thrilled with the possible side effects and added expense, we decided together to dump the doctor, find someone new willing to support our way of thinking, and embark on a new food lifestyle to get those numbers down naturally. After a week of research, we felt LCHF was right for us. With the guidance of a good friend who shared with us this awesome website, we began our journey. Now 6 months later, our blood work is amazing proof that eating this way works. My total cholesterol dropped 45 points, my triglycerides dropped 52, my LDL (bad cholesterol) dropped 40 points and my HDL (good cholesterol) increased by 4. My husband's labs also showed equally great improvements. His HDL doubled! An added bonus is at 59 years old and feeling fit, I am 12 pounds lighter. We are SOLD!
Kylie
Wow how amazing! That was great to read.
Elizabeth Harford
I started on 6/19/16 so 2.5 months ago. I started at 158.8. Today 144.6. So I have lost 14.2 pounds. I have 10-15 more to go!!! But it has been slow and easy. I'm glad it took this long 1-2 ponds a week. Because by this time now I have formed a habit!!!! And grabbing for food eating out or shopping I naturally grab the right things and don't crave other foods. When I want to be really bad . I snack on Atkins endulge chocolate !! Love them!! Never feel deprived..eat all the butter I want with out the guilt! And still lose weight. Slow and steady. I'm 61 years old feel great
Kathy
I started eating low carb about three years ago, then went on a trip and fell off the wagon. I gained back the 8 lbs. I had lost and now can't get into all the pants I bought back then! I am trying to get started again, but it is so hard, especially when my husband isn't on board at all. The best thing about it, other than the fat I lost around my middle, is that I had no more acid reflux! That was huge for me! Even though I LOVE bread, I found that it just didn't agree with me. No more Tums every night! Yea! I'm glad I found your website with so many resources and so much help. Thank you so much!
Melinda
I just started low carb 2 weeks ago and the biggest change I have noticed is also no more acid reflux! It just went away. Tums used to be a nightly ritual for me and sometimes they did not even work. I'm very happy!
Wendie
I started LCHF about 8 weeks ago. At first I had a huge loss of nearly 10 lbs in a week! But then I started placing around with low carb wraps and jams & treats and it def caused rebound cravings & increased my hunger so I slipped up and went off pgm. It took a while to figure out what worked for me. I was 'nursing' my Bulletproof coffee all day and wasn't seeing the success I wanted so I decided to give IF a try (intermittent fasting) I work in a foodie office and there's a LOT of temptations during the day so I felt it would be too difficult to try to fast then. So I swapped out my BPC in the am for just black coffee & water and ate my first Neal at between 12-2pm. I tried doing just 1 large meal midday but had sine indigestion so I cut it back to 650-1000 cal. Then I east another meal around 400-600 cal. I avg 1400-1600 cal, 100-150 gr fat, 10-20 gr carbs & 35-50 gr protein and typically 79-85% fat . I aim for at least 16 hrs of fasting but have gone up to 23 wo hunger. I try to eat in a 5-6 hour window if possible (12-5/6 or 2-7/8) and fast the rest of the time. Since starting this 2 weeks ago I've lost 14lbs and my cravings, aches & foggines are gone. I eat pretty simply: tuna or chicken salad w extra mayo on romaine wraps or cold cuts & veggies & dressing for lunch as well as cheese, avocado, & nuts. Once in a while I'll make chili or vegetti spaghetti with zucchini, sauce, butter & cheese. If we're out or traveling I'll get a loaded burger with all the fixings and mayo on it. I love Ditch the carbs recipe--they give me hope that I can live on this eating plan long term. I also highly recommend Butter Bob Briggs! If I can do this ANYONE can bc I've struggled all my life and had a serious carb & night eating addiction. So happy I found this life saving approach bc nothing else has worked & I've tried it all!! Hand in there !! ❤️
Mowbry
Thank you for sharing and being so honest.
Susan
what is bullet proof coffee?
