We all were new once, and we all could have used some Low Carb Survival Tips. Hang around any LC community for more than five minutes, somebody will hop on the message board and ask, “How many carbs can I have?” Or “What can I eat?” Or “Why does LC work?” Or even the dreaded, “Why am I not losing weight?”
These questions can be frustrating to us old-timers. Not because we don’t want to be helpful! That’s a big part of why we participate in these communities, along with personal benefits of staying on track. But consider this: If there is a whole library full of low carb plans with specific instructions how to undertake one successfully, how could you possibly expect good answers to these questions as they apply to you personally in a paragraph or less?Â
There are a plethora of different LC plans, with DIFFERENT daily carb restrictions, allowed foods, and advice for success. I can tell you I”m an Atkins girl, or that “Why We Get Fat: And What to Do About It” is an absolutely enlightening book, but I cannot judge your specific needs, especially without knowing anything about you. Different approaches, different strokes for different folks, you know? I cannot tell you what will work best for YOU. I can tell you what worked for ME. That’s useful for sure, but not the same question at all. (However if you’re totally lost and don’t know where to start, check out my tips on starting a low carb diet.)
But I still can help. Here are some things I’ve learned from the few thousand low-carbers I’ve met in the course of my own journey.
Low Carb Survival Tips for the Noob
- Get the book! Those that read up, select a plan, buy the book and follow it are the ones I put my money on for the long haul. It’s your road map to success. It gives you the in’s, outs, what to expect and how to cope with common concerns. Plan books that I can personally recommend include Taking Out the Carbage, the latest A New Atkins for a New You, or Protein Power. The people who feel like they already know enough because their cousin’s girlfriend’s sister “does Atkins” don’t tend to do as well. This is one of the biggest hallmarks I’ve seen to predicting a good outcome.
- Attitude will make or break you. The ones complaining about what they CANNOT do are usually right. The ones who focus on what they CAN do are also usually right. Focus on what you can do, what you do enjoy, and ways to make Low Carb fit into YOUR lifestyle. Direct your energy to what you want, not what you don’t. It just plain works better.
- Focusing on speed of loss, scale-worship, or generally approaching LC as a crash diet IS setting yourself up for failure. Sometimes, the scale will bless your efforts. When it does, I’ll dance with joy right along with you! But sometimes, it’s the tape measure that tells the tale best instead. Sometimes, it’s just how you feel physically that lets you know you’re on track (or not). Sometimes, there are other concerns that must be ironed out. What’s always clear, however, is that if you STOP eating LC, you stop getting the benefits of LC. This isn’t a fast, temporary fix. If you go into it requiring a guaranteed rate of loss until you can go back to eating Snickers for breakfast, why bother?
- Beware Frankenfoods. Everybody gets excited the first time they find an old favorite in “carb-legal” form. Specialty products can be a solid, useful way to extend your options, but be selective! Junk food is still junk food, even if it’s got “Low Carb” plastered on the package. Discrimination and moderation are key. If you’re having issues losing and you’re not sure why, this is the first place to look. Real, natural foods bring the best results overall.
- Tracking is your friend: carbs, inches, weight, exercise, all of it. I’ll be honest–I HATE tracking, with a passion. But I also know it’s highly effective. When you’re starting out, tracking your eating is a must and cultivates that oh-so-useful habit of reading labels. You most likely won’t need to do that forever but initially or whenever you’re struggling, tracking can pinpoint trouble spots. Progress tracking also helps remind you of how far you’ve come if you ever need a shot of encouragement. It’s worth the trouble.
What are your best low carb survival tips for those new to low carb?
My biggest tip would be: if you fall of the wagon, just get back on. In fact, after I reach my goal (or when I’ve gotten “stuck” at a certain weight in the past), I’d schedule a “cheat day” or two, and then plunge back into induction. I don’t know what the late Dr. Atkins would say about it, but it works. For me, very well.
(And by the way, that avatar of Dubya is from 2007, and I have no idea how to get rid of it!)
Thanks for your addition, James.
FYI, the avatars here are going to pull from Gravatar first using your email addy, or generate you a monster avatar if you don’t have a Gravatar.
I havevIrlen syndrome and cannot read this at all.
Ok it’s better noe.
I have a cabinet in the kitchen, stocked with low carb foods, ONLY, and I keep the fridge well stocked with things I can eat–deviled eggs, cole slaw, cauliflower , sugar free gelatin, etc. For me, the key is to be well prepared.
Meal planning really helped me when starting Phase 1 on Atkins. I planned everything including morning/afternoon teas and snacks and made sure I packed everything when I was at work or out to avoid slip ups.
be prepared and track and…when you fall off get right back on. You don’t get rid of the car because it has a flat tire. Change the tire and go forth.
Very important! Don’t wait to get back on track, just get back on track. Thanks for adding that, Cindy.