Not a low carber, but ...

So during my weight loss phase I kept my carbs around 150 net, but not lower than 100 due to blood sugar issues going low. This was coupled with very consistent exerices, unless I was recovering from a surgury. Worked awesome for me, and I had no trouble getting to goal. Blood sugar levels stabalized and the lows became super infrequent and barely an afterthought. A1c was great- for a while. I completely rejected the idea of keeping carbs under 40 during this period, because it flat out was causing me huge issues.

In April of 2014 I had a surgury and have not been able to exercise since. By the end of the summer I was back in the prediabetic range. Decided to drop my carbs a bit and be more mindful in an attempt to bring down those numbers. Fast forward 1 more year, and my numbers came down a bit- but not enough. And I had gained past my goal weight.

So now, I keep my carbs under 100, but at least 60. These seems to have stopped the damn craving cycles that were killing me, and no more crazy water weight fluctuations (up to a 5 pound swing in less than 24 hours). I was struggling pulling off the regain until I scaled the carbs back too, but once I did the weight started to come off. So still not an under 40 carb type, but a lower carb type now.

My point in all of this rambling is that you need to remain open about your diet long term. As we age, our needs will likely change. A couple of years ago I would easily lose weight on a calorie level that I now gain at. I had to lower my carbs. Maybe once I can get back to my ideal exercise regiment I can scale both carbs and cals back to where they were, but for sure not at this time.

Keep an open mind about what your body is telling you it needs and adjust as needed.

So true - great advice!

Thanks for the numbers and how the delicate protein-carb balance can affect health. It's a good reminder for those of us who are still losing weight from the surgery that reaching goal doesn't mean we can relax and let our sleeve do all the work. Health and weight maintenance are a lifelong effort.

psychoticparrot

Being able, and willing, to make adjustments is critical. Things change over time, and we have to change to keep up. Just because something worked for us last year, doesn't mean it will work next.

I'm glad you can adjust. We see so many that just aren't willing to.