Cheryl
Never tried it, but here's the recipe for bulletproof coffee:
1.Brew or buy hot coffee.
2.Blend in a few tablespoons unsalted, grass-fed butter, as well as a bit of Brain Octane or XCT Oil.
(oils sold on bulletproof.com)
Agatha
Hi, my name is Agatha, I started low carb eating in Jan 2016 and to date (7th Jun 2016) I have lost 15kg's ! for the first few months I cut out virtually 95% carbs. I found it easy because I had lots of low carb and veggies in my fridge and cupboard. I have now become quite a low carb baker and do not think I will go back to eating other ways again soon. I have no cravings and just do not like sweets etc anymore. My drawback is fruit !!!! unfortunately I overindulge from time to time. I am sleeping better and my concentration has also improved as has my exercise regime. I feel fabulous and look fabulous. Pse persevere YOU CAN DO IT it is very easy
Debbie
Hi my name is Debbie I've been following LCHF for three weeks and not losing much. I feel really good is this a sudden or slow process just hope I am following it correct. Any advice for a beginner??? thanks.
Mireille
Hello Debbie....check TheDietDoctor.com explains in detail what to eat. I have completed my first two weeks, 11 pounds lost. Take mineral supplements, though, to avoid the keto flu.
Clark
No mineral supplements needed to avoid the keto flu...just make sure you ingest enough sodium.
sherif
watch your hidden sugar, sodium percentage, potassium, don't increase protein, go calories diffident by 25%.
Lozz
I love chocolate and chip yes I can eat them together that's fine with me. Well that was before LCHF anyway. I'm a mother of four and am 28. I have been overweight for about 10 years. Since the birth of my first child. I don't think I actually realised how big I had gotten until the end of 2015. Maybe I did know deep down, and just didn't want to acknowledge the fact. My husband is quite a fit man. And I felt terrible that I couldn't hike with him like I used too. i started getting really light headed and tingly lips and fingers. My doctor told me that I was on my way to becoming a diabetic. I weighted 110kilos. When I looked in the mirror I just wanted to cry. My husband told me I was beautiful all the time. But I just didn't feel it. So in the third week of January this year I started LCHF. I had tried so many things before and was always hungry or really mean. I had done LCHF in 2014 for my wedding but didn't stick with it long and polled the weight back on over the next year. I think to start a diet you can't look at it like a diet. And this time I haven't. To me it's a way of life. And it's awesome.
I have been on LCHF 4 months. I have lost 15 kilos and 7.5 inches from my waist. 5 inches from my hips and no much from my boobs, but I think that's a good thing. ;). I have gone down almost 3 dress sizes. My headaches are gone. I am no longer on my way to becoming a diabetic. My tingly fingers and lips are know more. My family life on a farm so I do a lot of baking. More than the average person. And I am constantly making my family fresh bread, cakes, biscuits, slices etc. before LCHF I would crave all the stuff I bake. Now I happily give it away. I don't get hungry and I don't crave anything, like ever. Well except when I get my period but then I make a fat bomb and I'm happy again.
I would probably loose more weight but I love coffee. Having 4 kids one of which is autistic means I consume a lot of it. Which means I consume a lot of cream. I know they say if you want to loose more weight eat less cream. But I just can't do it. But I already have so much more confidence I myself. And am starting to love myself again. So I urge you all, if you are ready to make the first step make it. LCHF has been life changing for me and it's only been 4 months. The first week was hell and kerosine kicked in early for me and I had the keto flu for about 5 days in week two. But I wouldn't have it any other way.
D. Ellie
Hi Lozz, have you tried adding Sugar Free Syrups to your black coffee? There are a couple of popular brands out there. I had the same problem with the cream, but once I discovered French Vanilla syrup, I was hooked - and cut out the extra cream calories very easily.
Linda
She's better off with the extra cream calaries. Sugar Free syrups are processed junk. Nothing but chemicals.
