A Low-Carb Rant
Let me preface this by saying this is not aimed at any of the players who have opted for low-carb diet approaches. Instead, it’s aimed at the people who keep telling me I need to “cut my carbs” to lose weight.
Stop already!
Carbs are not evil! They are not evil, they are not evil, they are not evil!
Processed, empty carbs like white flour, white sugar and other “crap” are bad for you. The carbs in veggies and whole grains are NOT bad for you. You do NOT need to cut them from your diet to lose weight. Yes, it may speed the process for some people, but once again, carbs are not bad, nor evil!
So, let me once again share my diet philosophy and explain to you why I am not “dropping my carbs.”
Here are the 6 key points I believe in for losing weight.
1.) Get the recommended 25 grams of fiber a day (your body NEEDS this and it helps you feel full on less food).
2.) Get at least 75 grams of protein a day (so I can build muscle while weight training).
3.) Focus on whole grains and veggies that are high in fiber and protein.
4.) Eat small amounts of lean meats and organic dairy and focus on good fats like those in nuts and oils.
5.) Combine cardio exercise with weight training.
And most importantly…
6.) Eat less calories than your body burns in a day.
I am not on a diet. I am changing the way I eat to get my body as healthy as possible. This is not going to result in me losing weight as quickly a some contestants, but it will result in me losing weight and changing my habits over the next two months in a sustainable way. Sure, when I reach my goal weight I’ll be able to eat more calories each day while I maintain, but I won’t be changing WHAT I eat. Instead I’ll change how much I eat.
Now, here’s the thing about me and carbs; the reason why I refuse to “give them up” and instead focus on eating the RIGHT carbs. If you are eating WHOLE foods in as close a state as God made them as possible, then no one will ever convince me carbs are bad.
God doesn’t make crap. We might take what He made and turn it into crap, but God does not make crap. No one ever died from eating a diet rich in whole foods.
So please. I appreciate the support, the well-wishing and the suggestions, but let’s chill on the “drop the carbs” talk on this area of the blog, ok? Ain’t gonna happen. 
I like fruits, veggies and couscous too much.
/rant (and back to happy and cheerful Jen)
February 12th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
How many low carb comments have you had? I’m too lazy to check.
February 12th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Three or four here on the blog, several more via Twitter, in person and email.
I get why people do Atkins, but I disagree with it as a “lifestyle.” I’m also annoyed at people’s lack of understanding. Americans have been brainwashed into thinking “carbs are bad” instead of learning what good carbs are and what bad carbs are. Thus, they spout off random stuff about carbs being bad and “oh, that’s too many carbs” without realizing they’re talking about carbs that come from whole grain and veggie sources. That’s annoying to me.
The carbs in couscous are not the same as the carbs in a donut.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Just ask them how many pounds they lost last week.
Oh, and Americans randomly spouting off ill informed opinions? SHOCKING!
February 13th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Ha! While you are being bombarded by the low carb crowd, I’ve stopped discussing it at all after being constantly harassed with comments about how unhealthy it is and how I’ll gain all my weight back as soon as I stop.
While I know we’ve made this battle of the bulge and our choices a public topic, I am tired of well-meaning “helpers” telling me what to eat. (That includes you, MOM!)
February 13th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
can’t win for losing, right Scottie?
February 13th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Well, if I lose I win…
Seriously, I just think people… ok let’s get specific… WOMEN have almost all dieted at some point in their lives. We’ve all studied the diets, we’ve rotated and Atkinsed and counted fat grams and only eaten sugar between 6 and 7 and tried the starve yourself all week and cheat all day Saturday variations…
Everyone thinks they are an expert. Everyone thinks what works for THEM will work for YOU and while theoretically, it might, there are a myriad of mental issues (some of us more than others!) that come into play.
I think you have to feel committed to whatever you are doing or you will fail. The rest is all details.
Ya know?
February 14th, 2008 at 7:43 am
Jenn & Scottie, you’re entitled to be cranky. You’re on a diet.
My personal weight loss philosophy, and one that hasn’t ever failed me so far when I’ve actually put it into action: “eat less, move more.”
As to exactly what one chooses to eat less of, and how one chooses to get into motion, that’s up to the individual, IMO. Y’all are *all* doing great!
February 14th, 2008 at 10:29 am
You didn’t ask if you could get an Amen, but I’m going to you one anyway….AMEN! First of all I love carbs, and second of all the right carbs are good for you (like you said). Adjusting to being a grown up and doing my own grocery shopping and cooking took some time, and it was easy to get all the junk we were never allowed to have as kids. Between that and getting an office job, it took it’s taking it toll. I’m working to get it under control now before it gets bad. My hubby and I are doing the same thing: we’re not dieting but we’re getting back to a healthier lifestyle just like you are. It’s all about thinking long term. Sure I want to lose a little weight, but mostly I just want us to be healthier.
February 16th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
I just wanted to let you know that you’ve inspired me to go crazy Atkins.
No South Beach, no Glycemic Index, old school Atkins. Sausage and eggs and cheese and steak Atkins.
I’ve been on it for a little over 24 hours now.
I’m really not kidding.