Low Carb Blahs

Hey Guys,

Anyone else get the low carb blahs when they go on the carb diet that is less than 20 grams per day? I just feel like I don't want to do anything. Exercise is not rewarding, working is  drag. I just want to sit and stare into space.

Why am I on low carb after reaching goal and in spite of a rigorous exercise program?

I have started on the Natural Hormonal Enhancement (book by Rob Faigin) diet and the first week is strict no carb.

After the first week, I'll be allowed as many as 60 grams for 3 and then 4 days a week (cycling from 3 to 4, so the body can't anticipate), each of which is ended with two carb-loading evening meals. It's basically low carb followed by 2 carb-loading evening meals on the last day. This diet is supposed to increase muscle while burning fat.

Lost 6 lbs in 3 days, so low carb is working, but a huge price to pay. 

Are some folks just not cut out for low carb?

Dave 

I like the low carb way. I've always been a big veggie person, so there are infinite combinations for me to face. Now...that being said; my wife HATES low carb (really low carb). She tried it with me a few years ago. After a few days she actually began to stink. Her skin smelled bad. it was crazy. Needless to say, she ain't a low-carber!

I don't stink, or I don't think (I stink)...But I am saying "Stinkin' low carb!". Being able to carb load this coming Sunday evening and then get 60 grams for the four days following is my only saving grace.

If you like low carb, you should try the NHE diet. It appears that the diet is not a gimmick, the book is chock full of evidence from studies about optimizing natural growth hormone levels.

Here are some of the basics:

http://www.extique.com/askrob5-2.htm

Dave Draper, in my opinion the most successful pre-steroid era bodybuilder (initially successfull without steroids) is very pro-ketogenic. Here are his links on various ketosis based diets:

http://www.davedraper.com/faigin-natural-hormonal-enhancemen t-excerpt.html

You're really fortunate to like this!

Dave

Hey Dave, Not being at goal yet, I'm on a pretty low carb eating plan. one thing I notice when carbs are really low is that my thinking isn't always focussed. Also, a good workout leaves me more drained. So i try to bump the carbs up now and then, but am still wary. I've 30 pounds or so I want to drop and so I'm erring on the side of high protein. I guess balance is the key--to something. But, hey, I guess I wouldn't have gotten up in the 340s if I were a master of the moderate, balanced life!

Hi Doug,

Balance? What is that? Me too, never had it in my life. My family when I was growing up consisted mostly of people trying to use their job push themselves through depression. The result was chaos. Am I depressed? Not sure, but I certainly have a lot of the same habits as those folks. All I can do is bury myself in a goal and hope the rest will self-regulate.

From your results, however, it looks like you're pretty good at getting yourself back on track.

Good work,

Dave  

Prior to WLS, I was a frequent Low-Carb Dieter. I think due to the cycling on and off it, You may not get to the "energy" potion of Ketosis. I always felt weak and tired until around day 4, then- Euphoric Energy levels. I could usually stay on Atkins/Low-Carb for a month before I’d start slipping up, 3 times a week, then 4, then 6, then— KaBoom! Regain all I’d lost and a few extra pounds on top. I was a highly successful short term loser Long-term gainer… My RNY finally broke the cycle…. Now I eat quite a bit of low-glycemic carbs. Lots of vegetables, beans… I don’t get the energy drops, But also none of the Ketosis Energy boosts… I’m very balanced / even… (nutritionally that is, as for life in general- I surf on the waves of Chaos!)

Best Wishes- Dx

Thanks, Dx!

Still waiting for those euphoric energy levels. Maybe I'll just have to drink more coffee! Today is day 4. Hope it happens.

Dave

Dx,

You're far more knowledgeable about nutrition (and probably everything except Oriental languages) than I am. Just wondering if you have read any critiques of the NHE diet?

Particularly wondering if the natural growth hormone secretion can be substantially increased by limiting the body's carb to an eventual 30-60 grams (thus limiting insulin produced)? Faigin lists tons of sources and limiting insulin production is part of what the old "Carbohydrate Addicts Diet" used to recommend (along with not eating over 100 calories at one time, different from Faigin).

Just wondering if you have anything on that? Of course Faigin has a "Hormonally Intelligent Exercise" program too.

Thanks,

Dave