Helen
Hi, I must be doing something wrong as I am not losing weight but I feel full and satisfied, I am not missin wheat and sugar, I would love a diet plan to to go by. Cheers to all of you successful people. Helen
cori
Try to eat your first meal around noon and your last meal at 7:00 pm You will melt like butter. xo
I lost 12 pounds in my first 7 days on LCHF doing this. I am 52 and had maybe 12-15 lbs to lose.
Marianne
I just started this past Saturday. I can't believe how great I feel already I feel less bloated it's only 3 days in! I really should've waited until after the holidays, but I want to wear this pretty dress on New Years Eve! I really have to lose about 18 lbs total.
Edra Ridpath
If i do intermittent fasting, can i have my bpc, in the morning or do i have to wait until noon for that too?
Desiree Lees
The jury is still out on this one. Some people claim that having the bpc means you're technically not fasting. Others say that because fat doesn't raise your blood sugar, the effects are the same as fasting. Personally, I find the caffeine and fat help get me through the morning without thinking about food. I drink Bigelow American breakfast tea black with coconut oil and thoroughly enjoy the feeling!
Brandy Wetherall (@mrs_wetherall)
My husband and I have always worked to eat as healthy and natural as possible, but it is difficult when you don't have all the right information. We found this website on Instagram a while back and we have loved it ever since, it's almost an addiction! There are so many amazing recipes on here and they are so delicious; our kids are obsessed with the coconut pancakes and all I can say is THANK YOU for having a website that is honest about the importance of low carb and high fat eating. It isn't a diet, it's a lifestyle, and you have given all of us a reason to look forward to carrying forward with a healthier lifestyle, by sharing food that is nutritious, delicious and simple (most of them) to prepare and cook.
Libby www.ditchthecarbs.com
Brandy that is one of the loveliest comments I think I have ever read here. You are exactly the reason I do this, to help other families make the shift to low carb real food, and show it's not that hard. Keep it simple and down to earth and you wont go far wrong. I rarely respond to testimonials here as I want the readers stories to shine, but you have made my day 🙂 Libby.
Stephanie Burdett
I started eating Low Carb, High Fat and Protein in January 2016, it is May 4 and I have lost 42 pounds. No exercising, but now I am able to ride my bike and get more exercise. My elderly mother moved in with me in March and has lost 10 pounds, and she is still eating bread and sugar (I am after her all the time.) I had an A1C of 8.2 and it is now 6.8. Making delicious healthy foods, and sharing the good news with all who can hear.
susie noble
ow are you doing now.. ? Could you possibly share a one day example of what you eat. Very stuck here.. Thanks! susie [email protected]
Jess
Hi Susie:)
Here is me:
Breakfast- eggs in coconut oil, if I am very hungry then also some low carb granola with almond milk.
Lunch- big salad with greens, lots of olive oil(2-3 TBS) and some protein like canned fish or chicken.
Supper- 2 cups or so of non starchy veg and some meat.
1 snack of 2 tbs peanut butter if I'm hungry somewhere.
I do feel hungry occasionally. But I have learned for me, if I eat when I feel hungry every time, I don't lose weight.
Kay Henson
Where to start?
That I've lost over 10 stone? That my blood pressure has plummeted? That my cholesterol has dropped from 5.2 to 4.1? That my skin is supple? My digestive system healthy? Or that I have more energy than ever before?
I started the change in lifestyle over two years ago, with advice from my sister. I wasn't confident, I am vegetarian, where was the "bulk" in my food coming from? I lived on pasta, rice, bread and potatoes.
I started with small changes, there is too much encouragement to do it all at once. My intake of saturated fat rose as slowly as my carbs dropped, but the small changes saw a rapid drop in my weight.
I eat lots of eggs, nuts, cheese, coconut, high fat yoghurt, cream, butter, avacado........ so many people who know me well and have seen my weight loss still believe the myth and say "ooo, if I ate all those nuts, I'd be the size of a house" whilst tucking into a sandwich and potato crisps.
