An interesting experiment
Back before I started my weight loss journey, I ate relatively normally. I didn't pig out, I ate veggies, I ate a pretty "balanced" diet. I felt pretty decent - no health issues or anything. I probably ate about 250 grams of net carbs per day - big bowl of healthy cereal for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch often, I did drink 2 cokes a day but the rest was water, supper usually was lots of carbs too - biscuits or French toast or spaghetti or something of that nature. I might have some ice cream after everyone went to bed.
The low carb plan that most closely resembles what I'm doing is Protein Power. I have been eating 60 grams of carbs per day for 6 days, and then 120 for the 7th so that I can "reset" my system (since your metabolism is constantly trying to get things to "stay the same.")
The weekend before last weekend, we had a very busy weekend, and I ended up fudging a bit on some non-splurge days. I had a tiny brownie at a church potluck, at McDonald's the lady gave me regular Coke instead of diet, etc. Nothing major, but it was enough that when it came time for me to do another splurge day, I didn't feel comfortable doing that. So I went even longer eating 60 grams consistently.
I actually was having trouble getting up to 60 - I haven't been nearly as hungry, and the carby foods didn't sound as good to me as the more proteiny ones. Some days I only had 46 grams or so. It varied.
Yesterday was splurge day. At lunchtime I commented to dh that I hear all the time how much better people feel when they low-carb - more energy, not hungry all the time (as compared to strictly low-fat,low-cal diets), etc. I had a PBJ on regular bread. I was expecting to be all AHHHHHHHHHHH BREAD since it's been so long since I've had regular bread. But it was just blah and didn't really taste all that good to me.
Then naptime hit and I CRASHED. I actually fell asleep. My blood sugar crashed and so did I.
Then the whole rest of the afternoon I felt like a total slug. Just BLAH and almost sick.
For supper I made biscuits, bacon, and eggs. I was expecting to want to pig out on my biscuits, since I normally did. I normally would eat at least 2, and sometimes 3. I had to FORCE myself to eat ONE. I INHALED my eggs and bacon, and I ended up eating J's too. My body was just CRAVING protein, and those eggs were soooooo yummy!!!!!!!
I felt better soon after supper and after I had gotten a decent amount of protein in me.
So much for not feeling different!
Honestly I felt so bad with "all those carbs" (less than half what I used to eat!!!) that I am rethinking my plan so that I don't eat that many on my next splurge day.
I am just amazed. I WANTED eggs and bacon. I DIDN'T want biscuits. That is just not me!!!!!! However, dare I say it...I think I may have broken my addiction!!!
Once I get down to my goal weight, I'll probably add in some whole grains, but boy I tell ya, I cannot see myself going back to my old way of eating AT ALL! I don't have any desire to at all.
(And this way of eating is supposedly so unhealthy. Whatever!
)

Virginia wrote,
Interesting. I’ve cut out white flour, white sugar and white rice. Anything enriched, I don’t eat. I’m generally starving.
I’ve cut back my number of carbs…I’m not sure how many grams I eat..maybe I should check that. If I have cereal (from the health food store) I try and have that be my only “carb” meal, then for subsequent meals I’ll have potatoes or something and just eat less of them.
Did that make any sense at all?
Link | July 6th, 2006 at 5:43 pm
Virginia wrote,
I’m not necessarily always hungry…it just seems like it. LOL!! I get hungry quicker than I used to because I’m eating more often but I’m eating healthier. Did that make sense?
Link | July 7th, 2006 at 1:28 pm
Virginia wrote,
Okay, I have a homeschooljournal blog now too (check out my xanga if you want to know the story) How did you get the counters/bloglines/verse on your sidebar? I can’t figure it out.
Thanks.
Link | July 7th, 2006 at 1:31 pm
Julie D. wrote,
I feel so much better eating this way too and the pounds seem to just fall off. So happy for you!
Link | July 11th, 2006 at 6:24 am
Sheri wrote,
Hey! I lost you for a while there! Anyway, congratulations on the weight loss, GREAT JOB!
Link | July 11th, 2006 at 10:21 am