Switching back to carbs?

Ok--huge question.  I am one of the back-on-trackers.  I had VS in 2009 and lost 80lbs.  Gradually, 20lbs has crept back on.  I have gone "back on track" this past week only to find that the very low calorie/low carb/high protein diet that worked so well for the big drop, leaves me completely exhausted and low sugar-y.  I very much want to integrate fitness into my life this next year in a big way and I need energy -- at least to exert myself and take care of my kids and, well, think.  When looking through the fitness blogs and books, they ALL emphasize high complex carbs, whole, clean foods and lean proteins.  My question is this, if anyone knows: is it ok to switch to this diet for health/fitness/long term weight loss and maintenance?  It is quite confusing that our weight loss plan is so in counter to the main stream right now.

Thanks!!

Dazzling I am equally confused about that topic.

Let's hope we get a reply!! I am going to go onto more fitness oriented sites and scour around. 

Your pics are adorable!!

Switch over to the VSG forum, I think you will find your answers there.

Hey Bob,

I posted it on the main blog....the VSG seems to focus on losing weight after surgery.  I will try!

I think complex carbs - from veggies, fruits and even grains should be fine for you. Specially if you try to exervise.

All in moderation.

It sounds perfectly reasonable to me.  Complex carbs are veggies, lean proteins are meats and whole foods are unprocessed.  This shouldn't be very different than normal post op eating.   There are way too many people too dependent on quick foods thinking that they have to live on processed chemicals to lose weight.

 Basically, kick the frozen meals and prepackaged dinners to the curb, and prepare / cook your own good meals of meats and vegetables.  

It's how I live as a DSer, except for I don't bother with lean proteins, I look for the most protein bang for my buck since I don't need to worry about fat.  Processed foods like those diet frozen dinners contain extra carbs to compensate for fat, hidden sugars, sodium, and chemicals that you wouldn't get otherwise.  

Thanks..The thing is that at 25-50 carb grams a day, I was getting maybe one apple, if that.  I was wondering if I can integrate more fruit, quinoa, etc.  At your maintenance level, how much have you ended up needing in each category?

I really never counted anything but protein and fluids.  I would assemble a balanced plate, then I would be sure to eat all of the protein item > then move on to the veggies > then eat whatever I wanted with the last couple of bites, be it bread, rice, or chocolate cake.  This kept me from feeling deprived or getting myself into too much trouble.

Today, though, my stomach is larger and can hold more, so while I still don't count carbs, I'm mindful of whether those that I consume are complex or simple.  I don't sweat complex carbs ever - however try to keep the simple carbs to a minimum.  For instance, I own a BBQ restaurant and I have a hot corn muffin fresh out of the oven daily, and I usually have something sweet in the evening, if only cinnamon toast.  I try to eat all meat/cheese/veggies in-between through the day.  If I notice that my carb cravings start to intensify, I go a few days of protein loading to regain control.

I followed Dr Atkins and read all of his books. Here is what he would advise.  Every so often go off of high protein and go to high carb.  Not loads of bread and pasta, but things like strawberries, blueberries, apples, oranges, tomatoes, carrots, corn, peas, asparagus, green beans, celery, grapes, pineapple, cantaloupe, melons, cherries, peaches, nectarines, plums, squash, spinach, broccoli, lettuce, cabbage and pears.  Pick foods with bright colors, limit cooking to preserve the vitamins.

Go with lots of salads and fruit plates.  Use salad dressings, low carb dips, and Splenda.  I like my fruit plates with a few scoops of frozen sugar-free cool whip.  When you are doing this, avoid protein.  It is a total change for your body and I always lose about ten pounds if I do this for about  a month.  Dr Atkins only rule was to follow high carb or high protein but not to combine the two. 

Dr Atkins believed that carb addicts needed to indulge in this type of diet from time to time.  But he believed that combining the protein and carbs for carb addicts lead back to them gaining weight.