I'm no low carbon angel, I still have the odd cake or sneaky slice of toast, but my health benefits have been stable now for over a year and I'm not changing back to a lifestyle that kept me as an obese adult for 30 years.
More inspiring recipes please! Let's change the world and give more people their health back.
Kathy E
Like many of you, I have been overweight in various degrees since the age of 7. In September 2015, my lab results and blood pressure, not too mention the pain in my knees and back, was a wake up call. I was reaping the benefits of high carb lifestyle and was heading for the diagnosis of diabetic and the addition of an oral diabetic agent and statins. By October, I had rallied some inner strength and ventured on the LCHF lifestyle again but in earnest this time. I want to live to be an old woman. I want more years with my family and I want to be able to get down on the floor with my grand babies.
By no means is my eating plan perfect but I have lost 45lbs and 2 dress sizes. My knees hurt much less, my back pain has eased some, and my endurance is so much better. And yes, I have sat on the floor with one of my grandsons to play with legos. I still have a looong way to go but am loving where I am today.
Most significantly, and to my doctor's surprise is the change of my lab results from September 2015 to March 2016. Total cholesterol 211 down to 192; Triglycerides 193 down to 132 (huge decrease!); HDL 28 to 36 (almost to the >40 goal); LDL 144 down to 130; A1C 6.4 to 5.7 (whoohoo!). ALL of my results are within normal range or nearly normal in 5 months. ((doing the happy dance here!)). My doctor, who is reserved, was amazed and gave me a high five ;-).
I feel like a poster child by saying if I can, you can but it's true. The success of any lifestyle change begins with the desire to change something. At work I have a quote on the door:
Ability is what you are capable of doing.
Motivation determines what you do.
Attitude determines how well you do it.
Lou Holtz
~~Kathy
Norma
That is really inspiring Kathy. I am on this LCHF plan for two weeks now. I am finding it hard because I love my sweeties. I miss them terribly. I really have not noticed any change in two weeks and have been very faithful. Yesterday I had an apple and felt immediately lethargic and bloated. No apple today. What would you say was your saving grace of foods? I am a munchie person. Also I have a bad knee so walking kills me. I can only do a block. TY
Camille
It sounds like you might want to up your fat if you're still craving. Bullet proof coffee helps kick cravings. A handful of strawberries or blueberries every couple of days for a sweet fix. Pecans, hard boiled eggs with balsamic vinegar, string cheese, green olives stuffed with jalapeños, bacon. Lots of water.
Luke William Rich
balsamic vinegar is high carb
Heidi
Norma - I recommend dietdoctor.com to get started with LCHF. It's free and helped me enormously. Best of luck.
Sara
Hi everybody !! What a amzing blog... Love it...
My LCHF story start 5 weeks ago. I'm 39 years old.... married,no kids. All my life over weight...but last few years i was really fat..non stop over 120 kg 🙁 Get diabetes type2 high bloos preasure...and doctro told me if i dont loose at least 20 kg i will get insuline soon. That really scared me...so i decide try LCHF after i read great story about it...
In first 25 days i lost 10 kg! I was in shock....Happy but scared how that fast gone...i know it's water but still. Must say i loved eat bread,pasta,potatoes...and some sweets sometimes before... And i think my body was in shock and first kg gone quickly 😀
But now...over 15 days....nothing happend... I didnt even loose any cm on body...or any kg..Im walking 30-45 min at day (fast walk) and i have 3 meals (every 5-6 hours) Only sometime i eat little gouda cheese or few walnuts between meals, Most time easting eggs, little bacon, lots saladas,green vegetables,some tomato...MEat all kind and maximum 150-200 gr or fish.
No milk,only little cream in coffee...(2x in day) 3-4x at week i eat "fresh cheese" with litle cream with high fat%. I cooking on coconnut oil...i using lots olive oil for vegetables and salads and only lemon no other fruits.
