Low carbs - low energy?

[Vonb]

I’ve been trying to lose some weight I seem to have gained during past few months by reducing my carbs intake, I’ve really struggled for energy when out running. This morning was due a 10k but even from 4 I struggled and by 8.3 I just thought sod it I'm done! Any advice please , do you think it’s related or is it psychological?! Many thanks

[SlowLoris]

It takes time for your body to adjust to change. Stick with it. Slow down slightly to make it easier.

[Vonb Graduate10 in reply to SlowLoris]

Thank you, I run with daughter in law which is hard as she naturally a lot faster, sometimes I try to keep up but end up shattered other times I slow down but then feel guilty for holding her back! X

[SlowLoris in reply to Vonb]

Sounds like the problem is definitely pace not food. Even a very small pace increase will have a big effect on how hard the run is.

Can your daughter in law do some run backs so she gets a longer faster run. It’s what I do if I’m leading a mixed pace group.

[Vonb Graduate10 in reply to SlowLoris]

I tell her to run on ahead but they’re here for lockdown so doesn’t know area too well, running back could work though thanks x

[Fionamags Graduate10]

I think carbs are your running fuel, so if you are going low carb then it will be quite tough to exercise. I got some great advice from others about this - re topping up with jelly babies, banana, gels, snack bars etc. Very tricky when you're trying to lose weight though. I will be interested to see how you get on as I could do with shedding a fair few pounds. theoldfellow suggested that I needed to go very slowly to allow my liver time to turn fat into fuel/sugars. I haven't tried it yet but might be something to bear in mind? Sounds like you have to run at your own pace though rather than with somebody else...

[Vonb Graduate10 in reply to Fionamags]

Thanks meant to get jelly babies today but forgot, I had a haribo strawberry but too difficult to chew as you run. It’s only week 1 of cutting back again so early days but I am quite stubborn when I want to be so planning on sticking to it x

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

Hello Vonb,

I go along with SlowLoris, it takes a bit of time to adjust. My husband and I changed to a Low Carbohydrate High Fat diet over a year ago. There was a period, very short, perhaps a run or two when my evergy seemed lacking, but then absolutely fine.

You may find this very interesting.

dietdoctor.com/watch-the-lo...

If you have time or inclination, I would recommend joining Dietdoctor for a free trial to watch all the films they have available, not necessarily to take part in their two week eating plan. It was all a massive eye opener to me. Have fun exploring.

[Vonb Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Many thanks, I’ll take a look x

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

I think there's a lot of stuff on the Internet to lose weight you need to cut out carbs and i disagree.

I did have weight to lose and I still eat them , weetabix , wholemeal seeded bread , pasta and potatoes.

What i did cut back on was chocolate, cakes and biscuits.

21 months on I've lost all the weight I put on after stopping smoking and the running helps maintain my healthy weight.

I'm no expert this is just what worked for me 😊😊

[Vonb Graduate10 in reply to Buddy34]

Thank you, I’ve still had bread just not much potatoes or pasta which I can eat piles of usually x

[ForestGrump63 60minGraduate in reply to Buddy34]

I agree with this totally. I only had a stone to lose but cut out all refined sugar from my diet that’s all it took

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

I cut down on carbs to lose the last stone out of 6 when I plateaud. But I only did it 3-4 days a week.

[Vonb Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

Wow well done! I’ll try having more carbs before my long run in future x

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to Vonb]

Thank you. I did slimming world. These days were called SP days.

[Vonb Graduate10]

I also did slimming world lost 5.9 in 2009 kept it off really till last year, I’ve since been calorie counting etc put on about a stone over lockdown and last week just thought I’d try the original red days used to do on slimming world hence cutting out potatoes and pasta. Think I keep more toned with running but it gives me an excuse to eat more than I should as I feel healthier if you catch my drift? X

[Slinkymalinki Graduate10]

I've put on weight over lockdown too and a big part of that is that I've had to sit down working when I would normally be on my feet & active all day. There are good and bad carbs - green from the veggies etc are great plus wholemeal bread, rice, pasta etc but not white e.g. potatoes & refined sugars.

Hubby had high blood sugar a while back so we had a good look at our diet & he started running. Sugar is the real evil here not so much carbs and fat. Fasting has kept the weight off in the past for me - originally the 5:2 but now I just do once a week 16 hour 8pm-12pm. It gives your body time to start using up its fat stores to provide you with more energy. Michael Moseley's books are a good start if you want to read more.

Btw Mr S is very fast & sometimes runs with me but usually zooms off at some point and then loops back for me!

Sorry for the long post but hope it might be useful. 🙂

[Vonb Graduate10]

Thank you, I might give fasting a try although I do enjoy my breakfast x