"You cant function on a no-carb diet." - Myth or truth?

[atypical1]

I like the eating 4 to 5 meals a day and much prefer the "no carb" approach. I'm not about to start fasting anytime soon because that's simply not enjoyable nor practical for me. No carb worked well for me because I'm a huge fan of meat and veggies so it didn't feel like I was depriving myself.

I can see a lot of people failing on the fasting program simply because it would take a lot of willpower to not overcompensate on the non fasting days. Frankly, if you've not got the will power to not eat simple sugars I'm not sure you're going to be able to (1) fast, and (2) not overcompensate. Not saying that it couldn't work just saying that it sounds like a much tougher road to go on.

james

[sean]

@Nekurahn

How does the fasting effect your ability to function? Personally, if I skip breakfast and head straight to class, I experience a body crash - I'm unable to concentrate, very tired, and just in a bad mood. I assume you experience this to some degree. How do you deal with it?

[Bman1]

Just note, for the most part, vegetables=carbs (yes I know there are some fats and protein in veggies, but you do get carbs), so while what you followed may have been a very low carb diet, it was not a NO carb diet. Nothing against high-protein/high fat type diets, but don't necessarily think they are the be-all, end-all for fat loss. Sensible diet with minimal refined carbs/sugars and processed foods, whole-grain carbs, much increased vegetable/fruit, and increased protein along with increased overall exercise and heavy lifting has worked well for me the last 6 months, dropped 30 lbs and went from 43"+ to 37" waist, 30+% body fat to ~18.5% bf. Could I have done it faster with a very low carb diet, maybe, but I didn't have deny myself any major food group along the way or worry about the initial side-effects of a very low carb diet. There is more than one way to skin a cat.

[atypical1]

Just note, for the most part, vegetables=carbs (yes I know there are some fats and protein in veggies, but you do get carbs), so while what you followed may have been a very low carb diet, it was not a NO carb diet. Nothing against high-protein/high fat type diets, but don't necessarily think they are the be-all, end-all for fat loss. Sensible diet with minimal refined carbs/sugars and processed foods, whole-grain carbs, much increased vegetable/fruit, and increased protein along with increased overall exercise and heavy lifting has worked well for me the last 6 months, dropped 30 lbs and went from 43"+ to 37" waist, 30+% body fat to ~18.5% bf. Could I have done it faster with a very low carb diet, maybe, but I didn't have deny myself any major food group along the way or worry about the initial side-effects of a very low carb diet. There is more than one way to skin a cat.

True about the vegetables and perhaps my thread title was a bit misleading.

Congrats on the fat loss, that's quite an accomplishment. I didn't mean to claim eating low or no carb was the only way to lose weight by any stretch of the imagination. I just put it out there that it worked well for me and it was truly sustainable. You are correct about there being more than one way to accomplish these goals.

james