What is going on?? Anyone had situation like me?? I eat at least double less then before lchf... no any bread,pasta....NOTHING.
My friend told me she think my body "protested" and saving all i eat..because it's big shock...
What do you think ? Im still on 115 kg..(265 lbs) 🙁
and yea...sugar is blood is much better....But not perfect.
Sara
I forget to say, my goal is maximum 5 kg in month.... I want loose it perfectly health...and forever.
Im really not on lchf jsut for loosing weight, but for health too.
Plus i feel good, no much feeling hunger... i dont even using stevia...nothing. Only had few pieces of dark choco for Easter....I dont have sleepy times after lunch like before...So that's great too. More energy.
offshoretinker
Try intermittent fasting.
This is the go to page, but suggest you watch the whole 12 episodes:
https://intensivedietarymanagement.com/why-cant-i-lose-weight-htlw-12/
Sara
Thank you !!
Jen
Increase your fat I eat tablespoons of coconut oil butter on vegs
Kathy E
Sara,
I stalled after a month or so in. Maybe do the food diary thing to see what you are really eating, I know, I hate it too but it did point out I wasn't eating enough healthy fats. Hang in there-it will move again!
Kathy
Sara
Thanks Kathy i do that on fitnespal....well it seems its more then 20 gr carbs in day...,most time 35-50 and i eat around 1400-1700 kalories ... I still hoping, my body is opposed because before i was eating a lot more then now and lots carbs... I cut cheese, only sometime eating hih fat cream in salad...and little cream in coffe.... God help me 😀
Carla
Sara,
You may be eating too much protein. I eat 95 grams or less. Proteins can turn to sugar as well.
Elektra
Hi Sara! Just want to let you know there are times your body is making changes that don't show up on the scale. While you may be losing fat, you could also be adding muscle if you exercising. Also, you could be losing fat, but having water retention issues. If you are keeping your carbs low, and doing everything right, including drinking a lot of water, keep it up and change will happen.
Just last week my scale was stuck. No matter what I did, I was even intermittent fasting too. One day I literally dropped 4 pounds, I know I didn't lose 4 pounds overnight, but the changes were happening during the time my scale was stuck, but it didn't show. And this week I was getting frustrated, because I've actually gained weight, but I just started my period this morning. There's usually a reason for not losing (hormonal, changes in body comp, water retention, dehydration, etc), and if you like seeing your results daily on the scale, it's easy to get discouraged. Keep in mind the changes cant always be seen daily on the scale. But if you track your progress, after a few weeks, your will see (and feel) change. It sounds like you are on the right track, keep it up! If you find you can't lose after two weeks, then check out the keto "egg fast", or even try intermittent fasting. Both of those I've heard can jump start weight loss again. Hope this helps and congrats of your weight loss so far, it's hard work!
Sara
Hi Elektra
thanks for reply....yes i heard about intermitten fasting and will try not eating from 6 pm till 10 am next day. Im jsut worry about my diabetes,is that ok or not...
Must say lchf make my sugar in blood much better... Still not perfect but 70% better then before. And no hunger like before ofcourse.
Today i weight again...and still nothing almost month now...This is my menu so what do u think:
Breakfast 1,5 dcl kefir with cinammon, coffee with little cream after that
Lunch after 5 hours: 1 pork stake (170 gr) on cocnut olive and 1 big zucchini with olive oil on top... little lettuce salad.
Dinner after almost 6 hours 2 boild eggs,1 tomato and 1 little spoon of butter on eggs.
Coffe with little cream. That's it...
No gym,im just walking when i have time and everywhere trying go by foot.
Mabye i have water retention....will take one pill in few days to try "move it out" 😀
And im drinking at least 1,5-2 liter of water in day...
Natasha
it sounds to me like you're too light on fats...go to the Google ruled.me and use his macros calculator for your height and weight... remember you should have mostly fat, moderate protein, and very little carbs as we all know...too much protein will definitely stall you quicker.
Kay Henson
I can only say be patient...... it's tough, but it will suddenly go again. I was stable (after losing 10 stone / 63kg for over 6 months. In the last 2 months another 5kg has just dropped off! Odd, but I let my body decide now, feed it well and you will get there.
Sara
wow you lost 63 kg? omg congrats... Im patient, 3 kg in month for me it's perfect....i can lost 30-35 kg in year by that...But like we see that is not happening to me hahaha
Well im not sad, i lost 14 kg in 9 weeks,because i lost very quick first 9 kg...i think that's why my body slowly loosing now. And i must eat less proteins for sure....
Dee
You should definitely look up Eric Berg on Youtube! He has a massive amount of knowledge. What I can say from at least the little I do know is that your body responded initially because of the lack of carbs. Carbs are energy, basically. So, if you aren't expending the energy and don't have all the vitamins and minerals necessary to maintain a healthy weight, carbs get converted to fat. But the HFLC diet is not the best option for someone who has a big adrenal problem. Cortisol (the stress hormone) levels also play a huge role in losing fat and water weight. Cortisol can come from both mental and emotional stressors. When the levels get really high, the extra weight we gain puts physical stress on the body as well. That is as much as I can remember right now. But I will link a good starting videos, but it would be good to really look through the whole channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7fHYSyvxU0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQXGXfpV9d0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SNUm2EqXOs
Sara
Ty for comment, i will watch all i can 🙂
Kimberly
I have been addicted to sugar for years! By addicted I mean: every time I would go off it I was like a recovering drug addict looking for just a small fix, a lick of a spoon, just the smell of something sweet!. The 4 day...I may as well of not gotten out of bed!
But after many epic fails I started thinking: how can I crave the good stuff? "I've always told my kids you gotta try 3 bites of something You don't like every time, so your tastebuds will adjust."
And while detoxing I figured I needed all the goodies in all the greens EVEN more. But I won't eat enough. THEN I tried a green powder, it was VERY GREEN a list of organic stuff I had never eaten, nor never would, no fillers, binders, ect. And I mixed it like a shot, plugged my nose and got it down. Couple days of this and then I started again: no sugar, wheat, gluten ect and waited for day 4....day 4 came and went. 1 serving in the morning 1 in mid afternoon, when I was feeling a little tired. I realized that I didn't even WANT sugar! It didn't sound good. Now I must admit it was once again was a fail but for a different reason, I would eat junk out of habit, not craving, until my system was once again full if it.
I have since started again after finding LCHF and have used the same powder, the carbs are low enough for me, and the results are the same, no cravings. The LCHF has made a HUGE difference for me and with how I feel after a week, my husband and 2 teenage daughters are joining me on this plan to change our way of eating for life!
Kathy E
Kim,
What is this magical green powder of which you speak????
Kathy
Jody
Sounds like Spiralina to me
Christina Roeters
Just did the most amazing sugar cleanse and it was really helpful for staying on track. Check out "I Love Me More Than Sugar" it is helpful and inspiring! Sugar free for 32 days now and feeling great!
Liss Hébert Sterling
I'm 55 and I started lchf on 11/9/2015, just before the food holidays at 225 pounds (5'7"). Today I am 188 without real exercise or ever depriving myself! I ADORE this way of eating. My goal is 165, so I have more to go, but I already have a waist again and look more like myself when I look in the mirror.
It makes me angry when I see weight loss shows forcing people into starvation on low-fat/high-inflammation diets when I know how easy it is to lose weight and heal your body.
Differences for me are steady mood, relief of ADHD comparable to drugs but without the ugly side effects, steady energy, no more bloating, not having to think about food all the time, eating real food after years of stuffing myself with nutritionally meaningless sugar and carbs, joints that don't hurt, and skin that glows.
I started this with the full intention of getting off of it when I reached my weight goal, but now I have decided I'm not giving up all of the non-scale benefits. No way. #lchfforlife